Rupert’s Camaro Spreads “Black Plauge”

California’s Jason Rupert — who won the IHRA’s 2014 season-opening event held in Tuscon — continued his romp in Nitro Nostaliga FC racing with another victory in Texas.

Big crowds, great racing and a tremendous show part of the storyline coming out of the IHRA San Antonio Nationals presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports at San Antonio Raceway.

Sitting behind the wheel of the Bays and Rupert “Black Plague” Camaro, Rupert rocketed to the top of the charts on Friday and remained there throughout the weekend. Rupert recorded round wins over Ronnie Young, Greg Jacobsmeyer and John “Bodie” Smith on his way to his second IHRA victory of the season, once again saving his best stuff for the final with a very fast 5.764, 252.38 pushing the California native past Smith in the “Jungle Jim” Vega and into the winner’s circle.

Smith had the jump on the line with a narrow starting line advantage, but gave that advantage up on the top end. Smith crossed the line with a 5.883, 242.98 pass.

“When you look at these cars, all of them are just so competitive. We are lucky to have the great help and great team that we have to make this all happen,” Rupert said. “Today we knew we were going up against a Paul Smith-tuned car, so when you are racing that guy you had better not be bashful at all. I knew we could run a good number, but I also knew they could run a good number. We just had to be on our game and thankfully we put it all together on that last run.”

While his car was on a rail throughout the weekend, Rupert received one lucky break in the semifinals when his car went up in smoke just after the hit of the throttle. Seemingly out of it, Rupert received a break when his opponent also ran into trouble allowing Rupert to coast to the line and into the final.

Rupert defeated Mark Sanders at the IHRA season opener in Tucson one week ago, giving him two wins in a row in the ultra-competitive class that produced a 5.968 bump on Friday.

Jason Rupert’s torrid pace included almost setting a new speed mark in his Camaro. Rupert’s final pass of the weekend (a winning 5.764, 252.38 mph) came just a fraction shy of the record. Rupert bested the current record, set by Peter Gallen at 252.10 in 2011, but he was unable to back it up, coming less than one mile-per-hour of setting the new mark.

Posted by:  Larry Crum