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Top speed

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jeff Lutz, from the Discovery Channel’s television show Street Outlaws, breaks the track record at the North Iowa Speedway on Saturday in Humboldt. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

HUMBOLDT –Television became reality in Humboldt on Saturday night, as two drivers from the hit show Street Outlaws showed their speed at the North Iowa Dragway.

Two of the Discovery Channels stars, Jeff Lutz and Ryan Martin brought their cars to the track and held a meet and greet.

Over 1,400 people witnessed Lutz set a track speed record.

Lutz took his 57 Chevy down the track in 4.25 seconds, breaking the previous record of 4.30 that was set 15 years ago.

“Jeff absolutely loves the place,” said North Iowa Dragway manager James Barhite. “He told me when he got to the Iowa side, ‘Where are all the people going to come from, there are nothing but cornfields.'”

Lutz who builds race cars and also drives them, couldn’t believe how good the track was.

“He said for the track being in between two fields, it was one of the fastest tracks and there may be more speed out there,” Barhite said.

Race fans battled the heat to see the drivers and Barhite said it was nice to see big name drivers on the drag strip.

“The fans couldn’t believe that North Iowa Dragway was able to get them (Lutz and Martin) to come to Iowa. ” Barhite said. “It means a lot to have them here. There are a lot more modern facilities in Iowa, but we were able to bring them to our track.

“They did their research to find a track to run at and they picked us.”

Barhite admits Martin was a little skeptical at first, but once he put his Fireball Camaro on the track, he loved it.

“He (Martin) was a little leery at first, but once he made his first pass, he knew he could trust the track and the facility,” Barhite said. “He said it was actually one of the smoothest tracks that they’ve ran at.

“From the track side, they loved seeing all the spectators and racers. They were welcomed to Iowa by the best spectators in the state.”

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