After months of anticipation, the IHRA’s Nitro Jam tour rolled into Crandall, Texas, home of the new Dallas Raceway and the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals.

Two of the three professional winners were first-time Ironman winners, which tied in perfectly with the inaugural visit to the so-called “concrete palace,” one of the nicest drag facilities in the country.

In Top Fuel, Scott Weis returned from a two-year recuperation from a back injury to claim the right to have his photo taken in the winners circle on race day. Another newcomer to the post-race Ironman-hoisting festivities was Pro Modified competitor Chris Russo, who worked his way through the field to take his first national event win. There was one veteran in the mix, however, as Frank Gugliotta took home the 11th Ironman of his Pro Stock racing career.

Sportsman winners were: Chris Gulitti (Top Sportsman), Russell Marr (Top Dragster), Kevin Helms (Super Stock), Bob Murray (Stock), Doug Miller (Quick Rod), Leonard Greathouse (Super Rod), and Jeremy Hefler (Hot Rod).

Read all the race coverage in Issue 11!

We also have coverage from two Summit Pro-Am events in this issue, including the Raiders at Kinston, North Carolina, and Thunder at Martin, Michigan.

The next stop on the Nitro Jam Series tour is Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, home of the River Cree Resort & Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV. We have a detailed preview of the event in Issue 11.

In addition, there’s another track feature by award-winning contributor Susan Wade. In this issue she spotlights Magic City International Dragway in Minot, North Dakota. Get off track with Randy Cunningham as he does an interview with a difference with sportsman standout Randy Waters Jr, and follow along as we present the sixth installment of the World Products small block build up. This mighty powerplant will eventually find a home between the rails of the 2009 Summit SuperSeries Box champion’s Mullis dragster.

And of course IHRA President Aaron Polburn offers his unique take on the state-of-the-sport and the world in general in his “The Last Word” column.

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For this issue and other issues of Drag Review, go to www.ihra.com/dragreview