IHRA Nitro Jam at Edmonton, Alberta

Worth Waiting Out the Rain

Words by Shayna Keller
Photos by Darr Hawthorne

The Mopar Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Good Vibrations concluded Sunday, July 19, at Castrol Raceway. Rain forced cancellation of the Friday racing activities and cut Saturday to two rounds of qualifying, moving the finish of the race to Sunday. Luckily, the weather cooperated allowing the event to run to completion.

The 13th running of the IHRA Nitro Jam brought about a first-time winner this year and a couple of repeat winners, including Jason Rupert who had back-to-back wins.

Jason Rupert went up against points leader Mike McIntire Jr. in the final round and landed in the winner's circle with a holeshot win in the AMSOIL Funny Car presented by Good Vibrations class. Rupert posted a .049 reaction time, 5.704 seconds at 253.38 mph against McIntire's .089, 5.698 second at 255.39 mph.

This marked only the second time Rupert's "Black Plague" Camaro had gone up against McIntire's "McAttack" Camaro in the finals this year. Their first encounter was at the season opener in Tucson when Rupert fouled at the line and McIntire took the win.

Rupert's latest victory came the previous weekend when he won against Kris Krabill at Spokane County Raceway.