Words and photos by IHRA Communications
With a few weather delays, first round of IHRA Nitro Jam qualifying was completed late Friday night during day one of the Northern Nationals presented by Aeromotive at US 131 Motorsports Park. Jason Rupert could break both ends of the Amsoil Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive record after making another epic qualifying pass.
Rupert laid down a 5.555 at 262.39 mph in his 1969 Camaro. If he can back it up during today’s qualifying session, he’ll take back the record from Mike McIntire Jr., who set the mark earlier this year in Bradenton. Shawn Bowen qualified second with a 5.725 pass and Mark Sanders currently sits in third after his 5.841 run. Two racers failed to qualify; Tim Boychuk had problems on the starting line and failed to make a qualifying pass while McIntire had an oil down during his pass, disqualifying his 5.759 elapsed time.
Steve Matusek, in his Agave Underground Tequila-backed Camaro is the current pole sitter in the Crower Pro Mod class. His early shut off 6.006 at 199.82 mph pass earned him the top spot for the evening while Billy Harper made a 6.247 run at 163.76 mph to qualify second. Bill Lutz went 6.421 at 227.27 mph, qualifying in third.
Randal Andras, who currently sits in third for Nitro Harley points, qualified at the top of the ladder with a 6.362 run at 219.62 mph. Rickey House made a 6.378 at 217.18 mph to qualify second while points leader Jay Turner went 6.431 at 230.41, qualifying third.
Pro Stock competition saw JR Carr take the top spot with a 6.289 at 222.88 mph while Trevor Eman made a 6.314 run at 221.89 mph. John DeFlorian Jr. finished the day with a 6.323 at 223.21 pass, putting him in third.
The final round of qualifying for the Northern Nationals presented by Aeromotive resumes today at 2 p.m. with sportsman racing throughout the day. Nitro Jam eliminations are set to begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate.
WATCH THE FINAL DAY OF THE IHRA NORTHERN NATIONALS PRESENTED BY AEROMOTIVE HERE
Friday Round 1 Qualifying Results
Martin, MI – Round 1 qualifying from the 2015 Northern Nitro Jam Nationals presented by Aeromotive at US 131 Motorsports Park
Amsoil Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive – 1. J Rupert 5.555; 262.39; 2. S Bowen 5.745; 3. M Sanders 5.841; 244.43; 4. P Romine 5.869; 244.17; 5. S Nichols 5.884; 242.72; 6. B Litton 5.899; 239.74; 7. B Young 6.153; 236.22 8. G Jacobsmeyer 6.232; 216.45
Crower Pro Mod – 1. S Matusek 6.006; 199.82, 2. B Harper 6.247; 227.27; 3. B Lutz 6.421; 227.27; 4. B Glidden 6.658; 158.17; 5. D Parise 7.039; 134.53; 6. R Tetsoshvili 7.322; 134.53; 7. H Martin 8.104; 117.55; 8. J Kalso 14.264; 72.56
Nitro Harley – 1. R Andras 6.362; 219.62 2. R House 6.378; 230.41 3. Turner 6.431; 230.41 4. B Malloy 6.503; 5. T Kile 6.587; 203.25 6. J Fagan 6.670; 206.52 7. J Stordeun 6.757; 205.76 8. A Kobernusz 6.929; 180.51
Pro Stock – 1. J Carr 6.289; 222.88; 2. T Eman 6.314; 221.89; 3. J DeFlorian 6.323; 223.21 4. B Waddle 6.330; 223.10; 5. C Goforth 6.346; 221.57; 6. J Montecalvo 6.359; 221.35; 7. L O’Brien 6.372; 221.89; 8. D Goforth 6.376 220.80
Jet Dragster – 1. E Larsen 5.844; 273.56; 2. K Moller 5.874; 278,29; 3. M Falk 5.852; 275.06; 4. S Holbrook 6.752; 129.01
