On the most recent episode of The Shake & Bake Show with Stevie “Fast” Jackson, Lyle Barnett, and Courtney Enders, Harts Turbos founder Dustin Hart peeled back the curtain on the years-long process behind the company’s latest creation, the Harts Charger centrifugal supercharger. Known primarily for building turbochargers for top-level competition, Hart shared how the new blower represents the culmination of over three decades of high-performance manufacturing and a three-and-a-half-year push to develop something that could stand alongside the best in the sport.
Hart, whose father founded Harts Diesel in 1996, grew up in the world of tractor pulling before the company transitioned into drag racing. The business carved out a niche as a go-to source for custom turbochargers in multiple motorsports, but stepping into the centrifugal blower game was a different challenge entirely. “We started this project about three and a half years ago,” Hart told the hosts. “We were coming in from a different world, and we had to learn what it takes to make a centrifugal live in drag racing. We knew it wouldn’t happen overnight.”
According to Hart, the Harts Charger went through multiple design generations before showing its full potential. Early prototypes were promising but inconsistent. The breakthrough came in late 2023 and early 2024 when racers like Larry Larson and Robin Roberts began putting the blower through its paces. “It was right around the time of the World Series of Pro Mod when we finally started seeing the numbers we wanted to see,” Hart said. “Everything clicked – the efficiency, the reliability, the repeatability. That’s when I knew we had something that could compete with anything else out there.”
One of the biggest hurdles in the development process was applying Hart’s turbocharger expertise to a centrifugal platform. He explained that while there are similarities in aerodynamics, the gear drive system, oiling, and overall durability requirements are vastly different. “With turbos, you’ve got exhaust driving the wheel. With a centrifugal, you’ve got a belt and a gear drive transferring all that power. You’re talking about 100,000-plus RPM on the impeller. That’s a whole different world of forces, harmonics, and stresses,” Hart said.
A key focus was designing proprietary gear drives and oiling systems that could handle the demands of modern Pro Mod and Pro Boost competition without excessive maintenance. Hart said the goal was a product that racers could run all weekend without pulling it apart between rounds. “We wanted to give racers a blower they didn’t have to baby,” Hart said. “We want them to be able to make their runs, turn the car around, and not worry about the blower being the weak link.”
As word spread, more teams expressed interest in trying the Harts Charger. Alongside Larson and Roberts, names like Randy Weatherford began testing the unit in serious competition. Hart said those racer relationships were crucial in refining the product. “These guys aren’t just customers – they’re part of the process,” Hart explained. “They’re giving us real-world data, feedback, and telling us what they need to be competitive. That’s how you make a product better.”
Hart also addressed the NHRA approval process. The Harts Charger has been accepted for NHRA competition, but its debut in NHRA Pro Mod will be delayed until the 2026 season. Hart supports the move, noting that mid-season rule changes can create unnecessary disruptions. “It’s approved, but it won’t be legal until ’26,” Hart said. “I think that’s a good thing. It gives everyone time to get their ducks in a row instead of throwing it in the middle of the season and having to deal with all the politics and parity adjustments.”
Looking ahead, Hart revealed plans to expand the product line beyond the current Pro Mod-spec unit. “We’ve got smaller versions in the works – 94mm, 106mm, 121mm – stuff for different classes, even applications outside of drag racing,” Hart said. While the focus remains on professional-level competition, he didn’t rule out the possibility of street-based applications in the future.
For Hart, the Harts Charger isn’t just about selling another product – it’s about putting his company’s stamp on one of the most competitive arenas in motorsports. “We want to be known as the guys who make the best boost, period,” Hart told Jackson, Barnett, and Enders. “Whether it’s a turbo or a centrifugal, if it’s got our name on it, it’s going to perform.”
The conversation underscored how much persistence and behind-the-scenes work it takes to bring a new power adder to market, especially in a space dominated by established brands and proven combinations. From the initial concept to the first passes that turned heads, the Harts Charger has been a project defined by patience, collaboration, and a refusal to compromise on performance.
As Hart wrapped up his time on The Shake & Bake Show, it was clear he views the Harts Charger not as the end of a project, but as the beginning of a new chapter for his company. “We’ve still got more to learn and more to improve,” Hart said. “That’s what keeps it exciting. The racers are going to keep pushing, and we’re going to keep making the stuff they need to win.”
This story was originally published on August 14, 2025. 
The post Dustin Hart Details Three-Year Journey to the Harts Charger on Shake & Bake Show first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
