31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Brainerd Int’l Raceway
Aug. 16-19

All photos courtesy of NHRA.com

SUNDAY

Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Krawiec remained undefeated in Pro Stock Motorcycle, claiming his sixth victory of the season in as many finals and increasing his series points lead by defeating final round opponent Hector Arana Jr., who fouled at the start on his Lucas Oil Buell.

“He jumped out in front of me and at first I thought I was late but about 300 feet out, I looked up and saw that my win light was on,” Krawiec said. “I realized that he red-lighted.”

Hector Arana Jr. happily celebrated clinching a spot in the Countdown playoffs during the pre-race ceremony.

Elimination Round 1

(W) John Hall (Sovereign/Star racing Buell) 0.043 6.993 190.35
(L) Michael Ray (GottSpeed Racing Buell) 0.047 7.013 188.94

(W) Scotty Pollacheck (Soverign-Star Racing Bue 0.029 6.922 191.27
(L) Steve Johnson (Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki) 0.036 7.013 187.81

(W) Karen Stoffer (GEICO Suzuki) 0.023 6.926 192.14
(L) Jim Underdahl (Suzuki Extended Protection S 0.031 7.014 192.06

(W) Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine 0.061 6.908 193.52
(L) Shawn Gann (Pirana Z Racing Buell) -0.010(R) 7.049 190.19

(W) Michael Phillips (The Edge Suzuki) 0.044 7.171 182.48
(L) Hector Arana (Lucas Oil Buell) -0.043(R) 9.213 94.14

(W) Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.035 6.894 192.22
(L) Mike Berry (MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bue 0.060 6.936 192.22

(W) LE Tonglet (GT Racing Suzuki) 0.013 6.927 192.19
(L) Matt Smith (Matt Smith Racing Buell) 0.092 6.952 191.08

Elimination Round 2

(W) John Hall (Sovereign/Star racing Buell) 0.008 6.999 189.55
(L) Michael Phillips (The Edge Suzuki) 0.026 7.049 190.62

(W) Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine 0.037 6.876 194.94
(L) Karen Stoffer (GEICO Suzuki) 0.012 7.000 191.73

(W) Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.038 6.912 192.06
(L) LE Tonglet (GT Racing Suzuki) 0.053 7.781 132.67

(W) Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 0.040 6.876 194.69
(L) Scotty Pollacheck (Soverign-Star Racing Bue 0.014 7.007 188.75

Despite a round two-loss in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Karen Stoffer was able to secure her spot in the Countdown to the Championship. Stoffer is now guaranteed her ninth straight top 10 finish.

Elimination Round 3

(W) Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.007 6.914 191.67
(L) Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 0.034 6.911 193.13

(W) Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine 0.048 6.885 194.49
(L) John Hall (Sovereign/Star racing Buell) 0.015 7.062 185.84

Working feverishly to grab a spot in the top 10, John Hall helped his cause with a semifinal finish aboard the Sovereign/Star Buell. Hall defeated Michael Ray and Michael Phillips before falling to Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Final Round

(W) Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine 0.026 6.896 192.47
(L) Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) -0.020(R) 6.904 192.52

Eddie Krawiec, far lane, won for the sixth time this season and extended the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson win streak to 11-races when Hector Arana Jr. fouled in the Pro Stock Motorcycle final.

Point standings (top 10) following the 31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 16th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

1. Eddie Krawiec, 962*
2. Andrew Hines, 856*
3. Hector Arana Jr, 760*
4. Hector Arana, 630*
5. Karen Stoffer, 504*
6. Scotty Pollacheck, 434
7. LE Tonglet, 432
8. Michael Ray, 419
9. Matt Smith, 374
10. Shawn Gann, 367

Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship scenarios for the upcoming Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Indianapolis.

• Five spots available
• 10 riders still have chance to make Countdown: Scott Pollachek; LE Tonglet; Michael Ray; Matt Smith; Shawn Gann; John Hall; Steve Johnson; Michael Phillips; Jerry Savoie; Mike Berry
  
• Savoie and Berry will be eliminated from playoff contention if Gann qualifies
  

SATURDAY

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Sr. claimed his fourth No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 21st of his career, powering his Lucas Oil Buell to a category-best effort of 6.884 at 192.63. Arana Sr. will race veteran rider Michael Phillips in the first round.

“Today, we struggled a little bit. Our clutch tune-up is off,” Arana Sr. said. “We tried some different things and we fixed one end of the problem, but found another. We are going to go back to [yesterday’s tune-up] for tomorrow. Still, I’m pleased with the outcome.”

Hector Arana Jr. qualified third on his Lucas Oil Buell while the Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson duo of Eddie Kraweic and Andrew Hines were fourth and second.

Qualifying Round 3
1. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.884 192.82
2. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.887 193.57
3. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.905 192.71
4. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.909 192.77
5. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.918 192.30
6. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 6.948 192.08
7. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.952 189.71
8. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 6.964 190.86
9. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 6.966 190.03
10. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.976 190.30
11. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 6.978 190.94
12. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 6.981 192.25
13. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.018 191.76
14. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.029 190.59
15. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.144 189.18
16. Michael Phillips The Edge Suzuki 7.218 190.65
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Buddy Robinson Fast Lane Sports/Questec Suzuk 7.470 177.14

Qualifying Round 4
1. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.884 192.82
2. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.887 193.96
3. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.894 193.13
4. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.909 192.85
5. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.918 192.30
6. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 6.948 192.08
7. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.952 189.90
8. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 6.964 190.86
9. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 6.966 190.03
10. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 6.968 192.08
11. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.976 190.30
12. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 6.981 192.25
13. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.018 191.76
14. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.029 190.59
15. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.144 189.18
16. Michael Phillips The Edge Suzuki 7.213 190.65
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Buddy Robinson Fast Lane Sports/Questec Suzuk 7.470 177.14

FRIDAY

Arana Sr., who has earned three No. 1 qualifying positions this season in Pro Stock Motorcycle, earned the qualifying lead with a performance of 6.882 at 192.63 on his Lucas Oil Buell.

“I was very surprised that we ran a 6.88 in the first round,” Arana Sr. said. “We knew that it would be fast but we really didn’t think it would be that fast.”

The Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson duo of Andrew Hines and Eddie Kraweic, who have combined to win all eight races this season in the two-wheel category, were second and fourth respectively. Hector Arana Jr. was third on his Lucas Oil Buell.

Qualifying Round 1
1. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.884 192.63
2. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.887 193.57
3. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.906 191.78
4. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.912 192.77
5. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.958 192.14
6. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 6.964 190.86
7. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 6.966 190.03
8. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 6.970 192.08
9. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.974 189.71
10. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 6.978 190.32
11. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.980 188.15
12. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 6.987 190.59
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.003 191.78
14. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.007 186.64
15. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.102 187.52
16. Michael Phillips The Edge Suzuki 7.104 190.65
17. Buddy Robinson Fast Lane Sports/Questec Suzuk 7.431 177.14

Qualifying Round 2
1. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.884 192.82
2. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.887 193.57
3. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.905 192.71
4. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.909 192.77
5. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.918 192.30
6. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 6.948 192.08
7. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.952 189.71
8. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 6.964 190.86
9. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 6.966 190.03
10. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 6.978 190.94
11. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.980 188.15
12. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 6.981 192.25
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 6.987 190.59
14. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.002 191.35
15. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.032 189.18
16. Michael Phillips The Edge Suzuki 7.104 190.65
17. Buddy Robinson Fast Lane Sports/Questec Suzuk 7.431 177.14

TRACK RECORDS:
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.881 sec. by Hector Arana Jr., Aug. ’11; 196.82 mph by Hines, Aug. ’05.

NATIONAL RECORDS:
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.750 sec. by Eddie Krawiec, March ’12, Gainesville, Fla.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.


NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS PRIOR TO BRAINERD
*Clinched berth in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

1. Eddie Krawiec, 842*
2. Andrew Hines, 774*
3. Hector Arana Jr., 655*
4. Hector Arana, 587*
5. Karen Stoffer, 450 (Karen Stoffer can clinch by going one round further than Steve Johnson – or – will clinch by winning R2)
6. Michael Ray, 387
7. Scotty Pollacheck, 381
8. LE Tonglet, 378
9. Matt Smith, 342
10. Shawn Gann, 336

When NHRA comes to town in Brainerd, the race is secondary to the ZOO! Never been or heard about the Brainerd ZOO party? Dragbike.com staff writer Paul Cavanaugh will be writing an in-depth follow up article to tell you all about it. Until then here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what is to come...

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