Nitro Jam crowns first champions

Words by Larry Crum
Photos courtesy IHRA

Cold weather and scattered showers moved into southern Virginia Friday afternoon, Oct. 15, forcing the postponement of Friday evening’s action at the IHRA World Finals Nitro Jam at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg.

SATURDAY

After a spectacular crash in 1999 that nearly took his life and millions of dollars spent pursuing his dream, but always being known as a great racer, just not championship caliber, Bobby Lagana Jr. finally broke through with the win of a lifetime. He got his first career Top Fuel World Championship in front of a packed house at the World Finals Nitro Jam Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park.

“Unbelievable. I really believe that this trophy needs to be split in half because Bruce (Litton) did just an outstanding job this year and he really pushed us to the limit,” Lagana said. “To think back on all those years we have put into the sport and everything we have given and the sport has given back, to be here right now is just an incredible feeling.

“I just have to thank my crew, my family, Jim and Carrie and all the fans that signed the car this year, they were a bit part of this win. I also have to say thank you to my dad and mom -- this one is for them.”

And after a season-long points battle with Litton, Lagana didn’t have to wait long to get his turn on the big stage. Trailing by three points entering Saturday’s competition, Lagana, driving the Five Guys Burgers and Fries Top Fuel Dragster, watched as Litton went up in smoke in the first round leaving an opening for Lagana one pass later. And with a championship on the line, Lagana responded in a big way with the biggest pass of his career in a first round win over Spencer Massey, advancing him to the championship round and sealing his first Top Fuel title.

“This is going to bring a lot of joy to a lot of people all over the country,” Lagana said. “Maybe there are some that say that this isn’t a true championship, but I am holding this trophy and I haven’t seen one person that wouldn’t be happy being here right now. We earned it and will cherish it forever.”

In addition to Lagana, two more drivers were also crowned in the professional categories Saturday night as Bill Evans and the “Black Pearl” crew won the Pro Fuel championship in a battle that came down to the final pass of the year and Steve Nichols sealed his first Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car championship with another solid weekend behind the wheel of the “Mill Road Boys” Camaro.

In addition to the crowning of new champions, three winners were also decided Saturday night as Lagana won in Top Fuel to cap an incredible championship season, Peter Gallen won for the seventh time in Prostalgia NFC and Robin Samsel claimed his first career win in Pro Fuel.

Additionally, two Summit SuperSeries World Champions were also crowned Saturday as Chip Johnson, representing his home track of Rockingham Dragway, won the Box World Championship and Chris Hall, all the way from Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City, won the No Box World Championship.
  

From the bed of a ramp truck to the top of the world, Lagana’s rise to Top Fuel World Champion was one of the most unlikely success stories in drag racing history. But as of Saturday night Lagana and his band of misfits, which includes his father Bobby Lagana Sr. and brother Dom Lagana, are now IHRA Nitro Jam champions.