Jack "The Sheriff" Harris, Billy "The Kid" Robins and the Utah Posse rolled into the pits of Famoso Raceway Thursday with a brand new Neil & Parks race car - and jaws dropped. After pouring over the new pipe 'n tin, most everyone unanimously agreed that this is the "trickest" Nostalgia Top Fuel car ever built. The lines are a great mix of the old and new "looks" while incorporating the best parts and technology available.

The cockpit is particularly impressive. Designed to Jack's exacting standards, its a perfect mix of form and function featuring a one-of-a-kind rearend housing that is as close to "bullet proof" as you can get.

Of great interest (especially to their competitors) was the front wing that is fashioned after the "Big Show" Top Fuel cars that run the NHRA circuit.

The full body is much sleeker than last years car and has more of a 60s look.

Thursday evening found Harris (thumb up) and company at the Goodguys/VRA Awards Banquet for the 2003 season where he was honored for he #2 finish in Nostalgia Top Fuel.

Friday it was back to business. Harris and crew had three major situations to deal with. One being a brand new car that had never been down a drag strip. The second was tuning around the new rules implemented by the VRA this year meant to slow the cars down. (Harris' 259 last season was deemed "too fast" by the powers to be). The third factor was the weather. Unlike the perfect racing temperatures (mid 60s) here last November for the Finals, this weekend would bring mid to high 80s - not ideal racing temps.

Here it is - Harris heats the tires for the first run on 2004 Nitro Thunder.

Everyone held their collective breaths as Harris launched the car for its first pass. With a "light" tune-up, the car left a little soft but started to haul down track. Being a new car, Harris was advised to make a half pass but it felt so good he took it about 1000 feet when the tires got loose and he shut it off to a 6.11 @ 212 - not bad for the maiden run.

Sitting in the staging lanes prior to the second session, Harris tries to keep as comfortable as possible in the 85 degree heat.

Saturday offered two qualifying sessions before a record crowd in Bakersfield. In the morning session, Harris' engine sounded really stout on the burnout. This would be the second run on the car and hopefully it would handle better on the top end.

Unlike the first pass, the new car hiked the front end and hauled...

Heading toward the lights Harris could feel the rear tires start to spin on the hot surface. Nonetheless, the new compound M&Hs were good enough and on the first full run "Big Silver" cars a 5.97 @ 237. No doubt they are on the right track.

Between the 2nd and 3rd qualifying session a couple of legends dropped by to visit Jack. On the left is 92 year old Marv Riftken who pioneered the modern drag slicks (M&H) in the late 50s. Center is none other than Al "Mousie" Marcellis of the Marcellis & Borsch "Winged Express" AA/FA fame.

This fan was overcome by the potent nitro fumes during a warm-up.

The third and final session was late Saturday afternoon. The track surface was still very warm and wouldn't handle an all out tune-up. Putting as much power in the engine as they thought the track would hold, Harris heats the tires one more time.

Guest back-up girl was big fan, Michelle Reed

From the launch there was not much doubt that this would be the best run yet - and it was. Hot track and all, Harris jumped into the #1 qualifying spot with a clean 5.90 @ a stout 252.80.

 

Here's some candid shots of what went on in the pits (aka "the trenches") over the weekend. It's hard work that makes everything happen and the crew of Brett Harris, Jason Mott, Steve Merrill, Bob Eames, Rayce Muchmore, Randy Muchmore, Billy "The Kid" Robins, Steve Watson, Keith Adams and of course, Jack Harris work as a team to get it done. Most will agree they are the best equipt, maintained and organized team going. They run hard and don't use up a ton of parts. AND, they have never missed a round of racing due to breakage. Oh yea, they play hard too!

Every drag racer will tell you that the 1st round on race day is the toughest. You've had all night to think about it - to decide on a tune-up and formulate your game plan for what hopefully will be 3 rounds of racing. Once you get pass your first opponent its down hill as you're too busy to let the butterflies get loose again.

Harris' first round opponent was #8 qualifier Chuck Tanko (below).

After the burnout the crew takes a last look at everything - check for leaks, clean the tires and turn on the data computer. The very last thing is Brett Harris adjusting the idle for the leave.

Harris strapped a huge holeshot on Tanko and never looked back taking the win with another 5.90 @ 251. Tanko ran his best ever 6.17 @ 227 in defeat.

Round two would match up Harris and Nitro Thunder with a much tougher opponent, Jeff Diehl in the VanDyke Mororsports entry (below).

Harris moves into the staging lights.

Both cars left together but the race was over early when Diehl smoked the tires at the 60' mark. Harris streaked to a 5.88 (low ET of the meet to this point) at 253 MPH.

The Utah Posse is happy. Ya think?

Prior to the final round both crews mingled and joked in the staging lanes. Jack had several of us sign the body of "Big Silver".

Murphy's Crew Chief, Tim Beebe adds his autograph.

The Top Fuel final pitted the #1 and #2 qualifiers - Harris vs Jim Murphy - again. This seemed to be a repeat of the entire 2003 season. But this is the match up the fans pay their money to see. Friends off the track - fierce rivals on - when these two come to the line there is no quarter given, no easy tune-up - no shut off early.

Harris leaves first (barely) but Murphy caught him by half track. Both cars thundered toward the finish line side by side ... an extreemly close drag race. The win light came on in Murphy's lane.

Jim Murphy's margin of victory was a scant 0.0350 seconds (approximately 12 feet). The times reflect "one hell of a drag race" - Murphy: 5.882 @ 247.38 to Harris: 5.926 @ 241.22

Smoke from Murphy's headers reflect a banged blower in the lights. Had the supercharger given up just 50 feet sooner the race would have been Jack's. Maybe next time?

Jack takes off his helmet after losing a very close race. The crew (below) were disappointed to say the least, but like they say ... that's drag racin'.

All in all it was a very successful debut outing for Harris and his Utah Posse. The new car performed as they hoped it would and told them there is a lot more left in it when they get on a good track with cool weather. But with Summer around the corner, that may not come soon. However, there is talk of a two car Nitro Thunder team showing up at a few events this season. Jack will be in the new car (will it be red, or left silver?), and son Brett in the 259 MPH car from last season. That should shake up the troops!

Both cars as they appeared at a car show in Salt Lake City the weekend after the March Meet.

Brett & Jack Harris