IHRA at Orlando, Fla.

New regime, new track, new season

Words by Kay Burk Photos by Adam Cranmer and Steve Gruenwald

Pro Mod racer Ruben Testsoshvili (Adam Cranmer photo)

The AMSOIL Nitro Nationals at Orlando Speed World Dragway kicked off the IHRA season over the March 4-6 weekend with racers that included 2015 World Champions, veterans, and a few newcomers to the IHRA Drag Racing Series. What ensued over the three-day event included major upsets, record times, mechanical issues, and some of the closest finishes in years.

There was plenty of new at this event as the IHRA was under the new management of president Mike Dunn and IRGSE CEO Chris Lencheski. This was the first time the IHRA had a national event at the venerable Orlando track, which has the relatively new owner of Ozzy Moya.

NITRO FUNNY CAR

Jason Rupert (Adam Cranmer photo)

The AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car class appeared to pick up where it left off in 2015 with defending champion Jason Rupert and Mike McIntire Jr. running side-by-side in the first two rounds of qualifying. By the end of the qualifying sessions, it was Rupert who took the top spot in his new “Rolling Thunder” Camaro with a 5.631 at 257.97 mph followed by Mark Sanders in the “Mr. Explosive” and McIntire Jr. in “McAttack”.