Hines Aims to Clinch Pro Stock Bike Title

Three of the four professional classes in the National Hot Rod Assn.’s season-ending 40th annual Automobile Club of Southern California finals are already decided, and Andrew Hines is on the verge of finishing off the remaining category.

Hines could clinch the Pro Stock Bike championship today at Pomona Raceway during first-round qualifying. All the 21-year-old from Villa Park must do is successfully qualify his Vance & Hines Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson in the field, which he has done 25 races in a row. He holds a 117-point lead over Antron Brown, and a 121-point lead over three-time champion Angelle Savoie.

The younger brother of three-time Pro Stock Bike champion Matt Hines, Andrew would become the youngest professional champion in NHRA history. Matt, who was 25 when he won the title in 1997, was the previous record-holder.

It also would be the first title for manufacturer Harley-Davidson.

Top fuel driver Tony Schumacher, funny car legend John Force and pro stock driver Greg Anderson have clinched titles.

Retired top fuel driver Kenny Bernstein, funny car driver Del Worsham, Anderson and pro stock bike rider Craig Treble are defending winners of the $1.7-million event, which concludes with final eliminations Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m.

-- Martin Henderson