WIND
IN THE
P46
to clinch his first career World
Championship in Las Vegas.
"I hope Eddie isn't too mad at
me; I know he wants that 50th
win awfully bad," Herrera said.
"Hopefully, he doesn't try and
get me fired."
Krawiec advanced to his third
final round this year and 84th in
his career by getting past Cory
Reed, Matt Smith and Joey Glad
-
stone. Krawiec's victory over
Matt Smith was crucial since it
allowed him to move into sec-
ond place in the Championship
standings.
While the Vance & Hines team
captured most of the headlines,
there were others who left Dal
-
las feeling optimistic.
Kelly Clontz, rider of the
Steamfitters UA 602 Suzuki, has
not qualified higher than eighth
this season but managed to land
in the second spot in Dallas with
a 6.705-second run. Klontz also
became the latest rider to join
the 200-mph club with a 201.99
best. Clontz and her husband/
crew chief Chris use Vance &
Hines as their engine supplier,
and Herrera recently helped test
their bike.
GETTRX Buell's Hector Arana
Jr. also has a reason for opti
-
mism, as he's won 12 elimination
rounds in the last five races, in-
cluding runner-up finishes in India-
napolis and St. Louis. Arana was
also deeply in the 6.7s in Dallas.
Chase Van Sant, a leading
contender for the NHRA Rookie
of the Year award, might miss
extended time as he suffered
an injury during qualifying when
he dragged his knee to keep his
bike upright after he apparently
got into a crosswind. Van Sant
had to sit out Sunday's elimina-
tions and his status for the final
two events of the season Las
Vegas and Pomona, California,
is uncertain.
The NHRA Camping World
Drag Racing Series returns to
action October 26-29 with the
NHRA Nevada Nationals at The
Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speed
-
way.
Kevin McKenna
Herrera celebrates
another win and is
close to winning his
first title.
