Kristen Dennis rockets to Martin Ironman Victory
Courtesy of 801 Racing
Martin, MI – Kristen Dennis showed how it’s done this past weekend at the final Nitro Jam event of the year. Dennis and her Ladies’ First Pro Fuel Dragster not only won the race, she did it with style. Dennis recorded a track record 5.193/273.68 in her first round
and set her crew, the crowd, and the pits on fire. To top that, Dennis also successfully defended her Saturday night Martin Nitro Jam crown.
“Saturday nights must be lucky for us here in Michigan,” said Dennis. “Winning here last year was fantastic, but this year we earned it and we are going to enjoy this one even more. The fans here are so sweet, and they just kept coming. My hand was starting to cramp from signing so many hero cards. It was really great to meet so many enthusiastic race fans.”
Friday’s fans were treated to a rare event this summer in Michigan; rain. The night’s events were cancelled, and that put all the racers on edge to make it count on Saturday. The weather was cool, and the stands filled quickly. The fans were there to see Nitro, and Dennis didn’t let them down.
In her first round match up with Bill Evans, Dennis rocketed of the line with a 0.023 light in route to a 5.193 elapsed time at 273.68 miles per hour. Evans could only watch as his 5.396 @ 261.96 gave him the best seat in the house in defeat. That 5.19 was the time the crew had been searching for all year long. At the top end, Dennis was elated over her elapsed time, but knew she still had another round to go. The Ironman was waiting for capture. Also available for capture was the Pro Fuel ET record which stood at 5.24. Dennis would have to back up her first round time within five percent to reset the record.
As the crew prepared the 801 Racing Pro Fuel Dragster for the finals, the record was on their mind, but winning the race took precedent. With the temperatures dropping, the adjustments were made, and they headed to the line. Waiting for them in the staging lanes was Robin Samsel. At the flash of the light, Dennis once again got the holeshot with a 0.022 reaction time. Everyone was on edge as the cars raced down the quarter mile. At the end, the win light lit up on Dennis’ lane. Her 5.306 @ 273.81 had defeated Samsel’s 5.434 @ 262.08. In the only low moment of the night, the time was not quick enough to back up the previous round’s 5.193 for the record. That was all forgotten by when the Ironman trophy was placed in Kristen Dennis’ hands.
“To come up here and win with a two man crew really says something.” added Dennis. “Shane Conway and Preston Kline worked their tails off and gave me a great race car. I want to personally thank 801 Racing, Anglia Homes, and Glass Depot for allowing us to race this year. Finishing the year out with a win will make the off season a little sweeter.”
Dennis and her Ladies’ First Pro Fuel Dragster achieved many milestones in 2012. The 801 Racing sponsored team garnered two Ironman trophies, ran low ET of 5.193 (Martin) and top speed of 276.92 (San Antonio) for the 2012 IHRA Nitro Jam season, and finished second place in the points championship. Dennis will spend the off season reviewing race data, perfecting the set-up, and preparing for next year. One thing is for sure, Kristen Dennis will work to put “Ladies’ First” in the 2013 Nitro Jam championship points.
