IHRA Nitro Jam Nationals at Grand Bend, Ontario

Words by Larry Crum/IHRA - Photos by Brad Turk


Greg “Jake” Jacobsmeyer (near lane) and Peter Gallen in Saturday’s final round. Jacobsmeyer won on Saturday and Gallen on Sunday.

It has been nearly three years since Greg Jacobsmeyer last won in Nitro Jam competition. Jacobsmeyer won the very first AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car race in IHRA Nitro Jam history back in 2010, but hasn’t been able to find victory lane since.

That is, until Saturday night, July 21.

In front of a packed house at the MOPAR sponsored Nitro Jam Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario, Jacobsmeyer blasted to his best career numbers in a brand new car to claim his first win since 2010 behind the wheel of the famous “All Star” Dodge Challenger. And he wasn’t alone.

Joining Jacobsmeyer in victory lane Saturday night was Kyle Wurtzel, who picked up his first career win in Top Fuel, Ron Hope who ran his best career numbers in Fuel Altered and Randal Andras who won in Nitro Harley.

“That was our best run to date. It was our best speed, our best pass and it was simply awesome,” Jacobsmeyer said. “This is an entirely new car. The only stuff that we used from the last car is the clutch, the transmission and the parachute. Everything is new and that makes this win even more special to debut this new car and take it to victory lane.”

While Jacobsmeyer claimed the night’s ultimate prize, Gallen and the “Poverty Stricken” team looked poised to take yet another win in the fan-favorite Funny Car class. In round one Gallen blasted to a 5.743/242.58, but he wasn’t able to keep that momentum in the finals. In the championship tilt Gallen lost traction just past the 60 foot mark, nearly crossing the centerline as Jacobsmeyer drove past the incident and right down Broadway to a 6.052/239.95 to give the Florissant, Mo. native his second career win.

“I hated to see Gallen lose traction because I think we could have taken him straight up, but we will certainly take the win,” Jacobsmeyer said. “And obviously this is even more special being a MOPAR race. We couldn’t do any of this without our incredible sponsors who support us in everything we do.”