Following an extremely successful racing weekend in Western Michigan, the reigning IHRA Funny Car World Champion Jason Rupert has scratched his way back to the top of the points standings within the IHRA’s AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car (presented by Aeromotive) category.

Rupert in fact won two titles during the IHRA’s Northern Nationals event held at US 131 Dragway and also clocked the quickest run in IHRA Nitro FC history.

During Saturday’s schedule Rupert prevailed to win the weather deferred Funny Car final round from Maryland’s President’s Cup Nationals — which was the third event win in a row for the Yorba Linda, California-based driver. Rupert faced Shawn Bowen, from Grand Blanc, Minnesota, for the make-up event final. Bowen lit the tree at .065, going 5.707 at 213.68 mph while Rupert left at .096 for his 5.659 run winning run.

Then on Sunday the fans in the stands hung on every pass after Jason Rupert beat the IHRA national ET and mph record during Friday night qualifying. All eyes were on every pass the remainder of the weekend to see if he could back up his astounding 5.551 secs at 262.39 mph which is over 1/10th of a second under the current record. As the weekend closed, Mike McIntire is still the reigning ET and mph record holder as Rupert could not back up his record by the mandatory 1% within the same event the initial record is recorded.

Rupert attempted to back it up three times but unfortunately was unable to do so but he did pick up a second Ironman for the weekend and scoring his fourth IHRA Nitro Funny Car victory in as many races. Rupert defeated Paul Romine in the final of the US 131 Motorsports Park event with a 5.939 run at 241.68 with a .104 reaction while Romine, from Fishers, Indiana, left at .104 and made a 8.196 pass at 108.28 mph.

With that dominating performance, Rupert has now taken over the top spot in the AMSOIL Nitro Car Funny Car presented by Aeromotive class and leads by 67 points over Mike McIntire Jr.

AMSOIL NITRO FUNNY CAR PRESENTED BY AEROMOTIVE – Updated Points Standings

1. Jason Rupert (Yorba Linda, California) “Bays & Rupert Black Plague” 850
2. Mike McIntire (Mentor, Ohio) “McAttack 783
3. Tim Boychuk (Edmonton, Alberta) 547
4. Mark Sanders (Maple Valley, Washington) “Mr. Explosive” 501
5. Paul Romine (Fishers, Indiana) “Man O’ War” 383
6. Steve Nichols (Newark, Delaware) “Steve Nichols” 245
7. Shawn Bowen (Grand Blanc, Michigan) “Violator” 189
8. Kris Krabill (Kent, Washington) “Bardahl Northwest Hitter’ 168
9. Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Indiana) “U.S. Male” 163
10. Mike Smith (Boynton Beach, Florida) “Jungle Jim” 147

Post by: Bruce Biegler