Nitro Harley points leader Steve Dorn will be in action at SIR

For years the International Hot Rod Association and its Nitro Jam series has predominantly been known as an east coast racing organization. 

Beginning in Tennessee in the early 70s and rapidly expanding to areas such as the Carolinas, Florida, Michigan and Ohio, the IHRA quickly became a popular playground for racers and fans alike to enjoy the sport of drag racing, but the reach didn’t extend much beyond the eastern shores.  

But over the past few years the perception of the IHRA as an east coast racing league has begun to change as the sanctioning body continues to add more and more tracks in the western half of the United States, beginning with the addition of Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to the Nitro Jam schedule back in 2003. 

Now, after 40 years of growth and expansion, the IHRA Nitro Jam series has finally found its foothold in the west beginning with an event in Salt Lake City two years ago and now the debut of Nitro Jam in the heart of the southwest at Southwestern International Raceway the weekend of March 25-26 in Tucson, Ariz. 

   320 mph Top Fuel Dragsters will light up the Arizona sky 

This one-of-a-kind event will feature a monstrous show at the beautiful Arizona facility including four nitro classes, a full contingent of jet-powered vehicles, the “Cool Bus” wheelstanding school bus and the most talked about new addition to Nitro Jam in years – the return of Grave Digger. 

The legendary green and black monster truck with its menacing red headlights will make its drag racing debut at Southwestern International Raceway for the Arizona Nitro Jam as it brings its 11-foot tall, 12,000 pound frame to the Arizona strip to take on the 30,000 horsepower Super Shockwave jet truck in a truly memorable battle of monster trucks. 

Taking up the entire lane and standing several feet above its competition, Grave Digger, piloted by Monster Jam superstar Randy Brown, will have to brings its best if it is to defeat the big red machine known as the Super Shockwave. Producing 20 foot flames from its twin jet engines and roaring down the quarter-mile at speeds of over 200 mph, the showdown between the Super Shockwave and Grave Digger is sure to leave Arizona fans wanting more. 

In addition to the monster showdown, the two-day affair will also feature an incredible four nitro classes highlighted by the fastest race machines on the planet in Top Fuel as defending world champion Bobby Lagana Jr. takes on Bruce Litton in a 320 mile-per-hour battle of heavyweight drivers. Through two races Lagana brings a small lead over Litton in the championship standings as the two stars have already produced an incredible 14 side-by-side 300 mph passes.  

Another class that will be sure to steal the show at the Arizona Nitro Jam is the stars of the Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car division. Featuring a special “east vs. west” showdown between the best Funny Cars on either coast, the Prostalgia Funny Car action at Southwestern International Raceway will without a doubt produce the best racing seen all year.  

   The Shockwave jet semi will leave Arizona fans in awe 

Through two races Pennsylvania native Peter Gallen and the “Poverty Stricken” team will bring the championship lead into Arizona as Gallen joins defending champion Steve Nichols, superstar Mike McIntire and more as they take on the best the west has to offer including Seattle native “Mr. Explosive” Mark Sanders and the three-car tandem of cars from the Plueger Funny Car camp. 

Wrapping up the two-day nitro circus will be the insane riders of the 220 mph Nitro Harley class and the out-of-control Fuel Altered division. At the most recent event in Louisiana Nitro Harley rider Jay Turner tumbled off his bike and hit the wall at over 150 mph, but he returned later in the weekend with a brand new bike and put on an incredible show for the fans. Turner and the rest of the Nitro Harley riders will bring that same amazing show to Arizona with even more excitement in store. 

In addition to four nitro classes, the Arizona Nitro Jam will also feature a battle between 300 mph jet dragsters as Dick Rosberg and “Jersey Thunder” takes on the first-lady of drag racing Jill Canuso in the “Queen of Diamonds” machine. 

Ken Nelson and the unbelievable “Cool Bus” wheelstanding school bus will bring the show to a close with an incredible pass down the quarter-mile on only its rear tires.  

And of course no Nitro Jam would be complete without the parties. 

   Side-by-side Fuel Altered racing will be a highlight at the Arizona Nitro Jam 

Before the show, fans can visit the pits and take part in numerous activities and meet your favorite Nitro Jam stars during FanFest and also witness the most amazing spectacle in motorsports today – the Nitro Earthquake. To signal the start of FanFest, all four nitro classes will warm up at the same time creating a sensory overload that will literally shake the earth. 

And throughout FanFest fans can participate in dozens of activities for fans of all ages before the start of the biggest Nitro Jam of the year Friday and Saturday at Southwestern International Raceway. 

And if you are still looking for more action the Arizona Nitro Jam also features two full days of incredible sportsman racing featuring the best racing Arizona has to offer. 

Don’t miss the biggest nitro party in the country March 25-26 as Nitro Jam makes its Arizona debut at Southwestern International Raceway for the Arizona Nitro Jam. Get your tickets today at www.nitrojam.com .