In the first round, Latino put away number three qualifier Jeff Roth of Kitchener, Ont., in the J&J Roth Racing 1941 Willys. Grainy eliminated Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Ont., in the first round.

Mark Nielsen

Jason Kalso

Nielsen eliminated Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Mich., in the first round.

“I want to thank my crew, and my wife, and Mark Dochstader, who couldn’t be here to help me today,” added Boland in the winner’s circle. “And I want to thank the IHRA for everything, including the Ironman Trophy.”

Boland continues to lead the PMRA Championship Points Award Series Standings, and has 841 points with his latest win. Next is Mark Nielsen with 796 points. Earhart is third with 761, Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario is fourth with 760 points, and Tony Piselli is fifth with 755 points and rounding out the top eight is Jeff Roth, Jason Kalso and Eric Latino.

While the PMRA has run eighth-mile events in the past, this was the first time at the Grand Bend Motorplex the teams ran in this format. Boland’s top speed of the event, 183.39 mph, is a little behind the PMRA eighth-mile speed of 184.23 mph set by Stawicki, and the 4.002-second time of Grainy is just behind the 3.970-second record pass set by Carl Spiering of Jordan Station, Ont.