IHRA Nitro Jam at Bradenton, Florida

Words by Larry Crum
Photos courtesy IHRA

FRIDAY, April 19

Nearly 14 years have passed between final round appearances for Bruce Litton and his Top Fuel team at Bradenton Motorsports Park, not because of any lack of performance or team blunders, but because this year marks the International Hot Rod Associations first trip back to Bradenton since 1999.

And what a return it was.

In front of an energetic crowd eager for the return of nitro racing to Bradenton Motorsports Park, Litton powered his way to the Ironman trophy in Top Fuel dragster nearly a decade and a half after he visited the final round and lost in IHRA’s last visit to the track. And what a sweet victory it was.

“It is cool being back in Bradenton. You always like the tracks that you do well at and we have certainly had some success here so I very much like the track,” Litton said. “Really the facility is very nice, I had a chance to meet the new owners and they seem to be doing really well here and I think that is going to pay off in the end. We look forward to seeing some really big crowds for the show tomorrow.”

Litton ran a pair of four-second passes on his way to the Top Fuel victory Friday night, joining Jay Turner (Nitro Harley), Peter Gallen (AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car) and Ron Hope (Fuel Altered) in victory lane at the Bradenton Nitro Jam presented by CarSafe, Metro PCS and Southern Ford Dealers.

When Litton last visited Bradenton Motorsports Park in 1999 he lost in the final to longtime IHRA veteran Jim Bailey. This time around Litton’s opponent was his young protégé Kyle Wurtzel and Litton definitely showed him a thing as Litton put down laps of 4.931 and 4.897 on his way to the win.

“That final pass was a really, really good run. We were just trying to get down the track and that is the same lane that we used to test in years and years ago so I know that lane a little bit,” Litton said. “Like I said we were just trying to get it to go from A to B and actually surprised ourselves with a good number. We were definitely pleased with the performance.”

In the final Litton saved the best for last, beating Wurtzel off of the line and outrunning him to the finish with a 4.897 second lap at 275.49 miles per hour. Wurtzel ran a 5.662, 176.78 in the runner-up effort.

In perhaps the best matchup of the night, IHRA veteran Jay Turner and newcomer Tracy Kile put on an amazing show in Nitro Harley as the pair produced side-by-side laps at over 210 mph to the thrill of the Bradenton fans.