The IHRA believes they are on the verge of ushering in a new era of drag racing when the first cars fire up in just a few weeks at their season opening Palm Beach Nitro Jam in West Palm Beach, Fla.

They also believe their program will eliminate many of the issues which have tormented drag racing over the years.

Hours spent sitting in the sun, constant interruptions and unreliable racing are the symptoms of a day spent at most professional drag racing events.

The IHRA believes they have a cure.

The IHRA believes they are on the verge of ushering in a new era of drag racing when the first cars fire up in just a few weeks at their season opening Palm Beach Nitro Jam in West Palm Beach, Fla.

They also believe their program will eliminate many of the issues which have tormented drag racing over the years.

Hours spent sitting in the sun, constant interruptions and unreliable racing are the symptoms of a day spent at most professional drag racing events.

The IHRA believes they have a cure.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the IHRA. We are just a few weeks away from the start of something new that will send shockwaves throughout the racing world. With the new Nitro Jam we are basically telling everyone that just because ‘that is the way it has always been done’ doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it that way,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “While I do greatly respect IHRA’s past I feel that the changes we have made will make the overall product better than ever. In fact these changes will actually revive what IHRA drag racing is all about – providing a unique series with a flavor all its own.”

What began as an experiment a little over three years ago when the International Hot Rod Association’s professional drag racing circuit took on a new name has finally come full circle with the implementation of a brand new series to accompany the name and theme of the events and it all begins January 29-30 at Palm Beach International Raceway.

Florida’s season opening Nitro Jam will mark the first edition of the new-look series that will feature new classes, new features, new locations and a new format that will make the series more accessible and more entertaining than ever before.

Gone are many of the problems the IHRA's management believes have hindered professional drag racing in the past and in their place is a brand new series aimed at reinventing what motorsports entertainment is all about.

“A lot of people tend to forget that we, first and foremost, are in the entertainment business. Without the support of the fans we can’t do what it is we love to do,” Polburn said. “We are taking what has become a stale format and giving it new life. Fans will see more and interact more with the series than ever before. Really this is what drag racing should be.”

In 2010 Nitro Jam adds two brand new classes including Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car.

Among the many enhancements to the show is a reduced two-day format designed to maximize the spectator’s entertainment dollar. In addition to the new show – which in itself will feature all of the classes racing twice each night – each Nitro Jam event will also feature a special fan designated period prior to each race called Fan Fest.

Fan Fest will begin in the early evening hours just before the start of the show and will feature driver autographs, pit tours and other interactive activities designed to connect the fans with the drivers and their machines.

Following Fan Fest spectators will then be treated to three hours on non-stop racing that will feature a mixture of new and old classes and exhibition vehicles in addition to a staple at all Nitro Jam events – 320 mile-per-hour Top Fuel dragsters.

“Everyone knows that nitro is what fans come to see and in 2010 we are going to have more nitro cars and dragsters than we have had in several years,” Polburn said. “We will then supplement that with other popular classes such as wild doorslammers, wheelstanders, jet trucks and as much fireworks and pyro as we can get away with.

“Simply put for the first time ever fans of drag racing will have a chance to spend an entire evening being entertained without any interruptions for some of the most affordable prices in motorsports. It is a win-win situation.”

Despite the entertainment-heavy format competition will still be a part of all Nitro Jam events in 2010. Drivers will still be racing for points, money and an Ironman just like before, but the way in which champions are crowned will be modified from its original format.

In addition to the new rules Nitro Jam will also be expanding its reach as the series shifts to new markets including stops in Palm Beach, Salt Lake City and Richmond.

In addition to the current lineup of classes and drivers Nitro Jam officials promise to continue to seek out other forms of entertainment to add to the show as the season progresses. And that, Polburn admits, is what makes Nitro Jam so much fun.

“We can do whatever we want,” Polburn said with a smile. “The sky is the limit with this series. If it will wow a crowd and add to the show we want it. At the core every event will be the same basic look and it will adhere to the nitro theme, but in the grand scheme of things no two events will be the same.

“Everywhere we go there will be something new and that will keep fans coming back. If we continue to evolve the series while remaining true to our mission statement I think we can do great things.”

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