Always one of the most anticipated stops on the International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam tour, the biggest names in nostalgia nitro racing plus a few surprises will highlight Nitro Jam’s return to the desert March 23 at the Arizona Nitro Jam presented by CarSafe and Good Vibrations Motorsports.  

Sportsman racers will be in for a treat as the track welcomes the best Top Dragster competitors in the land for a showdown featuring the quickest and fastest sportsman machines in drag racing. Southwestern International Raceway will also host it usual bracket program with Saturday’s winners taking home an IHRA Ironman in front of the sold out SIR crowd. 

Last year Tucson’s very own Cindy Hawk took the Ironman in the Top Dragster desert shootout.

   AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car driver Steven Densham will be in Tucson

The Arizona Nitro Jam will open the 2013 Nitro Jam season with its biggest show ever at the famed Southwestern International Raceway as the series and the track welcome some of the most famous names in nostalgia nitro racing plus the return of Top Fuel Dragster to Tucson’s quarter-mile strip. 

Former IHRA Nitro Jam World Champion Bruce Litton will highlight Nitro Jam’s return to the desert with his 8,000 horsepower Top Fuel Dragster as he battles Curt Eierdam in the “Invader” jet-powered dragster in the most unique-side-by-side drag race in Nitro Jam history. Both vehicles are capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph, but both reach those unthinkable numbers in two very different ways. 

Litton’s Top Fuel Dragster will reach 100 miles per her in less than one second while pulling 8Gs and will reach 300 miles per hour in a little over four seconds. Eierdam’s jet dragster has a bit of a slower start, but his 10,000 horsepower jet engine more than makes up for the difference as the two machines reach side-by-side competition near the finish line all while throwing fire high into the night air. 

It is sure to be one of the most exciting races in Nitro Jam history and it will take place twice on Saturday, March 23 at the Arizona Nitro Jam.

   The famous Candyland wheelstanding stage coach is always a hit with the fans

Joining the 300 mph showdown will be four of the most famous AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars to ever grace the quarter-mile. The world famous “Candies & Hughes” Barracuda Nitro Funny Car will be piloted by newcomer Mike Halstead as the most recognizable racecar in nostalgia racing today tries to make it three-in-a-row at the Arizona Nitro Jam. Also in competition in Tucson will be Steven Densham in the “Teacher’s Pet” 1969 Camaro, Jason Rupert in the “Mert Littlefield” tribute 1969 Camaro and John Hale in the “Nitro Boss” 1969 Mustang. 

Rounding out the nitro portion of the schedule are four of the most famous and out-of-control nostalgia Fuel Altereds in the world headed by defending Nitro Jam World Champion Kyle Hough in the “Nanook” machine. Joining Hough in Tucson will be Jason Rupert in “Pure Hell”, Mike Hilsabeck in “Arizona Thunder” and Tucson’s own Ron Maroney in the “Blind Faith” entry. 

The 30,000 horsepower Super Shockwave jet-powered truck will bring the evening to a close alongside Ed Jones and his one-of-a-kind “Candyland” wheelstanding stagecoach. Fireworks and an incredible pyrotechnics show will close the evening. 

Tickets to the third-annual Arizona Nitro Jam presented by CarSafe and Good Vibrations Motorsports are $30 for adults and $10 for children. Adults can save $5 if they purchase their tickets in advance at www.nitrojam.com .  

Showtime is scheduled for 7 p.m. with two rounds of Nitro Jam. 

For more information on the 2013 Arizona Nitro Jam visit www.nitrojam.com .

   Top Fuel returns to the desert