With the win, Maroney locked up his second IHRA Nitro Altered championship, winning his first back in 2010 running in the very same altered Hough drove in Martin.

"It is exciting to get our second championship. They both mean a lot to me, but they are also very different," Maroney said. "I love the Hough family to death and they gave me that opportunity to drive the 'Nanook' car, a car I grew up idolizing, to win a championship. Now, to win it in my own car, a car that my wife and I own 100 percent, is really special.

"It was a great weekend, but it was a weekend that really showed what these Altereds are all about. We went out and ran 6.20s on one pass, then the next pass we are taking out cones while other guys are hitting the wall. Then we come back and run 6.30s right down the center," Maroney said. "You just never know what these things are going to do. Sometimes they go straight as an arrow and sometimes you are just along for the ride."

Troy Martin and Shane Harter collected consolation round wins to close out the Nitro Altered class.

Nitro Harley qualifying and eliminations

At Martin IHRA's other major eliminator, Nitro Harley, was won by Louisiana native Randal Andras as a result the championship in the nitro-powered motorcycle class will be determined at the last race of the 2013 IHRA at Memphis Motorsports Park. Any one of four drivers have a mathematical chance to win the title at Memphis.

Andras made his case for winning the Nitro Harley championship with his second win of the season, besting Mike Pelrine in the final. Andras had little trouble powering down the US 131 quarter-mile with a 6.857 at 220.15 pass in the final, while Pelrine ran into trouble and had to shut it off early.

Andras added wins over Jim Fagan and Alvin Kobernusz on his way to the win.