Legendary 'Chi-Town Hustler', 'War Eagle' among stars of Steel City event
NEW ALEXANDRIA, Pa. (May 21, 2012) – They are two of the most iconic race machines in drag racing history.
And
on June 1-2 the legendary "Chi-Town Hustler" and "War Eagle" AMSOIL
Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars will do battle alongside three additional
nitro classes and a full exhibition show during the Throwdown in the
Steel City at the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam at Pittsburgh Raceway Park.
The famous 'Chi-Town Hustler' will be among the stars of the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam
Sparking
memories of a time long ago when Funny Cars ruled the drag racing world
and wild, anything-to-win match racing was how it was done, these two
iconic nitro-powered nostalgia Funny Cars will do battle alongside
defending series champion, world record holder and Pennsylvania native
Peter Gallen in the "Poverty Stricken" Monza and Mike McIntire in the
"McAttack" Camaro. The 2012 Pittsburgh Nitro Jam will mark McIntire's
first tour of duty since suffering a terrible crash at a Canadian event
in July of 2011.
Behind
the wheel of the "Chi-Town Hustler" will be veteran pilot Troy Martin
who owns both the original 1973 machine and the replica version he built
from the ground up that he will be racing in Pittsburgh. The
47-year-old Prototype Specialist for DePuy Orthopedics has long been
obsessed with the world of high horsepower machinery and to have an
opportunity to pilot such a famous ride has been a dream come true.
"It
is such an honor to get to drive a car with such history," Martin said.
"In 2003 I bought the original 1973 'Chi-Town Hustler' from Bob Gibson
and restored it for shows and nostalgia races. That is about the time
that nostalgia racing really started to explode. And as the speeds and
ETs that the new nostalgia Funny Cars ran began to go up, we decided to
park the original car and build a replica for preservation and safety
reasons.
"We
built the car and run it in tribute of the three men Farkonas, Coil and
Minick behind the original car to show and preserve the colorful
history of the Funny Car era."
Three-time IHRA World Champion Dale Pulde will pilot his famous 'War Eagle' machine
The
"Chi-Town Hustler" legend began in the mid-60s when three guys from
Chicago, John Farkonas, Austin Coil and Pat Minick, built the beautiful
ride and turned it into the premier match racing car of its day. The
trio traveled the country putting on shows and earned the support of the
fans with monster burnouts and fierce runs culminating with multiple
championships.
Today,
Martin enjoys keeping that rich history alive by returning the Hustler
to its roots, match racing some of the biggest names in the business
including the "War Eagle" whom Martin will face in Pittsburgh. And while
Martin tries to live up to the high reputation earned under the
"Chi-Town" name, his opponent in Pittsburgh will be non-other than the
original driver of the "War Eagle" himself Dale Pulde. A three-time IHRA
world champion, Pulde recently returned to the seat of his famous ride
and looks forward to seeing these two incredible machines once again
doing side-by-side burnouts to the joy of fans both young and old.
"We
had the honor of meeting Dale and racing him for the first time last
year," Martin said. "Getting to meet and talk with him and many of the
icons of the sport has been the best part of owning and racing the
'Hustler'. Dale is still at the top of the field in nostalgia Funny Car
racing which will make for an incredible show in Pittsburgh."
Reigning Nitro Jam champion and Pennsylvania native Peter Gallen will defend his home turf
Also
in action in Pittsburgh will be defending series champion Peter Gallen
behind the wheel of his famous purple and gold "Poverty Stricken" Monza.
Gallen is the all-time Nitro Jam wins leader in AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro
Funny Car and the world record holder in both ET and speed. He will be
joined by Ohioan Mike McIntire in the "McAttack" Camaro in his
triumphant return from injury nearly a year ago. Gallen and McIntire
split the weekend at the 2011 Pittsburgh Nitro Jam.
"We
have raced with Peter Gallen a couple of times and he is the king right
now," Martin said. "He and his crew are first class and are always the
car to beat."
And
with such a strong field Martin admits that, as much fun as it will be
competing against such a stout field, he would just as much enjoy
sitting back and enjoying the show from the stands.
"I
envy the fans that will get to see all of this incredible racing from
the stands. It will certainly be an incredible show," Martin said.
"Still, I have driven many race cars in the past 30 years, but driving
the Hustler is definitely the highlight of my driving career and I
wouldn't trade this for the world."
The
AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car field will be one of four
nitro-powered classes. The nostalgia Funny Cars will be joined by Pro
Fuel Dragsters, Fuel Altereds and the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam debut of Fuel
Altered. The evening will culminate with one of the "biggest" drag
races in the world as the legendary Grave Digger monster truck battles
the 30,000 horsepower "Shockwave" jet semi.
Don't miss the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam June 1-2 at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. For more information visit www.nitrojam.com.
