Jessie Harris

Former jet dragster pilot Jessie Harris plans to race Top Fuel in 2010, competing in at least five events in the new Dote Racing Top Fuel dragster.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Harris. “This is what I’ve been working night and day for the last three years. My dream, since I was 6, was to drive one of these things.”

Harris is no stranger to drag racing. She spent five years (2003-2007) behind the wheel of the Queen of Diamonds jet dragster. She licensed in Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Fuel dragster in late 2007 and was slated to drive a Top Fuel dragster for Evan Knoll and Torco Race Fuels in 2008 but lost that ride due to the unforeseen closure of the company.

The Dote family (Lynn, Mike, and Connie) selected Harris as their driver and plan to utilize her knowledge in the drag racing industry to influence many of the team-building decisions.

“Another highlight for me is getting to work one on one with my stepfather, Joe Veschusio, who will be acting as our team coordinator," said Harris. "Not only do I get to drive, but I also get to see firsthand what goes on behind the scenes with managing a Top Fuel operation. I’ve always dreamed that one day I would own and manage my own team, and this just puts me one step closer.

“[The Dotes] have been in drag racing for 20 years and always wanted to do something at this level,” Harris added. “They wanted to do it this year, so they contacted me. I’ve known them for a while. They knew my desires and goals, so we literally sat down and in a four-hour conversation hammered out all of the details.”

Harris racked up an impressive record driving her jet dragster for five seasons.

“We are excited to have Jessie driving our car,” said Connie Dote. “Her determined and positive personality is infectious. Jessie has had one roller-coaster ride of emotions over the last few years trying to find a ride, and still she never lost that winning smile or her spirit and passion for the sport.”

The Dotes purchased a dragster from Doug Foley. The current plan is to run five races, in Gainesville, Charlotte, Norwalk, Englishtown, and Reading.

“I don’t have any more sponsorship dollars at this time than to run those five races,” Harris said. “They made the investment of purchasing the equipment and tools, and I am trying to bring in additional funding. Our ultimate goal is to run 24 races. I can’t thank the Dote family enough for this opportunity.”

Harris and the Dote Racing team also plan on spreading information about the importance of organ-donation awareness, working hand in hand with the DonateLife charity.