The 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season kicks off February 14th through 17th with the NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in California, but the Pro Stock Motorcycle division sees its first action of the season at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto Plus Raceway at Gainesville, Florida. There has been some team-switching going on during the off-season, and an addition to a famous family team.
The near-perfect season of the Harleys resulted in Ed Krawiec winning his third PSM title, with Vance & Hines teammate Andrew Hines finishing second. Of the 16 races contested last season, the duo won 15 of them. Rule changes have been made for the 2013 season which should put the Harleys on par with the rest of the bikes.
The driver that messed up Krawiec and Hines’ perfect season was Michael Ray, winning his first Wally at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas. Ray makes a move from Matt Smith Racing to Sovereign-Star Racing, joining Scotty Pollacheck on the team. Ray replaces John Hall at Sovereign-Star Racing, while Hall, who will likely run just 10 races in 2013, takes over Ray’s ride with Smith.
A third Arana joins the PSM ranks in 2013, as youngest son Adam joins father Hector Sr. and brother Hector Jr. on a Buell on the family team. Adam Arana will be running for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award as NHRA Rookie of the Year.
Get ready for the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season at www.nhra.com.
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