Words and photos by Brian Losness

The IHRA Nitro Jam series once again invaded the high country of Utah and made its third venture to Rocky Mountain Raceway just outside of Salt Lake City with snow still on the mountains.

This year only two top fuel dragsters made the venture, with the very popular Bobby Lagana and family making the trek from the East Coast, and Bruce Litton making the journey from Indianapolis. 

Eight Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars were on hand, with the most attention being drawn by the War Eagle Funny Car of Dale Pulde.  Once again James Day was in the saddle, but it was Pulde’s first venture to a race track after being diagnosed with Valley Fever.  (See March’s Getting Nostalgic). The disease nearly cost Pulde his life, but now he is starting to get back on his feet again, and this weekend was a test to see how his recuperation was coming along. “I am just trying to see how I feel after the weekend of traveling and working on the car.”  

long with the War Eagle was hometown favorite Brett Harris had his second chance behind the wheel after a nice debut at the NHRA Division Six opener at Firebird Raceway in Idaho. Team Plueger was also on hand, with Todd Lesenko in the Jolly Rogers Mustang and Mike Greukel driving the black Plueger and Gyger Mustang. Mike Savage drove the Candies and Hughes Barracuda, Roger Gartner fielded his War Horse Mustang, the always quiet and shy Mark Sanders campaigned Mr. Explosive, and Tim Boychuk rounded out the strong eight car field in his Roland Leong tuned Trans Am.