A desire to drive fast

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Cory Harris said it’s the adrenaline rush that attracted him to auto racing.

Harris races a 1973 Chevrolet Nova, No. 86, at the Pocatello Super Speedway. He and his father, Tim Hawthorne, built the silver machine in 1989. A sticker on the side of the car reads, “Thanks Dad.”

Hawthorne took third the first year the car was on the track and won first place the next two years.

The 350-cubic-inch engine is stock, the racing car has a roll bar overhead and Nerf-bars along the side to protect it on tight corners. All glass was removed and the windshield replaced with a shatter-proof plastic.

“We run street stock,” Harris said. “Anything that came out of the factory, we can run.”

Two-inch pipe protects the car’s radiator.

Harris’ son, Timothy Michael Pease, serves as his pit crew, but Timothy’s already making plans to get behind the wheel. Harris’ daughter, 8-year-old Calli, is already practicing on her mini-ATV to keep up the family tradition.

“I like to go fast,” Calli said.

Harris said No. 86 sat in field at his father Lava Hot Springs home for 12 years before he started driving again this season.

“We pulled it out, changed the oil and put gas in it,” he said.

The car burns about five gallons of C-12 racing fuel a night at a cost of $11.50 per gallon.

He mixes a lead additive to the 114 percent octane fuel.

“It can’t hurt,” he said.

While he does compete for some cash purses at the Pocatello Speedway, Harris said he rarely ever breaks even.

Racing slick tires for the vehicle cost about $75 each and he goes through three to four sets a season.

The pressure and size of the tires are adjusted to improve the car’s cornering ability.

The Nova took a hit Saturday that left a crease down the side, but it won’t keep the car off the track.

“I’ll probably just take a hammer and beat it out,” Harris said. “Maybe next year we’ll replace the body and paint it.”

The Pocatello racing season started April 19, and runs until Sept. 13, but this year Harris got a late start. On Saturday he ran his third race of the season. He’s currently in 10th place for points.

“I’m not in it for points this year because I got such a late start, ” he said. “It’s just about having fun this year.”

Harris, a mechanical insulator, is sponsored by his employer, GBI Insulation, Bailey’s Truck and Auto, Nalley’s Arctic Circle and by his father.

A native of Pocatello, he and his wife, Debbie Wheelock, have been married for 23 years and have three children.

When he’s not on the track, Harris said he enjoys camping and spending time outdoors with his family.

Racing at the Pocatello Speedway resumes July 26, and he said he and his family will be there.

His younger brother, Robert Oliver, who races in the “Junkyard Dog” division will be at the track as well.

Racing is a family oriented sport in Pocatello and Harris said drivers help each other out when they can.

“Usually if one of the other racers have it and you need it, it’s your,” he said. “It’s all about having a good time.”

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