IHRA Nitro Jam at Martin, Michigan

Maroney clinches Fuel Alt championship, Bealko, Andras also get wins

Words by Jeff Burk and Larry Crum
Photos courtesy IHRA

The IHRA’s professional series held the next to last event of its 12-race 2014 season at historic U.S. 131 Raceway Park near Detroit, Mich., August 8-9.

The fans that packed grandstands on both sides of the track were treated to great racing from the unique-to-IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock, Top Fuel Harley and Fuel Altered professional classes. Contestants in those three classes delivered what the crowd came to see: great racing.

IHRA Pro Stock team owner/driver Kevin Bealko picked up his first IHRA “Iron Man”, Ron Maroney and his old school Fuel Altered won again and locked up the 2014 IHRA World Championship (Nitro flopper racer Jason Rupert clinched his title at Pittsburg last week).  Louisiana Harley rider/racer Randal Andras got a win, moved within five points of leader Mike Scott,  setting up  a classic championship showdown between the two  at the last IHRA Nitro Jam of the season at Memphis in October.

Pro Stock Qualifying and Eliminations

After nearly a decade of success in the world of Mountain-motor Pro Stock as a sponsor, team owner and driver, Kevin Bealko finally broke through with his first career Mountain Motor Pro Stock victory Saturday night, Aug. 9. The Pro Stock field had nine entries so for this race.

Bealko drove to his first win using a holeshot to beat No.1 qualifier Scott Hintz and collect his first career Ironman trophy, doing so on a holeshot as the entire Black Diamond Motorsports team gathered on the starting line to witness the occasion.