Hines launches 2008 season with final round appearance in Gainesville, Florida
Harley-Davidson Press Release - Mar 21, 2008
 
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Andrew Hines started his pursuit of a fourth NHRA Pro Stock Bike title with four straight 6-second passes at the track where he recorded the class's first-ever sub-7-second run, but it wasn't enough to secure his 14th career win on his Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod.
Hines came out swinging at the season-opener in Gainesville with a No. 3 qualifying spot and four consecutive 6-second passes that thrust him into a final round showdown against eventual winner Matt Guidera on his Mohegan Sun/Rocklin Motorsports Buell. En route to the finals, Hines bested Junior Pippin and Angie McBride with 6.96-, 6.95-second passes in the first and second rounds, respectively, before knocking off reigning champ Matt Smith in the semifinals with a perfect .000-second reaction time and a 6.793-second pass that matched Smith's elapsed time. Hines then lost in the finals with a 6.98 to Guidera's 6.94.
"It was a disappointing loss, but making it to the finals in the first race of the season helps keep the team's morale up," Hines said. "Last year at this time we were struggling to find the right setup, so to start out of the box so competitively is great. Both motorcycles are running real well, and as long as we keep the V-Rods running consistent, the round wins will keep on coming."
Hines' teammate Eddie Krawiec, who qualified fourth, beat Michael Ray in the first round with a 6.97 before red-lighting in a second-round loss to Chip Ellis.
"What a way to start the season, with both bikes qualifying and Andrew making it to the finals. The Gainesville fans are so enthusiastic about our bikes and the riders really enjoy this event," said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. "Last year we really struggled at the season opener and this was a refreshing change for the 2008 season."
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