Huge crowds expected as Nitro Jam returns to Virginia this Friday and Saturday
PETERSBURG, Va. (October 14, 2010) – After an incredible weekend in Epping, N.H. one month ago where three of the six professional records came tumbling down and a fourth was nearly toppled, it appears that drivers are just as excited about their chances to make history at Virginia Motorsports Park this weekend at the World Finals Nitro Jam this Friday and Saturday.
Last month both Pro Fuel records were shattered by Bill Evans and both current Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car marks were also eclipsed, with only Peter Gallen able to back up his numbers to take the speed record in the class. And with championships in the balance this weekend, it could all come down to who has the fast lap and when.
"We have the record for now, but who knows how long that will hold up. We were talking with Mike (Manners) at New Hampshire and he said they have a better shot at setting the record in Virginia. That is actually scary when you think about it," Evans said in an interview earlier this month. "Who knows? It might come down to another record or one of us sweeping both races. All I know is it is about to get interesting."
Manners and Evans have traded the Pro Fuel points lead back and fourth throughout the season and entering the World Finals Nitro Jam the two drivers are currently separated by only one point. Jeff Hamelink is also in the mix, sitting some seven points behind Manners as the three drivers battle it out for the inaugural Pro Fuel championship.
In addition to points for winning, bonus points are also awarded for new national records so it might come down to who has the quickest hot rod on the property Friday and Saturday night. Currently the record stands at 5.240 seconds at 283.85 miles-per-hour, but those numbers have been bested nearly half a dozen times already as the new class continues to push the boundaries of the injected nitro motors.
In Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car Peter Gallen will need a weekend of epic proportions to catch point leader Steve Nichols who currently sits some 54 points ahead. Gallen holds the current speed record at 251.58 miles-per-hour set last month, but the elapsed time mark has stood since June when Tim Boychuk ran a blistering 5.810 lap in Edmonton.
While Nichols appears to have the championship wrapped up, if he falters and Gallen can produce a record weekend it could come down to the wire Saturday night.
Top Fuel also features a close points battle as former world champion Bruce Litton holds a narrow three point advantage over veteran Bobby Lagana Jr. The two drivers have been impressive all season, winning 13 of 18 races so far, but the title will ultimately come down to who masters the Virginia facility first.
Record wise the numbers in Top Fuel have stood since 2005 and 2007 respectively when Clay Millican was dominating the class, but both Litton and Lagana have shown they are capable of flirting with those marks. The current Top Fuel mark stands at 4.484 seconds at 328.14 miles-per-hour.
Don't miss a record breaking weekend this Friday and Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park as the quickest and fastest racers on the planet compete for championships and world records at Virginias fastest track at the World Finals Nitro Jam.
