Harley-Davidson Wins NHRA Pro Stock Championship
Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines riders Ed Krawiec and Andrew Hines dominate on their way to a 1-2 finish.
Despite the fact that they were debuting brand new bikes, Harley-Davidson overcame some early season hiccups to become the most dominant team in the 2017 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class. And after flexing his muscles all season, H-D Screamin Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Ed Krawiec secured his fourth championship simply by clinching a spot in the final elimination race of the season.
It was a remarkable effort following the team’s switch from the V-Rod to the Street Rod midway through the season. But after some early struggles making the transition, Krawiec won five of the next six races, finishing with a 22-1 record. Since he joined the team back in 2008, Krawiec has never finished lower than third in the standings, racking up 43 wins along the way. He’s just part of a dominant Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team that’s won a total of 9 championships.
The other half of the dominant Harley duo, Andrew Hines, finished second behind Krawiec in the points race. The 5-time NHRA champ fittingly defeated his teammate in an all-Harley-Davidson Pro Stock Motorcycle final for his 48th career win. That helped Hines secure second place in the championship standings, though it wasn’t exactly close. Suzuki Nitro Fish Racing team rider LE Tonglet finished the season a distant 192 points behind Kraweic.
Despite his penchant for success, it’s pretty clear that Krawiec is never satisfied. But he is certainly grateful.
“For me, this has been most rewarding championship that I’ve earned.”
“For me, this has been most rewarding championship that I’ve earned,” Krawiec said. “Each championship is special in their own right. My first championship was a unique one. I won nothing. I never got to hold up a Wally, but at the end of the year I got this massive championship trophy. In 2011 and 2012 we dominated. This one is more humbling. Five years later I can say I appreciate this one a lot more. You never know when the next will be, so you cherish ones you do get.”
