Chris Bostick, rider of the gorgeous Surf Signature RV Resort Suzuki, maintained his Top Ten position in the Countdown to the Championship after an intense weekend of racing at the NHRA Texas FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. The NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle standout made consistent runs throughout the weekend but his race day came to an early end when Angie Smith defeated him the the first round of NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competition.
In the first qualifying session of the Stampede of Speed, Bostick laid down a solid lap of 6.877 seconds at 197.76 mph. On Friday evening, under the lights and in front of slews of enthusiastic Texas fans, he slowed down a tick, running a 6.90 at 197.06. In the third qualifying opportunity on Saturday, Bostick’s bike would not fire.
One of the highlights of Bostick’s weekend happened in the fourth and final qualifying session. He lined up across from her former crew chief and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Richard Gadson. Although it was only a qualifying round, the two were still excited to compete side-by-side. Bostick outpaced Gadson to run his quickest pass of the weekend, an impressive 6.870 at 197.26.
“It was a lot of fun to ‘race’ Richard, even if we weren’t in eliminations,” said Bostick. “In many ways, he’s like another son to me, and he is a talented racer. Just look at all he’s accomplished in his rookie season. So it feels like a real win.”
Coming into eliminations on Sunday from the No. 11 qualifier position, Bostick faced No. 6 qualifier Angie Smith. It was a true back-and-forth drag race as the pair battled from start to finish. Smith got the starting line advantage but Bostick got in front of her early in the run, keeping the lead until halfway down the track when Smith pulled in front to turn on the win light.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed,” remarked Bostick. “But it was a great drag race and that’s always what we want to give the fans. I have to remember that I’m still relatively new to full-time, professional competition. And I’m competing with the best motorcycle riders on the planet. Being able to give someone of Angie Smith’s caliber a solid battle to the stripe is pretty exciting. We continue to make small improvements and I hope that will pay off in big ways.
Bostick’s Surf Suzuki will return to the White Alligator Racing shop in Florida before heading out west for the final two events of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series 2024 season. After making a stop in Las Vegas for the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway November 1-3, the team will wrap up the season at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, November 15-17.
