The highly anticipated kick-off of the totally revamped IHRA Nitro Jam program more than lived up to expectations as fans filled the stands at Florida’s Palm Beach International Raceway to experience two days and nights of racing and over-the-top entertainment.

Sportsman racers had the run of the outstanding facility both days, qualifying Friday and running for the honor of posing with a coveted Ironman Saturday. In addition to the prestige and rewards associated with winning one of seven sportsman categories on the national stage, winners were also granted entry to the Tournament of Champions and a shot at a World Championship at the season finale in Virginia this October.

During the big nighttime show, Top Fuel, Pro Fuel, and Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car competitors took their cars to the limit, lighting the night sky with towering header flames and treating fans to a total sensory thrill ride. Adding to the mind-blowing spectacle was the sight of side-by-side jet truck racing, Nitro Harleys, and a wheelstanding school bus.

Feedback from participants was great, and we have it all in Issue 3, so check it out!

This is also our annual new car issue, and there’s a lot to look at. You will find everything new and improved from our grassroots racers right up to the newest stars and cars in the Nitro Jam arena.

And there's more! We celebrate Black History Month with features on Malcolm Durham and Candyce Marsh, as well as a special nostalgia piece on the Stone, Woods & Cook team.

John DiBartolomeo is back with another informative Technically Speaking article. This time around discusses the importance of stall speed.

There’s also a feature on one of the IHRA’s newest and most impressive tracks, Alabama’s Montgomery Motorsports Park on page 10, an overview of the Palm Beach version of Fanfest on page 32, and a Photo Extra on page 33.

Our regular features are all here as well, including CSI Norwalk, As The Cookie Crumbles by Larry Crum, and The Last Word by IHRA president Aaron Polburn.

Pick it up, read every page, and enjoy!

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