Indy ORP: Series Pro Bike Battle preview

TOP SEED ARANA LEADS PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE COMPETITORS IN 19TH ANNUAL RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE

CLERMONT, Ind. - Hector Arana will headline a special eight-rider field from the No. 1 qualifying position as he is seeking his first victory in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis on Sept. 5th. The special bonus event for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors will be held during the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the world's most prestigious drag race.

The total race day purse for the 19th annual Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle is $61,000. The winner will earn a $25,000 bonus from Ringers Gloves. Any rider who can win the Battle and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will earn a $10,000 'Double-Up' bonus from the NHRA.

The Battle runner-up will earn $10,000. The two semifinalists will earn $6,000 each, while the four first-round finishers will earn $3,500 apiece.

Drivers accumulated points for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle at 17 NHRA national events between last year's Mac Tools U.S. Nationals through last weekend's Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pa. A $1,000 bonus was awarded to the No. 1 qualifier at each of those races.

Arana, who is making his fifth start in the bonus event and first since 1997, claimed the No. 1 seed by earning four No. 1 qualifying positions during the Battle series.

Arana will meet sophomore Battle contender Matt Guidera in the opening round. In other first round pairings, three-time winner Andrew Hines will face 1991 runner-up Steve Johnson, while defending winner Eddie Kraweic will race 2002 winner Craig Treble. In the final pairing, four-time Battle participant Matt Smith will race Karen Stoffer, who is making her third start in the special bonus event.

Other past winners include GT Tonglet, Reggie Showers, Shawn Gann, Antron Brown, Matt Hines, John Myers and James Bernard.

Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle rounds are scheduled for 1:15, 5:30 and 7:40 p.m. on Sept. 5.

2009 RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE FINAL STANDINGS
1. Hector Arana, Milltown, Ind., Lucas Oil Buell 2,615
2. Andrew Hines, Indianapolis, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 2,605
3. Eddie Krawiec, Indianapolis, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 2,540
4. Matt Smith, King, N.C., Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki 2,510
5. Karen Stoffer, Minden, Nev., GEICO Powersports Suzuki 2,285
6. Craig Treble, New Orleans, Team Scream Suzuki 2,190
7. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Snap-on Tools/Wyotech Suzuki 2,050
8. Matt Guidera, Folsom, Calif., Mohegan Sun Rocklin Motorsports Buell 1,780

2009 RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE ROUND PAIRINGS FIRST ROUND (1:15 p.m.)
Hector Arana vs. Matt Guidera
Andrew Hines vs. Steve Johnson
Eddie Krawiec vs. Craig Treble
Matt Smith vs. Karen Stoffer

SEMIFINALS (5:30 p.m.)
Arana-Guidera winner vs. Smith-Stoffer winner
Hines-Johnson winner vs. Krawiec-Treble winner

FINAL (7:40 p.m., Sept. 5)

-credit: nhra