Saturday
Paulie Harraka to make Nationwide debut with Nemco Motorsports
Caught in the Catchfence™
Harraka, who finished third in the NASCAR K&N Pro West Series this season, will drive the No. 87 Exide Batteries Chevrolet alongside team owner Joe Nemechek.
“I’m stoked,” Harraka said. “I love road-course racing. It fits me so well. For Joe to give me this opportunity is just awesome. I’m sure it won’t sink in until I actually get to the racetrack.”
Harraka began his career in go-karts at age 7. In 2000, he became the youngest WKA Triple Crown winner after winning his fourth national title. Harraka, who is of Syrian decent, was chosen for the Drive for Diversity program in 2007 and became the first D4D candidate to win a track championship one year later at All-American Speedway (Calif.). In three seasons on the K&N Pro tour, Harraka has amassed three victories in 25 starts — all while attending Duke University, where he will be a junior this fall.
Nemco tested Harraka, 20, this past week at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, S.C. Nemechek says he’s had his eye on Harraka for a while.
“I’ve known Paulie and his dad for a long time,” Nemechek said. “I’ve been impressed with how he’s grown as a race car driver particularly on the road courses. It’s going to be an honor to give a drive for diversity racer a ride in one of our cars.”
Article Tags: All American Speedway, Carolina Motorsports Park, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, D4D, Drive for Diversity, Duke University, Joe Nemechek, NASCAR K&N Pro West Series, NEMCO Motorsports, No. 87 Exide Batteries Chevrolet, Paulie Harraka, WKA Triple Crown
