The Harley-Davidson drag racers of the PennGrade1 American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA) series were just getting to know Northern Illinois’ Byron Dragway last year when persistent rain killed their raceday program. You can be sure they’re looking to bring the thunder and lightning back this time around, but without the rain. the Illinois Nitro Nationals will hit the track this weekend, August 7-9.

IHRA’s loss is AMRA‘s gain, and you can expect a full field of Johnny Mancuso’s Circle M Ranch Top Fuel bikes pounding the Byron 1320. Defending class champion Ryan Peery (featured photo above) has been on a roll, winning last time out at U.S. 131 in Michigan. His main rival is Finland’s Samu Kemppainen, whose teammate Jordan Peterson is right there in the mix.

Bad Apple Racing will have a two bike Top Fuel attack with Jimmy McMillan and Cameron “Flash” Gunter, as team boss Tracy Kile still focuses on tuning. Jay Turner Racing will be on hand with Chris Smith and Jay himself in the saddles.

SPEVCO boss Tii Tharpe will be there hustling Red Rhea’s “Long Train Runnin'” bike, along with Paul Anderson, Curtis Heisler, Spence Aguiar, and more.

Stubby Hultman may have Armon Furr Nitro Funnybike all to himself again, as Jim Doyle has to stay home in Massachusetts this weekend. Bring your bike out and race Stubby!

Michigan winner and defending Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel champion “Bad Apple Mary (BAM)” Dangrow will have to face plenty of racers, though, as Pro Fuel turnouts are strong! Her own teammate Franky Schaffroth, Michigan runner-up Hot Rod Carlisle, Illinois legend Jim “Bad Influence” Martin, Richard “Have Nitro, Will Travel” Boone, Loren Potter, Jay Beasley, John Jenkins, Nitro Bums Al Balice, Louis Sansone, Kyle Rogers, and more are all expected to shoot for nitro glory at Byron.

Speaking of nitro glory, little surpasses the sights and sounds of the resurrected V-Twin heroes of the past that comprise Nostalgia Nitro that will be running full steam at Byron. Jay Rogers and Al Balice spearhead the competition of these beauties that put on such a great show last year and can be expected in greater numbers this time around.

Nitro is the show but gasoline is something we all relate to. Gas Harleys will fill the lanes to race Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger, Thundermax Street Bagger, Pro Outlaw, Axtell Cylinders Hot Street, Zipper’s Performance Modified, Top Eliminator 9.30, Huffman Performance Super Gas 9.90, BK Electric Super Pro 10.30, Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50, Pro Eliminator 10.90, and Baker Drivetrain Eliminator.

Michigan winners Jeremy “Skinnywrench” Wilson, David “Paco” Cartwright, Jimmy Maikranz, Kimberly DeShields, Billy Doherty, David Doremus, Gary Burkley, Aiden Pollworth, Kevin Winters, and Steve Lacy will be challenged by scores of hard working, hard charging racers.

Test and tune is Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Qualifying starts at noon on Saturday, with eliminations at noon on Sunday.

Check out https://byrondragway.com/ and https://amralive.com/ for more info.

story and photo by Tim Hailey