Bradford Jumps to 6th

Memphis, TN (8/19/06) -- His ignition problems solved, Tom Bradford rode the Balbayis Asset Consulting/Hal's Speedshop Buell into the field and up to sixth place in the second round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying for the NHRA O'Reilly Midsouth Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.

qualifying round 2
6th right lane Tom Bradford 7.127 at 187.89 mph

qualifying round 3
6th left lane Tom Bradford 7.241 at 185.69 mph
best pass 7.127

"We made one good lap," laughed Bradford, who slowed while breaking in a new tire in the third and final qualifying session. "That's all it takes, right?

"We came here with the objective to get prepared as best we could for Indy. We wanted to make sure we had a well-seasoned new tire on with some laps on it, so the weather yesterday threw a wrench in the mix. We thought we'd put two hits on our good tire and get in the field on Friday and break in a new one on Saturday. But we had to leave the old on today and change it for the third round. That's what made it look like we struggled in the third round. It usually takes us about three to four hits to break in a new tire. It spun terribly. We had a 1.14 60 foot.

"It was a good day, as far as that .12 was concerned, so I feel good about Sunday. We've got lane choice for the first round (against #11 qualifier Karen Stoffer) and that seems to be important for us out here. Rob and Jim will get on the tune-up for this tire and we'll come out in the morning and run good."

Tom, whose 7 year old son Quintin is with him this weekend, thanked sponsors Balbayis Asset Consulting, Hal's Speedshop, Hal's H-D/Buell, Vanson Leathers, Stitch-it-Embroidery, CRD Inc., T-N-S Machining, S&S Cycle, Buell Motor Co., Mustang Shelly's Roadhouse, Red Line Oil, MicroBlue Racing, Autolite, Simpson, Wiseco, Rinehart Racing, and The Carburetor Shop for their support of the Hal's/Thunder Eagle team.

Find out more about Hal's at http://www.halspa.com
Find out more about the NHRA at http://www.nhra.com