(Words and Photos by Brad Klaasen) The Mickey Thompson Shootout Series rolled into T-town once again, for round five of the nine race series at Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park, and thanks to the great lineup of Funny Cars, Pro Mods, Jet Cars, and 10.5s, put on one hell of a show this past weekend. Always trying to outdo themselves, racers/track owners Todd Martin and Keith Haney also brought in the Thunder Jam show to give the rabid drag racing fans in Tulsa something to talk about until next year’s event.

While the typical Oklahoma summer was in full tilt, with air temps hovering around 100 degrees and TRP track temps on the plus side of 140 degrees, once the sun started setting the track started to bite like any angry dog. Several Mickey Thompson Shootout Series runners decided it was time to drop the boom on some current MPH and ET records. Pro Mod heavy hitter Todd Martin blistered the 1/8th mile in his 68 Mustang and raised the bar by running 203.37 for a new MTSS speed record. Pro Street runner Dewayne Mills reset both records in his class with a 4.582 at 174.64 mph. And not to be outdone, Mark Woodruff reset the MTSS Super Street TT5 record with a 4.629 at 169.24. Not too shabby for racing in the Oklahoma heat.

And if the Mickey Thompson Shootout Series’ record setting runs weren’t enough to make any true drag racing infected with fast line fever reach for a cool head compress, the Thunder Jam show left them foaming at the mouth. We’re talking exhibition runs by John Hale’s Nitro Express funny car and the legendary Blue Max nitro funny car owned by Ronnie Young. Plus, K.C. Jones was there to thrill the crowd with his two car Cannon Ball Express jet dragster show. Oh, did we mention that Les Shockley was there with his Shockwave 57 Chevy jet engine powered truck? Yep, he was and just to finish driving the crowd wild two nitro burning fuel altereds scalded the track. Jay Turner was also in the house with his two bike top fuel Harley team. Jay and his crew finished off the packed house at Tulsa Raceway Park with tire boiling smoky burnouts and fire spewing runs under the lights that sent the crowd into a full blown drag racing frenzy. Talk about an epic show.

So, here’s a little tip from your fellow Bangshifter Bad Brad. If you’re ever anywhere near Tulsa, Oklahoma check out Tulsa Raceway Park and it’s fantastic racing events. The track has been around forever and the T town race fans never fail to support it. TRP is also more than just a strip, it’s a happening, a party, and a fantastic atmosphere filled with nothing but pure drag racing bliss. But, don’t just take my word for it, ask Chad and Brian, because they’ve both experienced Tulsa Raceway Park just like you should too. So, see you at the drags. – Bad Brad.