On a weekend where the motorcycle combination provided no apparent significant advantage, past NHRA Pro Stock champion Eddie Krawiec felt fortunate he had the winning bike.

A Suzuki established a new world record [6.855] and qualified No. 1.

Buells accounted for two of the first four spots in the qualified field.

In the end of the day, a Harley-Davidson rolled into the winner’s circle and the NHRA Gatornationals trophy provided a nice addition to Krawiec's trophy bearing mantle which already holds six Wallys.

On a weekend where the motorcycle combination provided no apparent significant advantage, past NHRA Pro Stock champion Eddie Krawiec felt fortunate he had the winning bike.

A Suzuki established a new world record [6.855] and qualified No. 1.

Buells accounted for two of the first four spots in the qualified field.

In the end of the day, a Harley-Davidson rolled into the winner’s circle and the NHRA Gatornationals trophy provided a nice addition to Krawiec's trophy bearing mantle which already holds six Wallys.

“I think (the) parity is really close,” said an elated Krawiec, who up until 2009 was winless yet a champion. “Look at the top three qualifiers, they were all three different motorcycles within two – three hundredths of a second. That speaks volumes for the class. I think NHRA did a great job.

“Rather than putting weight on the faster motorcycles they sped up the slower ones. I think that is a step in the right direction. You had to go six eighties to be in the top eight. I can't remember the last time you had 10 six eighties in one session. It never happened. If you look the way the class is going it's exciting.”

There was a gaggle of 6.80s over the course of the weekend, a barrier once considered taboo for most of the riders in years past. There was an unwritten rule for the class if you went into the 6.80s or reasonably close, a pencil-whipping [or rule change] would be handed down in the following weeks.

Krawiec downplayed the unwritten rule, while cracking a smile. This weekend’s record-setting performances, he attributed to a significant tailwind blowing down track all weekend.
“I think if you took that tail wind away you probably would have saw some low 6.90's,” Krawiec contended. “I bet you that tailwind was probably worth a good five to six hundredths of a second. We're fortunate enough, for our motorcycles … they like the tailwinds because you aren’t having to fight through the wind.”

“The first session when we say that flag straight down the track everybody was licking their chops getting ready to go down the track.”

After continual allegations of sand-bagging and manipulating performances, Krawiec welcomed the Suzukis re-emergence as a contender. The Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson team didn’t do any testing over the off-season.

“We're just really excited to have Karen (Stoffer) number one qualifier set the national record,” said Krawiec. “It's a great thing for the Suzukis. Let alone, Vance and Hines because we're the ones that do their horsepower. So, we're excited about that. Vance & Hines Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson was just fortunate to get the win.”

Setting aside the horsepower debate; Krawiec believes the weekend eventually turned into more of a driver battle than a horsepower duel.

“It turned into a rider battle,” Krawiec said. “It shows you not always the fastest bike is going to win. I almost gave it up in the semifinals against Craig Treble, I stumbled a little bit. Was fortunate enough to be lucky; the horseshoe was on my side of the track that time. I'm just happy to be here.”