MARTIN – The International Hot Rod Association's Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car class is filled with intrigue heading into this weekend's season finale at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.
And it suddenly got more intense now that a wildcard has entered the mix. John Hale has crashed the gate, putting even more sizzle into the annual Northern Nationals.
Hale's full-time job is racing Big Jim Dunn's Funny Car in the National Hot Rod Association, where he currently sits 13th overall in the season point standings.
But with the NHRA off this weekend, Hale has headed up to Martin Dragway, and he has brought his 1969 Nitro Nostalgia One Bad Texan Funny Car with him.
What Hale wants to do most this weekend is play the role of spoiler. His main goal is to help California's Jason Rupert win his third consecutive championship when the IHRA wraps up its 2016 season. Rupert is the driver to beat, but he has a trio of racers on his bumper.
"My buddy Jason Rupert is in the (points) lead, but not by much," said Hale, a 51-year old native of Addison, Tex. "I hope I can block or shake that up somehow for him. I have done it before with him and helped him win a championship. Hopefully, we can have that same outcome this weekend and celebrate with him."
Rain played havoc on Friday's opening round at Martin, washing out the Sportsman action while limiting the professionals to one qualifying session. Racing will continue and conclude Saturday, with champions to be crowned in IHRA's Pro Stock and Nitro Motorcycle divisions in addition to Funny Car. The Pro Modified class title has already been decided.
Hale made a pass of 254.67 mph in 5.82 seconds in his lone run Friday after the IHRA and Martin safety crews worked throughout the late afternoon to dry the quarter-mile. Hale clocked in fifth overall in the field, which Rupert topped with a mark of 5.578 at 259.22 mph. Rupert has a potential elapsed time world record if he can back it up Saturday during the second round of qualifying.
"This is my weekend off from professional racing, but I still take it very seriously," Hale said. "It's a weekend off, but I want to do good here. This is the final weekend for IHRA.
"For me there is less pressure. You don't have to worry about the huge sponsor money to run these cars week in and week out. This pretty much comes out of our own pocket, so there isn't as much pressure."
Hale said he is running his Nostalgia Funny Car up to five times this season. He added that not only do the cars look cool, but they are a blast to drive.
"I like them because they still represent the Funny Cars back in the late 70s, before aerodynamics came into play and the bodies became rounded and they had huge spoilers on the back," Hale said. "You can look at them and see still a Mustang or a Camaro or a Cuda, and I think that's what the fans like, too.
"They are noisy, they have flames and they haul ass. Who doesn't like that? These cars demand respect. They are a handful to drive. With these cars, you have to shift about half-track. Any Funny Car is a handful to drive, but the bigger cars are more of a challenge, but these definitely demand respect."
The professionals are scheduled to participate in a second round of qualifying Saturday at 2 p.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Sportsman qualifying is slated to begin at approximately 9 a.m.
"I have fond memories of Martin," Hale said. "I have won here and run some pretty good numbers. I love the track and this area of the country. It's a beautiful facility."
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com
on August 12, 2016 at 10:22 PM, updated August 12, 2016 at 11:09 PM
NOTES
Billy Harper qualified third in Pro Modified, enabling him to clinch the season championship.
Tracy Kile topped the field in Nitro Motorcycle with a pass of 6.412 seconds at 219.08 mph. Trevor Eman is fast qualifier in Pro Stock, going 219.19 mph at 6.383 seconds.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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| John Hale's One Bad Texan 1969 Camaro Funny Car made a pass of over 254 mph Friday night at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin. (Photo courtesy of Eli Kaminski) |
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| John Hale (Photo courtesy of Eli Kaminski) |
But with the NHRA off this weekend, Hale has headed up to Martin Dragway, and he has brought his 1969 Nitro Nostalgia One Bad Texan Funny Car with him.
What Hale wants to do most this weekend is play the role of spoiler. His main goal is to help California's Jason Rupert win his third consecutive championship when the IHRA wraps up its 2016 season. Rupert is the driver to beat, but he has a trio of racers on his bumper.
"My buddy Jason Rupert is in the (points) lead, but not by much," said Hale, a 51-year old native of Addison, Tex. "I hope I can block or shake that up somehow for him. I have done it before with him and helped him win a championship. Hopefully, we can have that same outcome this weekend and celebrate with him."
Rain played havoc on Friday's opening round at Martin, washing out the Sportsman action while limiting the professionals to one qualifying session. Racing will continue and conclude Saturday, with champions to be crowned in IHRA's Pro Stock and Nitro Motorcycle divisions in addition to Funny Car. The Pro Modified class title has already been decided.
Hale made a pass of 254.67 mph in 5.82 seconds in his lone run Friday after the IHRA and Martin safety crews worked throughout the late afternoon to dry the quarter-mile. Hale clocked in fifth overall in the field, which Rupert topped with a mark of 5.578 at 259.22 mph. Rupert has a potential elapsed time world record if he can back it up Saturday during the second round of qualifying.
"This is my weekend off from professional racing, but I still take it very seriously," Hale said. "It's a weekend off, but I want to do good here. This is the final weekend for IHRA.
"For me there is less pressure. You don't have to worry about the huge sponsor money to run these cars week in and week out. This pretty much comes out of our own pocket, so there isn't as much pressure."
Hale said he is running his Nostalgia Funny Car up to five times this season. He added that not only do the cars look cool, but they are a blast to drive.
"I like them because they still represent the Funny Cars back in the late 70s, before aerodynamics came into play and the bodies became rounded and they had huge spoilers on the back," Hale said. "You can look at them and see still a Mustang or a Camaro or a Cuda, and I think that's what the fans like, too.
"They are noisy, they have flames and they haul ass. Who doesn't like that? These cars demand respect. They are a handful to drive. With these cars, you have to shift about half-track. Any Funny Car is a handful to drive, but the bigger cars are more of a challenge, but these definitely demand respect."
The professionals are scheduled to participate in a second round of qualifying Saturday at 2 p.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Sportsman qualifying is slated to begin at approximately 9 a.m.
"I have fond memories of Martin," Hale said. "I have won here and run some pretty good numbers. I love the track and this area of the country. It's a beautiful facility."
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com
on August 12, 2016 at 10:22 PM, updated August 12, 2016 at 11:09 PM
NOTES
Billy Harper qualified third in Pro Modified, enabling him to clinch the season championship.
Tracy Kile topped the field in Nitro Motorcycle with a pass of 6.412 seconds at 219.08 mph. Trevor Eman is fast qualifier in Pro Stock, going 219.19 mph at 6.383 seconds.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
