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Steve Harker Baytown wrap-up

Racing series NHRA-SM Date 2006-04-04[SIZE=2]Harker loses close race in quarterfinals

BAYTOWN, Texas - Transplanted Aussie NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Steve Harker lost by a mere .004 of a second during this past weekend's O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park. Harker took the starting line advantage over his opponent, No. 1 qualifier Mick Snyder, but could not hold him off.

Harker, originally from Brisbane, Aus., who now calls Gainesville, Ga., home, qualified his 2001 Dodge Avenger eighth in the field with a 5.704 at 249.53 mph. In round one, he defeated Vern Moats with a 5.687 at 252.95 mph. In his quarterfinal match up with Snyder, Harker took a to starting line advantage, but lost with a 5.660 at 254.09 mph to a 5.635 at 255.82 mph for Snyder.

"It was a good weekend for us," said Harker. "Overall the track was killer, but the air wasn't as good as you would think with all the humidity. We definitely would have liked to go another round, but we ran consistent. NHRA really has a handle on prepping these tracks so we can run consistent. We had a new engine in the car, and it's coming around. The team is really coming together and I'm starting to drive the car a bit better."

The race marks the end of a five week span that put the team at the track four of those five weeks. The next event for the team will be the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Texas Motorplex just outside of Dallas, Apr. 28-30. During the off-time, the Harker family will fly back to Australia for their daughter and marketing manager Kate's college graduation ceremony from .

When the team returns to the track, Harker hopes to find the winner's circle.
"We just want to keep being consistent," explained Harker. "Consistency on race day is what wins races. Hopefully we can continue to improve so we don't keep ending up on the wrong side of these close races."


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