When you set out to try your very best every run, once in a great while you will shoot yourself in the foot. That is exactly what Jack "The Sheriff" Harris did at the 13th CHRR. Regardless of chamber of commerce weather, a great race track and a performance advantage, Harris caught his first red light of the season (something the legendary John Force has done three times in 2004) and lost in the second round to eventual event winner, Rick McGee. The loss was particularly stinging as on this pass Jack netted low ET of the meet (5.808). It also cost him another consecutive CHRR title. However, two things should be noted here - one, by all accounts, Harris could not have lost to a more deserving opponent and two, he still has the 2004 VRA Top Fuel Championship in the bank. All that said, enjoy the photo recap below.

The temps throughout the weekend were mid 80's - comfortable in short - a bit warm in a firesuit. Thus the umbrella over Jack prior to the first qualifying session.

The weekend for the Top Fuel cars started off on Friday afternoon with chamber of commerce weather and a huge crowd. Harris makes his burnout for the first qualifying session.

Normal procedure - Jack is backed up exactly in the groove he did his burnout in.

The Utah Posse makes the final adjustments prior to Harris staging.

Prelims over - Harris stages the car.

First session - safe tune-up - Harris can't catch Dunlap for low ET but he does go to the top of the heap in MPH with a 5.887 at 254.45. This would land him # 2 after the first session.

After the first qualifying session - and all weekend - the Nitro Thunder pit was a focus of attention.

Note on the right the For Sale sign - this refers to the truck and trailer. More Info

Close look at the carbon fiber disc brakes used in conjunction with dual parachutes to stop Big Red.

The triple disc clutch assembly is the most crucial component on any fuel car as it distributes the power to the rear end as to not under or over power a race track. The Nitro Thunder team has as good a handle on clutch management as anyone in the sport.

A huge hit around the Nitro Thunder camp was Jack "The Ferret" Harris owned by Talaura MacMonagle. Talaura is the daughter of Jennifer MacMonagle and granddaughter to Jim & Linda Mac of Pro Nitro.

Here Jack poses with Jack.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon - the second and last qualifying session. Jack was paired with Brendan Murry.

Final checks by the crew before Jack goes to the line.

Harris and Murry leave together and have a good drag race for the fans. Harris takes Top Speed away from Murphy (257.87) and their battle rages on. But his 5.864 was not quite good enough to catch Dunlap and nail down the # 1 qualifying spot. Harris ends up in the # 3 spot - right in the hunt.

 

10-03-04 - BAKERSFIELD, CA - Final order of qualifying in Nostalgia Top Fuel at the 2004 California Hot Rod Reunion.

 

Round two of qualifying marked a milestone in Nostalgia Top Fuel racing when Mendy Fry became the first female to run in the five second zone (5.874) and go over 250 (251.32). Jack Harris and Billy Robins wasted no time in breaking out the 250 MPH Club hats after Mendy became only the sixth member of the exclusive group.

Here are some more candid pit shots showing the team in action.

Cylinder head maintenance is another vital aspect of Nitro Thunders success.

No matter what's going on around him, Kaden Harris is up on the tires!

Here are a couple of shots showing the elaborate fuel system used to deliver high percentages of nitromethane to Big Red's Hemi engine.

He may not get on his back to check the engine bearings, but make no mistake that Jack Harris is a hands-on driver.

The new (and popular) format for the CHRR is to run the first round of the 16 car Top Fuel show on Saturday under the lights. The winners from this round would be in competition for the final three rounds on Sunday. In his first match up Harris met # 14 qualifier, Rick White.

That said, Harris cut a great light (0.076) and motors away from White. Another 250 for Harris and another round win with a 5.910 at 250.62. White was not that late but still called it quits by the 1000 foot mark.

In round two of Top Fuel Harris was paired with the always tough Rick McGee. The Tedford & McGee entry qualified # 6 with a 5.89 and Rick is a consistently good leaver. This meant that Harris had to be on his game.

Well, as noted in the header of this page, for once Jack was too on his game as he attempted to cut a light - he caught a rare (for him) -0.179 red bulb, which handed the automatic win to McGee. Unfortunately the run netted him low ET of the event (5.808) and another big mph (256.11) - both wasted on the foul start. However, McGee had a good light (0.078) and carded a stout 5.890 at 221.11 so it would have been a great drag race had Harris been a tad late instead of early.

The reactions of the Utah Posse tell the tail.

The mood of the crew reflected their disappointment as they went to the other end to retrieve an equally dejected Harris. This team is not used to losing.

As the quickest loser of the previous round Harris was the "backup car" for round three. As usual they were in line ready to run but all the cars made the call and Nitro Thunder's weekend was officially over.

Oh well, next (and last) stop for the season is the VRA Finals in November. You can bet you won't see another red light there.