Keith Haney Looks to Keep Hot Streak Going Heading to Shakedown Nationals XIX at Virginia Motorsports Park

Coming off back-to-back final round appearances in the Summit Racing Equipment Mid- West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, Pro Mod veteran Keith Haney isn’t waiting long to get back behind the wheel of his nitrous-powered “Black Mamba” Camaro. Just days after his runner-up at the U.S. 131 Nationals, Haney is back at it, this time at the Shakedown Nationals XIX at Virginia Motorsports Park. It’s a race that has carved out a special place in the Pro Mod world and Haney has also enjoyed competing in the legendary event. Now in its third year at its new home at VMP, it’s also a chance for Haney to take on the top Pro Mod drivers competing from the East Coast. “We’re excited to take on those East Coast guys. We did well last year and I ran one of my career bests. It’s a great race and I can’t wait to get back in the car,” Haney said. “There’s great history at that race and I really enjoy the nostalgia of it. It’s my birthday weekend and I get to enjoy that, too, and racing is what do I love doing more than anything. Seeing my East Coast fans will be nice and we’re excited for a big weekend.” Haney has put together a huge amount consistent runs lately in his nitrous Camaro, putting him as one of the top Pro

Mod contenders for the Shakedown, which will award $25,000 to the winner in the class. He qualified No. 1 at last weekend’s MWDRS event with a run of 3.666-seconds at 206.61 mph, but the consistency has been just as impressive en route to two straight final round appearances over the past month. It all goes back to preparation and Haney and his team, led by star tuner Brandon Switzer, have been on point in that regard. “That preparation and how that’s paid off has already shown up at both races,” Haney said. “We’ll go through the same process of getting the car ready for this weekend and I know we’ll be prepared for this race. The team has been doing a great job and the car has just been awesome to drive.” In all, Haney has been down the track 21 straight times, making several runs in the 3.60s and 3.70s. Going against what will be a huge and talented field at the Shakedown, that consistency will again be necessary. Haney also believes running for the third time in the past month will be beneficial, as the added seat time can pay off in a number of ways. Combined, it has Haney confident heading into the weekend.

“Everybody knows the statement we’ve made the last two races and we’re coming down there to make another one,” Haney said. “They’ll be gunning for me, but I’ll be ready for them and maybe we can slap those East Coast racers around a little bit.” The first round of qualifying begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Sportsman qualifying begins at 10:30 a.m. Friday, followed by the second and third qualifying sessions for all classes. Final sportsman qualifying will start at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Eliminations will follow.

Back-to-Back Pro Mod Finals in the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series has Keith Haney Moving in the Right Direction

Back-to-Back Pro Mod Finals in the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series has Keith Haney Moving in the Right Direction MARTIN, Mich. (Sept. 15, 2021) – The good news for Keith Haney is he has recorded back-to-back Pro Mod final round appearances in the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service after his latest runner-up at last weekend’s U.S. 131 Nationals. It’s shot Haney into the top five in the class and made him a championship contender with three races left in the season, but it’s also a race Haney felt as though he should have won. He had the quicker run in his nitrous-powered “Black Mamba” Camaro, going 3.686-seconds at 206.23 mph, but was second off the starting line in the championship round against Joey Oksas, who won his second straight race. There were plenty of positives, but Haney was left lamenting what could have been at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. “Hands down, I had the fastest, best car on the race track last weekend and I beat myself,” Haney said. “Nobody was faster than me, plain and simple, and that’s from the time we qualified No. 1 all the way to the finals. But I was late on the tree and I let one get away from me. I’m not happy about that part of it. “(Tuner) Brandon Switzer put the car underneath me and he’s had the car on rails two races in a row. I think I had a TV dinner and some cake before I left the starting line in the final. At the end of the day, I have to cut a light. My tuner puts a tuneup to win in the car and I felt like I let my team down.” Haney said he was more mad than anything about the outcome, but the team certainly has plenty of momentum in the midst of a busy month. The Pro Mod veteran qualified No. 1 in Martin with a standout run of 3.666 at 206.61, going 3.712 at 204.82 in his opening round win. Switzer dialed it up to a 3.691 during the next two rounds, leading into another strong pass in the final round. Haney has been the quickest nitrous Pro Mod car in the Mid-West Drag Racing Series this year, also setting a career-best pass in his MWDRS career. Just as important, Haney and his team have put together impressive consistency at a key time of the season. “The car has just been going down the track. We’ve gone 21 times down the track without an aborted run,” Haney said. “There’s lot of great things that happened and the weekend was awesome. The crew has been doing a great job.” Haney, though, couldn’t avoid some ribbing, with the first coming from his wife, Misty, over the phone just moments after the holeshot defeat. “When I lost she was the first person to stay I stink and give me the hardest time,” Haney said with a laugh. “She’s passionate about it and she was still supporting me over the phone. She kind of keeps it all together for me.” The good news is Haney won’t have to wait long to get back behind his Pat Musi Racing Engines-powered Camaro. He’s attending this weekend’s Shakedown at Virginia Motorsports Park, eager to keep rolling in a car that continues to impress at each event. “I can’t wait to get back in the car,” Haney said. “What happened in the final round in Martin, that won’t happen again, I can promise you that.” The Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service returns to action Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the MWDRS Throwdown at T-Town at Tulsa Raceway Park. The series will conduct a pair of races during the weekend. For more information on the Mid-West Drag Racing Series, visit www.midwestdragracingseries.com. ABOUT KEITH HANEY RACING Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keith Haney Racing (www.keithhaneyracing.com) competes in the Summit Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) presented by J&A Service, select NHRA, PDRA and NMCA races and one-off special events. Keith Haney Racing appreciates the support of Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering, Pat Musi Racing Engines, Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Kryptonite Kustomz, RacingJunk.com, MoTeC Systems USA, Switzer Dynamics, Menscer Motorsports, OkAutosDirect.com, Race Star Wheels, Stroud Safety, Precision Racing Suspension,Tulsa Raceway Park, Callies and UEM Pistons.

Joey Oksas and Bill Bernard Lead Winners at Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series U.S. 131 Nationals

 

MARTIN, Mich. (Sept. 15, 2021) — For the second consecutive race, Joey Oksas drove his way to the winner’s circle, picking up the Pro Mod victory at the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service U.S. 131 Nationals.

 

Oksas picked up his second straight win, one of many highlights of the MWDRS’ second-ever race at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. Racing in front
of a huge crowd, the MWDRS put on a stellar show, with Bill Bernard (Top Alcohol Funny Car), Glenn Butcher (Pat Musi Racing Engines Top Sportsman), Christa

Schneider (Race Star Wheels Top Dragster), Ron Muenks (Pro Mod Slammers), Conner Jensen (Summit Racing Pro Jr.) and 

 Wanamaker (Zimmerman Properties Construction Sportsman Jr.) all picking up victories.

 

For the second race, Oksas also met Keith Haney in the Pro Mod final round, with Oksas securing the victory and taking over the points lead in the process. Oksas had a reaction time of .021 in the final round, as his run of 3.713-seconds at 214.69 mph in his turbocharged ’67 Mustang held up against Haney’s quicker 3.68 at 206.23.

 

“The place was packed and it was awesome, and this win was almost as sweet as

the first one,” said Oksas, who picked up his first career Pro Mod last month at the Mid-West Drag Racing Series’ Great Bend Nationals. “The field was so tight and there were so many incredible cars, it almost felt like a Pro Stock race. Anyone in the field could have made it happen.

 

“We just tried to look at it one round at a time. (Tuner) Jeff Pierce knows what he needs to do against our competition and I just had to do my job. When we both do our job, we’ve had a pretty good outcome so far.”

 

Oksas wasn’t at the top of qualifying, but he made two solid runs, including a 3.705 before going 3.698 at 214.90 in the opening round of eliminations. He followed with a 3.719 to advance to the semifinals, earning the victory there to set up another marquee matchup with Haney.

 

Oksas was stellar on the starting line all weekend and delivered when it counted, putting him in a great position heading into the final stretch of the MWDRS Pro Mod season.

 

“We knew Keith had a good hot rod and we knew it was going to be a damn good race,” Oksas said. “That’s how it is in this class. It really makes it so drivers have to keep up on the wheel. There’s so many good drivers and you have to be on as a driver and you’ve got to have a good hot rod to win.”

 

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Bernard continues to enjoy a terrific 2021 campaign,

picking up his second victory this season. In Martin, Bernard and Annie Whiteley had a thrilling side-by-side run in the final round, with Bernard’s 3.670 at 204.17 holding off Whiteley’s 3.679 at 211.47.

 

“The team really persevered this weekend,” Bernard said. “After Q2, we were up until 3 a.m. We were down on boost and we had to figure out what was going on. We got that fixed and other than that, we had a consistent car all weekend.

 

“It’s really exciting for us. It’s going to come down to the last race with the top four in this class. We’re all right there and it’s really anybody’s championship.”

 

Bernard and defending world champ Sean Bellemeur are neck-and-neck at the top in the class at the moment, but it was Bernard who shined last weekend.

 

He went as quick as 3.666 at 213.27 in qualifying, going 3.671 at 206.71 to slip past Chris Marshall on a holeshot. Bernard was the better .032 on the starting line there and then added an impressive .017 reaction time in the final round, enjoying every bit of performing in front of a huge crowd in Martin.

 

“For me, that was the greatest thing seeing all the packed stands. As you start going rounds and that crowd starts congregating behind your trailer, I just feed off that. It seems like the bigger the crowd, the bigger burnout I have, too.”

 

In Top Dragster, Schneider provided the most inspiring moment of the weekend. Battling breast cancer, Schneider went through chemo and radiation treatments earlier in the week before picking up the victory at the U.S. Nationals, beating Bill Swain in the final round.

 

Butcher went 4.051 with a 4.01 dial-in in the Top Sportsman final round, beating Bob Mandell, who broke out with a 4.177 on a dial in of 4.18. Muenks beat Tim

Heiges in the championship round of Pro Mod Slammers. Jensen went 8.028 to win in Pro Jr., while Wanamaker’s 12.02 gave her the win in Sportsman Jr.

 

In all, the MWDRS drew rave reviews at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and series owner Keith Haney praised everyone for delivering on a memorable weekend. In addition to huge crowd, the jet car team of Elaine Larsen set up a school for 

children at the track. They were bussed to the track to learn about the cars, with nearly 125 children enjoying the show.

 

“The staff at the Mid-West Drag Racing Series and the track both did a phenomenal job,” Haney said. “It was packed and just an unbelievable experience.”

 

The Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service returns to action Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the MWDRS Throwdown at T-Town at Tulsa Raceway Park. The series will conduct a pair of races during the weekend. For more information on the Mid-West Drag Racing Series, visit www.midwestdragracingseries.com.

 

###

 

ABOUT MWDRS

The Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series is an all-eighth-mile drag racing organization with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The series is headlined by Pro Modified and Top Alcohol Funny Car, with additional classes including Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and two Jr. Dragster categories. The 2021 MWDRS schedule consists of eight national events. For more information on the MWDRS, visit www.MidWestDragRacingSeries.com.

After Runner-Up, Keith Haney Eager to Get Back Behind Wheel at Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series US 131 Nationals

 

The moment Keith Haney stepped out of the car following his runner-up appearance at
the most recent event in Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series
presented by J&A Service, he was ready to get to the next race.
That’s what happens when success comes and Haney enjoyed plenty of it in his nitrous-
powered “Black Mamba” Camaro at the Great Bend Nationals, leaving the Pro Mod
veteran excited for this weekend’s U.S. 131 Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in
Martin, Mich.
It starts a busy, four-race September for Haney and his team, led by standout crew chief
Brandon Switzer, but that’s just the way he likes it, especially considering his impressive
run just a few weeks ago.

“It makes it a lot better when you have more seat time and I can’t wait to get back in the
car,” Haney said. “As far as our race team, we’re on cloud nine. Our guys are ready to
go and it sure looks like the air is going to be phenomenal in Martin. We’ve got our stuff
together and we’re ready to chase the championship this last half of the year.”
Following this weekend’s event, Haney will head to Virginia Motorsports Park for next
week’s “Shakedown” and he’ll finish the month with the MWDRS’ double-race event at
the Throwdown at T-Town in Tulsa.
It’s a rigorous stretch, but Haney believes his team is primed to make the most of it,
especially with how well the team prepared for a big finish.
They spent the summer moving into a new race shop, stocking up on parts, freshening
the motor at Pat Musi Racing Engines and even purchasing a spare motor. The fruits of
their labor in taking their preparation to a new level was evident immediately in Great
Bend and Haney thinks it will continue to pay off.

“Things are won in preparation before the race more than they are at the track, and we
did all the things we needed to do before the race,” Haney said. “We were more
prepared and we put it down in Great Bend. We went down the track 10 times and ran
nothing less than a 3.77. This team is ready to roll. Preparation is everything and we’ve
got all the right parts in place.”
Haney knows he’ll have to be at his best to stay in championship contention, noting
there will be a stellar field of 20 Pro Mods at this weekend’s MWDRS U.S. 131
Nationals in Martin.
He’s currently sixth in points, but with things as compact as they are and four races left
in the season, Haney can make a big move over the next two months and he’s focused
on starting that this weekend.
“The field is going to be fast and it’s going to be tough, but we’re prepared for it and if all
the stars align, I believe I’ll have my best time of the year,” Haney said. “I’ve got the best
tuner in the world and I think we’re in good shape. I think we’ll see some low 3.60s with
the way the air is and we’ll be right in that mix. We’ll be ready.”
The Mid-West Drag Racing Series US 131 Nationals in Martin, Mich. begins with two
qualifying sessions at 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday. The final qualifying session takes place
Saturday morning at 11 a.m., with the first round of eliminations to follow at 4 p.m.
Photos courtesy: Damon Steinke – E3xtreme

ABOUT KEITH HANEY RACING
Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keith Haney Racing (www.keithhaneyracing.com) competes
in the Summit Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) presented by J&A Service,
select NHRA, PDRA and NMCA races and one-off special events. Keith Haney Racing
appreciates the support of Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering,
Pat Musi Racing Engines, Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Kryptonite Kustomz,
RacingJunk.com, MoTeC Systems USA, Switzer Dynamics, Menscer Motorsports,
OkAutosDirect.com, Race Star Wheels, Stroud Safety, Precision Racing
Suspension,Tulsa Raceway Park,

Keith Haney Enjoys Impressive Weekend, Racing to Pro Mod Final at Mid-West Drag Racing Series Great Bend Nationals

 

GREAT BEND, Kan. (Aug. 26, 2021) —After a runner-up finish in Pro Mod last weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service race at SRCA Dragstrip, Keith Haney didn’t hold back when describing his feelings on the weekend. 

 

Haney and his team took the nitrous-powered “Black Mamba” Camaro to the final round at the Great Bend Nationals, showing significant progress in the first time back in the car since May.  

 

“It was the best weekend I’ve had since I’ve owned the ‘Black Mamba.’ It was just a great weekend and the best weekend I’ve had with this car. That sums it all up,” Haney said. “To see the smile on my team’s face after all the hard work they’ve put in, it was more than satisfying.”

 

It was a satisfying weekend in more ways than one for the veteran racer and MWDRS owner. While Haney certainly enjoyed a terrific weekend in the car in a loaded Pro Mod class, the Mid-West Drag Racing Series also experienced a banner weekend in its first visit to SRCA Dragstrip.

 

The racing surface drew tremendous reviews from every race team, while fans and the series’ marketing partners experienced a memorable weekend of racing. With MAVTV also on hand to film, it added up to a dream weekend for Haney.

 

“Hats off to everyone at the Mid-West Drag Racing Series. Everyone made it happen and they all did a phenomenal job,” Haney said. “The racetrack loved the show, the fans loved it and it was just a great weekend. Everyone knocked it out of the park, and they gave race fans and our marketing partners what they wanted to see.

 

“It was an amazing track and it’s the best surface I’ve ever raced on, and I co-own Tulsa (Raceway Park). It was such a great atmosphere.”

 

Haney and his team, led by standout tuner Brandon Switzer, took advantage, qualifying fourth with a handful of consistent runs. That set Haney up nicely for eliminations, where he opened with a run of 3.774-seconds at 201.67 mph in Switzer Dynamics/Musi-powered machine. He followed with a 3.737 at 202.55 to get past Ed Thornton, setting up a marquee matchup with No. 1 qualifier and points leader Jim Whiteley in the semifinals.

 

Haney left first and had enough to hold off Whiteley, with his run of 3.726 at 202.88 sending him to the finals against Joey Oksas. Haney went 3.741 at 188.86 in the championship round, falling just short to Oksas 3.699, as a small electrical issue when the car shifted into third gear causing the drop in speed. If not for that, Haney might have been celebrating the win, though he wasn’t about to complain with his standout weekend.

 

“We probably would have gone 204 (mph) there and I believe we would have been in the 60s, which would have been enough to make it a really close race or a win,” Haney said. “Hats off to Joey, but truthfully, this was hands down the best weekend we’ve had racing since we got the car. We made 10 full runs and the slowest run we made was a 3.77.”

 

Haney praised a group that includes Switzer, Dale Hancock, Shane Goodknight, Steve Cooks, Bobby Savedra, Dale and Cale Hancock, and strong back from partners like Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering. In the down time, the team made a number of major changes, moving into a new race shop and taking their preparation to an entirely new level. Those significant changes paid off in the first race back and that bodes well for the future.

 

“I said pre-race I had the car to win with the changes we’ve made in the time off and that showed its head at the race,” Haney said. “It was a full field with an amazing turnout and there were no slackers at all in this field. Brandon has a great handle on this car and my guys did a great job preparing for this race at our shop.”

 

Haney noted he missed having his wife, Misty, at the track this weekend, but there will be plenty of opportunities to watch him race the rest of the season. He returns to action at the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service U.S. 131 Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. on Sept. 10-11, starting a busy fall that includes five races. 

 

ABOUT KEITH HANEY RACING

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keith Haney Racing (www.keithhaneyracing.com) competes in the Summit Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) presented by J&A Service, select NHRA, PDRA and NMCA races and one-off special events. Keith Haney Racing appreciates the support of Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering, Pat Musi Racing Engines, Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Kryptonite Kustomz, RacingJunk.com, MoTeC Systems USA, Switzer Dynamics, Menscer Motorsports, OkAutosDirect.com, Race Star Wheels, Stroud Safety, Precision Racing Suspension, Tulsa Raceway Park, Callies and UEM Pistons.

After Extended Time Off, Keith Haney Chomping at the Bit for Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod Racing at Great Bend Nationals

 

(August 19, 2021) – The Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service hasn’t raced since May, but for veteran driver and MWDRS owner Keith Haney, it’s been even longer. The longtime Pro Mod standout hasn’t finished a race in his nitrous-powered ’19 “Black Mamba”

Camaro since late March when he finished as the runner-up in the Pro Mod Slammers race at the MWDRS 2021 opener at Xtreme Raceway Park in Ferris, Texas. Haney raced at the MWDRS race in May, but he lost oil pressure after the burnout and tuner Brandon Switzer and the team decided it would be best to not run the event.

 

So while MWDRS racers are eager to race for the first time in more than three months at this weekend’s Great Bend Nationals at SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend, Kan., there’s even added excitement for Haney, who is thrilled to race his Switzer Dynamics/Musi-powered machine for the first time in what seems like ages.

 

“It’s been a minute for me, but I’m really looking forward to getting back into the car,” Haney said. “I’m excited to get to Great Bend and race at a great facility with a brand new race surface. Our race team is absolutely chomping at the bit to go racing. I’m just excited to get behind the wheel. It’s going to be awesome and we’ve still got a chance to win the championship.”

 

While there hasn’t been MWDRS racing for a while, Haney and his team, which is led by standout crew chief Switzer, have been plenty busy. Haney moved into a brand new race shop, allowing the team to become even more organized and prepared for the rigors of racing in the loaded MWDRS Pro Mod class.

 

After the incident in May, Haney sent his motor to Pat Musi Racing Engines to get it freshened up and ready to go and also purchased a spare motor to even more prepared, while Switzer made a handful of adjustments to Haney’s Camaro. Off the track, Haney got married to his wife, Misty Hayes now Haney, and built a new home, adding another exciting layer to what’s been an enjoyable summer.

Haney, though, heads to the Great Bend Nationals plenty prepared for what’s to come the rest of the year, including plenty of seat time to end 2021.

 

“I’m excited about what the team has done in this off time. We’ve paid a lot of attention to the details and the equipment, and being better prepared going to the race track,” Haney said. “The more prepared you are, the better your event will go. Becoming better before the race will reap benefits at the race.

 

“These Pro Mod guys running the Mid-West Drag Racing Series are phenomenal racers and they have great tuners who know what they are doing. It’s phenomenal and you have to be prepared or you’re not going to win. Whoever is the most prepared and maybe gets a little luck is going to win this weekend.”

 

As usual, Haney is betting on himself. He’s got a quality team behind him, as well as strong partners, including Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering, and Haney believes their preparation will be key, especially with more than three months having passed since he last raced.

 

Haney, though, is confident he will hit the ground running at SRCA Dragstrip and will make a big statement racing at the facility. He has praised the way the track has welcomed the MWDRS and Haney is eager to put on a show for the fans who will see the series for the first time.

 

“We’ve done everything we could to prepare for the race to have a successful weekend,” Haney said. “I think we have the car to win.”

 

The Mid-West Drag Racing Series’ Great Bend Nationals at SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend, Kan. begins with two qualifying sessions at 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday. The final qualifying session takes place Saturday morning at 11 a.m., with the first round of eliminations to follow at 4 p.m. 

 

ABOUT KEITH HANEY RACING

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keith Haney Racing (www.keithhaneyracing.com) competes in the Summit Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) presented by J&A Service, select NHRA, PDRA and NMCA races and one-off special events. Keith Haney Racing appreciates the support of Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering, Pat Musi Racing Engines, Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Kryptonite Kustomz, RacingJunk.com, MoTeC Systems USA, Switzer Dynamics, Menscer Motorsports, OkAutosDirect.com, Race Star Wheels, Stroud Safety, Precision Racing Suspension, Tulsa Raceway Park, Callies and UEM Pistons.

Close Call for Haney Before MWDRS Slammers Runner-Up

 

TULSA, OK (Mar. 30, 2021) -- One week removed from the season opener for the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, veteran driver and MWDRS owner Keith Haney remained grateful a wild qualifying mishap didn't preclude a runner-up finish in the series' unique consolation Pro Mod Slammers race.

Running in the right lane at Xtreme Raceway Park (XRP) in Ferris, TX, Haney's 2019 "Black Mamba" Camaro launched hard, but just before halfway down the strip it abruptly lost traction and skidded to its left. Fortunately, Haney was on a

solo pass as the car slid sideways and almost turned over, crossing the eighth-mile finish line in the opposite lane with the bottom of its Jerry Bickel-built chassis in full display to the starting area.

"I really thought it was going over again," Haney said, recalling a fiery rollover crash in Florida almost a year ago to the date that forced extensive repairs and sidelined him for most of last year. "But I'd have to say God and Andrew Arnold, one of my crew guys who tragically passed away last year, they placed their hands on top of that car and pushed it back down on the racetrack, nice and easy.

"I know I got lucky and didn't catch anything on the car," he continued. "The car wasn't even hurt, never touched a wall, even though I should have hit every one of 'em."

Unfazed, Haney and his Pat Musi-powered ride returned in round two of qualifying to turn in a 3.69 at 206.23-mph effort that held up for an eighth-place start. He ran into eventual event winner Tommy Cunningham in the opening round of eliminations, however, coming up short by just over two-hundredths of a second.

Haney's race day continued, though, after being relegated to MWDRS Slammers competition for non-qualifiers and first-round runners-up. There, he outran good friend Wayne Roberts and Tony Strachan driving one of Haney's previous Camaros before reaching Brandon Lewis and his new Procharger-equipped '69 Camaro in the Pro Mod Slammers final.

Unfortunately, after leaving first with a slim .009 advantage, Haney's car started shaking its tires by half track so he shut down early while Lewis powered through for the win.

"All in all it was a great weekend of racing," Haney stated. "I was out here with my new teammate DeWayne Mills in the all-new 'Golden Gorilla,' one of my old cars that's been refitted with a big 'ol screw blower, but it hung the rods out in the last round of qualifying. But it was still great racing with DeWayne and the whole Mills family. We're looking forward to doing a lot more of it.

"I also want to thank my tuner, Brandon Switzer, absolutely the best in the

business, my crew: Shane Goodnight, Dale and Cale Hancock, Steve Cooks, and of course my girl, soon to be wife, Misty Hayes, who keeps us all in line. I couldn't do this without any of them."

Keith Haney Racing will be back in action Apr. 22-24, when the Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service visits the all-new I-30 Dragway in Caddo Mills, TX, near Dallas.

 

-- END --

 

Photos courtesy Keith Haney Racing/Gary Rowe/Jennifer Chandler

 

ABOUT KEITH HANEY RACING

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keith Haney Racing (www.keithhaneyracing.com) competes in the Summit Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS) presented by J&A Service, select NHRA, PDRA and NMCA races and one-off special events. Keith Haney Racing appreciates the support of Summit Racing Equipment, Lucas Oil, Strange Engineering, Pat Musi Racing Engines, Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Kryptonite Kustomz, RacingJunk.com, MoTeC Systems USA, Switzer Dynamics, Menscer Motorsports, OkAutosDirect.com, Race Star Wheels, Stroud Safety, Precision Racing Suspension, and Tulsa Raceway Park.