Krawiec Wins NHRA Pro Stock Title

Cycle News Staff | November 14, 2011

Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Ed Krawiec won his second NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship with a second round victory in the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals season Finale at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California.

“I think this is really a statement on the season, to end it with an all-Harley final and the championship, and with Willie G. Davidson and the bunch from Harley here to see it,” said Krawiec, who lost to teammate Andrew Hines in the final. “This championship validates the championship I won in 2008 when I didn’t win any races. For Andrew (Hines) and I to go to the final two races and be winner and runner-up is amazing. Plus, to have the opportunity to race with such great competitors, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Krawiec became the first ever rider to clinch the title in the season finale by eliminating Lucas Oil Buell’ Hector Arana Jr. in the second round. Krawiec advanced to the final round and lost to teammate Andrew Hines, who finished the season third in points. Arana, the 2009 champion finished second.

The final point tally shows Krawiec with 2691, Arana with 2601, and Hines with 2511.

The title was the fifth for the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines team, who have won five of the past eight titles. Hines three years in a row, from 2004 through 2006, and Krawiec earned his first championship in 2008. As he said, Krawiec won his first title without a win in the finals. This year he won four times-Gainesville, Norwalk, Charlotte, and Las Vegas-and also set a new Pro Stock Motorcycle speed record of 199.26 mph at Gainesville.

Hines was the top qualifier at Pomona, with 6.820 secs. first run on Thursday. Arana Jr. was second at 6.832 secs., while Krawiec was third at 6.850 secs.

Krawiec opened with a win over Geico Suzuki’s Karen Stoffer, while Arana Jr., the only rider capable of derailing his championship hopes, kept pace by defeating Next Level Racing Suzuki’s Justin Finely. Krawiec ended the title suspense in round two by defeating the 2010 champion, Nitrofish Suzuki rider LE Tonglet. Krawiec then beat Arana Jr. in the semi-final round to clinch the crown.

Hines beat Michael Phillips (The Edge Suzuki), Buell’s Angie Smith, and Lucas Oil Buell’s Hector Arana Sr., setting up an all-Harley final-round match with Krawiec. Hines got the win when Krawiec fouled at the starting line. It was the second win of the season for Hines, who also won the final at Houston.

“What a phenomenal weekend,” said Hines. “This has been a bookend season for the Screamin’ Eagle team, and to end the season with two all-Harley finals, and the championship for Harley-Davidson. This team is a force to be reckoned with.”