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Teammate GT Tonglet Takes Second Place in Final Standings
Andrew Hines clinched his second consecutive NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle championship at the 41st annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway. He nearly made it a perfect evening, as he rode the Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson into the final round for the fifth time this season.
What's more, teammate GT Tonglet earned second place in the final standings - his career-best finish.
"This is an amazing finish because not only did we win back-to-back championships but we also took second place for a strong 1-2 punch," Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. "It's especially incredible considering all the competition this season. It was tough to win rounds and races all year, so for us to finish in first and second place shows how truly dynamic this Vance & Hines team is."
It is the fifth NHRA championship for team owner Byron Hines. "This is a great day for both Harley-Davidson and the Vance & Hines family," Hines said. "We never start the season looking to win championships. We start the season looking to set records and win races. If you can do that, the championships will follow and it has the last two seasons.
Andrew Hines wrapped up the title as soon as Tonglet lost in the first round. Tonglet, just 47 points behind Hines in the standings going into the final race of the year, lost to Kawasaki rider Mike Berry. Tonglet turned in a 7.254-second pass at 182.55 mph in a losing effort against Berry's 7.160 at 186.98. Hines watched the run and knew he had clinched the title.
Andrew Hines went on to win his first and second round matches at the starting line due to red-light fouls by his opponents. Hines went 7.100 at 187.89 to Buell rider Chris Rivas' foul before turning in a 7.171 at 185.72 against Berry's foul in the second round.
Hines posted a win in the semifinal race against Buell rider Chip Ellis, going 7.119 at 187.89 against Ellis' 7.174 at 183.02.
In the final round, Hines saw red and so did his opponent, Buell rider Ryan Schnitz. Hines fouled at the starting line with a reaction time of -0.011 before going 7.107 at 188.70, giving the victory to Schnitz, whose -0.010 reaction time was followed by a run of 8.126 at 121.69. It was the second time the two riders have faced off in the final round and the second time Hines handed Schnitz the win at the starting line.
"It was a bittersweet ending to a great season," Hines said. "This year's championship was definitely much better than last year because I think we had to work a lot harder to make it happen. The red light in the final is disappointing but at least we were in the final this year, and I've been around long enough to know that it happens. I think it's going to be a great off-season with two championships under my belt."
As if the championship and second place weren't enough, the crew took home top honors as well. The team earned the first Full Throttle Award, given to the team with the most consistent qualifying performance over the course of the entire season.
Tonglet finished in sixth place last season. This year, he not only posted two wins in three final rounds, but he was also the points leader for the first time in his career. He held the top spot in the standings following seven races this season.
"I'm happy I stayed in second place because that's a first for me and it shows how well we competed all season long," Tonglet said. "At the beginning of the season I wanted to do better than last year and my goal was a top five finish. We did that. The V-Rod ran better this season, I rode better and it showed in our results. The work paid off and it was a lot of fun all year long."
Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin' Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin' Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner.
Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.
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