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FINAL NOTEBOOK - ONE DAY LATER THAN SCHEDULE, CORDOVA CROWNS ITS WINNERS

It took an extra day to complete the IHRA Nitro Jam Summer Nationals. Rain interfered with a considerable portion of the event at Cordova International Raceway, causing racers and fans to return on Sunday after Saturday's schedule completely was wiped out. For Mike McIntire, Tii Tharpe, John DeFlorian Jr. and Ruben Tetsoshvili it was worth the wait as they won final-round eliminations in their Nitro Jam pro classes to collect the coveted IHRA Iron Man trophy, championship points and the winner's check. Due to scheduling conflicts, the Jet Dragster class was unable to stay over for Sunday's rain date.

AMSOIL NITRO FUNNY CAR PRESENTED BY AEROMOTIVE: McIntire scored his fourth win of the 2015 season in the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car Presented By Aeromotive class. It was an all-Ohio Nitro Funny Car final as McIntire (from Mentor, Ohio) faced Wayne Mellinger (North Ridgeville, Ohio) in the final round. McIntire ran 5.765 sec./253.99 mph to Mellinger's effort of 7.464 sec./126.29 mph.

"It was a good weekend," said McIntire, who  now is four-for-four in IHRA Nitro Funny Car competition in 2015. "The weather was a downer but today was beautiful. It was great having all of these cars out here - new faces and new cars to run against. For us it was a great weekend. We worked our tails off. It's surreal right now."

When defending Nitro Funny Car champion Jason Rupert ripped off a potentially record-breaking 5.63 sec. run in the first round of qualifying, it appeared his black Camaro might charge its way into victory lane and bump McIntire from the national record column.

"We were worried," McIntire admitted. "Jason (Rupert) ran that .63 in qualifying and it was a great run. Those guys can put up numbers. He's the champ for a reason. We were a little bit nervous. We weren't the fastest car this weekend but we were pretty consistent and it paid off."

Rupert was unable to back up his run of 5.63 seconds to claim a new elapsed time record. His car broke on the starting line in the first round of eliminations and he lost to Steve Nichols. Nichols failed to qualify, but was able to compete after eighth-place qualifier Shawn Bowen withdrew from the event. Nichols, the first alternate in ninth place, moved up and in.

U.S. BOUNTY HUNTERS PRO STOCK: John DeFlorian Jr. scored his first Nitro Jam win of 2015 by defeating Cary Goforth in the finale. Goforth cut a .002 light but DeFlorian arrived at the finish line first. After two rounds of qualifying Friday, DeFlorian found himself on the outside looking in. On Sunday, during the final round of qualifying, he rocketed to the top of the heap.

"This win means everything," DeFLorian said. "We've been really struggling and it's been a long while since we've been in the winner's circle. We had some engine issues we had to work out and some general set-up stuff with the car. We kinda got behind the eight ball and really struggled to get it turned back around again. To get back to the winner's circle is huge and we had a crazy roller coaster ride today. When we got up this morning, we weren't qualified. We got everything together and the car went to No. 1. It ran consistent all day long. This win is a huge thing. We've got some great sponsors with the AMSOIL group and U.S. Bounty Hunters on the car this year. I can't ever thank Kevin and Karen Bealko enough. Without them, I wouldn't be here. Our crew is second to none. Everyone did a phenomenal job. With the runs we made today, I feel really good about where we're at."

NITRO HARLEY: Tii Tharpe won his very first Nitro Harley race on Sunday. He defeated Bradenton winner Randall Andras in the final, 6.416 sec/204.57 mph to 6.464 sec./215.79 mph. He was asked the obvious question in victory lane: Was it worth the wait?

"Absolutely," proclaimed Tharpe, "and the extra thousand bucks in plane tickets. It's the first time I've ever won a Nitro Harley race and I've been trying since 2003.  So was it worth it? Absolutely. It hasn't really set in yet and I'm almost at a loss for words. It's a great day and my first win means a whole lot to me."

The Nitro Harley class welcomed rider Brian Jernigan back to competition. Jernigan was involved in an accident at Nitro Jam Baton Rouge and made his return to competition at CIR. Jernigan's qualifying passes were not quick enough to get him into the eight-motorcycle field. Larry Brancaccio was involved in an accident after running off the end of the drag strip during the second round of Nitro Harley qualifying Friday night. The Nutley, New Jersey, rider was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Because Brancaccio was unable to compete, Jernigan, the first alternate, joined the field.

CROWER PRO MOD: Ruben Tetsoshvili of Wesley Chapel, Florida, became the third winner in as many races in the recently-reinstated Pro Mod class. He defeated John Welter of Mitchellville, Iowa, in the first round and faced Dina Parise in the final. A better reaction time off the starting line made the difference and he won, 6.963 sec./163.16 mph to 7.560 sec./134.55 mph.

IHRA Nitro Jam Summer Nationals final-round results, indicating driver/rider, hometown, vehicle, reaction time, elapsed time and top speed:

AMSOIL NITRO FUNNY CAR PRESENTED BY AEROMOTIVE
Winner: Mike McIntire (Mentor, Ohio) 1970 Camaro "McAttack"  .091  5.765 sec.  253.99 mph
Runner-up: Wayne Mellinger (North Ridgeville, Ohio) 1970 Challenger "Candies Family Motorsports"  .082  7.464 sec.  126.29 mph

CROWER PRO MOD
Winner: Ruben Tetsoshvili (Wesley Chapel, Florida) 1970 Camaro  .120  6.963 sec.  163.16 mph
Runner-up: Dina Parise (New Freedom, Pennsylvania)  2013 Cadillac  .502  7.560 sec.  134.55 mph

U.S. BOUNTY HUNTERS PRO STOCK
Winner: John DeFlorian Jr. (Arnold, Missouri) 2015 Camaro  .159  6.252 sec.  224.92 mph
Runner-up: Cary Goforth (Holdenville, Oklahoma) 2013 Camaro  .002  6.415 sec.  222.18 mph

NITRO HARLEY
Winner: Tii Tharpe (East Bend, North Carolina)  .044  6.416 sec.  204.57 mph
Runner-up: Randal Andras (Amelia, Louisiana)  .048  6.464 sec.  215.79 mph

Sportsman classes - Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour Presented By AMSOIL

Final-round results, indicating driver/rider, hometown, vehicle, reaction time, dial-in, elapsed time, top speed:

GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP DRAGSTER
Winner: Lane Dicken (Long Grove, Iowa) 2010 TNT  .014  7.08 sec.  7.102 sec.  180.07 mph
Runner-up: Don Speer (Davenport, Iowa) 2012 CH Concept  .042  6.56 sec.  6.567 sec.  205.07 mph
 
GOOD VIBRATIONS TOP SPORTSMAN
Winner: Steve Maas (Manito, Illinois) 1996 Firebird  .035  7.46 sec.  7.503 sec.  175.62 mph
Runner-up: Mike Jones Jr. (Monmouth, Illinois)  1990 Beretta  .090  7.54 sec.  7.580 sec.  181.76 mph
 
SUPER STOCK
Winner: Mark Nowicki (Holmes Beach, Florida) 1998 Avenger  .003  9.65 sec.  9.645 sec.  135.36 mph
Runner-up: Matt Lund (Bettendorf, Iowa) 1998 Firebird  .009  9.69 sec.  9.633 sec.  136.50 mph
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Winner: Joe Schaechtor (Moline, Illinois) 1966 Chevy II  .031  10.90 sec.  10.921 sec.  113.41 mph
Runner-up: Greg Anderson (Grand Mound, Iowa) 1969 Camaro  .058  12.07 sec.  12.108 sec.  101.96 mph
 
QUICK ROD
Winner: Travis Colangelo (Bayview, Ohio) 2014 American  .018  8.90 sec.  9.128 sec.  136.26 mph
Runner-up: Terry Ayers (Sherrard, Illinois) 1927 Roadster  .061  8.90 sec.  9.246 sec.  141.02 mph
 
SUPER ROD
Winner: Brian Folk (Durand, Illinois) 2006 Camaro  .035  9.90 sec.  9.911 sec.  148.07 mph
Runner-up: Steven Heidlauf (Wadsworth, Illinois) 1969 GTO  .048  9.90 sec.  9.693 sec.  137.23 mph
 
HOT ROD
Winner: Wayne Christopher (Milan, Illinois) 1984 Monte Carlo  .013  10.90 sec.  10.901 sec.  127.20 mph
Runner-up: John Miller (Waterloo, Iowa) 1990 Trans Am  -.001 (foul)  10.90 sec.  10.730 sec.  145.94 mph
 
BOX E.T.
Winner: Pat McGlynn (Eldridge, Iowa) 2001 Undercover  .012  7.52 sec.  7.544 sec.  166.62 mph
Runner-up: Travis Colangelo (Bayview, Ohio) 2014 American  .026  8.90 sec.  8.944 sec.  163.89 mph
 
NO BOX E.T.
Winner: Grant Zimmerman (Morton, Illinois) 1979 Mustang  .034  11.54 sec.  11.558 sec.  113.19 mph
Runner-up: Myranda Cozad (Davenport, Iowa) 1989 Camaro  .053  11.37 sec.  11.384 sec.  108.95 mph
 
BOX-NO BOX RUN-OFF
Winner: Pat McGlynn (Eldridge, Iowa) 2001 Undercover  .040  7.52 sec.  7.535 sec.  170.54 mph
Runner-up: Grant Zimmerman (Morton, Illinois) 1979 Mustang  .042  11.55 sec.  11.536 sec.  113.36 mph.
 

FRIDAY NOTEBOOK – RUPERT, BEALKO AND PARISE LEAD FIRST DAY CORDOVA QUALIFYING

NITRO HARLEY RACER CRASHES - Larry Brancaccio was involved in an accident after running off the end of the drag strip during the second round of Nitro Harley qualifying last night. The Nutley, New Jersey, rider was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

UNDEFEATED - Trevor Eman raced Cordova Dragway Park once before this weekend, winning in his debut event. Of his Pro Stock peers, he's at the top of the winning averages at the Illinois-based facility.

Two years ago, Eman, fresh off of graduating college, qualified No. 1 and made a clean sweep.

“It’s always great to return to a track that you’ve had success at in the past,” Eman said. “We have nothing but great memories here and want to keep it that way. This group of Pro Stock racers is tough, but we know our team has what it takes to win here again.”

Eman landed on the bubble of the first-day provisional qualifying with a 6.381, 219.19.

THE NEXT CORDOVA IDOL IS ... - American Idol XIV contestant Alex Fischbach, from Morrison, Illinois, sang the national anthem during pre-race ceremonies on Friday, May 29, and will again at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.

“I have been singing since I was two years old,” said Fischbach. “When my mom was a server at the Bennigan’s restaurant in Rock Falls, Illinois, I would go from table to table singing for tips for action figures.”

CERTIFIABLY HOT - Mentor, Ohio’s Mike McIntire Jr. is on a roll. He has entered and won three of the four Nitro Jam events held so far this year. The second-generation drag racer won the season-opener at Tucson, Arizona, skipped the Baton Rouge Nitro Jam due to his father’s open-heart surgery, then came back strong by winning the Bradenton and Palm Beach events. In fact, McIntire hit a grand slam in Bradenton, not only winning the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car Presented By Aeromotive final but setting elapsed time and top speed records as well.

McIntire was fifth after the first day with a 5.820 elapsed time at 255.19 miles per hour.

“We’re working hard,” said McIntire, driver of the orange McAttack Camaro. “After the two Florida races we have a lot of stuff to freshen up. We’re working hard so we can keep this streak rolling.”

PREPARED FOR BATTLE - Three-time IHRA world champion Paul Romine, the driver of the Man O’ War Nitro Funny Car, shared his plan.

“I was in the (Florida) Keys, doing a little fishing,” Romine said “Then I headed back home (Fishers, Indiana) to the shop to start on a clutch project for the Funny Car for Cordova. My guys have worked their butts off at their day jobs to make up for the time lost with the Bradenton and Palm Beach races.”

Romine was second after two sessions with a 5.693 elapsed time at 250.92 miles per hour.

BUSY, BUSY - Bruce Litton, 2007 IHRA Top Fuel Dragster world champion and driver of the U.S. Male Vega Nitro Funny Car, hasn't let any grass grow under his feet in-between IHRA events.

“Crew chief Mike Wolfarth disassembled the entire car and motor,” said Litton. “We’re trying some new ideas and always looking for ways of picking up ET. The car got quicker each weekend at the Florida races. We still aren't where we want to be yet, but we will keep trying, picking through the things the car is telling us it wants. We are starting to prepare our Top Fuel cars as the Canadian races will be here before you know it. It’s a completely different direction comparing the Funny Car to the Top Fuel Dragster. One will make you poor, and the other one will eat you out of house and home.”

Litton landed on the provisional bubble with a 6.038, 236.92 performance.

SPRUCING THE PLACE UP - With much attention justifiably given to the Cordova repaving project, there have been other projects completed with less fanfare. For fan comfort, old wooden bleachers have been replaced with new, 2,000-seat aluminum grandstand.

“It’s nice to see tracks reinvesting in themselves and making our runs safer,” said Canada’s Tim Boychuk, driver of the famed Hawaiian Nitro Funny Car. “My first visit to Cordova was last year and we had a blast. Great fans and great times. I know Russell and his team will have a tremendously prepped track for us. We’re ready to rock!”

“A facility that is well maintained always makes for better racing,” added Nitro Harley rider Jay Turner. “A well-maintained asphalt track makes teams and racers happy. Happy teams and racers makes for happy fans. Happy fans makes for happy IHRA. That’s a three-way win!”

THE FINAL RESULTS FOR FRIDAY - Qualifying results from the IHRA Nitro Jam Summer Nationals at Cordova International Raceway in Cordova, Illinois. Due to weather, the second round of AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car Presented By Aeromotive qualifying will be held on Saturday.

AMSOIL NITRO FUNNY CAR PRESENTED BY AEROMOTIVE – after one round

1 Jason Rupert (Yorba Linda, California) 1969 Camaro  5.631 sec./259.01 mph
2 Paul Romine (Fishers, Indiana) 1979 Mustang  5.693 sec./250.92 mph
3 John Hale (Addison, Texas) 1969 Camaro  5.750 sec./247.93 mph
4 Tim Boychuk (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) 1977 Firebird  5.765 sec./242.93 mph
5 Mike McIntire (Mentor, Ohio) 1970 Camaro  5.820 sec./255.19 mph
6 Wayne Mellinger (North Ridgeville, Ohio) 1971 Challenger  5.919 sec./235.31 mph
7 Steve Nichols (Newark, Delaware) 1970 Camaro  6.015 sec./235.19 mph
8 Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Indiana) 1974 Vega  6.038 sec./236.92 mph
Not qualified:
9 Greg Jacobsmeyer (Flourissant, Missouri) 1970 Challenger  6.135 sec./233.03 mph
10 Doc Halladay (Eagan, Minnesota) 1978 Arrow  6.168 sec./222.51 mph
11 Marc White (Chicago, Illinois) 1977 Monza  6.227 sec./204.29 mph
12 Shawn Bowen (Grand Blanc, Michigan) 1970 Challenger  6.667 sec./150.93 mph
13 Mark Sanders (Maple Valley, Washington) 1970 Mustang  DQ
 
CROWER PRO MOD – after one round
1 Dina Parise (New Freedom, Pennsylvania) 2013 Cadillac  6.913 sec./154.35 mph
2 John Welter (Mitchellville, Iowa) 1968 Firebird  9.014 sec./89.49 mph
3 Ruben Tetsoshvili (Wesley Chapel, Florida) 1970 Camaro  9.404 sec./96.18 mph
 
U.S. BOUNTY HUNTERS PRO STOCK – after two rounds
1 Kevin Bealko (Bridgeport, West Virginia) 2014 Camaro  6.314 sec./222.55 mph
2 Cary Goforth (Holdenville, Oklahoma) 2013 Camaro  6.318 sec./221.78 mph
3 Dean Goforth (Holdenville, Oklahoma) 2015 Camaro  6.320 sec./220.58 mph
4 Scott Hintz (Odessa, Texas) 2013 Mustang  6.320 sec./217.84 mph
 5 John Montecalvo (Center Moriches, New York) 2014 Camaro  6.341 sec./221.13 mph
6 Matt Bertsch (Tecumseh, Michigan) 2007 Mustang  6.347 sec./220.04 mph
7 J.R. Carr (Pasco, Washington) 2015 Camaro  6.351 sec./221.71 mph
8 Trevor Eman (Pos Chiquito, Aruba) 2011 Mustang  6.381 sec./219.19 mph
Not qualified:
9 John DeFlorian Jr. (Arnold, Missouri) 2015 Camaro  6.398 sec./221.20 mph
10 Brad Waddle (Salina, Kansas) 2013 Mustang  6.422 sec./219.97 mph
11 Larry O’Brien (Lakeshore, Ontario, Canada) 2014 Avenger  6.451 sec./219.19 mph
 
NITRO HARLEY
1 Jay Turner (Julian, North Carolina) 6.334 sec./220.66 mph
2 Larry “Drums” Brancaccio (Nutley, New Jersey) 6.377 sec./214.38 mph
3 Randal Andras (Amelia, Louisiana) 6.404 sec./218.80 mph
4 Alvin Kobernusz (Manly, Iowa) 6.723 sec./214.08 mph
5 Jim Fagan (Valley City, Ohio) 6.810 sec./209.17 mph
6 Tii Tharpe (East Bend, North Carolina) 6.934 sec./163.77 mph
7 Tracy Kile (Asheville, North Carolina)  8.535 sec./109.99 mph
8 Brian Jernigan (Cypress, Texas)  8.726 sec./185.56 mph
Not qualified:
9 Chris Streeter (Cleveland, Ohio) 8.733 sec./126.34 mph
10 Paul Kelly (Mohall, North Dakota)  8.744 sec./128.19 mph
11 Rickey House (Humble, Texas)  9.255 sec./200.17 mph
 
JET DRAGSTER
1 Katarina Moller (Sarasota, Florida)  5.797 sec./277.60 mph
2 Elaine Larsen (West Welborne, Florida)  5.881 sec./273.27 mph
3 Shea Holbrook (Groveland, Florida)  6.225 sec./262.64 mph
4 Marisha Falk (Port Orange, Florida)  7.173 sec./187.36 mph