NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 

What he didn’t expect was a season-long slump that has featured just one round-win in the first eight events in Pro Stock Motorcycle, putting him currently outside the top 10 entering a critical point of the season.

 

There has been plenty of frustration along the way, but that won’t stop the outpouring of support the Forest Lake, Minn., native will receive at this weekend’s 35th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway. In fact, Underdahl, who is currently 15th in points, is hoping the large crowd of family and friends, who have had a designated spot at the track for years, will help provide the spark he needs to get his season turned around.

 

“We always get a pretty big crowd right past the finish line,” Underdahl said. “There’s usually about 10 motorhomes and buses parked there that are all family, friends, and fans, and every time I go past them coming back to the trailer, they’ve got the air horns going. It just shows they’re going to be there rooting me on whether we’re doing good or bad. Having them up there is always fun, and it’s always a good time at Brainerd.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the pivotal event that will be broadcast on FS1 for the first time. FS1 is also adding 30 minutes of live NHRA programming on Saturday to televise the final rounds of Top Fuel and Funny Car from the postponed event in Seattle. The added telecast will air from 3 to 3:30 p.m. ET and will feature the Top Fuel final between Antron Brown and Steve Torrence, as well as the Funny Car final between Del Worsham and Ron Capps. Both final rounds will take place during the third round of qualifying.

 

The race is the ninth of 16 during the Pro Stock Motorcycle season, making it the penultimate race of the regular season before the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship begins. To advance to the NHRA’s six-race playoffs, Underdahl knows he has work to do, currently sitting 72 points back of 10th-place Steve Johnson. A big performance this weekend in Brainerd and then at the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals could provide a major swing for Underdahl, but things must come together quickly in Brainerd.

 

“There’s always a chance to make that top 10, and we want to go out there and go rounds,” said Underdahl, who finished ninth in points a season ago. “We figured out some things in Sonoma and that brought the whole team up. We’re trying our hardest to get into that top 10 and not being in it isn’t for a lack of effort. If it happens, we’ll be excited, but if it doesn’t, we can always go out and spoil some people’s days, and maybe win a race.”

 

The 30-year-old Underdahl would love for his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle win to happen at his home track, one he has been going to for nearly 25 years with his dad, former Pro Stock Motorcycle competitor Greg.

 

His dad continues to be with him every step of the way, which has been extremely beneficial in a season filled with this much frustration. They debuted a new bike with a new fuel-injection system this year, and the learning process has been immense. It comes on the heels of eight straight first-round losses to end 2015, including an opening-round defeat last year in Brainerd, which means Underdahl is ready to taste some success.

 

“He’s always been there for me and my dad helps me through everything,” Underdahl said. “It’s been frustrating because you always want to do well. It’s been hard to step back and keep learning still, but that’s just the competitive side of me. It’s been a big learning curve. We’ve been trying a lot of new things and hopefully we’re now headed in the right direction.” 

 

It won’t be easy in Brainerd competing against a deep and talented Pro Stock Motorcycle field that includes defending event winner Krawiec, who is the current points leader. Other standouts in the two-wheel class include reigning world champion Andrew Hines, who has three wins in 2016; LE Tonglet, who won in Sonoma; Englishtown winner Angelle Sampey; Jerry Savoie; veteran Steve Johnson; Matt Smith; Hector Arana Sr.; Hector Arana Jr.; and Chip Ellis.

 

But Underdahl saw glimpses of potential at the most recent race in Sonoma, which he hopes is a preview of a memorable performance in Brainerd.

 

“We learned some things in Sonoma, and we’re starting to get to the right area,” Underdahl said. “We finally started seeing our back-half numbers come back, and in Sonoma, we saw our short numbers get better. Hopefully, we’ll put those two together and make some good runs this weekend.”

 

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3 and 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21.

 

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 218-824-RACE (7223) or 866-444-4455. Tickets also are available online at www.brainerdraceway.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.