Nearly a dozen ear-shattering, five-second Pro Mods will fill the lanes in Grand Bend, Ontario this weekend attempting to make an eight-car field with the Pro Modified Racing Association, as the iconic class that was actually started with the IHRA will join the battle of the United States versus Canada in a 320 mph, side-by-side Top Fuel match race.

Ike Maier, from Tottenham, Ontario, will bring his nitro-fed Top Fuel Dragster to the Motorplex for the third season in a row as he takes on American Kyle Wurtzel in a match race between the fastest accelerating machines on earth. The pair will make one pass Friday and Sunday and two apiece on Saturday.

   Ike Maier's 320 mph Top Fuel Dragster

The Pro Modified Racing Association will also be taking part in the event with its unique lineup of powerful Pro Mods. For the past few years the PMRA has dazzled the large crowds with some of the best in Pro Modified drag racing in the sport.

Now in its 10th season, the PMRA has raced twice so far this season with a tight points race already in place.

Leading the PMRA Championship Point Award Series at present is three-time PMRA champion Bruce Boland. The Stoney Creek, Ontario racer won the opener at Grand Bend and was runner-up in the second event, held in Martin, Michigan.

Behind Boland is the Grainy Brothers team. Driver Jack Grainy and crew chief Sonny are long-time PMRA competitors from North Tonawanda, New York. In third is another veteran PMRA racer, Jeff Roth from New Dundee, Ontario. Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario is fourth, and Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Michigan rounds out the top five.

   Jack Grainy, currently second in PMRA points, will look to make some noise this weekend

Also in the hunt this year are Sam Andreacchi of Toronto, Ontario, Paolo Giust of Osgoode, Ontario, Rob Atchison of London, Ontario, Jason White of Cicero, New York, Denis Lachance of Quebec City, Quebec, Gary Mater of Petrolia, Ontario and Alan Martorino of Cobourg, Ontario.

Eric Latino of Port Perry, Ontario, won this event in 2013.

This year’s IHRA race at the Grand Bend Motorplex promises to be one of the best, with racing in four nitromethane-powered classes including Top Fuel Dragster, Nitro Funny Car, Nitro Harley and Nitro Altered,, the return of Mountain Motor Pro Stock, the all-female Larsen Motorsports Jet Dragster team and a special treat with drag racing icon Don Garlits as the event’s Grand Marshal. “Big Daddy” will be on hand to sign autographs and display one of his iconic “Swamp Rat” dragsters.

For more information on the IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals at the Grand Bend Motorplex, visit www.ihra.com.