Strong Nitro Fields to Headline Season-Opening Amalie Oil Texas Nationals
3/26/08 - NitroJam.com
The smell of burning nitro and the cackling of 7,000 horsepower engines will soon fill the air over San Antonio Raceway as the 2008 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam schedule opens April 4-6. Talented, deep fields in both nitro classes will make this 1/8th mile national event something you will not want to miss. In Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel defending world champion Bruce Litton will begin his title defense in San Antonio, hoping to repeat the success he found in last season’s opener where he defeated T.J. Zizzo in the final round. Litton will have his hands full as a number of solid drivers, including Doug Foley (a 6-time winner on the IHRA circuit who holds the track speed record at San Antonio Raceway), Bobby Lagana Jr. (a 3-time Ironman winner), Terry McMillen (who won twice last season in his first year behind the wheel of a Top Fueler) and Kevin Jones (who won his first career Ironman last season at the Sooner Nationals). Chris “The Golden Greek” Karamesines, a true Top Fuel legend who has driven in the class for over 50 years, will be in San Antonio as well. If you have never seen Karamesines in action this is the chance to see one of the true greats of the sport. Fred Farndon, Galveston, Tex. resident Mitch King, Scott Palmer, Todd Paton and Mike Strasburg have also pre-registered to compete in the Top Fuel class at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals. “This is a very strong field, 11 drivers competing for eight spots in the field so you know they are going to be going for it on every run during qualifying,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. “When you look at the depth of this class it’s obvious any of the 11 drivers who have committed to the race so far could end up in the Winner’s Circle on Sunday. Bruce is the defending champion but everyone comes to San Antonio with a clean slate. It should be a lot of fun.”