NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Eddie Krawiec has not been ranked lower than No. 4 in qualifying at any Pro Stock Motorcycle event this season and following Friday’s opening qualifying runs at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, that mark doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy. In the second session, Krawiec rode his Harley-Davidson Street Rod to a 6.844 to lead the field. Krawiec’s Vance & Hines teammate, Andrew Hines, is a close second with a 6.852.

The factory Harley riders were also atop the standings after the first round of qualifying with Krawiec posting a 6.877 while Hines, the current point leader, was just a tick behind with a 6.892. Krawiec is the defending event winner in Norwalk, and he’s also been the low qualifier in two of the last three NHRA Mello Yello Series events in Atlanta and Chicago. In his career, he’s been the top qualifier 45 times in 209 appearances. Krawiec is seeking his first win of the season, but he has two runner-up finishes and two semifinals in the first six events.

Reigning NHRA champion Matt Smith finished the day as the third-best qualifier aboard his Denso EBR after a solid 6.867 best. Smith, the Norwalk winner in 2010 and 2013, also has the current top speed of the event with a 198.12-mph blast. Smith is one of three charter members of the Denso 200-MPH Pro Stock Motorcycle Club along with Hector Arana Jr. and Krawiec.

While the performance of the Harley team and Matt Smith was expected, the runs made by provisional No. 5 qualifier Scotty
Scotty Pollacheck could be considered a surprise. Pollacheck has not qualified higher than tenth at an event this season, but he figures to better that after running a 6.884 aboard his Matt Smith-prepared EBR. Pollacheck also picked up his first bonus point of the season after a 6.905 in Q1.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE LOW QUALIFIER EDDIE KRAWIEC: “It was nice to come off the truck and make at least one clean run. We looked at the weather earlier this week and it looked like we were in for a rough one. Thankfully, that changed and it looks like it will be sunny for all three days. We came out this afternoon and made a good clean lap and I think it’s important to find a good race day set-up. We try to do whatever will make us better.

“It’s great to run well in Q1 but you have to sit back in the night session and be the last pair. You have to sit back and watch everyone move you down the ladder. That’s exciting for the fans, but it can be nerve-wracking for us. Right now our Harley-Davidson is running well. We’re in a window. We just hope that window doesn’t break anytime soon.”