Harker secures 2nd place finish in the National Championship chase

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Reynolds, GA October 28, 2008: For Aussie Steve Harker more than just an event victory was on the line at this past weekend’s LODRS Division Two Event held at Silver Dollar Raceway, as the OMS Graphics Top Alcohol Funny Car team not only secured the win but also tied up second place in the Top Alcohol Funny Car Championship.

The event started out as great battle between the former number 2 players Jay Payne and current contender, Steve Harker as both drivers set the pace in qualifying with Harker laying down identical 5.62et at 257mph passes to qualifier second behind Payne’s 5.61et.

First round matchup of Harker against division two runners, John Headley proved to be Harker’s only paired run of eliminations and Harker took the win with a 5.76et at 246mph pass to Headley’s 6.27et at 210mph pass advancing to the semi-finals.

Immediately following Harker’s first round victory, Jay Payne faced off against Mark Rogers in what looked to be a race for Payne to win if he wanted to reclaim his Number 2 hopes off Harker. However the Valvoline team of Payne struggle with tire shake at the hit and were out run by Rogers and with Payne out in the first round, Harker secured his dreams of a second place finish for the 2008 season.

With the pressure off, Harker was egar to enjoy his semi final match up against Booby Martin although it wasn’t long before Harker got word he would take a solo run as Martin and team were unable to make it back out after hurting their motor in the first round. Harker took his solo without much success, shaking the tires at the hit.

As fate would have it, Harker again received another solo pass in the finals as fellow competitor, Mark Rogers was unable to make the call and concerned for his own equipment, Harker took the bye only to stage the car and shut off on the start line.

“It’s been an amazing year for our entire team and everyone that’s supported us throughout the season.” Said Harker “We could not have made it this far without the support of our sponsors, OMS Graphics, Southern Safety Supply, Lucas Oil and Hedman Hedders. To our crew, Joseph, Darryl, Daniel, Kate and Diana and my wife Jenelle who have done a tremendous job putting in every effort to get this car down the track. We are already pumped for next year and hope to produce the same if not better results for our team.”

The Harker Motorsport team now head across to Las Vegas, NV for the LODRS Division Seven event followed by the Auto Club Finals in Pomona,CA for some good old drag racing with the support of Shane Beaty and team at i4.0inc.