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Marion, TX.,(March, 28th, 2014) The IHRA Nitro Jam show made its way into San Antonio for competition on the 1/4 mile, drag strip just east of the city. This year the San Antonio Nationals return to a more traditional format with qualifying for the Nitro Nostalgia Funny Cars, Altereds and Harley Davidsons on Friday night, and Eliminations on Saturday.

2014 also marks the return of the mountain-motored Pro Stocks after a few year hiatus from the Nitro Jam tour. All classes will be running for championship points with the 'all runs count' format.

Also part of the weekend show are the ladies from the Larsen Motorsports Jet Dragster team lighting up the night with their flame throwing, jet powered Dragsters.

In 2013 Mark Sanders(Mr Explosive) and Peter Gallen(Poverty Stricten) took home the wins in Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car, with Ron Hope(Rat Trap) and Kyle Hough(Super Nanook) scoring in the Nitro Altereds, and Jay Turner(Big Pig) doubling up in the Nitro Harleys.

Looking to make his name in the Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car class, veteran Bruce Litton steps out his multi-time event winning Top Fuel Dragster and into the seat of the shorter wheel-based Funny Car.

Fans enjoyed the fun-filled midway, featuring the Larsen Motorsports Jet Technology Center, giving fans a hands on look at Jet Dragster design and technology, as well as cars from Hollywood stars and movies.

The night was scheduled to have a full night of Sportsmen eliminations in Box(Electronics), No-box(Foot Brake) and Jr Dragsters. Unfortunately due to several oil downs and Mike Halstead taking the Candies & Hughes, Barracuda through the sand trap, into the catch fence, that race was canceled for the night. Sportsmen will run two complete shows on Saturday.

Rupert on a Run for Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car Honors

Coming off an opening win in Arizona, Jason Rupert rose to the top of the heap in Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car qualifying. In round 1 of qualifying Rupert went to the number one spot after a pass of 5.817 @ 246.71. In round 2, Mark Sanders bettered that number by 1/1000th, posting a 5.816 @ 246.98. Not to be out done, Rupert, in his Bays & Rupert, Black Plague, Camaro, rebounded on his second pass with a 5.780 @ 249.03 to retake the top spot.

Failing to make the eight-car field were Mike Smith(Brand X), Mike Halstead(Candies & Hughes) and Bruce Litton(US Male), who has numerous wins in Top Fuel Dragster.

Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car – 1. Jason Rupert, 5.780, 249.03; 2. Mark Sanders, 5.816, 246.98; 3. John Smith, 5.820, 252.81; 4. Mike McIntire Jr., 5.886, 235.60; 5. Greg Jacobsmeyer, 5.917, 242.07; 6. Tim Boychuk, 5.931, 236.72; 7. John Hale, 5.953, 237.47; 8. Ronnie Young, 5.968, 234.01; 9. Mike Smith, 6.017, 237.22; 10. Bruce Litton, 6.028, 231.96; 11. Mike Halstead, 6.096, 217.39.

Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car qualifying round 1

Jason Rupert(Black Plague), 5.817 @ 246.71, John Smith(Jungle Jim), 5.820 @ 252.177, Greg Jacobsmeyer(All-Star Dodge), 5.917 @ 242. 07, Mark Sanders(Mr. Explosive), 5.924 @ 242.59, Tim Boychuk(Forever Forward), 5.943 @ 241.55, John Hale(Mike Burkhart Tribute), 5.953 @ 237.47, Mark, McIntire(McAttack), 6.099 @ 220.26, Mike Smith(Brand X), 6.390 @199.20, Bruce Litton(US Male), 10.594 @ 78.81, Ronnie Young(Blue Max), 23.363 @ 25.45, Mark Halstead(Powers Steel)---N/T---BF

Maroney Motors to Top of Nitro Altered Qualifying

Arizona's Jim Maroney set the standard in Nitro Altered qualifying laying down a 6.495 @ 191.00 in round 1. That number held up through the second round giving J. Maroney, in the Brothers Masonry, Diversified Builders Supply, Family Legacy, Nitro Altered.

Nitro Altered – 1. Jim Maroney, 6.495, 191.00; 2. Mike Hilsabeck, 6.837, 141.87; 3. Terry Haddock, 6.863, 183.00; 4. Ron Maroney, 7.025, 130.74; 5. Ron Hope, 7.577, 182.93.

Nitro Altered qualifying round 1

Jim Maroney( Family Legacy), 6.495 @ 191.00, Mike Hilsabeck(Arizona Thunder), 6.837 @ 141.87, Terry Haddock, 6.863 @ 183.00, Ron Maroney(Blind Faith), 7.025 @ 130.74, Ron Hope, 7.577 @ 182.93

Scott Sets Standard in Nitro Harley

Canadian Mike Scott grabbed the number one qualifying in Nitro Harley Davidson running a 6.402 @ 221.35 in the opening round. Scott's time held up in round putting the Safebrain Systems Inc, Gates Belts, Drag Specialities BullDog Racing, Canadian Custom Cycle, HDoctor, Hard Core Racing, bike on the pole for Saturday's eliminations. Randall Andras jumped from the bottom after round to second, while Jay Turner had a big explosion at around the 100' mark.

Nitro Harley – 1. Mike Scott, 6.402, 221.35; 2. Randal Andras, 6.816, 158.06; 3. Steve Dorn, 6.830, 193.47; 4. Rickey House, 7.356, 140.85; 5. Mike Pelrine, 7.442, 138.72; 6. Alvin Kobernusz, 7.504, 141.78; 7. Ron Gledhill, 7.635, 199.73; 8. Jay Turner, 9.073, 103.73.

Nitro Harley Davidson qualifying round 1

Mike Scott, 6.402 @ 221.35, Steve Dorn, 6.831 @ 193.47, Ricky House, 7,356 @ 140.85, Alvin Kobernusz, 7.781 @ 123.15, Ron Gledhill, 8.155 @ 172.02, Jay Turner, 9.073 @ 103.73, Mike Pelrine, 10.597 @ 102.55, Randal Andras, 16.708 @ 71.11

Goforth Goes Forth for Pro Stock Pole

After the first round of qualifying Scott Hintz was on top of the leader board after a lap of 6.342 @@ 221.57. Last week's winner, Cary Goforth (Holdenville, Okla.) bested Hintz in round 2 upping the ante to 6.300 @ 222.28 in the Deans Casing Service, Sonnys, Pay Pro, Camaro. John DeFlorian jumped by Hintz for the number two spot. The Pro Stock have one more qualifying round scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Pro Stock – 1. Cary Goforth, 6.300, 222.88; 2. John DeFlorian, 6.314, 218.55; 3. Scott Hintz, 6.342, 221.57; 4. Todd Hoerner, 6.356, 216.55; 5. Pete Berner, 6.356, 211.67; 6. Kevin Bealko, 6.665, 161.23; 7. John Konigshofer, 7.525, 130.10.

Pro Stock qualifying round 1

Scott Hintz, 6.342 @ 221.57, Cary Goforth, 6.347 @ 221.57, Pete Berner, 6.356 @@ 211.67, Todd Hoerner, 6.356 @ 216.55, John Deflorian, 6.501 @ 193.55, Kevin Bealko, 6.665 @ 161.23, John Konigshofer, 9.309 @ 95.08

Larsen Lays Down Fastest Lap in Jet Dragsters

Leader of the Larsen Motorsports ladies club, Elaine Larsen was quickest in the Jet Dragster qualifying session with a blazing(pun intended) pass of 5.768 @ 267.38. Larsen, a Michigan native, in her Miller Welders, General Electric J-85, Jet Dragster was nearly 2/10th better than either of her team mates.

Jet Dragster – 1. Elaine Larsen, 5.768, 267.38; 2. Dawn Perdue, 5.920, 228.43; 3. Marisha Falk, 5.961, 267.22; 4. Kat Moller, 6.958, 124.86.