IHRA Southern Nationals at Bradenton, Florida

Mike McIntire Jr. gets first Nitro F/C win; Sternotti shatters 12-year-old Harley ET National Record 

Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Bryan Epps

The racers pulled into the gates at Bradenton Motorsports Park Friday, April 11, for the IHRA Southern Nationals. This would be the third event in a four-week early season marathon for IHRA’s pro racers. They began the season in Tucson, AZ, just over a month ago went to San Antonio, TX, the next weekend and then had a weekend off as they towed across most of the U.S. to Bradenton. The early grueling schedule has taken its toll on the professional “hobby” racers that race with the IHRA. But the weary band of Fuel Coupe, Nitro Harley, Fuel Altered and Pro Stock racers rose to the occasion and gave the Florida fans a great race.  

Mike McIntire Jr., a nitro rookie and second generation racer from Mentor, Ohio, took advantage of a worn out Californian, Jason Rupert, in the final Eliminations of Nitro Funny Car to secure his first career win.

The first-time winner pattern continued when Nitro Harley shoe Mike Coz bested number-one qualifier Joey Sternotti (shown) in the Harley finals. Also getting wins at Bradenton were Don Blackshear, driving the "Bullet Bob" Altered to his win in Nitro Altered, and Oklahoma Pro Stock racer Cary Goforth, who secured his second win of the 2014 IHRA season.

Sportsman winners during day one of the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL doubleheader were Tom VanBeek (Top Sportsman), Jeremy West (Top Dragster), Allen Wade (Super Stock), Merrill Schrimscher (Stock), Todd Osting (Quick Rod), Michael Ruff (Super Rod), Brittany Snowball (Junior Masters), T.J. Butler (Junior Advanced) and Katie Craft (Junior Beginner).