LAS VEGAS – It is not guaranteed yet that either Andrew Hines or Eddie Krawiec from the Screamin’ Eagle Vance and Hines Harley-Davidson team will win the Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship in 2014. But with a sizeable lead over the nearest contender and a combined 10 wins between the pair, it appears likely that Krawiec and Hines’ return to form is nearly complete.
The only question might be which one of the teammates will claim the championship and Krawiec has his ideal scenario of how it will happen.
“Hopefully it all goes down to the wire and it’s decided in the final round in Pomona,” Krawiec said. “It would be awesome for it to come down to winning that final race. We’re both competitive people and we both want to win it. Hopefully the Harleys are going to be first and second. That would be a nice way to recoup.”
Before that final race in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, Krawiec will try to close in on Hines at this weekend’s 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.
It is the penultimate race of the 2014 season and Krawiec currently trails Hines by just 25 points heading into what will be a thrilling final stretch between the two teammates, who have a combined six world championships. Hector Arana Jr. is 168 points behind Hines in third. Krawiec won the last title between the teammates in 2012 but the team struggled mightily a year ago as Hines failed to make the Countdown to the Championship and Krawiec posted just two wins in all of 2013.
Through some impressive work in the off-season and throughout the 2014 campaign both Krawiec and Hines are back in a familiar position.
“This is our full-time job and we take it seriously,” Krawiec said. “We’re expected to win by our sponsors, our partners and everyone that helps us with our program. We expect results and there wasn’t one person happy with the results from last year. When we were not winning we had to find ways to bring program to the next level. Everybody just wanted to make the bikes perform this year. Everyone pitched in and when you have everyone behind you like that it makes it easier.”
The success has been evident for Krawiec. Coming off a victory at the most recent event in Reading, Krawiec, who has 27 career victories, has picked up wins in four of the past six events, including two in the Countdown.
But knowing what Hines is capable of, Krawiec thinks another win might be necessary this weekend in Las Vegas if he wants to have a chance at the world championship.
“The way I look at it, I have to come out of Vegas with an event win,” Krawiec said. “That’s the only way you can ensure a chance at the championship in Pomona and that’s the way I look at it. My goal is to win every race and I’m certainly not going to change it now. It’s probably going to be a very fast event and my bike tends to run well in those conditions. I’m looking forward to these final two races.”
Krawiec did downplay any momentum he might have from winning in Reading earlier this month. Conditions will be different in Las Vegas and Krawiec will continue to contend with a talented Countdown field that includes Hines, Arana Jr., reigning world champion Matt Smith, Steve Johnson, Angie Smith, Scotty Pollacheck, John Hall, Hector Arana Sr. and Michael Ray.
“You have to treat every race the same, momentum or not,” Krawiec said. “I’ll go in with the same mindset but I don’t get hung up on the way the last race went. I try to treat every race as a new beginning.”
Brown, the 2012 world champ, is a two-time winner at Las Vegas but the driver in command in Top Fuel is seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher. After winning three of the first four Countdown races, Schumacher, an eight-time winner at the Strip, holds a 134-point lead over Doug Kalitta. Steve Torrence sits in third, reigning world champion Shawn Langdon is fourth in points while other Countdown competitors include Spencer Massey, reigning Auto Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award winner Brittany Force, Khalid alBalooshi, Richie Crampton and J.R. Todd.
Force locked up his 16th world championship in Las Vegas last season but he is chasing points leader Matt Hagan in Funny Car. Hagan, searching for his second world title, won in Reading to jump to first and is trying to hold off a field that also includes Courtney Force, three-time season winner Alexis DeJoria, Tommy Johnson Jr., Robert Hight, Ron Capps, Tim Wilkerson, Del Worsham and three-time Las Vegas winner Cruz Pedregon.
In Pro Stock one of the most intense playoff battles is brewing between as many as five drivers. Jason Line leads the pack while Erica Enders-Stevens, Dave Connolly, Gray and Allen Johnson are all within striking range of a championship. Jonathan Gray, Jeg Coughlin, V Gaines, Vincent Nobile and Chris McGaha round out the Countdown field.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and one driver will be crowned world champion in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season finale.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 31, with sessions at 1 and 4 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (800) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals, the 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fifth of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of Las Vegas off I-15.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 30 – Nov. 2
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Oct. 30 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, Oct. 31 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 12:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1 and 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, Nov. 1 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 12:30 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 3:30 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1 and 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, Nov. 2 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10:15 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Nov. 2, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of coverage starting at 2 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov. 2, ESPN2 will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov. 2, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 6 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Friday, Oct. 31, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 20C
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 – 10:30 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 20C
Sunday, Nov. 2, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 20C
(4100 MHz, horizontal; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2013 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Shane Gray, Pro Stock; Matt Smith, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Greg Anderson, PS, 4; Ron Capps, FC, 4; Tony Schumacher, TF, 4; John Force, FC, 3; Andrew Hines, PSM, 3.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.761 sec. and 327.98 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’13
Funny Car – 4.006 sec. and 325.37 mph by Courtney Force, March. ’14
Pro Stock – 6.590 sec. and 209.72 mph by Jason Line, Oct. ’12
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.879 sec. by Hector Arana Jr., Oct. ’11; 196.56 mph by Eddie Krawiec, Oct. ’11
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
TICKETS: For tickets call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (800) 644-4444, or visit www.LVMS.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the 22nd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fourth of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship –
Top Fuel: 1. Tony Schumacher, 2,462; 2. Doug Kalitta, 2,328; 3. Steve Torrence, 2,319; 4. Shawn Langdon, 2,314; 5. Antron Brown, 2,292; 6. J.R. Todd, 2,288; 7. Spencer Massey, 2,273; 8. Khalid alBalooshi, 2,240; 9. Brittany Force, 2,188; 10. Richie Crampton, 2,177.
Funny Car: 1. Matt Hagan, 2,423; 2. John Force, 2,387; 3. Courtney Force, 2,351; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,309; 5. Robert Hight, 2,288; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 2,268; 7. Ron Capps, 2,254; 8. Del Worsham, 2,227; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2,207; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 2,196.
Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 2,421; 2. Erica Enders-Stevens, 2,386; 3. Dave Connolly, 2,370; 4. Shane Gray, 2,322; 5. Allen Johnson, 2,315; 6. Vincent Nobile, 2,295; 7. Jonathan Gray, 2,279; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 2,266; 9. V. Gaines, 2,207; 10. Chris McGaha, 2,104.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,485; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,460; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 2,317; 4. Steve Johnson, 2,285; 5. Matt Smith, 2,274; 6. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,268; 7. John Hall, 2,222; 8. Hector Arana, 2,210; 9. Angie Smith, 2,157; 10. Michael Ray, 2,071.
