Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/979046
IN THE WIND P40 KRAWIEC WINS IN ATLANTA S creamin' Eagle Harley- Davidson's Eddie Krawiec didn't have the quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle at the NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, May 4-6, but he somehow found a way to get the job done and emerged with his 45th career victory. After a win at the season-opening round in Gainesville, Krawiec has started the season by winning two of the first three events to take an early lead in the points standings. Krawiec has always had an affinity for the Atlanta Dragway track since it was the site of his first NHRA win in 2009. He also earned Atlanta wins in 2012, 2014 and 2016. "This track has been very good to me over the years," Krawiec said. "I have a lot of great memo- ries here including my first win. I have a great group behind me at Vance & Hines. I can't be any happier. I won my first race here in 2009 and to come back here in 2018, nine years later and get my 45th win is special. This class is so competitive that you can't take winning for granted. You have to stay focused and do your job every time or you won't have success. Its that simple because there are just too many good bikes out here. It's really a fun time to be racing in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class." In the final round, Krawiec continued his domination over Suzuki Extended Protection/Team Underdahl/Stoffer Suzuki's Scotty Pollacheck. Krawiec won the final with a 6.922, 194.91-mph pass to hold off Pollacheck's 6.958, 193.18 mph. Krawiec now holds a 17-1 advantage over Pollacheck in 18-career meetings. Krawiec also beat Melissa Surber, Nitro Fish Suzuki's LE Tonglet and Lucas Oil EBR's Hector Arana Jr. on race day. Krawiec was only the fifth-quickest qualifier in Atlanta, and like the rest of the field he was chasing Arana Jr., who stunned the crowed with a 6.806 run at over 198-mph that was significantly quicker than any of his opponents. Arana Jr. was also the quickest rider in the first two rounds, but he slowed to a 6.942 in the heat of the day against Krawiec, who made one of his best runs with a 6.871 to reach the final. "Scotty is a great rider and I know it's just a matter of time before he finally wins one of these things," Krawiec said. "I can tell you for sure that I wasn't about to take him lightly. His time will come; I'm sure of that. It goes back to what I said about this class being so competitive. Scotty is one of the guys who is capable of winning any race. The same goes for Junior [Hector Arana Jr.]. He had the best bike by far this weekend. We just stayed focused on our own team and picked away at my bike and we came home with a win." The Pro Stock Motorcycle class will take a short break before re- turning at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, June 1-3. Kevin McKenna Eddie Krawiec captured his second NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle win of the year at Atlanta Dragway.