April 25, 2014
PDRA RACER HARVEY LOOKING FOR NO. 1 IN 2014

 Maybe it had something to do with a certain Texas Longhorn hat. Or maybe it was fueled by coming in second too many times. One thing is certain, Travis Harvey had what it took to claim the first ever PDRA Top Dragster victory at the Inaugural Spring Open at Rockingham Dragway, April 4-6 . Being behind the wheel is second nature to Harvey and he’s no stranger to the winner’s circle, but being crowned champion for such a historical event is something the humble North Carolinian simply says was “pretty awesome.”

“The guys [on his crew] have been teasing me about my hat,” told Harvey after the event. “I got this Texas Longhorn hat this year, even though I’m not much of a Longhorn fan. I liked the ‘T’ on the back for Travis. Every race I’ve worn this hat this year, I’ve won.”

Although the “Carolina Kid” is admittedly not a superstitious man, odds are we’ll be seeing a lot more of that hat this season. But then who needs lucky charms with .00 lights and dead on runs? Harvey, who qualified 14th with a 4.35 elapsed time, put together a string of such runs in 

eliminations taking out Avon Indiana’s Craig Sullivan and fellow North Carolinian Morgan Tedder in rounds one and two before ousting Russ Whitlock in the semis and meeting Ken Batchelor in the final. Harvey left first with an .014 light to Batchelor’s .025. Harvey played it smart, giving up the stripe and going 4.331 on his 4.29 dial in. Batchelor broke out by .004, running 4.236 on his 4.24 dial, handing Harvey the Top Dragster victory.

“It was pretty awesome,” Harvey said of winning the first-ever PDRA Top Dragster trophy. “Nobody else can do that.” Harvey, who also competes in the Pro Nitrous category, continued on, quick to give credit to his team and family. “I want to thank my wife for all she does for me and my family. Also,my mom and dad for raising me and giving me this opportunity. And I want to thank my car owners, Dobbs Racing and especially Vaughn Myles; he helps me a lot. I couldn’t do this without Russ Farmer of Race Tech and Barry Allen, our engine builder. He and Russ call the shots on our Pro Nitrous deal. Jeff Miller, he’s a good friend of mine. I’ve been racing with him for a long time. He’ll do whatever we need. Antonio Boston drives our rig for us and helps out wherever we need him. Lance Stanford does an awesome job as crew chief on my dragster and Dad also helps whenever we need him. We’ve got a great crew.”

Harvey’s Race Tech dragster is powered by Nesbitt Performance Engines and gets additional help from Redline Oil and Hoosier Tires.

The former high school track champion says the only running he does these days is behind his three year old son, Travis Jr, or TJ for short. When not at the track or working on his race cars, Harvey lays tile with his father, the same man that got him started in racing.

“My dad raced when I was smaller and my uncles all raced,” told Travis. “When I turned 14 my dad let me drive the car and he hasn’t raced since.”

That proved to be a good move for the eldest Harvey, as Travis has had quite a successful racing career. Although he earned Championship rights as the 2007 Piedmont Dragway track champion and 2009 Big Dog Champion, he confesses he’s tired of coming in second, a feat that while honorable, loses its luster among those hungry for number one. Harvey has placed second in championship points at least four times with the International Hot Rod Association in Top Dragster or Hot Rod and came in second with the American Drag Racing League in 2013 in both Pro Mod and Top Dragster. There’s no doubt with the Spring Open win, Harvey is looking to continue his winning ways in the PDRA and lay hold of that elusive number one in 2014.

Photo: Chuck Brooks / RaceWorks.com