NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Championship Recap

It was a V-Rod-versus-Gunner final-round showdown as Eddie Krawiec closed the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season with a win and earned a second-place points finish when he defeated two-time champ Matt Smith. Krawiec rode his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.846 at 192.58 to finish in front of Smith's Victory Gunner, which trailed with a 6.888 at 194.21. It was Krawiec's fourth victory of the season, fourth in Pomona, and 31st of his career.

“I’ve been to eight finals in a row here in Pomona, so this track has treated me well,” said Krawiec. “It is also a big deal for us to get the 75th win for Harley-Davidson.”

Krawiec took out number one qualifier Jerry Savoie on his Suzuki in round two of eliminations, and then teammate Andrew Hines in round three en route to his main event match against Smith. Although Hines' racing season ended in a semi-final defeat, he claimed his second consecutive and fifth overall world championship title in Pro Stock Motorcycle when his closest rival, Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie, lost to Krawiec. Hines, who pocketed $75,000 for the title, is the youngest driver in NHRA history to win five world championships and continues the amazing domination by the Vance & Hines team in the two-wheel category.

“My outstanding Harley-Davidson team did a great job of keeping me focused and keeping the pressure off of me,” said Hines, who won four races during the season atop his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, including three in the Countdown. “It was awesome that my wife got to give me a kiss right before I ran, and thanks to my teammate for helping to get the job done. I guess we put the fear of Harley into them. Five championships is pretty awesome.”

2015 Pro Stock Motorcycle Final Standings