“McAttack Mike” a Winner at IHRA Southern Nationals

Mike McIntire Jr., a rookie racer from Mentor, Ohio ended the early season domination of Jason Rupert when he roared to his first career IHRA Nitro Jam Victory.

McIntire took advantage of a wounded Rupert in the final to end the early streak for the Bays and Rupert “Black Plague” Funny Car team during the IHRA Nitro Jam Southern Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida.

McIntire was blessed with a golden path to his first career final with first and second round opponents Mark Sanders and Ronnie Young running into trouble. In the final, Rupert brought his injured ride to the line and completed the burnout, but was unable to take the tree as McIntire made a victory lap of 5.899 seconds at 234.55 miles per hour, his best pass of the weekend.

Nitro FC Eliminations Summary:

Round 1 – Jason Rupert, 5.703, 252.38 def. Mike Halstead, 6.206, 233.64; Tim Boychuk, 5.930, 238.79 def. Bruce Litton, 6.009, 241.93; Ronnie Young, 6.291, 188.83 def. John Hale, 8.211, 114.91; Mike McIntire Jr., 5.950, 216.29 def. Mark Sanders, broke
Semis – Rupert, 5.858, 248.75 def. Boychuk, 5.875, 243.30; McIntire, 6.119, 165.10 def. Young, broke
Final – McIntire, 5.899, 234.55 def. Rupert, broke

Nitro FC Qualifying Summary:

1. Jason Rupert, 5.764, 248.89; 2. John Hale, 5.825, 243.63; 3. Mike McIntire Jr., 5.904, 235.41; 4. Bruce Litton, 5.964, 241.87; 5. Tim Boychuk, 6.037, 241.09; 6. Mark Sanders, 6.058, 238.66; 7. Ronnie Young, 6.101, 231.77; 8. Mike Halstead, 6.105, 238.91; 9. Wayne Mellinger, 6.534, 155.35.

Posted by: Larry Crum