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The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series put a close to the 2009 Nostalgia Racing season
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CORONA CALIFORNIA Tuesday October 27, 2009) - The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series put a close to the 2009 Nostalgia Racing season with the recently completed 18th California Hot Rod Reunion at legendary Auto Club Famoso Raceway.
Lucas Oil Top Fuel racers Brett and father Jack Harris of Kaysville, Utah, came into the Reunion trailing fellow nitro driver Rick White by 59 points, but when White failed to qualify, it left the door open for Brett. Harris qualified No. 1 in the 16-car field and beat Mike Chrisman and Brad Thompson in rounds one and two before losing to Troy Green in a semifinal match. 
Advancing to the semi's gave Harris 78 points, which moved him past White for the championship. White finished second, nine points back.
In August at the 38th edition of Firebird Raceway's signature event; the Nightfire Nationals, it was a weekend of way below normal temperatures, huge crowds, record runs, major upsets and lots of drama. The Nightfire Nationals are Idaho's premiere motorsport's national championship.
For Brett Harris and the Nitro Thunder team it was a race that literally got away due to parts breakage. Paired with Rick White in the semi-finals, Harris raced in one of the most bizarre drag races in memory, he had the race won hands down when the dragster’s rear end gave out pushing the pinion gear out of the housing ending their weekend early.
Starting the year off at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, Brett and his father, Jack, have dominated the Nostalgia Top Fuel competition at the March Meet this decade winning five-times including the last three years. Brett won it in 2007, Jack in '08 and Brett kept it going in '09 by beating Rick White of San Diego in the final thus taking an early lead for the 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series championship.
In the final, a repeat match-up of the 2008 California Hot Rod Reunion, Harris ran a 5.67 elapsed time at 263.77 mph to White's 5.68 elapsed time at 259.36 mph. It was a career best ET and speed for White and the quickest N/TF race in history. Harris also claimed the low ET of the event at 5.65 and top speed at 263.77 mph during the three-day event.
All told, the Harris father-son combo now have five March Meet titles between them, with "Sheriff" Jack owning three and Brett now with two. Lucas Oil Company congratulates the Nitro Thunder team and Brett Harris for winning the 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Season Championship in Nostalgia Top Fuel!
Thanks to Darr Hawthorne for the story and photos. Contact Darr.
