Steve Harker Topeka preview

Harker looking to 'inject' some new horses in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. - When consistency is the main ingredient of your competitive edge, changes to the combination are few and far between. Feeling some performance is still left on the table, Australian NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Steve Harker will make one of those rare changes by installing the new JBR carbon fiber injector for this weekend's O'Reilly Summer Nationals at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan. After two runner-up finishes this year, Harker hopes the injector will give him the edge he needs to reach the winner's circle.

Harker, originally from Brisbane, Aus., but now calls Gainesville, Ga., home, hopes the new injector will give help his supercharger make more boost at 'the hit,' or when he steps on the throttle. The new carbon fiber unit is designed to be more efficient by putting more air in the front of the supercharger.

"We feel like we are a little behind our competitors in the first 60 foot," said Harker. "We have an older blower, so we decided to mount this new hat to help it make some more boost down low. We think we are leaving some performance on the table there."

"We just bought a newer model supercharger, but I think we'll save that for testing on Monday," Harker continued. "I know the blower we have pretty well and have a handle on the fuel system for it. It's supposed to be hot this weekend, so just getting down the track consistently will be the key to doing well this weekend."

-hm