Travis Harvey wins PowerJam; calls boss at beach
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/BigDogPowerJamJuly3270.jpg" alt="BigDogPowerJamJuly3270" align="left"borders="0"/>
(July 4, 2008) Julian, NC - Car owner Russ Farmer should probably go on vacation more often, especially if it's on race night. Farmer made a brief appearance last night at Piedmont Dragway's PowerJam event - just long enough to watch his driver, Travis Harvey, make one lap down Piedmont's 1/8 mile before taking off to the beach. Approximately 5 hours later, Farmer's relaxing vacation was interrupted by a phone call. "We won!", Travis Harvey shouted. "He basically responded with total silence," laughed Harvey, followed by, "Are you kidding?"
Travis Harvey, the 26 year old Burlington, NC resident rolled to the winner's circle last night at Piedmont Dragway to hoist the most famous trophy in southeastern heads-up racing. Fashioned of ceramic and shaped like a dog, Harvey's first impression of the trophy was measured in pounds and ounces. "Wow, this thing is heavy!", noted Harvey, lifting the Big Dog trophy skyward.
Harvey's course of action on Thursday began with a middle of the pack qualifying effort, steering the Race Tech Race Cars 68 Camaro to a qualifying best of 4.27 @ 170mph. The effort was good enough for the #9 slot in the 16 car field of doorslammers. The last session of qualifying on Thursday had fans holding their breath as Ken Regenthal and his famous Carolina Hooker Corvette slammed the wall head-on after the car violently shook the tires beginning around the 100 foot mark. Ken received much applause as he exited the race car unscathed. Significant damage, however, was sustained to the front end of the famous, yellow doorslammer.
With 4 rounds of qualifying sessions complete, the 16 car PowerJam Big Dog field was set. Greensboro's Ronnie Gardner, a two-time series winner this season was sitting on top of the mountain with a 4.20 @ 173mph. Fifteen positions south was Kevin Carpenter; his slick 57 Chevy clocking 4.40 @ 166mph.
First round eliminations saw many surprise outcomes, reminding fans that it was anybody's race on PowerJam night. Eventual winner, Travis Harvey, went head to head against the most storied Big Dog entry on the property, with Matt Giangrande behind the wheel. Giangrande, driving Glenn Redmond's Corvette slipped in and out of the groove, slowing to a 5.36 as Harvey pulled away for the win.
Harvey dodged a hole-shot bullet in round two when #16 qualifier, Kevin Carpenter, left the gate with a .006 reaction time. Carpenter was out of shape at mid track and had to lift, as Harvey drove around for the win. In the semi-finals, Harvey took on the blown Green Goblin Firebird of Scott Gunn, who was having his best Big Dog night ever. Both drivers posted identical 4.29's at the stripe, with Harvey's hole-shot scoring the win light.
In the finals, Harvey met David Campbell, who got past Todd Tutterow, Gilmer Hinshaw and Tony Ward en route to a showdown with Travis Harvey. Saving his best run for last, Harvey left first, then drove down broadway straight as as string, clocking 4.262 @ 171mph. David Campbell fought traction problems during the run, his ex-Greg Anderson Pro Stock slowing to a 5.01 @ 103mph.
Travis Harvey, the tall, UNC basketball-loving drag racer recalled how he grew up watching Big Dog stars like Todd Tutterow, Ronnie Gardner and Bob Harris. "I never dreamed I'd be running with them one day, so it's really just a thrill to be here," commented Harvey.
Race fans responded to the sensational mid-week PowerJam event in the form of a record crowd at Piedmont last evening. Big Dog action returns to the 1/8 mile facility in Julian, NC on August 1.
Story and photo by: Van Abernethy Press Releases
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/BigDogPowerJamJuly3270.jpg" alt="BigDogPowerJamJuly3270" align="left"borders="0"/>
(July 4, 2008) Julian, NC - Car owner Russ Farmer should probably go on vacation more often, especially if it's on race night. Farmer made a brief appearance last night at Piedmont Dragway's PowerJam event - just long enough to watch his driver, Travis Harvey, make one lap down Piedmont's 1/8 mile before taking off to the beach. Approximately 5 hours later, Farmer's relaxing vacation was interrupted by a phone call. "We won!", Travis Harvey shouted. "He basically responded with total silence," laughed Harvey, followed by, "Are you kidding?"
Travis Harvey, the 26 year old Burlington, NC resident rolled to the winner's circle last night at Piedmont Dragway to hoist the most famous trophy in southeastern heads-up racing. Fashioned of ceramic and shaped like a dog, Harvey's first impression of the trophy was measured in pounds and ounces. "Wow, this thing is heavy!", noted Harvey, lifting the Big Dog trophy skyward.
Harvey's course of action on Thursday began with a middle of the pack qualifying effort, steering the Race Tech Race Cars 68 Camaro to a qualifying best of 4.27 @ 170mph. The effort was good enough for the #9 slot in the 16 car field of doorslammers. The last session of qualifying on Thursday had fans holding their breath as Ken Regenthal and his famous Carolina Hooker Corvette slammed the wall head-on after the car violently shook the tires beginning around the 100 foot mark. Ken received much applause as he exited the race car unscathed. Significant damage, however, was sustained to the front end of the famous, yellow doorslammer.
With 4 rounds of qualifying sessions complete, the 16 car PowerJam Big Dog field was set. Greensboro's Ronnie Gardner, a two-time series winner this season was sitting on top of the mountain with a 4.20 @ 173mph. Fifteen positions south was Kevin Carpenter; his slick 57 Chevy clocking 4.40 @ 166mph.
First round eliminations saw many surprise outcomes, reminding fans that it was anybody's race on PowerJam night. Eventual winner, Travis Harvey, went head to head against the most storied Big Dog entry on the property, with Matt Giangrande behind the wheel. Giangrande, driving Glenn Redmond's Corvette slipped in and out of the groove, slowing to a 5.36 as Harvey pulled away for the win.
Harvey dodged a hole-shot bullet in round two when #16 qualifier, Kevin Carpenter, left the gate with a .006 reaction time. Carpenter was out of shape at mid track and had to lift, as Harvey drove around for the win. In the semi-finals, Harvey took on the blown Green Goblin Firebird of Scott Gunn, who was having his best Big Dog night ever. Both drivers posted identical 4.29's at the stripe, with Harvey's hole-shot scoring the win light.
In the finals, Harvey met David Campbell, who got past Todd Tutterow, Gilmer Hinshaw and Tony Ward en route to a showdown with Travis Harvey. Saving his best run for last, Harvey left first, then drove down broadway straight as as string, clocking 4.262 @ 171mph. David Campbell fought traction problems during the run, his ex-Greg Anderson Pro Stock slowing to a 5.01 @ 103mph.
Travis Harvey, the tall, UNC basketball-loving drag racer recalled how he grew up watching Big Dog stars like Todd Tutterow, Ronnie Gardner and Bob Harris. "I never dreamed I'd be running with them one day, so it's really just a thrill to be here," commented Harvey.
Race fans responded to the sensational mid-week PowerJam event in the form of a record crowd at Piedmont last evening. Big Dog action returns to the 1/8 mile facility in Julian, NC on August 1.
Story and photo by: Van Abernethy Press Releases
