World's Fastest Harley!

Ray Price Nitro Harley race team sets new AHDRA MPH record with 231.99 mph pass at Norwalk Ohio

It was only a matter of time before the enviable happened. This past weekend at Summit Motorsports Park at the 2009 AHDRA Ohio Bike Week Nationals the Ray Price Harley-Davidson/Buell sponsored Nitro Harley Drag bike set the AHDRA MPH record running 231.99 mph.

Battling a tricky track during Saturday's qualifying rounds, the race team was able to read the drag strip and tune the bike to capture the number one qualifying spot with at 6.397 ET at 226.16 mph in the third round.

Going into Sunday's eliminations the Ray Price Nitro Harley race team knew the drag bike was performing exceptionally well.

After a convincing 6.483 ET at 227.65 in the first round, Sternotti sets the mark in the second round with a 6.412 ET and a blistering 231.91 mph! The run captured a new AHDRA mph record previously held by Tak Shigematsuon who held the record with a 230.17 mph.

With the bar set high the Ray Price Nitro Harley race team masterfully tuned the drag bike providing the power for Sternotti to back up the record in the semi finals, ironically against Tak. Both the Ray Price Nitro Harley and Sternotti rose to the occasion, not only backing up the record, but bettered it with a 231.99 mph!

"The team knew the drag bike had what it takes to run consistently in the '30's especially after its performance at the Rock back in February, we ran 231.87 and 232.02 mph, Price said"

While it was a new record at the finish line, Sternotti had to concede to Tak Shigematsu's hole shot at the start line. Tak's margin of victory was 0.0109.

The Ray Price Harley Drag Race Team is especially excited about raising the bar another notch at the AHDRA Mid West Nationals at Kansas City International Raceway June 20th and 21st, 2009 The Ray Price Motorsports team sends sincere thanks to our Primary Sponsor: Ray Price Harley-Davidson.

Special thanks to our Associate Sponsor Raleigh H. O. G. and our Support Sponsors: CP Pistons, Icon Motorsports Apparel, Royal Purple, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Autolite Sparkplugs, Mickey Thompson Tires, RPR/MSD Ignitions, Gates Belts, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Metzeler Tires, Performance Machine, JIMS USA, Industrial Machine Solutions, Wiley X Eyewear and Bassani. Additional thanks: Bill Hayes, Hargis Consulting, Ultra Pro Machining and Freddie Robbins.

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Even Elvis Could Not Stop the Rain

AMA Dragbike's Memphis race rained out. May 1st, 2009

Even the king could not keep the rain from falling.

The team drove all the way to Memphis to compete in the Funny Bike class as part of the 2009 AMA Dragbike Championship series only to have to turn around and head home after the race was called.

With the sky's threatening Friday's test session, the Ray Price Harley-Davidson/Buell sponsored Nitro Harley Drag Race Team was still able to put down an impressive 6.331 ET at 216.45 mph before the sky opened up.

The Ray Price Nitro Harley Drag Race Team's next chance to compete in Funny Bike comes June 13th and 14th at the Summer Nationals at US 131 Motorsport Park.

The Ray Price Motorsports team sends sincere thanks to our Primary Sponsor Ray Price Harley-Davidson. Special thanks to our Associate Sponsor Raleigh H. O. G. and our Support Sponsors: CP Pistons, Icon Motorsports Apparel, Royal Purple, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Autolite Sparkplugs, Mickey Thompson Tires, RPR/MSD Ignitions, Gates Belts, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Metzeler Tires, Performance Machine, JIMS USA, Industrial Machine Solutions, Wiley X Eyewear and Bassani. Additional thanks: Bill Hayes, Hargis Consulting, Ultra Pro Machining and Freddie Robbins.

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AHDRA 2009 Season Opener Rained Out

Ray Price Nitro Harley Race Team's spirits not dampened from rain shortened race April 18th & 19th, 2009

Despite the race being called Saturday due to rain, the Ray Price Harley-Davidson/Buell sponsored Nitro Harley Drag Race Team was able to put down some impressive numbers during testing and qualifying.

During Friday's test session the race team felt real good about going into Saturday qualifying after running 6.334 ET at 227.19 mph.

Saturday the team was able to get in two rounds of qualifying before AHDRA called the race due to heavy rain that was expected through Sunday. In round one Sternotti ran 6.442 ET at 216.76 mph then bettered that time in round two with a 6.359 ET at 227.31 mph.

"It's unfortunate the race was called, because the whole team was excited about going into eliminations with the way the drag bike was performing, Price said"

The team heads to Atlanta Dragway on April 25th and 26th for the second race of the 2009 AHDRA season.

The Ray Price Motorsports team sends sincere thanks to our Primary Sponsor: Ray Price Harley-Davidson. Special thanks to our Associate Sponsor Raleigh H. O. G. and our Support Sponsors: CP Pistons, Icon Motorsports Apparel, Royal Purple, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Autolite Sparkplugs, Mickey Thompson Tires, RPR/MSD Ignitions, Gates Belts, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Metzeler Tires, Performance Machine, JIMS USA, Industrial Machine Solutions, Wiley X Eyewear and Bassani. Additional thanks: Bill Hayes, Hargis Consulting, Ultra Pro Machining and Freddie Robbins.

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Price Silences Critics with a Win at the Rock

Ray Price Nitro Harley race team debut their new top fuel nitro Harley with "Rock Solid" Win at the AHDRA Screamin Eagle Performance Nationals

Raleigh, NC - October 14, 2008

The legendary Ray Price never gives up, always looking to improve, seeking to perform at the highest level. For the Ray Price Nitro Harley race team Rockingham Dragway is a homecoming. A Rockingham debuting of the new top fuel nitro Harley the team had been developing and painstakingly preparing for the last several months made perfect sense.

While anxiously awaiting his new ride, Joey Sternotti continued to hone his riding skills by piloting his own bike at AHDRA races leading up to the 2008 Rockingham finals. With a 6th place standing in Top Fuel Nitro Harley, Sternotti was eager to build his points lead at the final race of the AHDRA season. In typical Ray Price Racing fashion, the race team of Mark Morgan, Jeremy Hoy and Justin Heinle provided the drag bike to do just that.

With all eyes on Joey Sternotti as he entered the box Friday night for round one of top fuel nitro qualifying, the Ray Price Harley-Davidson sponsored nitro Harley drag bike captured everyone's attention with an impressive 6.285 E.T. at 222.91 mph run.

Sternotti continued to impress, with two very consistent performances in rounds two and three respectively, posted an E.T. of 6.277 at 213.23 mph and an E.T. of 6.388 at 220.98 mph placing him in the number 3 spot going into Sunday's finals.

"This new bike runs so strong, and the guys at Rockingham always provide us with a well prepared track, I can't wait to unleash its potential in Sunday's eliminations said Sternotti"

Ray Price's legions of fans would not be disappointed. "The Ray Price Race team has spent the latter part of the race season building a drag bike that will give our fans the level of excitement they deserve, said Price"

Going into Sunday's eliminations Sternotti kept fans on the edge of their seats, pulling off a decisive win in the first round against Armon Furr, running a 6.330 E.T. at 206.92 mph. Sternotti continued to pick off the competition with close wins in rounds two and three, putting the team into the finals against Mike Romine.

As promised, Sternotti unleashed the power of the new drag bike and ran a 6.289 E.T at 224.51 to capture a very convincing first place win. "The whole team is very excited with the win. Their tireless efforts provided a bike for Joey that we knew would run strong and very consistent, said Price".

That they did, and as a result of the win, Sternotti moved from 6th place to 2nd place in the AHDRA Top Fuel Nitro class point's championship.

The Ray Price Nitro Harley race team will return to Rockingham this weekend performing exhibition runs at the IHRA World Finals.

The Ray Price Motorsports team sends sincere thanks to our Primary Sponsor: Ray Price Harley-Davidson, Special thanks to our Associate Sponsor: Raleigh H.O.G..

Support Sponsors: CP Pistons, Icon Motorsports Apparel, Royal Purple, Barnett Clutches & Cables, Autolite Sparkplugs, Mickey Thompson Tires, RPR/MSD Ignitions, Gates Belts, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Metzeler Tires, Performance Machine, JIMS USA, Industrial Machine Solutions and Wiley X Eyewear. Special thanks: Bill Hayes, Hargis Consulting, Ultra Pro Machining and Freddie Robbins.

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Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team puts on "Rock Solid" performance at Screamin Eagle Performance Nationals

Joey Sternotti's performance once again very consistent.

Raleigh, NC - October 14, 2007

For the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team Rockingham Dragway is a homecoming. Also known as the "Rock", the dragway is Ray Price's home track and is evident by the Harley-Davidson branded bridge that spans the dragstrip. Ray Price has torn up the Rockingham dragstrip and brought excitement to his fans for many years by putting on some of the most memorable passes down this quarter mile track.

The team's performance at this event brought the same level of excitement, with one exception Joey Sternotti was in the pilot's seat. Since taking over the riding duties mid season, Sternott has continued to impress, racking up very consistence performances in the last four races.

Sternotti remained the number one qualifier after two rounds posting a 6.34 and 6.476 respectively and was just shy of holding onto the number one spot after Doug Vancil ripped off a 6.258 in round three to take the number one spot.

Going into eliminations Sternotti continued to build momentum with a first round win of 6.416 and a second round win of 6.40 to move into the semis against Mike Romine. As a result of tire spin, Sternotti's hope of taking the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team to the winner's podium was cut short in the third round.

Ray Price's fans still showed their gratitude for a great show by standing and cheering on the team as they came down the return road. "I really wanted to capture a win at the "Rock" for this team, they have worked so hard to make the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley drag bike perform so well and so consistently" Sternotti said.

"Rockingham has always been real good to the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team, Steve Earwood provides an excellent track and our fans come out in full force" Joey continues to improve by leaps and bounds with each successive race" Price said.

The Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team is looking for another great performance when it visits for the first time the "Mecca" of dragstrips, Pomona Raceway, for the California Nationals on November 9th and 10th.

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Sternotti's consistent performance continues at Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals

After just three races Joey Sternotti shows lots of talent with the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team

Raleigh, NC - October 9, 2007

Joey Sternotti arrived at the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals this past weekend in Richmond, Va., with a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm for his first NHRA Screamin Eagle Top Fuel Nitro Harley race with the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team.

"Knowing fellow Nitro Harley competitors eyes would all be on me to see how I faired on a really well prepared track, I came pumped and ready to show that I was here to win", says Sternotti

The Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley drag bike showed just how strong and consistent the bike is recording a first round time of 6.868 followed by a 6.471 at 219.58 to hold the number 2 spot after two rounds of qualifying.

With a big win in round one of eliminations after dusting Takeshi Shigematsu with a decisive 6.420 at 218.09 mph, the team had the best time going into round two. The Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley drag bike provided the fans the best Nitro Harley drag race of the weekend by making it all the way to the semi's but coming up short to seasoned top fuel racer Bill Furr with a 6.704 to Furr's 6.595.

"The Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley drag bike performed well all weekend and Joey is progressing fast and showing he has the talent to ride it". Price said. Price went on to say, "I am pleased to see Tommy Grimes here with an opportunity to secure the NHRA Nitro Harley Championship". I am also glad we were able to provide a winning bike to win the first two races"

The team is excited to be going to their home track, "The Rock" this weekend, October 13th and 14th and looking forward to putting on a great show for the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team fans.

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Sternotti Joins Price to Capture Runner Up at Portland Race

Blackwood NJ native Joey Sternotti suits up with Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team

Raleigh, NC - September 10, 2007

Joey Sternotti came to Bristol with a new ride and a new determined attitude. Knowing he was piloting one the quickest and most feared top fuel nitro Harley's competing today, the excitement was evident on the face of Sternotti.

Sternotti is no stranger to winning, having set numerous performance records and capturing countless titles, he boasts having the "worlds fastest street legal Harley in the world".

But this wasn't enough, wanting to raise the bar even higher, Sternotti desired to enter the league of top fuel nitro Harley competition. After having a successful first half of the season riding his own top fuel nitro Harley, Ray Price offered him the chance to ride. "When Ray Price offered me a chance to ride for him, I jumped at it". "I also knew the dedication, determination and winning attitude that I would need to bring to the team" says Sternotti.

"Joey Sternotti is the new rider for the with Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team. I regret that things were not able to continue with Tommy Grimes". "I wish him the best of luck and thank him for two NHRA Screamin Eagle Nitro Harley Championships" says Price.

With Bristol under his belt and a runner up position at Portland, Sternotti is on the right track for bringing the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team back to the championship podium.

Watch for the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team with Sternotti to turn up the heat on the competition at Virginia Motorsports Park October 6th and 7th.

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Lightening Strikes Twice for Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley Race Team

Price / Grimes win big at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway

Raleigh, NC - July 9th, 2007

Coming to the track known as "Thunder Valley", which is carved in the mountains of picturesque East Tennessee, the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team captured the second of three NHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Top Fuel Harley exhibition races at Bristol Dragway NHRA events.

A newly paved and well prepared track made conditions just right for the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team to grab the number one qualifying spot with a 6.314 ET at 221.02 mph.

Faced with tricky track conditions for Sunday's finals, the team masterfully tuned the drag bike to run consistently and dominated the field in eliminations. With a 6.472 ET at 220.30 mph in the first round, followed by a convincing 6.425 ET at 221.16 mph in the second, then capturing the final round win with a decisive 6.384 ET at 215.89 mph.

"Our ability to read the new track and improve each round gave the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley the edge to win two NHRA Top Fuel Harley events in a row", Price said. The Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley drag bike gave the fans exactly what they came to see in the finals, three thunderous passes from the 900 horsepower nitro burning two wheeled monster.

"Bristol has been really good to us," Price said. "With it being close to home in Raleigh, NC it is definitely one of my favorite places to race, but not just because we win here. The track and the whole facility are awesome and the fans go crazy every time we run".

The next race for the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team is Bristol Dragway August 11 - 12 at the AHDRA Thunder in the Valley Nationals.

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Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley Win Big at Topeka NHRA Race

Price / Grimes carry momentum into AHDRA Roeder Harley-Davidson Ohio Bike Week Nationals

Raleigh, NC - June 15, 2007 After a momentous win at the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team Tommy Grimes qualified #1 at the Screamin' Eagle Nitro Top Fuel competition at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH.

Paying retribution for a loss in the finals to Doug Vancil at the AHDRA Southern Nationals, Grimes made certain that it would not be two losses in a row. Qualifying number one, Grimes crushed Vancil with huge speed 226.39 and a stunning elapsed time 6.321 in the Final Round of Eliminations to win the Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley Exhibition race.

With excellent track conditions and dialed in tuning from the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team, Grimes continued to raise the bar to remain number one qualifier leading into eliminations on Sunday. Posting an impressive round three qualifying ET of 6.488 at 207.78 mph Grimes upped the anti with a round four qualifying time of 6.406 at 220.69.

"When you have a well prepared track that the NHRA serves up and the throttle wide open the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley just wants to devour every inch of the ¼ mile drag strip, and Tommy did just that!", Price said.

Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH was the scene for the AHDRA Roeder Harley-Davidson Ohio Bike Week Nationals where on Saturday Grimes continued the high by qualifying #1 with a 6.458 ET and 214.38 mph. On Sunday, the tide would turn though. After a freshly scraped track with no rubber layed down, the Samson/Ray Price Nitro Harley smoked the tire was unable to the win the round.

Returning to Seattle, WA on June 24-25 Seattle, WA for the AHDRA Kresto Pacific Nationals the Samson/Ray Price Nitro Harley race team will attempt to make it two years in a row by matching last years national event win. The Samson/Ray Price Nitro team returns for a quick turn around to Bristol Dragway for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on July 6-8, and like the name implies lightening is bound to strike twice making it two for two and pushing the team to another NHRA Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley Exhibition Championship.

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Lightening Strikes Twice for Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley Race Team

Raleigh, NC – July 9th, 2007 Coming to the track known as “Thunder Valley”, which is carved in the mountains of picturesque East Tennessee, the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team captured the second of three NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Top Fuel Harley exhibition races at Bristol Dragway NHRA events.

A newly paved and well prepared track made conditions just right for the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team to grab the number one qualifying spot with a 6.314 ET at 221.02 mph.

Faced with tricky track conditions for Sunday’s finals, the team masterfully tuned the drag bike to run consistently and dominated the field in eliminations. With a 6.472 ET at 220.30 mph in the first round, followed by a convincing 6.425 ET at 221.16 mph in the second, then capturing the final round win with a decisive 6.384 ET at 215.89 mph.

“Our ability to read the new track and improve each round gave the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley the edge to win two NHRA Top Fuel Harley events in a row”, Price said.

The Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley drag bike gave the fans exactly what they came to see in the finals, three thunderous passes from the 900 horsepower nitro burning two wheeled monster.

“Bristol has been really good to us,” Price said. “With it being close to home in Raleigh, NC it is definitely one of my favorite places to race, but not just because we win here. The track and the whole facility are awesome and the fans go crazy every time we run”. The next race for the Samson / Ray Price Nitro Harley race team is Bristol Dragway August 11 – 12 at the AHDRA Thunder in the Valley Nationals.

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Samson/Ray Price Nitro Harley Announces ’07 Race Schedule

Feb. 27, 2007 - Raleigh, NC:After a very busy winter, Samson/Ray Price Nitro Harley announces their 2007 drag race schedule. You’ll be able to see Tommy Grimes continuing to maintain the pilot seat for the team, with Mark Morgan as team manager, Jeremy Hoy stays on board as tuner and Justin Heinly continues to build amazing motors. Ray Price, team owner is very satisfied with this great winning combination together again for the 3rd season.

March 3-4 AHDRA Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Bike Week Nationals-Gainesville, FL
March 31-April 1 AHDRA Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Bike Week Nationals –Phoenix, AZ
April 15 Virginia Bike Fest Virginia Motorsports Park, Richmond, VA
April 28-29 AHDRA Gypsy Rendezvous Nationals-St Louis, MO
May 5-6 AHDRA Rucker Performance Lonestar Nationals, Dallas, TX
May 18 - 20 NHRA O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Bristol, TN
May 26-27 AHDRA Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson Southern Nationals, Commerce, GA
June 1 – 3 NHRA O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals Topeka, KS
June 9-10 AHDRA Roeder Harley-Davidson Buckeye Nationals, Norwalk, OH
June 23-24 AHDRA Kresto Pacific Nationals, Seattle, WA
August 11-12 AHDRA S & S Cycle Thunder in the Valley Nationals, Bristol., TN.
August 25-26 AHDRA Salem Harley-Davidson Northwest Nationals, Woodburn, OR
September 22-23 AHDRA S&S Cycle Jim McClure Nationals, Richmond, VA
Oct 5 – 7 NHRA Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals, Richmond, VA
October 13-14- AHDRA Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Nationals, Rockingham, NC
November 9-10 AHDRA California Nationals, Pomona, CA (Fri-Sat)**Tentative**
November 16-18 AHDRA- JIMS Las Vegas Nationals, Las Vegas, NV

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