Steve Harker Topeka wrap up

Harker loses close battle in round one

TOPEKA, Kan. - Veteran Australian NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Steve Harker lost a close battle in the first round of this past weekend's O'Reilly Summer Nationals at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan. After qualifying strong, a small change lead to event-ending tireshake in the opening stanza.

Harker, originally from Brisbane, Aus., but calls Gainesville, Ga., his stateside home, qualified his Queensland Thermoking/Lucar Cargovans backed Dodge Avenger fifth in the field with a strong 5.774 second pass at 250.55 mph. In round one, he made a small clutch adjustment which resulted in heavy tireshake, slowing him to a 5.840 at 249.30 mph which was enough for Ron Morrison to get around him with a 5.817 at 245.81 mph. Nonetheless, Harker is not discouraged.

"We just made a bit of an adjustment for the first round," said Harker. "The track was pretty tricky, and it just didn't like the change we threw at it. We have a new supercharger program going, so we're still pleased with the promise it shows after running strong in qualifying. With some more laps down the track, we should be able to be a bit stronger than we were before."

The next event for the Harker Motorsport team will be in two weeks for the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago.

"We'll just go up there and try to pick up where we left off," stated Harker. "Chicago is known for being pretty fast, so it should be interesting."

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