May 27, 2004
Joliet, IL - The Screamin� Eagle/Vance & Hines team advanced to the final round of Pro Stock Bike eliminations at the 7th Annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals after riders Andrew Hines and GT Tonglet dominated qualifying aboard their Screamin� Eagle V-Rod motorcycles. Hines finished in the runner-up position after a red-light start in the final, but left Route 66 Speedway with a new track ET record and a 53-point lead in Pro Stock Bike points after four NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events this season.
�This is a really quick track and the team found a good set-up early in qualifying,� said Screamin� Eagle Racing Manager Anne Paluso. �Our times in the first 60 feet have really improved and the riders are able to put their Screamin� Eagle power to good use. Andrew has pulled further ahead in points and GT is right there in third. The NHRA Pro Stock Bike championship is our goal.�
Hines was the number one qualifier for the event with a run of 7.167 seconds at 184.62 mph. Tonglet was right on his tail with a 7.169/187.16 run to claim the number two qualifying position.
�The Pro Stock Bike field is really competitive, so we have to feel good about taking the top spots in qualifying,� said Tonglet. �It really makes a statement for this Screamin� Eagle team.�
Under threatening skies on Sunday, Hines (7.158/187.34) defeated Blaine Hale (7.351/169.74), while Tonglet (7.174/186.67) beat Scott Valetti (7.286/179.44) as both Screamin� Eagle riders moved through the first round of eliminations. In round two, Hines (7.120/187.68) got the win on a red-light start by Antron Brown (9.622/81.55). Tonglet (7.226/184.93) had a bad pass, his slowest of the weekend, and was defeated by Michael Phillips (7.197/184.98).
Hines faced Craig Treble (7.233/183.57) in the semi-final round and backed up an outstanding 0.009 reaction time with a 7.093/187.76 run to set a new track ET record and roll to an easy win.
�My Screamin� Eagle V-Rod just got quicker with each run,� said Hines. �We had some engine trouble early in the weekend and this was a brand new motor and it was really strong. We seem to have found the set-up we need to get through the first 60 feet smoothly. And the traction at this track is outstanding.�
The final round saw Hines facing number six qualifier Shawn Gann, and a red-light start by Hines gave the win to the Suzuki rider.
�This is really tough because I had the bike to win with,� said Hines. �I short-shifted after I saw I had the red light and still ran a 7.177. But we earned good points this weekend and leave in first place, which is what counts at the end of the season.�
After four rounds Hines leads the NHRA Pro Stock Bike class with 348 points. With his win, Gann moves into second place with 295 points. Tonglet is third with 282 points, followed by Antron Brown (256) and Angelle Savoie (255).
The next Pro Stock Bike event on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the 40th Annual NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals, June 11-13, at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio.
