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Racing News - 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matt King (414) 343-7634
matt.king@harley-davidson.com
SCREAMIN' EAGLE TEAM HITS THE ROAD FOR STURGIS BIKE
RALLY AND BRAINERD NHRA EVENT
Hines and Krawiec Ready to Meet Fans and Race for Minnesota Trophy
MILWAUKEE (Aug. 7, 2007) – Things are going well
when you know that your schedule includes a trip to the famous Sturgis,
S.D. Rally before you head back to the race track to ride your Screamin'
Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod. That's exactly what Andrew
Hines and Eddie Krawiec have in store this week and they couldn't be
happier.
Hines and Krawiec will join hundreds of thousands
of motorcycle enthusiasts for the 67th annual Sturgis, S.D., Rally. The
drag racers will participate in a number of activities including a
Harley-Davidson sponsored ride, before taking a quick plane ride to
Brainerd, Minn., on Thursday. Qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
at Brainerd International Raceway starts Friday.
While Hines has made the Sturgis-Brainerd shuffle
three times before, this is Krawiec's first visit to both venues. The New
Jersey native joined the Screamin' Eagle team prior to this season and has
anxiously conquered plenty of "firsts" throughout the season.
"This is another new thing for me but I have
to admit I've been looking forward to going to Sturgis and Brainerd for
the first time for a while now," Krawiec said. "I've come to
realize that the Harley-Davidson crowd is incredibly diverse and they
really are the most loyal group I've ever come across. I can't wait to
hang out with them at the biggest rally before going to Brainerd.
"I've heard so much about Brainerd and how
people camp out for days just to get in the campground for the race.
Everyone has said that the Brainerd crowd not only knows racing but they
also know how to make the event even more fun. All I have heard about is
the campground and I can't wait to check it out."
Hines – the 2005 runner-up at Brainerd – is in
third place after winning two races in three final rounds so far this
season. Not bad for a guy who started the year off with two consecutive
first round losses. After the first two races, the three-time defending
NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion was in 13th place of the
standings.
The Screamin' Eagle team has come a long way since
then, making being at the race track all the more desirable these days.
"I'm looking forward to getting back on the
motorcycle," Hines said. "We know the V-Rods are capable of
going out there and running some good numbers. Brainerd is just another
track we can go out and have fun at."
But first, the Screamin' Eagle racers will be in
Sturgis.
"The people who go to Sturgis are so
enthusiastic about motorcycles," Hines said. "It's nice that we
can go and meet Harley fans outside of the race track. They have been
there for our team and our sponsor. They are die-hard fans and whether you
are up or down, they support you no matter what. They love it when we win,
but they are loyal supporters even when we're not winning so it's great to
go and meet those fans every year."
While Hines is comfortably in third place, Krawiec
needs to gain some points this weekend if he wants to have a shot at
moving into the second round of the Countdown to the Championship points
format.
Starting this year, NHRA has developed a playoff
format for all professional categories. The top eight competitors in each
category will advance to the second round starting with the Aug. 29 U.S.
Nationals at Indianapolis. Krawiec is in 10th place with two races left
before the points are realigned.
"I'm absolutely thinking about being in the
top eight," Krawiec said. "That would be such an amazing feat if
I could get into the top eight in my first season of Pro Stock Motorcycle
racing. The field is tough this year so it's making our jobs more
difficult. I think this could be the most equalized field in Pro Stock
Motorcycle history. It's just a phenomenal group of racers."
Before Krawiec can worry about gaining ground in
the point standings, there is fun to be had in Sturgis. Krawiec and Hines
will spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Sturgis, cheering on the AHDRA's
Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Race at the Rally exhibition drag race
before taking off for Brainerd on Thursday.
"Being able to meet fans outside the race
track is one of the things I look forward to the most," Krawiec said.
"They are the ones that make it possible for us to race. They support
Harley-Davidson and in return the race team and we are that team. The fans
make it possible for us to race."
Hines is just happy his streak of Sturgis visits
continued this season.
"Sturgis is a great event and it's something
we mark our calendars for every year," Hines said. "Everyone
there is excited about racing and motorcycles. It's even more fun to hang
out at the race track without any pressure."
Qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will
start Friday with two sessions at 2:45 and 5:30 p.m., continuing Saturday
at 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. on
Sunday.
All the action of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals can
be seen on ESPN2 starting on Sunday with qualifying coverage at 12:30 a.m.
(ET), continuing with three hours of final eliminations coverage on Sunday
at 7 p.m. (ET). NHRA Race Day – a live magazine show filmed at the track
– can be seen on Sunday at 11 a.m. (ET), also on ESPN2.
2007 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle point
standings following nine of 16 events:
1. Matt Smith, Buell 847
2. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki 668
3. Andrew Hines, Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
V-Rod 602
4. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki 543
5. Chip Ellis, Buell 518
6. Craig Treble, Suzuki 481
7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki 444
8. Peggy Llewellyn, Buell 436
9. Chris Rivas, Buell 414
10. Eddie Krawiec, Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines
Harley-Davidson V-Rod 407
Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by
and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle
racing. Screamin' Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use
applications, while Screamin' Eagle parts offer street-use performance
options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com
for more information.
The Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock
Motorcycle team is sponsored by Ford Truck, Dunlop, Matco Tools and S100.
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