When you think of dominance in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category there’s a chance you think about Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. And for good reason; they’ve amassed nine world championships in 13 years. Team rider Andrew Hines has five of his own, 2004-2006, 2014, and 2015. His teammate Eddie Krawiec has four, 2008, 2011, 2012, and now, 2017.
Krawiec had a steady season all year long despite having struggled with the Harley-Davidson Street Rod bike that the team debuted in Englishtown, New Jersey. During the rough transition period, Suzuki-rider, LE Tonglet caught up and eventually passed Krawiec for the points lead.
Unable to find solid footing and consistent results with that bike, the team brought back the ultra successful Harley-Davidson V Rod and got back to winning form.
At the start of the countdown, it was clear that Krawiec was unstoppable. Four of his seven victories came in the playoffs. By the time the Vance & Hines crew rolled out of the second-to-last race of the season, Krawiec virtually had the world championship wrapped up in a bright red bow.
By the end of the second day of qualifying, Eddie Krawiec was officially the 2017 Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion.
“I have to give this to teamwork. All the guys that stand behind me when I’m on my motorcycle and make it go up and down the drag strip as fast as it does. Everybody at Vance & Hines and NHRA for giving me a great place to race. I jut couldn’t do it without my team. What makes it really special is I have my father, my wife, and my little girl Kayden at home.” Krawiec concluded, “this is something special.”
Some might say that Krawiec has come quite a long way since his first championship in ’08. During that season he never managed to win a single national event. This year Krawiec won the championship and seven national events.
