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10.24.2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Leslie Prevish (414) 343-7272
leslie.prevish@harley-davidson.com
COUNTDOWN TO CHAMPIONSHIP HAS TWO STOPS BEFORE 2007
NHRA POWERADE CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED
Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson Rider Andrew Hines Leads Category
MILWAUKEE (Oct. 24, 2007) - Screamin' Eagle/Vance
& Hines Motorsports rider Andrew Hines is taking the new NHRA points
format all in stride. The three-time defending NHRA POWERade Pro Stock
Motorcycle champion doesn't exactly know what to expect in the last two
events of the season, but he is comforted by one fact: none of his
competitors do either.
Starting this year, NHRA has developed a playoff
format for all professional categories. The top eight competitors in each
professional category advanced to the second round starting with the Aug.
29 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. Both Screamin' Eagle factory riders
Hines and Eddie Krawiec were in that group of eight.
The eight were cut to four following the O'Reilly
Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex on Sept. 23.
Hines made the cut. Krawiec didn't. Hines only
celebrated for a short time, realizing the championship would now come
down to just eight possible rounds of competition - four in Las Vegas and
four in Pomona, Calif.
The first of the final two events starts Friday in
Las Vegas. The seventh annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals takes place
at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Auto Club Finals in Pomona
will be held Nov. 1-4.
Hines is tied with two other racers, older brother
and crew chief Matt Hines and Angelle Sampey, as the only riders in NHRA
history to win three consecutive titles. If Hines can win the championship
this year, he will be the first rider in NHRA history to win four
consecutive crowns.
He may also have a leg up on the competition headed
to this weekend's race. Not only is Hines the defending series champion,
but he won the national event in Las Vegas last year too, beating GT
Tonglet in the final round. It was his first Las Vegas victory. Hines also
has one No. 1 qualifying position there from 2004.
"It's great to be part of the first
Countdown," Hines said. "Leading the points going into the final
two events of the season helps too. That's what we were aiming for. The
only downside to the Countdown that I can see so far is the added pressure
it's put on all of the teams involved. Everyone has just two races to earn
the championship and that's a lot of pressure for anyone, no matter what
you've done in the past. Our team has been working to find new ways of
managing the Countdown, deal with the pressure and prepare for the
races."
While Krawiec is disappointed that he didn't make
the final four, he will still be anxiously watching as a fan - and trying
to win a trophy while everyone else is watching the four Countdown racers.
"I hate that there was a second cut and I'm
disappointed we don't have both Screamin' Eagle bikes in the top
four," Krawiec said. "But the season isn't over. It's possible
for me to move up as high as fifth place and if I can finish with a fifth
place in the final standings I will consider that to be a major
accomplishment in my first full season of NHRA racing.
"Some racers who didn't qualify for the top
four might want to go into test mode and start using the last two races as
a way to prepare for the 2008 season. Not me. I want to win. I want to win
a race before the season is over so badly and I know it's going to be
tough, but I am going to do whatever I can to make it happen. I don't have
anything to lose at this point and I have a lot to gain. It should be a
fun couple of races."
Hines knows that if anyone can win a championship,
it's the guy riding a bike prepared by the Screamin' Eagle/Vance &
Hines Motorsports crew.
"Last year we had a 26-point deficit going
into Las Vegas and we won the championship," Hines said. "This
year we have a 10-point lead and the experience it is going to take to be
competitive with all the pressure.
"We're a championship caliber team and that
has shown more this year than any other because we struggled so much at
the start but were still able to fight our way back. The team has so much
experience and they make it easier to get out there and ride the
motorcycle. Hopefully the year ends the same way it did last year and we
find a way to win another championship."
Hines should be comforted to know that the fans -
Krawiec included - will be watching every second.
"I think it's pretty exciting," Krawiec
said. "Going into the last two races of the season there isn't any
team that has a clear advantage. They are going to crown a champion in all
four categories at Pomona and it could very well come down to the final
round in each category. That's exciting and I can't wait to see what
happens."
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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