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Eddie Krawiec proved in 2008 that you don't have to win an event to be a champion as long as you're ridiculously steady as he was during the Countdown to 1. He became the first competitor since Top Fuel's Rob Bruins in 1979 to claim a title without an event win by qualifying third or better in four of five Countdown events and reaching at least the semifinals in all five. That edged Chris Rivas by five points and 2007 champion Matt Smith by 20 in a battle decided in the season's next to last round. Though Krawiec still seeks his first career event title, he didn't go totally winless, though, claiming the exhibition Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle in the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Green light: Matt Smith set the pace for the playoffs and was oh so close to repeating as champion before a mechanical problem in the semifinals cost him against eventual event champion Chris Rivas, opening the door for Krawiec to snatch the title. Smith has made changes for this year's title bid, joining juggernaut Don Schumacher Racing in December and switching from Buell after four seasons to a Suzuki TL 1000 in perhaps the most significant development of an otherwise quiet offseason. DSR let go of riders Chip Ellis and Craig Treble, a two time winner in 2008, but the team said in a news release it might add a second bike as a test vehicle. Suzuki and DSR continue collaborating and plan to introduce a new engine for this season. The status quo remains at Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines, where Krawiec and Andrew Hines will continue riding Harley Davidson V-Rods. Finish line: The season doesn't begin until March in Gainesville, Fla., and by then Krawiec will have a grasp on how he seemingly came out of nowhere to win the championship. Having a trophy in hand should provide the confidence to get him into the winner's circle, which he'll need in a division where seven of the top 10 combined for 16 event wins. Besides Rivas and Smith, who each won four times, Krawiec has to deal with three times champion Angelle Sampey and Andrew Hines, his Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines teammate who won twice. Steve Johnson and Matt Guidera each won twice and could emerge from dark horses into contenders with luck. Krawiec made it clear, though, that consistency goes a long way during the playoffs, and he's on the cusp of bigger things this season. | ||||||
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 July 2009 ) | ||||||
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