News & Updates

Hartley Shakes It Up in NHRA Season Opener

POMONA, CA – February 17, 2007 - Every February race fans flock to Southern California not just for the good weather, but also for one of drag racing’s biggest traditions: the NHRA POWERade season opener.  Pomona is a great place to race with its smooth surface, good traction, and potential for some major drag racing. Teams hope to use the opener as a springboard for a great race season.  And the Hartley team did just that.

The first few passes for Hartley Racing proved to be just warm-ups for the team.  The car launched well, but had problems with shaking and lost traction.  On the third pass, Joe Hartley, driver and son of Allen Hartley the crew chief, managed to put the car down the track in 4.647 and moved into the top field.  The fourth and final pass in the qualifying heat was even better.  Hartley ran his career best of 4.575 at 322.34 mph, bumping into the field for the next day’s final rounds.

On Sunday, Hartley, now in 16th place, was lined up against Tony Schumacher in the US Army Dragster.  Schumacher was in the number one qualifying spot for the thirty-sixth time in his career.  Hartley was making his 24th start in Top Fuel, three times from the 16 spot with a 0/4 disadvantage under Schumacher.

Both dragsters came out blazing, but Schumacher’s car struck the tires at the 330 mark.  Hartley was in and out of the throttle down the track but pulled off the major upset over Schumacher to make it to the next round.  This elimination round lined Hartley up with David Grubnic in the Zantrex-3 Dragster.  Hartley got the slight advantage off the line, but lost it when the tires went up in smoke.  Grubnic would have been tough to beat with a 4.671 at 311.27 mph.  Overall, the Hartley team placed 8th for the kickoff of the race season.

Joe Hartley, was more than excited about his first race of 2007.  With ESPN2 at the end of the track following his win over Schumacher, Hartley exclaimed, “What a great race!  The car is really coming around and it feels good to knock the number one qualifier out to start the season off right.”  

About  Hartley Racing

Allen Hartley, Hartley Racing owner, is a veteran driver and has been on the racing circuit since the early 1970’s. He has raced in cars ranging from a 1967 Camaro to twin engine dragsters. Taking a hiatus to start his business, ProData, a software company, he returned to the race circuit in 1991 ready and raring to get into action. With 1996 being one of his best seasons he has had two event wins, one second place finish, two national "Best Appearing Crew" awards and finished second in Division Five point standings.

Hartley Racing made its debut in the Top Fuel Eliminator class six years ago and continues to run a limited race schedule. Joe Hartley has taken over driving duties while Allen continues to own and run the team. For more information, contact Shelli Peck at speck@prodatacomputer.com.  Hartley Racing is based in Omaha, Nebraska, 68130, USA. Telephone:  402.697.7575;  402.697.7576 (fax)