PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Johnson (near lane) against Pollacheck in the final.  (Adam Cranmer photo)

Steve Johnson catapulted from the No. 7 qualifying position and ran through the field to secure his second career Gatornationals victory and first since 2005. Johnson powered his Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki to a 6.912 at 191.32, defeating Scotty Pollacheck, who covered the distance in 7.093 at 191.32 mph on his Quality Tire Buell in his first Gatornationals final.

Before outrunning Pollacheck in the final, Johnson took out a tough trio in earlier rounds including Katie Sullivan, defending world champ Matt Smith and defending Gatornationals winner Hector Arana Jr.

"The fact that this is the first Suzuki win since 2011 shows that we've had a Buell epidemic, actually a V-Twin epidemic," said Johnson of his sixth career victory. "Last year, I got to the final here and lost to Hector Arana Jr., and I felt like I should have won it. We've been close a few times, but we finally broke through. This time, Scotty was next to me, and then I saw him disappear.”

Pollacheck defeated Hector Arana Sr., Michael Ray Jr. and John Hall to get to the final round.

John Hall looks to be behind the “8 ball.” (Steve Gruenwald photo)

There were 24 bikes at Gainesville with only Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines on Harley-Davidson V-Rods. Buell was the mount favored by 12 riders with Suzuki making a resurgence with eight entries.