IHRA Salt Lake Nitro Jam

The names alone ought to get you interested in the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Nitro Jam at Rocky Mountain Raceway this weekend. The racing classifications include the Nitro Funny Car and Nitro Harley, so you know there’s going to be a lot of nitro getting burned out in West Valley City.

There’s also a “monster” exhibition show, which you know has to be great, because any time you put the words “monster” and “exhibition” in the same sentence, it’s going to be something you want to see. In this case, it’s the Utah debut of the world’s biggest drag race, which pits the Grave Digger and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle monster trucks against each other. There will also be a 30,000-horsepower semi, called the Shockwave, on hand.

All of the over-the-top names and uses of “nitro” sound completely ridiculous, and also completely irresistible. Those who want to make a full day of it can arrive when the gates open at 9 a.m., participate in the NitroThunder Fanfest at 6:30 p.m. and watch the racing throughout the evening. (Geoff Griffin)