The next victory for Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Eddie Krawiec would be a big one, as the four-time world champion is a win away from his 50th career victory. The fact that the milestone victory could come at the biggest race of the year, this weekend’s prestigious 68th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, would make it even sweeter for the longtime standout.
Krawiec has already been close on a couple of occasions this year, finishing as the runner-up at the past two races on his Vance & Hines Suzuki. Both of those defeats came to points leader Joey Gladstone, but it also tells Krawiec the team is closing in on a victory at the perfect time.
As a three-time winner at the Big Go, including a victory last season at the U.S. Nationals, Krawiec fully knows about the prestige of winning in Indy, which is why a 50th career win coming at the illustrious race would likely make for a pinch-me moment.
“For sure it would be an awesome deal,” Krawiec said. “I’m right there and I feel like I’ve got a really good motorcycle. You just need things to roll your way. You have to be good, you have to get a little luck and sometimes you have to make your own luck. You’re just not going to show up and a win is going to happen for you. It’s too deep and there’s a lot of great motorcycles in the class, but Indy is the race you want to win. To have three wins at Indy, it’s just cool to say I’m a world champion and I’ve won Indy.”
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all picked up wins a year ago at the Big Go. This year’s race will be broadcast on both the FOX broadcast network and Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including live eliminations coverage starting at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 5 on FS1 and continuing at 2 p.m. on FOX. It is the final race before the Countdown to the Championship and Krawiec is now third in points and trending in the right direction.
He’s vaulted four spots in the points standings over the past two races, showing an increased comfort level on his new Suzuki. It was a transition to start the year, but things are now flowing well at an ideal time.
That could bode well for his 50th career victory coming at Indy, but Krawiec knows just how loaded the class is this season. A total of 22 motorcycles will be on hand at the Big Go, a group that includes points leader Gladstone, teammate Angelle Sampey, defending world champ Matt Smith, Steve Johnson, who has a pair of wins this year, Angie Smith, and Karen Stoffer.
“I’m starting to come into my own with my Suzuki program and I’m really starting to understand what the bike wants and where it wants to be,” Krawiec said. “It probably took me about five runs to get acclimated, but in this class getting acclimated is just not good enough. Anytime you change bikes, you have to learn, and it takes time. You can never perfect it, but you want to be able to get it right without thinking about it and we’re getting closer to that. We’re getting better and better at where the bike needs to be.”
Racing in the NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series will also take place in Indy, along with the popular Constant Aviation NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category and Mountain Motor Pro Stock. The Big Go also represents a huge weekend for sportsman racers for the third straight year, as the event features the exciting JEGS Allstars bonus event. In all, nearly 950 cars will be in action across all categories at the race.
Along with the thrilling racing action, fans will also be treated to a star-studded concert as country superstar Colt Ford will headline this year’s NHRA Concert Series Presented by 8-Track Entertainment. The musical talents of Ford on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 3:00 p.m. as well as rising star Anna McElroy on Friday, Sept. 2 at 5:00 p.m., and country rock-duo BoomTown Saints on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 2:00 p.m. will all perform at Indy.
Fans can attend an autograph session featuring drivers in the Pep Boys All-Star Callout at 5 p.m. on Friday for the Top Fuel participants and at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday for the eight Funny Car drivers. Riders in Pro Stock Motorcycle will be signing at the Suzuki Display Friday, while an autograph session featuring Dodge drivers will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday and 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Dodge Display. On Saturday, fans can also attend Nitro School to learn more about how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds. The Total Seal Trackside Tech Talk will take place on Friday as well.
Race fans at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Monday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Monday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the winners of the prestigious Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Indianapolis. This unique opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family. The new Pep Boys midway display will include tire change challenges, oil change challenges, a slot car track, and much more, adding even more excitement to the midway.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying for the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals will feature one round at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 2, two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1:15 and 5:00 p.m. and the final two rounds on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 12:00 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 5.
The semifinals of the Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Top Fuel Callout take place on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 2:40 p.m., with the final round to follow at 6:25 p.m. The next day, the Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout will begin with the opening round at 1:20 p.m., the semifinals at 2:45 p.m. and the final round at 4:55 p.m.
Television coverage of the prestigious Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals includes racing action on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3 and coverage of the Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout from 4-5:30 p.m. Qualifying action will continue from 5:30-7 p.m. on Sunday on FS1. On Monday, live coverage from eliminations will begin at 12 p.m. on FS1 and continue on FOX from 2-5 p.m.
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