10.10.2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Matt King (414) 343-7634
matt.king@harley-davidson.com

TURNER TAKES NHRA EXHIBITION WIN AND LOOKS FORWARD TO BEING AT HOME TRACK IN ROCKINGHAM
Turner Now Focuses on Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Nationals

RICHMOND, Va., (Oct. 10, 2007) Ð NHRA officials running the Winner's Circle at last weekend's Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals might have been confused when it came time to crown the winner of the Nitro Top Fuel category.

After all, Tommy Grimes had won each of the last four AHDRA exhibition events at NHRA races dating back to fall 2005. But this time was different.

Not only did Jay Turner beat Grimes in the second round, but he went on to win the race too.

Turner beat Phil Schmidt (6.628 seconds to 6.782) in the first round before topping Grimes (6.740 to 6.811) in the second round. He rode his Harley-Davidson to the win over Bill Furr in the final after Furr fouled at the starting line.

"We had a lot of racing fortune come our way over the weekend, but the team did a great job of putting us in the position to take advantage of the good luck," Turner said. "We smoked the tires right away in the second round matchup and if Tommy had made a clean run, I would have lost. But they had a problem too and I was able to get back in it and win the round. Then Bill ran quicker than us, but left early. We got lucky this weekend but we were in the position to be lucky."

Turner said he is a big supporter of AHDRA racers participating in exhibition events at NHRA national sites.

"It's always great to run in front of big crowds on a great race track," Turner said. "Over the years we've made some great friends who race in the Pro Mod, Pro Stock and other car categories so it was great to see everyone.

"It also helps us gather information. We've made a lot of runs this season and we've taken the information and we've been able to apply it to wherever we are. It's been a good season and winning the NHRA event was a lot of fun."

Now Turner and the rest of the AHDRA must change their focus to the final three events of the AHDRA Screamin' Eagle championship season. Turner is currently third in the national Top Fuel point standings. Tak Shigematsu is the points leader with 706, while Doug Vancil is second with 642 and Turner is third with 554.

The series will continue the regular season this weekend with the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Nationals in Rockingham, N.C. Qualifying begins Saturday.

"Rockingham is a great race," Turner said. "We always have a big crowd and the racing is tough. You have to qualify well and make a great pass down the track every time if you want to win. Last season both ends of the national record fell at Rockingham and they haven't been touched since. I think with the weather looking the way it is, that could change this weekend.

"We've been racing at Rockingham for a long time and we have a lot of great history there. We have strong momentum that we can carry over from Richmond and I think we're in for another successful showing at Rockingham."