The NHRA Pro Stock
Motorcycle Drag Racing final at Houston Raceway was decided at the tree, with Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Andrew Hines taking the victory in the final after
Buell's Hector Arana jumped the gun by a full -.102 seconds. The victory was instantly handed over to Hines, who went on to post a time of 6.988. It was the19th win of Hines' career and his first at Houston Raceway Park.
Andrew Hines defeated teammate Eddie Krawiec in the semi-finals to advance into the final round against Buell's Hector Anana.
“It was good to get the first win of the year,” said Hines. “We were there for the taking, but it worked out in our favor. I had been working more on the racing program lately than my riding, but I returned to the riding, and I’ve had all greens since Charlotte. We had never won at this track before, so this one is huge. I was also beginning to question myself with no wins so far this year, but today’s win put that to rest.”
Hine’s quest for the victory began with his win over Buell’s Junior Pippin in the first round. Hines then posted the lowest E.T. of 6.938 in the second round against Karen Stoffer, and in the semi-finals he conquered his
Harley-Davidson teammate Eddie Krawiec by a narrow margin of 0.08 seconds.
Meanwhile, Arana also appeared well on his way to sweeping the contest up until the final match. He was the fastest rider during the first match-up against
Suzuki’s Steve Johnson. In Round 2 he beat Buell’s Jim Underdahl with a time of 6.941, and in the semi-finals Arana again had the top-time after defeating Matt Smith with a 6.888. Despite getting lane choice in the finals against Hines, he proved too eager and went red, ending his weekend in Houston by disqualification.
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Spring National Results:
Round Win/Loss Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
Final (W) Andrew Hines (Harley-Davidson) 0.038 6.998 196.02
(L) Hector Arana (Buell) -0.102(R) 13.258 58.40
Round 3 (W) Hector Arana (Buell) 0.07 6.888 195.22
(L) Matt Smith (Buell) 0.055 7.256 169.42
(W) Andrew Hines (Harley-Davidson) 0.012 6.905 195.7
(L) Eddie Krawiec (Harley-Davidson) 0.029 6.913 195.87
Round 2 (W) Eddie Krawiec (Harley-Davidson) 0.022 6.952 192.6
(L) Michael Phillips (Suzuki) 0.017 6.996 193.8
(W) Andrew Hines (Harley-Davidson) 0.016 6.938 193.02
(L) Karen Stoffer (Suzuki) 0.014 6.984 188.6
(W) Matt Smith (Buell) 0.008 7.004 188.75
(L) Craig Treble (Suzuki) -0.068(R)7.048 186.1
(W) Hector Arana (Buell) 0.064 6.941 191.02
(L) Jim Underdahl (Suzuki) 0.043 7.004 190.5
Round 1 (W) Jim Underdahl (Suzuki) 0.029 7.009 193
(L) Douglas Horne (Buell) 0.04 7.028 188.2
(W) Michael Phillips (Suzuki) 0.027 6.989 193.8
(L) David Hope (Buell) -0.023(R) 7.015 188.8
(W) Karen Stoffer (Suzuki) 0.027 6.939 192.9
(L) LE Tonglet (Suzuki) -0.026(R) 6.986 192.2
(W) Matt Smith (Buell) 0.076 6.956 190.2
(L) Angie Smith (Buell) 0.042 7.057 180.9
(W) Craig Treble (Suzuki) 0.072 6.885 193
(L) Mike Berry (Buell) 0.025 7.034 189.5
(W) Andrew Hines (Harley-Davidson) 0.063 6.94 193.4
(L) Junior Pippin (Buell) 0.05 6.988 188.6
(W) Eddie Krawiec (Harley-Davidson) 0.081 6.944 194.6
(L) Redell Harris (Buell) -0.081(R) 7.107 185.4
(W) Hector Arana (Buell) 0.048 6.871 194.5
(L) Steve Johnson (Suzuki) 0.025 7.088 190
