<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/motor_city_lg.jpg" alt="motor_city_lg" align="right"borders="0"/>
NORWALK, Ohio ( August 20, 2007) -- In the past two weeks, competitors on the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series have set three world records. Milan Dragway will host the next event, the Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers, August 24-26.
If the month of August continues like it has, Michigan drag racing fans could see even more records fall. The first world record of the month was set by Melanie Troxel when she reached 327.19 mph in her Top Fuel dragster during the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals, in Martin, Mich. Then in New Hampshire, Mike Janis set the Pro Modified speed record to 240.21 and Brian Gahm the Pro Stock speed record to 221.42. Gahm also set the Pro Stock elapsed time world record at 6.299 seconds in July, becoming the first in the class to break into the 6.20-range.
“We haven’t held a record in a few years…we used to have one in 2001,” said Janis, reflecting on when he held the ET record at 6.112. At that time, the speed record was 231.20. “To go 240 in one of these cars, a couple years ago, it was just a dream. We never thought we’d hit 235. It’s running 240 pretty consistent now.
“If you get some good air, you might see a 245. Air wasn’t all that great (in Epping), but you get some of that good air and these things will haul,” he added.
As records continue to fall, the championship chases are heating up as well. In Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel, T.J. Zizzo and Bruce Litton have each led the points twice this year. Litton took it back from Zizzo two weeks ago during the Northern Nationals, only to give it back the very next weekend in New Hampshire. Zizzo currently leads Litton by a mere 28 points.
Other tight points chases to watch:
The Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers will be held at Milan Dragway south of Detroit August 24-26. For more information, log onto IHRA.com - Homepage Of IHRA Motorsports - A Division Of Live Nation or Welcome to Milan Dragway's Website.
About IHRA
Headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels. The $19.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is an 11-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2007, the series will be comprised of eight events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada. The Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Championship presented by Mr. Gasket consists of competition at national events and 40 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA’s Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 70 IHRA-sanctioned tracks. Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17. Stand-alone events include Live Nation’s entertainment-filled “Thunder Jam” shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Kumho Street Warriorz. More information can be found at IHRA.com - Homepage Of IHRA Motorsports - A Division Of Live Nation.
About Live Nation
Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We strive to create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”
Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Brings Record-Breaking Season to Milan Dragway This Weekend
NORWALK, Ohio ( August 20, 2007) -- In the past two weeks, competitors on the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series have set three world records. Milan Dragway will host the next event, the Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers, August 24-26.
If the month of August continues like it has, Michigan drag racing fans could see even more records fall. The first world record of the month was set by Melanie Troxel when she reached 327.19 mph in her Top Fuel dragster during the Torco Racing Fuels Northern Nationals, in Martin, Mich. Then in New Hampshire, Mike Janis set the Pro Modified speed record to 240.21 and Brian Gahm the Pro Stock speed record to 221.42. Gahm also set the Pro Stock elapsed time world record at 6.299 seconds in July, becoming the first in the class to break into the 6.20-range.
“We haven’t held a record in a few years…we used to have one in 2001,” said Janis, reflecting on when he held the ET record at 6.112. At that time, the speed record was 231.20. “To go 240 in one of these cars, a couple years ago, it was just a dream. We never thought we’d hit 235. It’s running 240 pretty consistent now.
“If you get some good air, you might see a 245. Air wasn’t all that great (in Epping), but you get some of that good air and these things will haul,” he added.
As records continue to fall, the championship chases are heating up as well. In Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel, T.J. Zizzo and Bruce Litton have each led the points twice this year. Litton took it back from Zizzo two weeks ago during the Northern Nationals, only to give it back the very next weekend in New Hampshire. Zizzo currently leads Litton by a mere 28 points.
Other tight points chases to watch:
- Dale Creasy Jr. leads the Knoll Gas Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class over Terry Haddock
- Scott Cannon Jr. leads the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modified class over veteran Ed Hoover
- Defending Alcohol Funny Car world champion Mark Thomas leads three-time former world champ Rob Atchison
- Robert Patrick leads the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock class by less than 50 points over Frank Gugliotta
The Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division and Heritage Newspapers will be held at Milan Dragway south of Detroit August 24-26. For more information, log onto IHRA.com - Homepage Of IHRA Motorsports - A Division Of Live Nation or Welcome to Milan Dragway's Website.
About IHRA
Headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels. The $19.5 million Knoll Gas Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series is an 11-event North American professional drag racing circuit. In 2007, the series will be comprised of eight events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada. The Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Championship presented by Mr. Gasket consists of competition at national events and 40 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA’s Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 70 IHRA-sanctioned tracks. Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17. Stand-alone events include Live Nation’s entertainment-filled “Thunder Jam” shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Kumho Street Warriorz. More information can be found at IHRA.com - Homepage Of IHRA Motorsports - A Division Of Live Nation.
About Live Nation
Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We strive to create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”
