Steve Harker Reynolds wrap up

Harker scores runner-up in Reynolds

REYNOLDS, Ga. - Native Australian turned touring U.S. NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Steve Harker reached his fifth final round this season in a runner-up finish during this past weekend's Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga. The final round showing solidified his seventh place rank in national points standings.

Harker, originally from Brisbane, Aus., but now calls Gainesville, Ga., home, qualified his 2006 Monte Carlo second in the field with a 5.841 second elapsed time at 251.20 mph. In round one, he defeated John Sullivan with a 5.928 at 247.47 mph, then took out Keeter Ray in the semifinals with a 5.845 at 250.88 mph.

Harker's final round opponent would be defending Division 2 Champion Jay Payne. Payne ran low elapsed time of the weekend with a 5.779 at 251.72 mph to Harker's early-shutoff 5.961 at 200.17 mph.

"I just missed the tune-up in the final," said Harker. "It needed more clutch; it just drove through it pretty bad with the air as good as it was. I saw him out in front of me, so I just shut it off when I realized it was over. Overall, we had a good weekend. Obviously, we would have liked to win, but we had a consistent car all weekend, we just needed more in the final against Jay."

There will be little time to rest for the Harker Motorsport team as they head back to Noble, Okla., for the resumption of the rain-delayed Division 4 finale there. Harker enters the event qualified second.

"The air and track were very good the last time we were there," stated Harker. "Hopefully we can finish the year with a win there."

Find out more about the team at www.HarkerMotorsport.com

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