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Harraka Passes His Biggest Tests

By Official Release
May 5, 2008 - 12:35pm

FOLLOWS UP EXAMS WITH SECOND WIN AT ALL AMERICAN

It was a big week for Paul Harraka, who took his final exams Thursday and then went out to California to claim his second victory of the 2008 season Saturday night. The 18-year-old drove the No. 16 Ruth’s Chris Steak House Toyota to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model feature event at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif.

“I have to thank everyone at Bill McAnally Racing, Toyota, and the Drive for Diversity program,” said Harraka. “This is why this team works so hard every week. We know we’re capable of winning races, and we were able to show that again tonight.”

Harraka, who started fifth in the Toyota TRD 100, missed the track’s open practice Thursday because of his scholastic commitments.

“I knew that we would be at a disadvantage to the other competitors by missing practice, but I have complete confidence in my Bill McAnally Racing team,” said Harraka, who will attend Duke University in the fall. “I couldn't miss my Calculus and Chemistry Final Exams. But I knew that we would all just work hard on race day to find the winning setup. My crew worked their butts off in the shop and also at the track on Saturday afternoon.”

Harraka maintained his position in the top five for much of the race. He passed Gary Glenn, winner of last week’s feature, for second on lap 85 and then tracked down race leader Jason Romero on lap 88. Three laps later, Harraka pulled into the lead en route to the win by 1.255 seconds.

Harraka, of Fair Lawn, N.J., is fourth in the 2008 All American Speedway Late Model point standings with two wins and three top fives. He finished second in the All American Speedway Late Model point standings last season with 11 top fives and 14 top 10s in 17 starts, which earned him Rookie of the Year honors.

Harraka will return to the track at All American Speedway on Saturday, May 17.

DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY NOTES:

Drive for Diversity participants Kristin Bumbera and Katie Hagar also raced at All American Speedway on Saturday night. Bumbera finished fourth after qualifying sixth for Golden State Racing in the No. 00 TXI/Riverside Cement Chevrolet.

Hagar finished 10th in the No. 10 Qdoba Fresh Mex Toyota after starting the race eighth for Bill McAnally Racing. Bumbera and Hagar are currently tied for ninth in the 2008 All American Speedway Late Model point standings.

Michael Cherry made his second start of the season at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. on Saturday. Cherry finished 27th in the No. 34 FDJ Motorsports Chevrolet after qualifying 11th.