Two-time defending NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines married Tanya Phillips Friday night at Tampas First Baptist Church. Hines and his bride – a Tampa native – were surrounded by friends and family as the couple took advantage of an off-weekend from the busy drag racing schedule.
“Weve been looking forward to this for a while. I was so nervous but excited at the same time,” Hines said. “The next time I pop the clutch at a national event, I will be doing it as a married man. Tanya is a wonderful woman, and Im very lucky I have her in my life.”
Teammate and close friend GT Tonglet served as the best man in the ceremony. Celebrating the occasion wont last long as the family and teammates all headed back to the Vance amp; Hines Motorsports headquarters in Indianapolis Saturday to continue preparation for the next pro racing event. The next NHRA event that features the Pro Stock Motorcycle category is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., May 4-7.
“We are going to take a honeymoon during the offseason when we have time to enjoy it,” Hines said. “For now we are all going to head back to the shop and get back to work. But my bride will be with me in Indianapolis and thats all that matters.”
Last year, Hines became the youngest NHRA POWERade world champion in NHRA history at age 21, joining Dave Schultz, Angelle Sampey and his brother Matt as the only riders in the category to win back-to-back championship titles.