09-04-05 Kent, WA. The Goodguys 1st Northwest Nationals will be forever known as the “race for the record book.” Final eliminations closed Sunday with four new national vintage drag racing performance records, following Saturday's action which saw five new records established. It was indeed a very quick and very fast weekend at Pacific Raceways, some 20 miles south of Seattle.

Though he missed the last race on the Goodguys/VRA West Coast Series in Pomona due to a prior commitment, Goodguys top fuel rookie Brett Harris of Kaysville, Utah showed everyone that he belongs behind the wheel of a front-engined top fuel dragster. "The Sheriff" took his bright red “Nitro Thunder” entry through no less than seven 5-second runs over the three day event. Harris never ran slower than 5.978 and set Low ET and top speed of the meet, blasting to a 5.836 @ 258.96 in a semi-final victory over Jim Murphy who trailed with a close 5.914 @ 252.52. In the Top Fuel final round, Harris defeated Goodguys Series points leader Rick McGee, posting a 5.944 @ 251.06 to the runner up’s 5.988 @ 251.81.

Backing up to Thursday, the Nitro Thunder team rolled in with two cars which was one a huge surprise to most. Of course there was Big Red but on the bottom shelf was Harris' newly acquired Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car - a super slick 1956 Ford Crown Victoria powered by a late model 426 hemi.

The car is not VRA legal and will be used for match racing (i.e. fun). Once out of the trailer it spent some time with a Canadian cousin... this very cool 1957 Chevy Bel Aire Funny Car.

At 1:30 Friday afternoon it was down to business that found Jack Harris in the seat of John Blanchard's fueler. Rick McGee and son Brett watch Jack get ready before their match up in the next pair.

Jack ran a nice 6.081 at 239.23.

Then Brett Harris heats the tires for his first qualifying effort.

Ironically he was paired with Rick McGee whom he would meet in the final round on Sunday. Harris the younger knocks dad off the pole and serves notice to the field with a stout 5.940 at 252.10. McGee spun the tires hard at about 200 feet and he shut off.

In the second qualifying session on Saturday morning Brett Harris was paired with Rick White.

Harris slows slightly to a 5.967 at 245.40. In the other lane White went up in smoke at the hit.

The third and last qualifying session paired Brett with "The Senior Sheriff", dad Jack.

Both cars left together and it was a close race until just before the finish line.

With Brett glued to the track, smoke can already be seen behind Jack in the far lane.

Right at the lights all hell broke loose when Jack's engine tossed a rod and erupted into a ball of flame. Covered in oil and blinded by fire, the elder Harris concentrated on getting the car stopped without running into his son.

Fortunately Brett was far enough ahead that when Jack drifted into his lane he was out of the way.

Jack pulled the fire bottles and scuffed the left guardrail to finally come to a stop and bailed out.

The Goodguys Safety Safari were right on top of the car when Jack climbed out.

After the fact Harris was a tad shaken but A-okay which is more than could be said for his helmet and firesuit which both did their jobs but sustained damage serious enough to warrant replacement (below). By the way, it was the quickest run ever made in Blanchard's car - 6.02. Brett clocked a 5.948 at 245.90.
Photos by Jim Sorenson

"No big deal."

The car will be off the the paint shop as well before the CHRR in October.

After the excitement Jack returned to more familiar ground and he and Billy "The Kid" Robins packed Brett's chutes.

Saturday also saw two new members welcomed to the 250 MPH Club. Rick McGee (above) and Sean Bellemeur (below).

First round of eliminations got under way at 10:30 am and Brett Harris was paired with rookie Phil Ruskowski. It was no contest as Harris ripped off another five (5.978 at 254.66} to move into the next round.

In round two Harris was paired with Terry Cox. Cox made the burnout but could not get the car into reverse. Unable to return to the starting line, Cox shut it down leaving Harris a single run for the win.

As is a ritual, Crew Chief Rayce Muchmore brings Brett up to the staging beams while Don Tyrrell and Kenny Robinson clean the tires.

Muchmore gives the "alls good" sign as the data recorder is activated.

Brett makes a full pass in 'Big Red' and puts a leg up on the VRA Top Fuel mph record with a very fast 5.902 at 258.96.

As Harris heads up track, Cox's silent dragster can be seen parked next to the wall where he climbed out.

Round three found Brett paired with the 4 time VRA Top Fuel champion, Jim Murphy.

Burnout and back ups.

It was a close one as the pair left together but Harris pulled away for the win with a 5.836 at 239.61. His speed was down as it appeared he made a sacrifice to the aluminum gods. Murphy carded a nice 5.914 at 252.52.

Low ET of the Meet!

Back to the pits getting ready for the final.

The final round brought Harris full circle... same lane - same opponent as the first qualifying session on Friday. He would meet Rick McGee, the current VRA points leader in the very tough Tedford & McGee "Overtime Special".

Final adjustments are made before both cars stage.

Both cars left together and in short - it was one hell of a drag race!

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When the smoke cleared (literally) Harris had the win with a 5.944 at 251.06 with McGee right there with a 5.988 at 251.81.

The "unofficial" Winners Circle shot says it all.

Brett with the gold.

And then there's the - to the loser goes the T-shirt. A running deal between the Harris and McGee teams is when they race, the loser has to wear the other teams shirt. Here Billy Robins seals the deal with Rick McGee.

Time to load up and head out for Utah.