Harker Keeps The Momentum Going!

Belle Rose, September 21, 2009: Australian NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver, Steve Harker kept his final round momentum going at this past weekends Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series South Central Division event held at No Problem Raceway.

Harker came out strong with his Lucas Oil, Hedman Hedders Chevy Monte Carlo running an impressive 5.65 seconds pass at 252 mph to take the top qualifying spot. Harker out ran six other Top Alcohol Funny Car teams to hold on to the number 1 position by 0.001 seconds to Tony Bartone's 5.66 seconds run.

In the first round of competition, Harker paired up against division two racer John Sullivan. Harker left the starting line first and pulled away to take the win with another consecutive 5.66 seconds run at 242mph.

Harker earned the bye run in the semi finals and was prepared to make a full track run. Unfortunately Harker suffered early tire shake and stepped off the throttle by the 330 feet timers coasting to the finish line with a slow 8.19 seconds at 96 mph pass.

Harker lost lane choice in the finals to number two qualifier, Tony Bartone who Harker defeated at last weekends Lucas Oil Division Two event held at Atlanta Dragway. Harker gave it his best off the starting line only to go into immediate tire smoke. Harker could only watch Bartone drive away for the win.

"The track started to go away in the semi-finals and I made the wrong tune-up call for the finals" comments Harker "We gave it our best effort this weekend, our tachometer was not working correctly on some of our runs including the finals as I left with the engine rpm's to high." "I would like to thank our sponsors Lucas Oil Products, Hedman Hedders, Southern Safety Supply, OMS Graphics and the crew, my wife Jenelle, Joseph Satterfield and Daniel Rice for their hard work this weekend. Congratulations to Tony and Rick and their whole team on the win. We really enjoy racing with them and are looking forward to lining up again on the race track in the future."

Steve and the Harker Motorsports team will now head across to the Texas Motorplex in Dallas for the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Nationals across September 25th to 27th. For latest race results please visit www.dragracecentral.com