When Rich Vreeland lines up at the tree, you’re not just watching a Top Fuel Harley rip down the strip, you’re witnessing a life dedicated to speed, service, and the power of passion.
Hailing from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Rich is the backbone of Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson Racing, flying the flag for Numidia Dragway, Advanced Sleeve, and Christ in Action. With decades of track time and a ministry mindset, he’s as comfortable wrenching on vintage Harleys as he is cracking open a Bible or cracking the throttle wide open on a nitro-burning beast.
Rich got his racing start not on asphalt, but on dirt, tearing up BMX tracks at 14 and going pro by 16. By 1992, he’d earned his first AHDRA license, but his journey took a pit stop in the NASCAR world, working as a gasman from 1995 to 2001. It wasn’t until 2003 that he made the full-time leap into AHDRA’s sportsman classes, eventually turning pro in 2010.
Since then? 40 final-round appearances. 22 wins. A list of titles that includes:
- 2020 Top Fuel Champion
- 2016 & 2018 Nitro Funny Bike Champion
- 2011 AHDRA Pro Rookie of the Year
Rich has battled it out across the Top Fuel, Funny Bike, Pro Fuel, and Super Gas classes, earning a reputation for being both fierce and faithful.
And while he’s currently stepped back from racing, his presence is still felt in the pits, the stands, and the community. Rich previously served as chaplain for both AHDRA and AMRA, roles now held by David Fernandez, who continues the ministry with the same heart and horsepower.
Mentored by the legendary Red Rhea, Rich’s life off the strip is just as impactful. He restores and rides vintage Harleys, hikes any trail he can find, and regularly participates in mission trips to third-world countries. His reason for getting started? “It looked like fun.” And from there, he built a life around horsepower and purpose.
He may not be twisting the throttle at the moment, but make no mistake, Rich Vreeland is still the fastest pastor you’ll ever meet.
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