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NHRA: Ohio's Krisher Races Into Columbus a Winner

12 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Ron Krisher's first career NHRA Winston Pro Stock victory came June 4 -- the same day John Force set an all-time series record with his 86th win -- but Krisher didn't mind standing in Force's shadow. "I guarantee you I'm happier than John is right now," said Krisher, who drove his Eagle One Pontiac Firebird to the No. 1 qualifying position at the Prestone Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., and defeated Troy Coughlin in the final round, having bested this year's Pro Stock kingpin, Jeg Coughlin, in the semifinals.

Krisher, of Warren, Ohio, now heads into this weekend's (June 16-18) Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Columbus, Ohio tied with Troy for third place in the Pro Stock standings. Krisher made a significant investment during the off-season (including buying his own engine-building company) to be competitive, then saw much of his work destroyed when he flipped during a first-round run in the season-opener at Pomona. "It's absolutely (been) worth it," Krisher said moments after his victory. "I don't know anything better than this. Back at that moment (Pomona), I didn't know if I could get back in a car, get a car that would work. Everything was upside-down, including me!

"You don't look for the other car. You run your own race, that's the objective, (but) I looked over and there was no Troy. I know when I get in high gear, he isn't getting me, because this thing just smokes in high gear."

Meanwhile, three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Hines has closed to within 36 points of leader Angelle Seeling. Hines' Eagle One Suzuki was the top qualifier at Joliet. Five-time Top Fuel titlist Joe Amato is fifth in points in the DynoMax/Valvoline/Keystone Automotive dragster.

Text provided by Michael Knight

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