After qualifying first at five of the first six races this season, Rupert found himself once again back on top with a class-leading 5.729-second pass at 243.50 miles per hour. The driver of the Bays and Rupert “Black Plague” ’69 Camaro had a nice, smooth pass down the famed Canadian quarter-mile, placing him first for the sixth time this season.

   Jason Rupert

Maple Valley, Washington native Mark Sanders qualified second in the “Mr. Explosive” Mustang with a 5.839, 234.43, followed by Tim Boychuk (5.915), Bruce Litton (6.127) and Mike McIntire Jr. (6.148).

After one round of qualifying, the popular Nitro Harley division was paced by Canadian Mike Scott who blasted down the quarter-mile with a 6.317, 218.18 lap. He was followed by North Carolina native Mark Cox in the Bojangles’ sponsored ride with a 6.495, 224.49. Nate Gagnon (6.576), Mike Pelrine (6.600) and Craig Pelrine (7.134) rounded out the top five in the eight-bike field.

The remaining professional classes consisted of a number of special eliminators, led by the return of Top Fuel Dragster. Canadian Ike Maier topped the nitro-fed dragster class with a shaky 5.011, 204.73, followed by Kyle Wurtzel who had to shut it off early in the run.

In Pro Stock, most recent race winner John Konigshofer paced the Mountain Motor class with a solid 6.349, 220.91, while Don Blackshear in the “Bullet Bob” entry led Nitro Altered with a 6.571, 179.67.

   Don Blackshear

The final pro class on the property, the PMRA Pro Mod series, was paced by Toronto native Mike Yedgarian who drove his 1968 Pontiac Firebird to the top of the charts with a 6.152, 206.61 pass.

The IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals will continue on Saturday with a full day of sportsman racing with the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL capped off with final qualifying for all professional classes and first round eliminations with the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.

Grand Bend, Ontario – Qualifying from the 2014 IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals at Grand Bend Motorplex

Top Fuel Dragster – 1. Ike Maier 5.011, 204.73; 2. Kyle Wurtzel 10.295, 85.41

Nitro Funny Car – 1. Jason Rupert 5.729, 243.50; 2. Mark Sanders 5.839, 234.43; 3. Tim Boychuk 5.915, 241.02; 4. Bruce Litton 6.127, 235.66; 5. Mike McIntire Jr. 6.148, 233.82; 6. Gary Kraus 6.648, 202.11; 7. Ronnie Young 6.763, 150.00; 8. Mike Halstead 9.798, 86.07

Pro Stock – 1. John Konigshofer 6.349, 220.91; 2. Tony Pontieri 6.421, 216.71; 3. Larry O’Brien 6.475, 218.44; 4. Anthony Paone 11.981, 72.96

Nitro Harley – 1. Mike Scott 6.317, 218.18; 2. Mark Cox 6.495, 224.49; 3. Nate Gagnon 6.576, 207.85; 4. Mike Pelrine 6.600, 214.74; 5. Craig Pelrine 7.134, 168.03; 6. Alvin Kobernusz 7.758, 156.35; 7. Rob Brown 8.401, 147.10; 8. Jay Turner 11.490, 80.46

Nitro Altered – 1. Don Blackshear 6.571, 179.67; 2. Mike Hilsabeck 6.775, 152.49; 3. Ron Maroney 7.915, 106.35; 4. Shane Harter 9.076, 103.29; 5. Troy Martin 9.154, 98.39

Jet Dragster – 1. Elaine Larsen 5.721, 273.47; 2. Dawn Perdue 5.781, 274.39; 3. Kat Moller 6.184, 254.74

PMRA Prod Mod – 1. Mike Yedgarian 6.152, 206.61; 2. Rob Atchison 6.279, 216.97; 3. Derek Hawker 6.295, 183.48; 4. Bruce Boland 6.424, 233.10; 5. Denis Lachance 6.666, 218.65; 6. Paolo Giust 7.521, 137.46; 7. Gary Mater 7.836, 129.79; 8. Jason Kalso 8.702, 123.52; 9. Jeff Roth 9.338, 94.10; 10. Jack Grainy 11.266, 82.30; 11. Alan Martorino 34.173, 15.39