6/26/2015
Keith Haney
Keith Haney Racing in the mix for first 3.6-second Pro Nitrous pass
When the pundits consider Pro Nitrous drivers capable of dipping into the 3.6-second range in the Professional Drag Racers Association ranks, they often think of several capable contenders, but they better not forget about Keith Haney and his Keith Haney Racing team at this weekend's PDRA Summer Drags at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.
"They're looking for Jay Cox, Travis Harvey, Jason Harris, Tommy Franklin, and all them boys," Haney said. "They're expecting all those guys to run the 3.69 because they've been a little bit closer. Well, all of a sudden, here comes a Midwest boy."
That's Tulsa, Okla.'s Haney, of course. With a new Reher-Morrison Racing Engines powerplant in his new Larry Jeffers Race Cars Chevrolet Camaro, Haney opened some eyes at the most PDRA recent race in St. Louis.
Haney's pass of 3.765 seconds at 201.10 mph in his Lucas Oil/RacingJunk.com Camaro proved he deserves to be in the mix to take the $5,000 bonus to be paid by Pro Nitrous team owner Bryant Marriner to the first driver in the 3.6-second range.
"You may not expect the Keith Haney Racing entry to go 3.6-something, but you better watch out," Haney said. "You better look in your rearview mirror because we're coming right up the back door. We're looking to get it before everyone else. We want that money and that record."
With Brandon Switzer of Switzer Dynamics tuning the engine and Brandon Pesz tuning the chassis, Haney has some of the best in drag racing working on his race car. Plus, his KHR team has come a long way this year since struggling at the first three PDRA races of the season.
"This team is pretty stout," Haney said. "My guys have come along well this year. We got through the first three races, and as soon as I got the new motor, things have been great."
And after the run in St. Louis, the new engine still looks spectacular.
"We ran the 3.76 and went and tore the motor down and there was no issue," Haney said. "It's like it was brand new, which gives us something great to build on."
Weather conditions for Martin look terrific this weekend with temperatures in the 70s all three days -- prime weather for a record run.
"The highs are in the 70s during the day, so that night session on Friday is liable to produce a 3.6," Haney said. "The barometer may not be as good there, but that doesn't matter. After seeing the Reher-Morrison power that Bob Rahaim has, and we have a little bigger engine, we've got a lot to look forward to."
Rahaim, also tuned by Switzer, has a similar package as Haney and has been lightning fast in the last month.
"If that's any indication of how our car's going to run this weekend, we've got great things to look forward to," Haney said. "Or, that 3.69 will be ours before anybody else."
Haney has some additional help in a new Lucas Oil product that is pulsing through his Reher-Morrison engine.
"We've got the new Lucas Oil racing oil in the engine this weekend," Haney said. "Everyone needs to be on the lookout for the new Lucas Oil 5W30 and 10W40 oil coming to the market soon, and we hope we run the 3.69 pass with the new oil."