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Nitro Harley Battles and Bruises
Samu and Bad Apple Mary Survive US 131 Nitro Harley Battles and Bruises
Nitro Harley race coverage reportevent: PennGrade1 AMRA Michigan Nitro Nationalswhen: June 27-29, 2025where: US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Michigan, USA
Finland’s Samu Kemppainen travels a long way to race his Chris Stewart Racing Top Fuel Harley at PennGrade1 AMRA races. But the flights from Finland to Michigan are a piece of cake compared to the distance between laying underneath his race bike on an Ohio public road to the winners circle at the Michigan Nitro Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.
Samu found himself protecting his 900 pound Nitro Harley from the asphalt of National Trail Raceway’s infamous Refugee Road after sliding through the sand and gravel pit following his close, final round loss to teammate Jordan Peterson in May. The big Finn was as dusty and bruised as his motorcycle as the runner-up in that winners circle, wincing with every move.
But a month later was a whole different story. The now gleaming white, silver and black bike was the winner this time around and Samu’s painful winces replaced with satisfied smiles.
One racer that Kemppainen didn’t have to worry about this time around was Stewart Racing teammate Peterson, who got a metal splinter in his eye and was at the eye doctor when Circle M Ranch Top Fuel fired up on Sunday at noon.
“Friday, I had a clutch fiber that wouldn’t fit in the basket, so I was doing a little clearance work on it,” said Peterson. “Saturday, I woke up and my eye felt a little sore. I have had metal in my eye several times because of my profession. It just felt like it had been scratched and not anything actually in it.
“But by late Saturday I was really struggling with it and went to look in the mirror and could see the rust ring around the piece of metal. So out of desperation, went to the emergency room down the road. They actually made it worse.
“Sunday morning I couldn’t keep either eye open. Without really any sleep, Casey and I started calling eye doctors trying to find one who would see me. One called me back and away we went. But the damage was already done and as many solutions I tried to be able to race, it was just going to be unsafe for my competition, the bikes, and myself.
“Romine racing, Stewart Racing, and Phil Lower Racing were all very supportive about sitting out for eliminations, but I still felt terrible for letting everyone down. They all work so hard to go racing and put in a ton of time, effort, and money just to sit out Sunday when both bikes were showing the potential of winning. As always, I can’t thank this group enough and I will make it up to them.”
“Watching while my teammate Jordan had to leave the race due to an eye injury was really sad, but I know he will come back stronger than ever,” said Samu.
Peterson had qualified third behind number one Kemppainen (6.40 at 216 miles per hour) and Ryan Peery (6.42 at 208). Following Peterson was Jay Turner, Paul Anderson, Chris “Nashville” Smith, Buddy Johnson, John “JT” Toth, Curtis “No-Bolts” Heisler, and newly licensed Hawaiian racer Spence Aguiar.
The beneficiary of Peterson’s round one no-show was Toth, but he didn’t get to enjoy his bye to the second round long. His bike was eating itself alive, so rather than risk a total annihilation in E2, he failed to make the call. The beneficiary this time around was his team boss Turner, who had beat Buddy Johnson in E1.
“Was an honor and a privilege to be able to line up against Jay Turner,” said Johnson. “That man has been a friend and mentor of mine since I started this nitro journey in 2014.
“It was coincidental to face him in the first round at Martin, Michigan. That’s the first place I ever rode a Top Fuel Harley at. It was 2015, I think. I was there helping Jay at an IHRA event and I went down to get him from the end of the track on the pit bike and he said ‘You ride the bike back.’
“So I jumped on the pig and he was pegging me back from the end of the track, and at the split he asked me ‘Do you want to go in front of the stands or behind them?
“I said ‘Behind them.’ They where packed and so was the staging lanes that I had to maneuver through. Jay said ‘We going in front of everyone.’
“We got back to the trailer and he said ‘Well, if you can ride one at 25 mph, you can ride one at 200 plus. They are easier to ride under power.’
“The bike is getting more and more comfortable each pass. Me and Ryan are learning a new fuel system with this bike, so each pass we are learning more. Each pass I’ve made has gotten better, also.”
Turner then redlit in the semi against Kemppainen, who settled into a 6.50 heat-of-the-day groove after beating Aguiar with a 6.43 in E1 and having a bye to the semis.
First year Top Fuel racer Paul Anderson was tearing up the other side of the ladder. His orange “Road Rage” bike is the old Vance & Hines sponsored bike that Doug Vancil ran at NHRA several years ago. Like the Stewart Racing bikes, Anderson had the benefit of tuning advice from Michigan Nitro Harley legends Mike and Jack Romine.
“Mike consults with him on the tune-up,” Jack noted. “Right now I work for Mike. Myself, I do whatever Mike tells me to do. I check on him and make sure he is ready for the next round.
“Paul is doing a great job. He has a couple of guys over there that asked questions and listen. They have a great attitude and as a team they are doing well.”
True enough. Anderson beat the Jay Turner bike ridden by Chris Smith in E1 and then Louisiana opening round winner Ryan Peery in a good E2 race.
Peery has seen the winlight in the other lane in the last two races on days when he seemed to be a contender for the final round win. This time it was a 6.65 to 6.61 loss to Anderson, despite a .029 to .066 starting line advantage. “Just some minor electrical gremlins in the fuel control box,” Peery said about his pseudo-slump. “Even with those issues we were right there, so overall I’m not concerned.
“Paul is doing a heck of a job and getting better and better. He’s turning into a consistent competitor and we need more of those. Will make for a fun second half of the season.”
Anderson didn’t seem content to wait for the second half, putting a 6.50 at 214 on the board in his semifinal bye and giving him lane choice against Kemppainen in the final.
And what a final! Both riders had great lights, but Samu gave up .010 to Anderson’s .021. The big Finn put up a 6.50 at only 192 that was good enough to drive around Anderson’s 6.51 at 214 by a mere .018!
“This weekend was something that every driver dreams of—being number one in qualifying and winning the race!” said Kemppainen. “Especially since I had been in the sand pits in the last race. Chris, Mike and Jack had to do a lot of work to get the bike clean and back in race condition.
“In the race itself, we didn’t have any problems with the bikes, only the hot weather made it challenging to find the right set-up. But I knew that this track is like Romine Racing’s home track, so Q3’s 6.40s at 216 mph proved it.
“On Sunday, we just tried to stay in tune and adjusted the bike to the weather, The final win against Paul Anderson couldn’t have been much tighter for the two of us. I enjoyed it when the races are so tight and neither of us knew if we would win!
“Race after race it has gotten better and easier. Everyone knows their job now, I want to thank Chris and Angela Stewart Racing, Romine Racing—Mike, Jack, and Patty; Peterson Racing; Phil Lower and Jennie; and of course my super crew guys—Jeff Killingsworth, Mika Sjöstedt, and Casey Jo—who maintain the bike as you made one of my biggest dreams come true.”
“What a weekend in Michigan!” said team owner Chris Stewart. “After the incredible momentum we built at National Trail with our all-Stewart Racing Top Fuel final, Samu and the entire team came into Martin ready to keep the fire lit—and they delivered big time.
“Samu rode like a machine all weekend, and Mike and Jack Romine once again had the bike tuned to perfection. We unfortunately missed having Jordan on the track, but we’re wishing him a fast recovery and look forward to having him back in the seat soon.
“I’m incredibly proud of the entire crew for staying focused and pushing through the summer heat and tough competition. Wins like this don’t come easy, and the level of effort behind the scenes is what really makes moments like this possible.
“Huge thanks to our sponsors Schaeffer Oil, Bikers Against Drunk Drivers, our fans, and everyone supporting the Stewart Racing program. We’re just getting started—see you at the next one!”
Anderson also included Romine in his remarks. “Thanks to the hard work on our team and tuner extraordinaire Mike Romain of Romine racing, we had a pretty good run at it this weekend at US131. Congrats to Samu Kemppainen and Stewart Racing on the win.
“It stings a bit to come so close—especially on your home track—not to have the scales tip your way, but I’m confident we will stay focused and remain a competitive force on the track.
“Probably the biggest challenge of the weekend—and not just for us—was the track and the extreme heat, and I have to admit at 70 I don’t fare as well as I used to! Until next race, take care and safe travels!”
Peterson’s eye challenges also affected his Armon Furr Nitro Funnybike entry. Jordan qualified number one in a two-bike field. Opponent Cameron “Flash” Gunter and the Bad Apple Racing team agreed to delay their final until the next race at Byron, Illinois.
Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel is where the nitro hits the fan, with 15 quality bikes and riders showing up at US 131. And at the end of the weekend, “Bad Apple Mary (BAM)” Dangrow may have to go back to her old nickname “Bad Ass Mary.”
Bad Apple Racing’s Tracy Kile didn’t ride at this event, nor did his teammates Jimmy McMillan and Tadashi Reggie Saitou. That left Kile to focus on the bikes of Dangrow and Funnybiker Gunter, and it sure showed as BAM was quick off the trailer, qualified number one, and won the event.
“US 131 is a great track and we looked forward to traveling to this race,” said Dangrow. “We came with the plan to win it for Casper and I’m really happy to say we did it. Anyone who knows our team knows we always race with all of our Nitro Hounds. We unfortunately lost one of our hounds, Casper, on June 17th after a hard fought battle with a heart tumor. So many of our racing family sent prayers and kept a check on Casper since his diagnosis back in April, and we were blessed to have him six weeks past the vet’s original prognosis.
“This race was also a little different for me and the team because I was sick and I did not touch a single thing on my bike the entire weekend. I rode the bike and slept until someone got me up to do it again.
“The plan for Saturday was for me to qualify well enough in Q1 to grab the number one qualifier so I could sit out the rest of the day and rest up for Sunday eliminations. We ran a 7.27 in Q1, which took the pressure off of me having to run the rest of the day. I sat out round 2 then made the decision to come back out in Q3 to run the right lane for information. Thankfully our 7.27 held for the number one qualifier position, giving us a bye run in E1 on Sunday.”
Her 7.27 at 169.94 mph was over 2/10ths ad 2 mph quicker/faster than number two qualifier Hot Rod Carlisle’s 7.48 at 167.
Mary’s consistency stayed strong on raceday with a 7.27 at 170 on her E1 bye.
“Sunday morning was kinda rough with the heat, but we were there to race and the team took care of everything including making sure I had umbrellas in staging for shade. With a bye in E1 we ran a 7.27, giving us lane choice in E2.
“We ran Louis (Sansone) in E2 where we stayed in the .20’s running a 7.28.” Sansone’s losing 7.87 showed how much of a gap that Mary had on much of the field.
“At the end of the track, Louis likes to remind me that I disappoint his little girl when I beat him. She is a real cutie but I’m sorry honey, I gotta do what I gotta do. You’ll understand one day when you’re riding against your papa.
“On to E3 against Rocky (Jackson). I love running Rocky. He and Sam (White) were the first two racers to run side-by-side with me when I started racing Pro Fuel. Rocky is one of my heroes. Like I tell everyone, Rocky could ride one of these bikes down a dirt road and probably has. We ran a 7.31 on that pass and were blessed to get past Rocky, which put us in the final against Curt Sexton.
“We watched Curt all weekend chip away at his numbers like he always does. Curt is tough. Not only can he put down some quick numbers, but he can cut a heck of a light. We never take anyone we go up against lightly, but Curt is one tough tuner and rider to go into a final against.”
Sexton had indeed improved every round. Both paths to the final were tough, but Curt had to beat Walter “Half Again as Tall” Halonski, Al Balice, and Jim “Bad Influence” Martin to get there.
Sexton had his worst light of the day against Mary—a .136 to her .103. His 7.42 at 167 was down a bit from his semifinal win, but Mary’s 7.35 at 172 was also slightly not as quick. But it was enough for her to win this good race.
“I was pretty happy when I saw my win light come on as I crossed the finish line. Inside my helmet I was thanking God for this blessing and letting Casper know it was for him!
“The day we lost Casper, Tracy said ‘When we go into the winners circle pictures at 131, we’re going to have Casper’s Bad Apple shirt and his CVO (Uncle Cameron’s business) shirt hanging from your bike’ and that’s exactly what we did.”
“Well, I guess we’ll start off with we had no data to work with all weekend again and qualified number three,” said Sexton, who’s faced this data-blind situation several times in the last year. “Seems I’ve been down this road before.
“Sunday came and won first round (against Halonski). From there on we just kept getting faster each round till the finals, and we were in reach of number one qualifier within .06 seconds.
“I’m pretty sure we had a good tune in the bike and it should’ve gone faster. I was not on my game on the tree like usual. All-in-all, we did decent for first time out for the year and not having any data. See everyone in Byron.”
“I am extremely blessed to have Tracy Kile in my corner, both as my tuner and the love of my life,” continued Mary. “How lucky am I to have someone who shares the same passion for this sport as I have and tunes my bike to boot.
“I also want to send HUGE, HUGE thanks to our entire team: Randy and Brenda Jackson, Jon Wayne Stephens, Michael Hopkins, Scott “Bro” Peek, Daryl “Supe” Campbell, and Cameron “Flash” Gunter for taking care of my entire program and for taking care of me at this event. Everyone went above and beyond to get us to Victory Lane and I definitely could not have done any of this without each and every one of them. We are a close family and that closeness really showed through at this event.
“I also want to thank my sponsors: Fairview Tavern, Vanson Leathers, Capone Landscape, Ted Munsell at Trick Works LLC, Victory Fuel, and Hawaya Racing Products for their support and belief in our racing program.”
An interesting race was the first round match-up between rookie White Lightning rider Darren Brinkman and Ohio runner-up John Jenkins. Brinkman’s .145 light was not good, but Jenkins seemed to sit for an eternity (actually .752) before twisting the throttle. It was long enough for one to think “Does he have a problem? Will he leave at all?”
Jenkins joked about making a sandwich and offered an explanation. “I was focused on staging and staring at the staging lights, and then he was gone and I looked down at the green light.”
“John may want to go after Jimmy John’s for sponsorship after making a sandwich at the line—his words—in round one,” laughed Brinkman. It was his first nitro round win. “I’m still battling me and riding,..”
The biggest incident of the weekend occurred in round one of Pro Fuel qualifying when Kyle Rogers had both cylinders blow right out of the case.
“Saturday morning we ran a test pass. Clean A to B,” reported Rogers. “Got the bike ready for Q1. Bike left well and around 100-200 feet out, motor decided to let Loose. Both cylinders went straight up, breaking the frame of the bike. I was knocked out until I made it almost to the wall.
“As far as health-wise, I am feeling better daily. Leg has some issues but getting better. Time to rebuild and come back better.”
Great advice for all of us.
Gasoline class winners were Kim DeShields in Zipper’s Performance Modified, Billy Doherty in Pro Outlaw, Jason Crisp in Axtell Cylinders Hot Street, Dwayne Gee in Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger, Jimmy Maikranz in Thundermax Street Bagger, Dave Doremus in Top Eliminator 9.30, Jeremy Wilson in Super Gas 9.90, Robert Mallory in BK Electric Super Pro 10.30, Larry Stevens in Pro Eliminator 10.90, John Poett in Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50, and Kevin Winters in Baker Drivetrain Eliminator Dial-in.
You can watch Sunday’s eliminations at
https://www.youtube.com/live/mExkorZetg4?si=HSdUIUCE1bXWgOS
and Saturday’s qualifying at
https://www.youtube.com/live/P2UCc_KCzvU?si=WhgDwSgyAy2NmeUc
On both webcasts you can hear the excellent commentary by Tom McCarthey.
The Nitro Harley competitors look forward to seeing the Harley-Davidson drag racing family, riders and fans at Byron Dragway in Illinois on August 8-10.
The Nitro Harley racers thank Bad Apple Racing, Chris Stewart Racing, DayStar Machine and Cycle Concepts, White Lightning Racing, P and C Johnson Trucking, RP Motorsports, Hawaya Racing, JT’s Auro & Cycle, and Johnny Mancuso’s Circle M Ranch.
This report was prepared by Tim Hailey. Enjoy everything there is to read, see and watch about motorcycle drag racing and more at https://www.eatmyink.com
The post Nitro Harley Battles and Bruises appeared first on Bikernet.com - Online Biker Magazine.
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