The top nitro-powered cars in the world will be competing August 3 – 5 at Knoll-Gas Motorsports Park at US 131 south of Grand Rapids, Mich., during the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals, the seventh event of the Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series. The weekend will include appearances by IHRA’s current stars, as well as some of the best NHRA crossovers, including J. R. Todd, Melanie Troxel and Clay Millican in Top Fuel and Mike Ashley and Gary Densham in Nitro Funny Car.
“This will be an amazing nitro showcase, an unofficial all-star game, for Michigan racing fans to enjoy at Knoll-Gas Motorsports Park at US 131,” IHRA vice president of marketing Jim Marchyshyn said. “NHRA’s best will come over and take on IHRA’s best in the two nitro categories. We’ll also be running the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified Shootout featuring the world’s quickest door cars.
“We applaud the track management for increasing the amount of spectator parking after nearly running out last season. We are going to need it this year,” added Marchyshyn.
Todd, a five-time NHRA event winner currently fourth in the point standings, will be making his return to IHRA. He competed during the Northern Nationals in 2006 and actually began his career racing with mentor Bruce Litton, who is currently second in IHRA point standings.
“It is one of the nicest tracks I have ever been to,” said Todd. “We are determined to turn our luck around from last year and put this Skull Shine Top Fuel car in the winners circle for Evan (Knoll) at his home town event.”
Knoll, owner of Knoll-Gas, Torco Racing Fuels and a number of related automotive performance companies, is a major drag racing sponsor and considers the drag strip at US 131 his home track. His family of companies, headquartered in Decatur, Mich., support several drag racing teams, tracks and events. Knoll is the series sponsor for IHRA’s Nitro Jam tour and sponsors four of the five professional categories.
Other NHRA competitors joining the Top Fuel ranks include Melanie Troxel and six-time IHRA world champion Clay Millican. Troxel is currently 9th in NHRA point standings and has 3 career wins. Millican sits 14th during his first full season racing NHRA after dominating the IHRA circuit for years.
“I was there as a spectator last year,” said Troxel. “This is my first IHRA race I am very excited to run and showcase the POW/MIA Top Fuel car for Evan Knoll at the Northern Nationals event at Knoll-Gas Motorsports Park.”
“It is one of the most beautiful race tracks that we will visit this year,” said Millican. “I especially have memories of this track not only breaking ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits’ all time winning record, but getting my head shaved on the starting line. I think that Evan has chosen one of the best race tracks in the entire country to hold this event at.”
Current IHRA Nitro Jam Top Fuel points leader T. J. Zizzo will be looking to pick-up where he left off at the Northern Nationals last year and extend his points lead over Litton. Zizzo is the defending event winner and was No. 1 qualifier in 2006. Others to watch out for: Scotty Cannon, Bobby Lagana Jr., Terry McMillen and Doug Foley.
The Nitro Funny Car class should be just as stacked during that first weekend in August. Gary Densham and Mike Ashley, both regulars on the NHRA circuit, will attend the Northern Nationals with the hopes of winning the race. For the past two seasons Densham has competed at select IHRA events.
“It has been a long time since I’ve been to Martin and I’m very eager and excited to see its new improvements,” said Densham, referencing the major renovations the track completed prior to the 2002 season. “There’s definitely more pressure to do well for Evan at his hometown track and looking forward to revisiting my old and new fans.”
Ashley, currently third in the NHRA Nitro Funny Car points was No. 1 qualifier at the Northern Nationals last season. He also holds the track elapsed time record at 4.866 seconds.
“I’m very excited to be running an IHRA event again,” said Ashley. “Evan has definitely chosen a top-notch track to hold his event at. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.
“We are determined to put this Torco Racing Fuels Dodge Charger Nitro Funny Car in the winners circle for the man whose face is on the front of the car,” Ashley added.
Ashley and Densham will join the rest of IHRA’s Nitro Funny Car competitors, including defending world champion and points leader Dale Creasy Jr., Jack Wyatt, Bob Gilbertson and Terry Haddock.
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