Having grown up going to Piedmont Dragway with his dad, not even Travis Harvey himself could have believed that one day he would win the points championship, now for the second time. The first came in 2009 after beginning his driving career in 2006. Harvey became one of the most feared competitors in any eliminator bracket but after entering the Big Dog Shootout, his career path was set.
With help from Vaughn Myles and the Boone family, the year started with Harvey named new driver for the black Camaro and a teammate to Jason Harris. Harvey thanks Robert Hayes for getting the tune corrected at the first of the season. The rest, as they say, is history, as Travis attended all the events and was at the top of the points for most of the season. Now, as the 2015 points champ, Travis prepares for the 2016 season with a new car and a new team.
Myles stepped up with a new Jerry Bickel ’69 Camaro that will maintain the Sonny’s 959 motor combination to compete in all the EOPM events, as well as most, if not all, PDRA events. New car bugs were not present as Harvey guided the new ride to 3.80 ets and a win in Bradenton, FL at the Snowbirds. His main competition, Jay Cox, was the number one qualifier at 3.79. With a trip back to Bradenton for the US Street Nationals later this month, the season will begin again.
Always very appreciative of the opportunity given to him, Harvey, who is also known as the ”Carolina Kid”, wanted to thank wife, Shelby; Vaughn Myles, now the main funding for CK Motorsports; as well as Danny Perry, Barry Allen, Jeff Miller, and truck driver, D’Antonio.
Story and photographs by Greg Burrow.
This story was originally published on January 18, 2016.