Words by Shayna Keller/IHRA and Darr Hawthorne

Photos by Big Bob Snyder for BangShift.com

The San Antonio Nationals Fueled by Sunoco did not disappoint as fans witnessed a points lead change in the Pro Stock class, a new winner in 2015 and the clinching of a championship in the Jet Dragster class.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) returned to San Antonio Raceway for the eleventh Nitro Jam event of the 2015 season. The race was pivotal in determining potential championship winners for the season finale in Memphis in two weeks. The weekend produced many unexpected story lines in all three classes competing for points at the San Antonio Nationals Fueled by Sunoco.

The AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive class was one of the main topics as Mike McIntire Jr. and his McAttack Camaro failed to qualify for his first-ever Nitro Jam event since he started racing full-time in 2014.

Current points leader, Jason Rupert also had a rough weekend as the 2014 IHRA Champion did not advance after his first round loss to newcomer Ryan Hodgson’s Camaro. The championship is still up for grabs as Rupert and McIntire head into the final event of the IHRA season, the Summit World Finals in Memphis.

In the final round, John Smith met former IHRA Champion Paul Romine’s “Man O’ War” Mustang, Smith left first and led the match running a 5.755 to Romine’s 5.937.  John Smith claimed the victory and grabbed his first IHRA Ironman trophy in “Jungle Jim” tribute Vega owned by Henry Gutierrez at Henry’s hometown track.

In Friday qualifying Paul Romine took the top spot with a 5.709 elapsed time at 248.07 mph run followed by John Smith’s 5.741 ET at 259.36 mph, Mark Sanders’ 5.825 ET and Jason Rupert’s 5.856 qualified fourth.

During the second qualifying session, Bob Godfrey, driving his “Burnin’ Money” Barracuda burned up a big chunk of money as his nitro funny car had an engine malfunction, causing a supercharger explosion spraying the windshield with oil. Without a clear view of the track, Godfrey briefly scraped the guard wall on his way to a stop on the top end.

Here’s the Video of Bob Godfrey’s Boomer!

John Montecalvo came into the San Antonio Nationals Fueled by Sunoco with the Pro Stock points lead but after a consistent performance by Cary Goforth, the lead changed. Goforth (near lane) won his first Pro Stock race since the season-opener at Tucson in February. He was the top qualifier and followed it up with a holeshot win against Scott Hintz in the final round. The 6.36 at 221.13 mph placed the 2014 IHRA World Champion in the winner’s circle and gave him the points lead with one race remaining.

Elaine Larsen clinched the 2015 IHRA Jet Dragster World Championship and finished runner-up in Jet Dragster competition this weekend. The 2014 Champion has secured her spot in the IHRA history books prior to heading into the Summit World Finals. Shea Holbrook (above) defeated the newly crowned Champion in the final round after running a 5.92 at 268.98 mph. This marked the first IHRA Ironman win for Holbrook in her first year of competition.

The Outlaw Fuel Altereds joined the professional classes this weekend at San Antonio Raceway. Donny Massey (near lane) went up against Mary Reep in the final round and took home the win. Massey ran a 3.88 at 187.27 mph against Reep’s 3.96 at 167.16 mph.

Brian Jernigan and Rickey House brought out their Nitro Harley’s and did some exhibition runs for the fans during the two-day event.

As always, fan favorite “Mr. Explosive” Mark Sanders took time out between rounds to get kids into the seat of his AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive racecar!

Newcomer Ryan Hodgson driving the Troy Lee Designs ’69 Camaro qualified fifth running a 5.856 elapsed time at 251.82 mph.

Jon Capps drove the “Candies & Hughes” Dodge Challenger tribute car to the eighth qualifying position with a 6.043 ET at 239.11 mph, losing in the semi-finals to Paul Romine.

The next event on the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule is the Summit World Finals featuring Nitro Jam at Memphis International Raceway on October 9 – 10, 2015. Four championships are up for grabs: AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive, Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Nitro Harley; leading into the final race of the 2015 season. Tickets are now available online at www.NitroJam.com.