HART WRAPS UP SWING WITH QUARTERFINAL IN SEATTLE

KENT, WA – Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster raced to another quarterfinal finish on the Western Swing. The second-year driver advanced out of the first round at all three races and held his position in the Top Fuel point standings throughout the tough stretch of competition. Through two days of qualifying Hart made three solid qualifying runs and went into race day as the No.8 Top Fuel dragster. He defeated Clay Millican in the first round before dropping a quarterfinal race to No. 1 qualifier and eventual race finalist Brittany Force. The grind of three races in three weeks at three new venues was balanced by the positive experience with the fans and some of the nicest scenery in the country.

“We are always focused on the racing and trying to get wins, but I have been amazed by the crowds and the scenery on the Western Swing,” said Hart. “This weekend was another example. Denver was beautiful and this place is beautiful. Sonoma was off the charts. I am happy to be travelling and living the dream of competing against the fastest drivers in the world.”

For the second race in a row on the Western Swing Hart squared off against veteran Millican in the first round. Hart was looking to improve his career record to 4-2 against the driver from Tennessee. The R+L Carriers dragster was first off the starting line and never trailed in the drag race. It was a strong improvement over qualifying, stepping up with a 3.759 second at over 325.61 mph pass in the first pair of Top Fuel competitors.

In the quarterfinals Hart took a great jump off the starting line against Force but as his R+L Carriers dragster crossed half-track his Goodyears began to haze the track robbing Hart of power. Force moved in front and Hart was unable to chase her down as the finish line closed in. Hart’s elapsed time of 3.924 seconds was not enough to advance him to the semifinals.

“We have been holding our own lately and I have been focusing on cutting good lights,” said Hart. “I feel like I am doing a good job there and I have been able to come into my own over these past few races. The team has really been doing a great job and I think we will continue to improve over the back half of the season.”

In two weeks the R+L Carriers team will be back in action at the NHRA Topeka Nationals from Heartland Park-Topeka.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 3.865 sec, 301.84 mph; Qual. 4

Q2: 4.074 sec, 226.47 mph; Qual. 7

Q3: 3.883 sec, 313.22 mph; Qual. 8

Bonus Points: 0

Race Results

First Round

Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster, 3.759, 325.61 mph def. Clay Millican, Drummond, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster, 3.792, 323.04 mph

Second Round

Brittany Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Flav-R-Pac dragster, 3.791, 327.59 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster, 3.924, 291.07 mph

photo by Auto Imagery