Friday, June 19, 2009

IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals Preview


Westward Ho! Nitro Jam heads to Edmonton


Fans in Western Canada will get to experience the spectacle that is IHRA Nitro Jam drag racing when the rolling extravaganza descends upon Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway the weekend of July 3-5, 2009.


Bigger and better than ever, this year’s IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by River Cree Resort and Casino will feature competition in seven professional categories (Pro Nostalgia, Pro Modified, Alcohol Funny Car, Pro Stock Bike, Nitro Harley, Top Fuel, and Nitro Funny Car).


The Nitro Funny Car segment will feature a match race between former IHRA champions Dale Creasy Jr., and Terry Haddock as they go head-to-head for champion’s bragging rights. Creasy has another score to settle as well, as it was at this race one year ago that he suffered career-threatening injuries. He wants to show Castrol Raceway who the real boss is!


In addition, there will be 11 classes in sportsman competition (Mod ET, Bikes, Top ET, Hot Rod, Stock, Super Rod, Super Stock, Quick Rod, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Junior Dragster).


And that’s not all. There will also be competition in Box, No Box, Stock/Super Stock Combo as well as Box and No Box Gambler’s Races.


If that weren’t enough to blow the minds of even the most jaded thrill-junkies, hang on to your hats because there’s even more. Friday and Saturday night fans will be treated to the sight and sound of Canada’s only wheelstander, the Alberta-based ’37 Chevy pick-up truck known as Full Tilt Boogie. Capping the Night of Fire shows each night will be the X-Treme Machine, the Florida-based mega-horsepower Jet-powered Freightliner. This one is guaranteed to light your fire!


“We are thrilled to have River Cree on board as presenting sponsor,” said Castrol Raceway owner Kimberly Reeves. “Just like Castrol Raceway, the River Cree Resort and Casino has much to offer its customers, and we hope this partnership will continue to grow into the future. July will be here before you know it and I can’t wait to see all the racers and fans back here for the Rocky Mountain Nationals.”


Reeves’ sentiments were echoed by Michael Heeb, Vice-President and General Manager of River Cree Resort and Casino.


“This is a terrific partnership between River Cree, the IHRA, and Castrol Raceway. Race fans want excitement and they will find it at both the Rocky Mountain Nationals and at the River Cree Resort and Casino – it is a dynamic matchup between three successful brand names,” said Heeb. “We are proud to support such a great event, especially one that is recognized as widely as the Rocky Mountain Nationals.”


“We are thrilled to have the River Cree Resort and Casino join the IHRA and Castrol Raceway for one of the biggest events of the year,” added IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “We look forward to a unique and valued partnership with the River Cree now and into the future.”


The Rocky Mountain Nationals mark the mid-way point of the IHRA season, and the final results at Castrol Raceway will have a significant impact on the championship aspirations of many drivers and teams.


This is one of the largest and most popular events on the IHRA schedule, so get out there and see for yourself just what the excitement is all about. To buy tickets online, go to www.ihra.com.


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