AMERICUS, Ga. - Following Sovereign-Star Racing's win at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago, Ill., the team went on to earn another No. 1 qualifying position, advance to the final round of eliminations and post a new track record this past weekend July 5-7 during the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

"Our team has had an awesome three weeks on the road. We have both motorcycles running great right now thanks to the hard work of everyone at our Star Racing shop, our shipping department and our track crew. Our team has provided the labor, parts and horsepower to deliver a final and a No. 1 qualifier this week and a win last week," Star Racing owner George Bryce said.

Throughout the past three back-to-back NHRA Mello Yello Series races, Sovereign-Star Racing Buell driver Michael Ray has claimed a national event win for the team at Chicago and No. 1 qualifying positions at the other two races in Epping, N.H., and Norwalk. Ray also posted the low ET and high mile per hour of this past weekend's Norwalk event with his No. 1 qualifier run of 6.912 seconds at 194 mph, which set a new Pro Stock Motorcycle speed record for Summit Motorsports Park.

"I think our team is definitely a class leader at this point, and it all boils down to how prepared we are. In this sport, you have to be good to even compete at this level. You have to be the best to rise to the top, and Star Racing is showing how they've been one of the best for over 25 years. It may have taken the team two years to work our way back to the top after taking time off, but now we have the best people in the business to keep us out front and moving forward," Ray said.

Ray's teammate, Scotty Pollacheck, also had a successful weekend at Norwalk on his S&S Cycle-powered Buell, qualifying at No. 10 and then driving his way to the final round of eliminations on Sunday against No. 8 Buell driver Matt Smith. As Pollacheck advanced to his third final round this season, he also claimed the low ET for the semifinal round.

"We need to give lots of credit to the guys at the (Star Racing) shop that are turning those engine parts around in such a short amount of time to get it back to the racetrack. Also, our crew at the track, Ken (Johnson), Chuck (Kennedy), Andrew (Schulz) and Chaz (Kennedy), are doing an awesome job, especially since they've had their hands full keeping everything working properly while they've been on the road," Pollacheck said.

No. 1 qualifier Ray faced No. 16 Buell driver Shawn Gann in round one eliminations on Sunday and claimed the win with a 6.941 against Gann's 7.010. No. 10 Pollacheck also took the round one win with a 6.941 run against No. 7 Harley-Davidson V-Rod rider Andrew Hines' 6.995.