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And of the nitro classes handing out hardware, two drivers have already sealed up a Nitro Jam championship entering Martin. Peter Gallen, driver of the “Poverty Stricken” 1974 Vega Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car, and Steve Dorn in Nitro Harley, will be able to rest easy as both have already clinched the title in their respective categories and both will essentially be making victory laps in front of the anticipated full house in Michigan later this year.
“We have had a really good year with the car and have really enjoyed ourselves,” Gallen said. “We had an opportunity to make our first trip west and we had an opportunity to go against some really great teams, teams we normally wouldn’t get a chance to race during the year.
“I think we actually held our own pretty well and proved to ourselves, and these other guys out here, that we can certainly run with the best of them. Our car is as good as any car out there and we are really proud of that fact.”
Last year’s runner-up in the Prostalgia NFC class, Gallen began the season slowly before catching fire and essentially running away with the title beginning in February. Gallen’s season actually began with his car failing to fire on the first pass of the year followed by a final round loss the following night to Paul Romine before the team found its groove and swept the Mardi Gras Nitro Jam in Baton Rouge the following month. Since that season opening disaster Gallen has compiled an impressive six wins, three runner-up finishes and a series-best 20-4 round record.
Gallen was one of only three multi-event winners this season, joining west coast pilots Tim Boychuk and James Day.
Gallen’s closest competition has come in the form of Mike McIntire in the “McAttack” Camaro, “Mr. Explosive” Mark Sanders and Boychuk in the “Troy Lee Designs” Pontiac, but none could produce the level of consistency Gallen found on the track this season.
“We faced some pretty good racers and really got a chance to show what we can do this year,” Gallen said. “And when you have the kind of season we had against that kind of competition, you can really be proud of that. We are certainly excited to be the best this year and I look forward to adding that trophy to my collection.”
In addition to his half a dozen wins, Gallen also reset the record books on more than one occasion in 2011, setting the class record for good in San Antonio with 5.744 second lap at 252.10 mph back in April.
In two seasons Gallen has now compiled an impressive 13 wins in 19 final rounds, nine wins better than second place Boychuk. The pair have been among the most dominating drivers in nostalgia racing today and continue to make their case as the best in the business.
Nitro Jam’s other championship-clinching driver is Steve Dorn in the recently revived Nitro Harley division. After an eight year absence from Nitro Jam competition, the extreme riders of Nitro Harley returned in 2011 and produced one of the best shows of the year highlighted by the thrilling championship battle between Dorn and former series champion Jay Turner.
While Turner leads the class in wins with five, Dorn put together an impressive season that saw him earn his way into 10 final rounds in 13 races, winning four times. Thanks to that consistency and an impressive 17-10 round record, Dorn has been able to pull away and seal his first Nitro Jam championship over Turner entering the Northern Nitro Jam.
“It has been a season to remember, that is for sure,” Dorn said. “The bike has been great all year and the battle we have had with Jay and some of the others has been a lot of fun. It has just been a joy to be out here racing with the IHRA and putting on such a great show for the fans. We look forward to wrapping up the year in Michigan and being able to hold that championship trophy for the first time.”
In addition to dominating in victory lane, Dorn and Turner have been among the quickest and fastest bikes in the IHRA. Now, after a defining season, Dorn will be able to lay claim to his first title and enjoy one last battle with Turner and the gang to the enjoyment of thousands in Michigan.
“We have had a really successful year on the track this year,” Dorn said. “Now, after a great year with some really good competition, we get to wrap things up in just a few weeks. It should be a great event at a top-notch facility.”
Two additional nitro classes will also wrap up their season in Martin as Bill Evans in the “Black Pearl” dragster battles Mike Manners in “The Shredder” for the Pro Fuel championship for the second year in a row, while Ron Maroney in “Nanook” looks to hold off Jason Richey in “Pure Hell” to seal the inaugural Nostalgia Fuel Altered title.
Nitro Jam’s other nitro class, Top Fuel, wrapped up its season earlier this year in Grand Bend when Bobby Lagana Jr. sealed his second consecutive championship Ironman over Bruce Litton.
The Northern Nitro Jam at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park is set to get underway the weekend of August 12-13. For more information visit www.nitrojam.com or call (269) 672-7800.
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