Weekend Preview: Summit Racing Equipment World Finals Featuring Nitro Jam at Memphis International Raceway

NORWALK, OH – The Summit Racing Equipment World Finals featuring Nitro Jam takes place this weekend at Memphis International Raceway (MIR). The final race of the 2015 season will be highlighted by crowning champions in 14 classes in sportsman and professional racing on October 9 – 10.

The 2015 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series has visited 11 venues across the U.S. and Canada over the course of the last eight months. There has been 28 different winners across five professional classes and a multitude of first time winners across all categories. In addition, the Crower Pro Mod class enjoyed their first season back with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) after being absent for several years and witnessed a different winner at each event.

This year’s Summit Racing Equipment World Finals featuring Nitro Jam differs from previous season finales as four professional champions are yet to be crowned. The point’s battle has been tight all year and it will come down to the final pass on the quarter-mile in AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive, Crower Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Nitro Harley. As little as 28 points separate number one and two in the Pro Stock class and as much as 91 points separate the top-two in Nitro Funny car.

The point’s breakdown:
Jason Rupert is looking for back-to-back IHRA AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive World Championship titles. The 2014 champion has a 91 point lead over Mike McIntire Jr. heading into Memphis. Both drivers tallied four wins this season but Rupert has three runner-up finishes in 11 starts compared to McIntire’s one runner-up finish in 10 starts.

Cary Goforth took over the points lead from John Montecalvo in Pro Stock after his win at the San Antonio Nationals. The duo have been fighting neck-and-neck for the title since the start of the 2015 season. Goforth is looking for a repeat performance from 2014 by grabbing the championship and Montecalvo is looking for his first IHRA championship since 2009.

Dina Parise is the current Crower Pro Mod point’s leader and she has a 31 point lead over Bill Lutz. Parise and Lutz are both seeking their first IHRA World Championship title this year. Since the return of the Pro Mod class, there has been six different winners in six events. Lutz has one win and Parise has two runner-up finishes.
Jay Turner is a three-time IHRA World Champion and sits in the top spot in the Nitro Harley class. Tracy Kile is in second with a 67 point deficit. Turner leads the winners in Nitro Harley with four and Kile has two wins with two runner-up finishes.

Noteworthy items:
Elaine Larsen clinched the 2015 IHRA Jet Dragster World Championship two weeks ago at the San Antonio Nationals. Larsen has back-to-back championships on her resume. The Florida resident accumulated four wins and five runner-up finishes in 11 starts this season.

10 championships are up for grabs this weekend for sportsman racers. They are competing for the Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions (TOC) and sportsman bracket champions during the Summit SuperSeries presented by AMSOIL.
Final results from the 2014 World Finals featuring Nitro Jam:

Nitro Funny Car – Peter Gallen defeated Mark Sanders

Nitro Harley – Jay Turner defeated Randal Andras

Pro Stock – Brad Waddle defeated Kevin Bealko

Tickets include FREE pit access.

Memphis International Raceway is located at – 5500 Victory Lane, Millington, TN 38053.

Schedule:

FRIDAY, October 9
Summit TOC & Summit Super Series Qualifying…..3:00pm – 9:00pm
Pre-Race Ceremony…………………………………………..6:50pm
NITRO JAM Qualifying Rd 1…………………………………7:00pm
TOC & Summit Super Series Qualifying Continues..After Nitro Jam Rd 1
NITRO JAM Qualifying Rd 2…………………………………9:00pm
SATURDAY, October 10
Summit TOC & Summit Super Series Qualifying (2)..9:00am
Summit TOC & Summit Super Series Eliminations… After Qualifying
NITRO JAM Qualifying Rd 3………………………………..1:00pm
Pre-Race Ceremony……………………………………………4:45pm
NITRO JAM Rd 1…………………………………………………5:00pm
Summit SSS Finals, Summit TOC Continued…………following Nitro Jam Rd 1
NITRO JAM Rd 2…………………………………………………7:00pm
Summit TOC Finals……………………………………………..following Nitro Jam Rd 2
NITRO JAM Finals……………………………………………….9:00pm
**Schedule subject to change.

Tickets to the 2015 Summit Racing Equipment World Finals featuring Nitro Jam at Memphis International Raceway can be purchased online or at the gate on the day of the event. Each ticket includes free pit access and fans will receive a $5 discount if tickets are purchased in advance online. For more information, please visit www.nitrojam.com, www.RaceMIR.com or call (901) WOW-Race.