Steve Harker Indy wrap up

Harker reaches semifinals at the 'Big Go'

CLERMONT, Ind. - Aussie NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Steve Harker posted a very strong performance on the world's 'biggest' drag racing stage, this past weekend's Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Harker was the picture of consistency coming off a win in Bowling Green, Ky., last weekend.

Harker, originally from Brisbane, Aus., but now resides stateside, qualified his new 2006 Monte Carlo third with a 5.633 second elapsed time at 257.19 mph. The field was the quickest in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car history with a 5.740 second bump. In round one, Harker defeated Brandon Lewis with a 5.649 at 254.38 mph, then took out Steve Gasparrelli with a 5.632 at 256.75 mph in round two.

Harker's semifinal opponent would be No. 7 qualifier Bob Tasca III. Tasca used a slight starting line advantage to take a holeshot win with a 5.645 at 255.00 mph to Harker's right-there 5.634 at 255.48 mph.

"You always hate to lose a close race like that," said Harker. "But this is a very tough field and the car ran very consistent. We're very pleased with the performance of the car right now. We ran a .63, .64, .63 and a .63 the last four runs. The semifinals was the worst air of the weekend. We just need to find a little more performance and we'll be right where we need to be."

The race moved Harker to sixth in national points, putting Harker one step closer to his goal of finishing in the top ten nationally.

"This is our first year to run the full tour," stated Harker. "Our goal this year is to make the top ten, so hopefully we can keep our standing. The car is running very well right now, we seem to be getting a handle on some of the new parts we have on the car."

The next stop for the Harker Motorsport team will be a brief break in the action to take Steve's daughter Kate to Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School to finish her Top Alcohol Dragster license. From there, the team will head to Houston Raceway Park for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 4 event. Harker is currently tied for third in Division 4 points.

For more information on the Harker Motorsport team, visit their website at http://www.harkermotorsport.com/

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com