IHRA San Antonio Nationals Results and Photos 9/26/15

John Smith and the Jungle Jim Nitro Funny Car team celebrate in the Winners Circle

By JM Hallas

Marion, TX. (Sept. 26, 2015) After a full night of qualifying on Friday, the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Cars and Jet Dragster fields were already set. Paul Romine(Man o’ War) took the top spot in Nitro Funny Car and Kat Moeller in Jet Dragster topped the qualifying sheets. The Pro Stocks and Outlaw Fuel Altereds still had one more shot improve or make the 8-car field. Gary Goforth led the pack after two rounds on Friday, with Eric Buchanan (closest to 4.00) pacing the Outlaw Fuel Altereds.

Goforth Keeps Pro Stock Top Spot

Gary Goforth held on to the number one spot from Friday night. C.Goforth ran three consistent 6.30 passes with round two’s 6.310 @ 222.44 staying the best. Several drivers were able to better their previous attempts, but no one was able to surpass the number from C. Goforth.

Pro Stock round 3 qualifying

Cary Goforth, 6.392 @ 220.91, John Montecalvo, 9.960 @ 88.05, Matt Bertsch, 10.188 @ 84.05, Kevin Bealko, 6.408 @ 221.46, John DeFlorian, 6.439 @ 218.66, Scott Benham, 6.550 @ 214.18, Dean Goforth, 6.385 @ 220.16, Scott Hintz, 6.433 @ 220.16, JR Carr, 16.860 @ 88.05, Brad Waddle, 10.576 @ 84.62

After learning the formula for the OFAA Outlaw Fuel Altereds, it came down to Eric Buchanan’s 3.9991 run as top qualifier from Friday night as he missed the 4.00 index by .0009 or 9/10,000th. In eliminations, the rules change again with the top 12 qualifiers running on a 3.85 index, and full breakout rules in effect. The four fastest qualifiers from the first round would advance.

Outlaw Fuel Altereds round 2 qualifying (4.00 index—closest)

Jerry Jones, 4.002 @ 167.85, Terry Brian, 4.011 @ 147.35, Donny McSwain, 4.071 @ 189.95, Bobby Marriott, 4.119 @ 167.85 , Nick Poloson, 4.260 @ 130.97, Mark Bowman, 4.489 @ 175.51, Ken Singleton, 3.923 @ 185.34, Mary Reep, 3.874 @ 185.11, Eric Buchanan, 3.859 @ 191.73, Mark Billington, 3.854 @ 177.51, Clint Cross, DNT (broke), Donnie Massey, DNT, Doyle Smith, DNT (broke), Raymond Dawson, DNT (broke), John Broussard, DNT (broke)

With only one more race remaining after this, next month’s World Final in Memphis, picking up every point possible is important. Even the smaller qualifying points are key to securing the class championships as well as round 1 lane choice.

In the Nitro Funny Car class, defending champion Jason Rupert comes into the weekend with nearly an insurmountable 96 point lead over Mike McIntire jr., who failed to qualify. Returning to IHRA competition, former champ John Montecalvo sits atop Pro Stock points with last year’s champion, Gary Goforth in second (-33), John Deflorian third (-51) and JR Carr still in striking distance, albeit slim (-83). Elaine Larsen looks to back up last year’s championship coming in 74 points ahead of Kat Moeller and 83 over Marisha Falk.

Nitro Harley will run a no points race exhibition and the champion will be determined at the final race in October. Past champion, Jay Turner currently leads the class with 67 markers over Tracy Kile. The Pro Modifieds, not in action this weekend, have Dina Parise out front by 41 points over Bill Lutz.

Also in action on Saturday were the Box (Top Eliminator), No-Box (Modified Eliminator) and Jr Dragsters bracket classes.

AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car Eliminations

Smith Scores in Nitro Funny Car Finale

Running one of two Jungle Jim tribute cars, John Smith and fast qualifier Paul Romine (Man o’ War) squared off in the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car finals. J. Smith, in the Jungle Jim, Bexar Waste, Paul Smith Racing, SUNOCO Fuels, 496ci Hemi powered, 2002 Murph-McKinney Chassis had 2/100th in the bank off the line and increased his advantage over Romine who got out of the groove giving up more distance at the stripe.

J. Smith beat his brother, Mike, in round one, then Mark Sanders in round two. Romine got wins over Jon Capps and Ryan Hodgson on his way to the finals.

In the Nitro Funny Car points chase Jason Rupert (Bays & Rupert Black Plague) all but secured his repeat title despite losing in round 1 after Mike McIntire (McAttack) failed to make the field.

John Smith, 5.755 @ 254.09 defeats Paul Romine, 5.937 @ 225.11

“I was just really trying to be focused,” commented Smith. “We had to take out my brother first round. That got me up for the challenge. I practiced on lights all day. The second round against (Mark) Sanders and the Mr explosive guys we broke a rear end. We really thrashed to get a rear end the car and luckily we didn’t hurt the motor. We put it all together for the final and beat (Paul) Romine who slipped a bit. He said he had to peddle his car.”

“I have to thank Henry Gutierrez and Bexar Waste. He owns the car, he takes care of us and make sure we have all the equipment to come out here and race. This is Henry’s race, we came here to do this two years ago when we finished runner up. Now we’ve accomplished our goal. My wife (Rhonda) and I have both raced here in Top Fuel. She has three Ironmen, now I finally have one too.”

“Running two cars helps give us more data to know what to do. My car was over-weight all weekend and my brothers carbon body was about 30 pounds lighter. So we mounted that on our car and tried to advantage of the weight break. You try to do any little thing you can.”

Round 1

Ryan Hodgson, Troy Lee Design, 5.864 @ 256.70

Jason Rupert, Bays & Rupert Black Plague, 5.907 @ 245.50

Paul Romine, Man o’ War, 5.827 @ 244.03

Jon Capps, Candies & Hughes, 5.985 @ 246.31

Jon Smith, Jungle Jim (Red), 5.946 @ 231.84

Mike Smith, Jungle Jim (Blue), 6.003 @ 250.28

Mark Sanders, Mr. Explosive, 5.836 @ 247.12

Tim Boychuck, Happy Hour, 5.915 @ 238.47

Round 2

Paul Romine, Man o’War, 5.739 @ 243.64

Ryan Hodgson, Troy Lee Design

Jon Smith, Jungle Jim (Red), 5.797 236.34

Mark Sanders, Mr. Explosive, 5.817 @ 252.95

Finals

John Smith, Jungle Jim (Red), 5.755 @ 254.09

Paul Romine, Man o’ War, 5.937 @ 225.11

Pro Stock Eliminations


Pro Stock winner Cary Goforth on a burnout in round 3 qualifying

Goforth Carries the Day in Pro Stock

With consistent passes in the 6.30s, Cary Goforth worked his way the finals against Scott Hintz. C. Goforth cut an .021 light against Hintz who usually is a master on the tree. Using that edge to his advantage C. Goforth carried that margin to the finish in his Dean’s Casing Service, Lithium Pros, Pay Pro, Sonny Race Engines, Jerry Haas Chassis for a holeshot win.

In round 1 C. Goforth took out Scott Benham then got a competition bye in round two when his dad, Dean Goforth didn’t make the call. Hintz trailered points leader Montecalvo on a holeshot, then Kevin Bealko who left before third amber.

The victory, coupled with John Montecalvo’s loss in round one, vaults the defending class champion back into the points heading to the final race at the World Finals in October.

Cary Goforth, 6.366 @ 221.13 defeats Scott Hintz, 6.338 @ 222.33

“Finally, this what we’re used to,” said Goforth. “Since our win the first week in Tucson we’ve kind of been going backwards. There’s been various reasons and sometimes we’ve shot ourselves in the foot. We tested in Tulsa before we came here and had some numbers that were alright, nothing great. For some reason this year I’ve been in a mental slump and it’s caused to do some soul searching. I knew coming in here that all that stuff would have to be taken care of.”

“Our goal was to come in here and run some numbers, some good numbers and stay with John (Montecalvo) and go further than him. We sent a couple motors to Sonny’s and got them back. He’s been doing his part. If we could have scripted a weekend this is how it would have gone. Pick up some little points in qualifying, have him go out early and then win the race. It’s been a great weekend, I’m very happy.”

“To win against Scott (Hintz) on a holeshot is great. That’s not something you normally do. He’s one of the best leavers in the business. I tried to disrupt his game. He likes going in first, so I rolled in before him trying to beat him at his game. Sometimes it works, like it did tonight, sometimes it doesn’t.”

“Peeling this number 1 sticker off the side of my car is just not something I want to do. I’m not giving it up easily. We can’t say we’re satisfied here. We need to win one more round than him and then there’s nothing he can do.”

Round 1

Dean Goforth, 6.423 @ 217.50

John DeFlorian, 6.423 @ 221.02

Kevin Bealko, 6.423 @ 220.26

Matt Bertsch, 6.541 @ 217.50

Scott Hintz, 6.406 @ 216.55

John Montecalvo, 6.419, 215.62

Cary Goforth, 6.399 @ 221.35

Scott Benham, 6.923 @ 157.34

Round 2

Scott Hintz, 6.356 @ 220.80

Kevin Bealko, LB3A

Cary Goforth, 6.390 @ 220.16

Dean Goforth, DNR

Finals

Cary Goforth, 6.366 @ 221.13

Scott Hintz, 6.338 @ 222.33

Outlaw Fuel Altereds Eliminations, 3.80 Elimination index (top four times to round 2)


OFAA Outlaw Fuel Altered winner Donnie Massey lights the candles on launch

Massey Masters Outlaw Fuel Altered Field

Proving some days it’s better to be lucky than good, alternate, Donnie Massey (Showtime) went head to head with Mary Reep (Grim Reeper) in the OFAA Outlaw Fuel Altered finals. Massey (Little Elm) got over 2/10th advantage on the light over Reep (Austin) then outperformed her on the big end to snag the victory.

Massey got the alternate spot after round 1 when Raymond Dawson couldn’t continue, then grabbed an easy win over John Broussard who broke on the line. Reep bested Jerry Jones in round 1 then Donny McSwain in round 2.

Donnie Massey, 3.889 @ 187.27 defeays Mary Reep, 3.966 @ 167.16

Round 1

Donny McSwain, 4.053 @ 179.86

Terry Brian, 3.792 @ 179.43 (broke out)

John Broussard, 3.986 @ 179.43

Mark Billington, 4.135 @ 188.28

Donnie Massey, 3.922 @ 186.26

Ken Singleton, 3.950 @ 191.41

Mary Reep, 3.978 @ 184.35

Jerry Jones, 4.900 @ 105.58

Raymond Dawson, 4.065 @ 180.87

Bobby Marriott, N/T, red light

Round 2

Mary Reep, 3.969 @ 185.19

Donny McSwain, 4.376 @ 162.34

Donnie Massey, 3.825 @ 189.23

John Broussard, N/T (broke on the line)

Finals

Donnie Massey, 3.889 @ 187.27

Mary Reep, 3.960 @ 167.16

Jet Dragster Eliminations


Jet Dragster winner Shea Holbrook gets cheered by the crowd on the return road

Larsen Loses Battle, but Wins War in Jet Dragster

The first lady of Jet Dragsters, Elaine Larsen, made her way to the finals against the newest member of the team, Shea Holbrook. Holbrook, who drives the Floride Institute of Technology Jet Dragster, left Larsen sitting at the line with a huge holeshot (3/10th) and carried it through the top end for the victory, her first ever. Despite the runner-up finish, Larsen secured the Jet Dragster points championship, even with one more to go, after Kat Moeller got knocked out in round 1.

Holbrook used another holeshot to win in round 1 over Moeller while Larsen took out Marisha Falk

Shea Holbrook, 5.920 @ 268.98 defeats Elaine Larsen, 5.892 @ 265.96

“I’m loving every minute of it,” replied Holbrook whose background in motorsports comes from road racing. “When they called me to drive I became one of the pieces of the puzzle that came together. We’ve had so many trials and tribulations in this car this year. It hasn’t wanted to run right, wasn’t fast all the time. It took its toll on myself and the crew. We’re all long from home here in San Antonio, but it will now feel like home after our first win.”

“I was up against my boss, Elaine Larsen, and she gave me a pep talk in the staging lanes. I know that if I do my job, give 100% all the time, have minimal mistakes and have fun, it doesn’t matter who’s in the other lane. I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t a little nervous with the chance to take home an Ironman. I have a little ritual where I sing ‘Hakuna Matata’ to myself in the car. It keeps me cool, calm, collected.”

“Having the slower car of the group, my saving grace this year has been cutting good lights. My average is probably the best and I’m proud of that because I work real hard at it. I really proud of my team, my car and our effort, it’s a humbling experience.”

“Our car is built completely in-house. The Larsen Motorsports team designs the frame and how it all comes together. With the team being located at the Florida Institute of Technology, the cool part is that all the students are going to have the opportunity to build these cars. These kids are getting hands-on experience.”

Round 1

Elaine Larsen, 5.910 @ 270.27

Marisha Falk, 5.840 @ 271.08

Shea Holbrook, 5,990 @ 264.39

Kat Moeller, 5.840 @ 271.08

Consy

Marisha Falk, 5.784 @ 273.22

Kat Moeller, 6.084 @ 174.49

Finals

Shea Holbrook, 5.920 @ 268.98

Elaine Larsen, 5.892 @ 265.96

Box (Top Eliminator)


Box (Top Eliminator) winner and track champion, Brent Ritter go green seeing that his competition has already gone red

Ritter Races to Box Title

Coming into the final points night defending champion Brent Ritter was battling with the Keylich brothers (Chris and Michael) for this year’s championship. With both Keylich cars eliminated Ritter still had to win the race to finish on top. No pressure, huh? Should Ritter lose, then the Keylichs would have to have a run-off to determine the champion.

Ritter (Cibolo) made it through to the finals where he was paired off with Pete Maduri (San Antonio), who had been on his game all day long. As the two staged you’d have thought the heat would be on Ritter who would have to chase down Maduri who would leave almost two seconds ahead. As the tree clicked off it was Maduri going red handing the win and title to Ritter who savored the moment easing on down the track.

Ritter trailered J. Talton, D. Tschoepe, L. Alexander, Jay Fitzgerald, Aaron Cole and got a round 6 bye. Maduri lost in round 1 to David Johns then took out Johns, D. Hartl, Leroy O’Bryant, M. Collier and Greg Meuth.

Brent Ritter (4.74), 7.259 @ 73.33 defeats Pete Maduri (6.48), 6.783 @ 82.69 (red)

No Box (Modified Eliminator)


No-Box (Modified eliminator) winner James Paxton gets the wheels up on his Chevy S-10 Pickup

Paxton Picks up No Box Payday

In the No-box finals, it was fairly certain that a Chevy S-10 pickup would be victorious as both James Paxton (Orange Grove) and Bryan Day (Houston) came into the finals. The battle was over early as Day went .004 red on the starting line giving the win to Paxton in the JAM Racing, Porky’s Custom Designs, S-10. Sad thing because not only did Day run his number dead on, but Paxton, who ran it through anyway, broke out.

Paxton lost in round 1 to Robert Grudle, bought back, then scored wins over J. Montoya, Dale Rutledge, T. Ray, B. Spain and James Day. B. Day bettered B. Spain, Walter Dyrenfurth, K. Hilburn, Ruben Gallegos, Billy Janousek and Dylan Lee.

James Paxton (6.05), 6.019 @ 112.84 defeats Bryan Day (6.91), 6.913 @ 94.20 (red)

Jr. Dragsters


Jr. Dragster winner Matthew Keylich pulls into the burnout box preparing for the finals

Keylich King in Jr. Dragster

Matthew Keylich in the Keylich Electric, Royal Purple, Jr. Dragster went up against defending champ, Ashley Hubbell in her Black Jack Speed Shop, Bexar Waste, Aramendia Plumbing, Express Lube, Classic Electric Co., All-In Designs, JCRE, Greg Hubbell Race Cars, Jr. Dragster. Keylich gave away 2/100th on the light and was trailing throughout. At the top end, Hubbell broke out by 3/100th handing the victory to Keylich.

On his way to the finals, M. Keylich had to rebuy after a round 1 loss to Haily Ball, then got around K. Davis, Gianni Carrola, and had a round 4 bye. Hubbell had to take wins over Kathrine Keylich, Kenneth Hillin, K. Barber, and Caden Meuth.

Matthew Keylich (8.01), 8.036 @ 77.08 defeats Ashley Hubbell (8.09), 8.06 @ 79.63 (broke out)