Owner of the Larsen Motorsports operation that fields the four-car team, Larsen won three times in 2014 and was the fastest car on the property nearly every race weekend. Thanks to that consistency, Larsen was able to claim a comfortable 209-point victory over Marisha Falk behind the wheel of the Miller Welding jet-powered dragster to claim IHRA’s inaugural jet championship with the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.
“I just can’t believe we did it! The Miller Welding Larsen Motorsports jet dragster team proved strong all season long. And with the support from our fans and the series, we came out on top,” Larsen said. “The 2014 season has had its highs and lows for our team. From taking out my engine in Tucson, to now bringing home the World Championship was an amazing ride. IHRA has allowed Larsen Motorsports a platform that enables our teams to showcase this category in a way that it has not been able to do for many years.”
The inaugural Jet Dragster championship within the IHRA’s Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series provided plenty of excitement in 2014. Contested at all 12 events on the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series North American Tour, the four-car team ran a traditional elimination system with qualifying followed by a two rounds of eliminations.
Larsen won three times this season; however she visited the final round seven times and was the No. 1 qualifier half a dozen times. Her victories came at San Antonio Raceway, Maryland International Raceway and Grand Bend Motorplex.
“Consistency won this championship,” Larsen said. “Luck will give you good or bad races, but consistency wins championships. Our strategy was simple; don’t change the car unless it was really throwing us a curveball. Thankfully, our car was spot-on most all year.”
Behind Larsen in second was young Marisha Falk, who also had three wins this season and had low elapsed time of the season. Dawn Perdue finished third in the Jet Dragster championship with two wins, including the inaugural race to open the season, while Kat Moller and Allison West rounded out the championship standings. Kat had the team’s other win at Cordova International Raceway during the Summer Nationals, where she also set top speed of the year.
“These ladies are fierce and we’re all competing with one trophy in mind,” Larsen said. “What’s most important to me is that they all get to that finish line fast and safe every time. With many thanks to our partners, and without a doubt a ton of appreciation to everyone at Larsen Motorsports, we had another great year. Also, a very special thanks to my sponsor, Miller Welding Company, for supporting us on and off the track for over six years.”
In addition to a great on-track show for the fans, Larsen Motorsports also debuted the brand new Jet Technology Center in 2014, an interactive experience where fans can learn the technology behind a jet-powered racecar. The JTC includes family activities, interactive demonstrations and driver autograph sessions at each Nitro Jam event.
With a successful season in the books, Larsen and the entire Larsen Motorsports operation will look to expand on their program in 2015 with additional drivers and additional support to increase the success and exposure of Jet Dragster as a competitive racing class.
“To me, it’s about building some of the highest quality jet cars in the IHRA and bringing great entertainment to the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series,” Larsen said. “It has taken 11 years to get the LMS teams to what we are today. Larsen Motorsports is very excited to bring new talent to the motorsports industry and continue to help grow this very deserving category.
“We look forward to the 2015 IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series schedule and everything that we have in store. It is going to be our biggest year yet.”
