NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

One racer who attracted a lot of attention in Gainesville is 21-year-old Pro Stock Motorcycle rookie Melissa Surber. A resident of the Northern California city of Rio Dell, Surber was introduced to the sport by her father, James, a longtime bike racer and chassis builder. After gaining valuable experience in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, Surber progressed to motorcycles by age 16 and made her debut in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class last July in Denver. She qualified for her second event in Sonoma, where she raced five-time world champion Andrew Hines in her first eliminations round.

The Pro Stock Motorcycle field at the 2016 season opener in Gainesville was so competitive that defending race winner Karen Stoffer and two-time NHRA Mello Yello world champion Matt Smith did not qualify, but Surber had no such difficulties. Following the advice of teammate Chip Ellis, Surber rode her S&S-powered Buell to a career-best 6.85 and finished as the No. 7 qualifier in the quick 16-bike field.

Surber plans to compete at all 16 Pro Stock Motorcycle events this season, which makes her one of the leading candidates for the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, given to the top rookie racer in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.