58th annual Mac Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals - MAKE UP RACE
Sept. 7-9
Indianapolis, IN

SUNDAY

Hines earned his first Indy victory by outrunning Hector Arana Sr. in the final round. Hines rode his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.937 at 191.70 to take the easy win as Arana’s Lucas Oil Buell slowed at mid-track and finished in 7.456 at 157.54. It was Hines’ fourth win of the season and 29th of his career.

Hines used a string of consistently low 6.90-second runs to defeat Dawn Minturn, Karen Stoffer and Hector Arana Jr. in the first three rounds.

“This is really satisfying,” Hines said. “Minus one year, I’ve raced every year on a Harley. And for us to struggle like we’ve done here, with inconsistency in tuning and riding, and every scenario possible going against us, like last year when my transmission locked up after the first round burnout, to finally get the Indy win and stand in the U.S. Nationals winner’s circle is something I can look back on years from now. I had found the winner’s circle four times here with the Pro Bike battle, and to actually stand there with the U.S. Nationals trophy means the world to me.”

With the win, the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team claimed victories in all 10 regular season events and Krawiec locked up the top seed for the playoffs. Michael Ray, Shawn Gann and Matt Smith claimed the final three playoff positions in the PSM top 10.

“We remained undefeated in the regular season, so [teammate Eddie Krawiec] and I intend to extend our streak,” Hines said. “Charlotte and Dallas are two tracks that I’ve never won at, so those are the last two on my list there. It’s a whole new deal now with the Countdown. Luckily I just made up a whole bunch of points on [first place] Eddie, but that doesn’t matter because they all get reset. He’s 30 in front of me, we’ve got six races to go, and luckily my motorcycle finally turned the corner and we could have fun with it and tune it.”

Photo Courtesy of NHRA.com

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Scotty Pollacheck (left) had the unfortunate task of eliminating his Sovereign/Star Racing teammate John Hall from playoff contention with his first-round victory over Hall. There was plenty of drama in the pairing when Hall’s bike initially failed to fire, but Pollacheck waited for him, then beat him to the finish line.

Hall’s loss set the top 10 for the playoffs. Matt Smith’s loss to LE Tonglet relegates him to 10th, and Shawn Gann’s victory over Michael Ray boosted him one spot to ninth; he can get as high as eighth (passing Ray) by winning the event.

Elimination Round 1
W - Karen Stoffer (GEICO Suzuki) 0.024 6.962 190.54
L - Chip Ellis (Kuryakyn Buell) 0.033 7.032 189.07

W - Shawn Gann (Pirana Z Racing Buell) 0.003 7.025 190.40
L - Michael Ray (GottSpeed Racing Buell) 0.020 7.020 188.44

W - Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine 0.040 6.923 192.91
L - Steve Johnson (Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki) 0.051 7.158 186.43

W - Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.007 6.935 192.44
L - Mike Berry (MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bue 0.010 7.028 188.78

W - Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 0.032 6.926 191.59
L - Dawn Minturn (Armor Paving and Sealing Suzu 0.097 7.069 186.07
.
W - Hector Arana (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.007 6.904 192.88
L - Jim Underdahl (Suzuki Extended Protection S 0.042 7.037 190.57

W - Scotty Pollacheck (Soverign-Star Racing Bue 0.031 6.973 188.25
L - John Hall (Sovereign/Star racing Buell) 0.045 7.023 186.51

W - LE Tonglet (GT Racing Suzuki) 0.037 6.973 188.78
L - Matt Smith (Matt Smith Racing Buell) 0.057 7.245 166.01

Photo Courtesy of NHRA.com

Low qualifier Andrew Hines, still seeking his first career Indy win, had low e.t. of round two of Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.900 against a red-lighting Karen Stoffer. He'll have lane choice against Hector Arana Jr., who ran a 6.981 in defeating LE Tonglet. The other semifinals will pair Hines' Harley-Davidson teammate, Eddie Krawiec, against Hector Arana Sr. Krawiec will have lane choice based on his 6.907 to Hector Sr.'s 6.951.

Elimination Round 2
W - Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.014 6.981 192.25
L - LE Tonglet (GT Racing Suzuki) 0.031 7.003 188.10

W - Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 0.021 6.900 193.68
L - Karen Stoffer (GEICO Suzuki) -0.048(R) 7.004 188.86

W - Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine 0.036 6.907 194.38
L - Scotty Pollacheck (Soverign-Star Racing Bue -0.037(R) 7.017 186.51

W - Hector Arana (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.035 6.951 192.41
L - Shawn Gann (Pirana Z Racing Buell) 0.034 7.015 190.19

Photo Courtesy of NHRA.com

Hector Arana Sr., the 2009 U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle champ, will be shooting for a second Indy crown after points leader Eddie Krawiec's semifinal red-light against him. Arana will face Krawiec's Harley teammate, low qualifier Andrew Hines, in the final. Hines beat Arana's son, Hector Jr., in their semi's with a 6.91.

Elimination Round 3
W - Hector Arana (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.049 6.997 190.75
L - Eddie Krawiec (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hine -0.005(R) 7.000 172.96

W - Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 0.038 6.914 193.10
L - Hector Arana Jr (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.026 6.947 192.93

Final Round
W - Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 0.008 6.937 191.70
L - Hector Arana (Lucas Oil Buell) 0.007 7.456 157.54

Photo Courtesy of NHRA.com

Three-time world champ Andrew Hines, near lane, collected his first Indy Pro Stock Motorcycle crown, defeating Hector Arana Sr. in the final round, 6.93 to an engine-wounding 7.45. Arana was .007 on the Tree, Hines was .008.

Current Points Standings
1 Eddie Krawiec 2110
2 Andrew Hines 2080
3 Hector Arana Jr.2070
4 Hector Arana Sr.2060
5 Karen Stoffer2050
6 Scotty Pollacheck 2040
7 LE Tonglet 2030
8 Michael Ray 2020
9 Shawn Gann 2010
10 Matt Smith 2000
11 John Hall 377
12 Steve Johnson 342
13 Michael Phillips 269
14 Mike Berry 259
15 Jerry Savoie235
16 Chip Ellis 231
17 Jim Underdahl 136
18 Angie Smith 135
19 Matt Guidera 123
20 Katie Sullivan 71

SATURDAY

Hines rode his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 32nd of his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle as he will try to win Indy for the first time when he opens eliminations against Dawn Minturn, who is making her first career start.

“This has been one track that has been a nemesis to us,” Hines said. “We’ve had a great history here with the bonus events, the best that Pro Stock bike has had. But unfortunately we’ve never been able to find the winner’s circle here at Indy. So that’s our goal here. Our V-Rod is running very strong, and I made one of our best runs in that last session to get the No. 1 spot back. My goal was to come here and be No. 1 and win that Wally on the last day. Luckily, [my brother] Matt [crew chief] has given me the motorcycle to do it, and I think my dad [Byron, team owner] had an ear-to-ear grin on the starting line for that run, and it’s been amazing what our team has done all year long.”

Qualifying Round 4
1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.861 194.86
2. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.881 195.11
3. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.886 195.28
4. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.897 193.43
5. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.902 193.90
6. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.930 190.32
7. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 6.934 190.32
8. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.941 192.96
9. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 6.971 190.43
10. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 6.974 192.28
11. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 6.976 189.18
12. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 6.978 190.22
13. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.014 189.55
14. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 7.034 191.29
15. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.042 192.06
16. Dawn Minturn Armor Paving and Sealing Suzuk 7.044 187.47
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Michael Phillips Kent Trucking Suzuki 7.099 189.28
18. Redell Harris Harris Racing Buell 7.113 189.87
19. Katie Sullivan K&N/Girls For A Change Suzuki 7.173 187.29
20. Wesley Wells Kendall Buell 9.323 168.26
21. Kieth Burley Triumph Racing Buell 12.321 63.07

Andrew Hines - Photo by Matt Polito

Qualifying Round 3
1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.895 194.21
2. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.902 193.07
3. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.910 195.11
4. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.930 190.32
5. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.932 193.43
6. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.941 192.19
7. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.953 193.60
8. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 6.967 190.32
9. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 6.974 192.28
10. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 6.978 189.66
11. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.002 190.43
12. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.024 189.52
13. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 7.032 187.94
14. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.042 192.06
15. Dawn Minturn Armor Paving and Sealing Suzuk 7.044 187.47
16. Michael Phillips Kent Trucking Suzuki 7.099 188.81
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Redell Harris Harris Racing Buell 7.132 189.87
18. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 7.171 189.90
19. Katie Sullivan K&N/Girls For A Change Suzuki 7.173 187.29
20. Wesley Wells Kendall Buell 11.886 163.39

Qualifying Round 2
1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.928 194.21
2. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.932 193.05
3. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.950 192.11
4. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.953 192.93
5. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.978 188.67
6. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.993 191.38
7. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.010 190.43
8. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 7.019 190.22
9. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.023 192.28
10. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.024 189.52
11. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.042 192.06
12. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 7.054 185.31
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Kieth Burley Triumph Racing Buell 7.059 189.73
14. Dawn Minturn Armor Paving and Sealing Suzuk 7.063 187.47
15. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 7.084 189.50
16. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 7.118 187.63
17. Redell Harris Harris Racing Buell 7.127 189.87
18. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 7.135 175.50
19. Michael Phillips Kent Trucking Suzuki 7.213 186.07
20. Katie Sullivan K&N/Girls For A Change Suzuki 7.247 183.00
21. James Surber Kosman Specialties Buell 7.364 185.51

FRIDAY

Qualifying Round 1
1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.928 194.21
2. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.932 189.66
3. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.953 192.93
4. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.978 188.67
5. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.992 191.46
6. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.998 191.19
7. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.011 190.43
8. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 7.019 190.22
9. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.038 189.52
10. Kieth Burley Triumph Racing Buell 7.059 189.73
11. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 7.069 185.31
12. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.073 192.28
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Dawn Minturn Armor Paving and Sealing Suzuk 7.091 187.47
14. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 7.118 187.63
15. Redell Harris Harris Racing Buell 7.127 189.87
16. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.140 190.54
17. Katie Sullivan K&N/Girls For A Change Suzuki 7.247 183.00
18. Michael Phillips Kent Trucking Suzuki 7.275 179.33
19. James Surber Kosman Specialties Buell 8.114 176.51
20. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki NT

58th annual Mac Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals
Aug. 31 – Sept. 3
Indianapolis, IN

MONDAY

Persistent rains have forced NHRA officials to postpone the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis to Sept. 8-9.

“The persistent weather has affected the racing surface and we have chosen to make the tough decision to postpone the race until next weekend,” said Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president racing operations. “We are planning to run the remainder of the event next weekend on Saturday and Sunday."

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing categories — Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle —qualifying will reopen with two sessions on Saturday, Sept. 8, with eliminations will be on Sunday, Sept. 9. The Funny Car NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout, the NHRA $100,000 bonus race within a race, will be run on Saturday, Sept. 8.

SUNDAY

Persistent rains have forced NHRA officials to cancel the final two qualifying sessions for the Mac Tools U. S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis on Sunday. The fields for all the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series categories -- Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle -- have been set by the qualifying sessions that took place on Friday and Saturday.

Hines and his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson recorded his second top qualifying position of the season and the 32nd of his career with his 6.928 second pass at 187.63 mph on Friday night. This is his the second time in a row and fourth time of his career to qualify in the top position at Lucas Oil Raceway but he has yet to win this prestigious event.

“To be number one qualifier at the U.S. Nationals two years in the row is awesome,” Hines said. “It's not the way we wanted it to happen because we'd have loved to have all five qualifiers but we expect our team to come out strong each weekend and we'd like to turn my fortune around here and do great tomorrow and earn my first win at Indy and the first for the Harley Davidson.

His teammate Eddie Krawiec will face Kieth Burley in the first round; Hector Arana Jr. will battle Michael Ray and Hector Arana Sr. will face Dawn Minturn.

1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.928, 194.21 vs. 16. John Hall, Buell, 7.118, 187.63;
2. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.932, 193.05 vs. 15. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.084, 189.50;
3. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.950, 192.11 vs. 14. Dawn Minturn, Suzuki, 7.063, 187.47;
4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.953, 192.93 vs. 13. Kieth Burley, Buell, 7.059, 189.73;
5. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.978, 188.67 vs. 12. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.054, 185.31;
6. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.993, 191.38 vs. 11. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.042, 192.06;
7. Chip Ellis, Buell, 7.010, 190.43 vs. 10. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.024, 189.52;
8. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.019, 190.22 vs. 9. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.023, 192.28.

SATURDAY

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying was also cut short and Hines held onto the top spot with his Friday pass of 6.928 seconds at 194.21 mph.

“Given the weather, I don’t think we could have run any quicker but it would have been nice to get the data,” Hines said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow but I think we can keep the top spot. If it’s slow, we’re safe and if the conditions get better, we should be able to pick up. Our last run could have been better so we know there’s more left.”

Qualifying Round 2

1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.928 194.21
2. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.932 193.05
3. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.950 192.11
4. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.953 192.93
5. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.978 188.67
6. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.993 191.38
7. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.010 190.43
8. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 7.019 190.22
9. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.023 192.28
10. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.024 189.52
11. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.042 192.06
12. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 7.054 185.31
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Kieth Burley Triumph Racing Buell 7.059 189.73
14. Dawn Minturn Armor Paving and Sealing Suzuk 7.063 187.47
15. Michael Ray GottSpeed Racing Buell 7.084 189.50
16. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 7.118 187.63
17. Redell Harris Harris Racing Buell 7.127 189.87
18. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 7.135 175.50
19. Michael Phillips Kent Trucking Suzuki 7.213 186.07
20. Katie Sullivan K&N/Girls For A Change Suzuki 7.247 183.00
21. James Surber Kosman Specialties Buell 7.364 185.51

Hector Arana Sr and Jr

Eddie Krawiec - Photo by Matt Polito

Keith Burley - Photo by Matt Polito

Le Tonglet - Photo by Matt Polito

Scotty Pollachek - Photo by Matt Polito

FRIDAY

Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines continued the Harley-Davidson dominance when he raced his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod to the qualifying lead with his 6.928 second pass at 194.21 mph.

“We want to keep our streak going here,” Hines said. “I’ve won four times here in the [former] Ringers Gloves Battle so I know the way to the winner’s circle. I just need to get there on Monday. It does add some pressure to know we’ve won every race this year but we just want to keep it up.”

Qualifying Round 1

1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.928 194.21
2. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.932 189.66
3. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.953 192.93
4. Scotty Pollacheck Soverign-Star Racing Buell 6.978 188.67
5. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.992 191.46
6. Karen Stoffer GEICO Suzuki 6.998 191.19
7. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 7.011 190.43
8. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 7.019 190.22
9. Mike Berry MB Precision/LAT Racing Oil Bu 7.038 189.52
10. Kieth Burley Triumph Racing Buell 7.059 189.73
11. LE Tonglet GT Racing Suzuki 7.069 185.31
12. Shawn Gann Pirana Z Racing Buell 7.073 192.28
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Dawn Minturn Armor Paving and Sealing Suzuk 7.091 187.47
14. John Hall Sovereign/Star racing Buell 7.118 187.63
15. Redell Harris Harris Racing Buell 7.127 189.87
16. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.140 190.54
17. Katie Sullivan K&N/Girls For A Change Suzuki 7.247 183.00
18. Michael Phillips Kent Trucking Suzuki 7.275 179.33
19. James Surber Kosman Specialties Buell 8.114 176.51
20. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki NT

www.nhra.com

About NHRA
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 23 national events featuring the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates five racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville in Florida; National Trail Raceway in Ohio; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.