NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Scotty Pollacheck has competed in more than 100 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle races and he’s yet to win one. That should not be interpreted as an indictment of Pollacheck’s riding talent but rather, a clear sign that he’s spent a significant portion of his career wasting his talents on mostly uncompetitive machinery.  Pollacheck is a past Division 6 Sportsman Motorcycle champion and he’s appeared in six-career final rounds in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. This year, he joined Matt Smith’s team and got the opportunity to ride one of the slippery new EBR bikes, which have cracked the 200-mph barrier. That move helped renew Pollacheck’s optimism, but he struggled through the first five events of the season without turning on a win light. Qualifying has also been an issue with a DNQ in Las Vegas and a best starting spot of tenth.

Pollacheck’s fortunes appear to have turned the corner in Norwalk where he had one of the quickest bikes in the field in each of the four qualifying runs including a best of 6.881 that is good for the No. 5 spot, his best effort since last year’s Charlotte Four-Wide event. Pollacheck’s quest for a long-awaited first win will begin with a battle against No. 12 qualifier Ryan Oehler.

“I can’t blame the bike or Matt Smith for the way this year has started,” said Pollacheck. “My riding is not where it should be to be honest. I’ve made a lot of mistakes that I normally shouldn’t make. Some of it has been just getting used to the EBR body. It’s a little different that what I’m used to. Some of it has also been us trying to get our sixty-foot times competitive. We put a new rear tire on the bike this week and that has helped a lot.”

Pollacheck’s performance in Norwalk was not only impressive, but it also helped in his quest to get back into contention for the Countdown to the Championship since he picked-up three bonus points, one on Friday, and two on Saturday morning when he made the second-best run of the session. Pollacheck has been quick and he’s been consistent this weekend, so now its up to him to carry that momentum into eliminations.

“We do have a chance to dig out of the hole we’re in and today would be a good day to get started,” said Pollacheck, who entered Norwalk in the No. 15 spot in the Mello Yello standings. “We have tried a few things on my bike this year and some of them have worked and some haven’t. Right now, it’s about as competitive as it’s been so it’s up to us to take advantage ofi that. My side of the ladder is tough but then again, they’re all tough .There are no easy draws out here anymore.”