Nitto's 'Fireball' Urist blazes trail with drag racing championship

Nitto's sponsored driver John "Fireball" Urist has won the 7th annual NMRA Super Street Outlaw series championship.

Streaking to a 7.05-second victory, the win marks Urist’s sixth consecutive reign as the circuit’s champ.

“John has amazed fans throughout his career, winning this highly competitive drag event year over year,” says Gloria Miyamoto, Nitto’s marketing manager. She adds that the company “is proud to sponsor him and contribute to his tremendous racing achievements.”

Urist began his career while attending the University of New Mexico, racing in a 1990 Ford Mustang Coupe. His first competition was a Fun Ford event in which he entered in the Street Outlaw class in Bradenton, Fla. In his first professional contest Urist advanced to the final round, spurring a passion for racing and a successful career in the sport.

He earned the nickname “Fireball” after his car blew up in a nitrous-fueled explosion on the starting line of a race in Phoenix in 1999. Following this incident, Urist transitioned to Mustang drag racing, building a turbocharged 358 cubic inch engine. The motor produced a record 1,641 horsepower and solidified his reputation as a leader in the racing world, according to Miyamoto.

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