The racer they call the “Toaster”, Ryan Jones, toasted the Auto Club Famoso Raceway strip over the weekend in his ultra cool little turbocharged Chevrolet Nova, running a quick 4.982 at 150.53 mph on a set of tiny 8.5-inch Mickey Thompson slicks. Jones’ run, which came during qualifying for the West Coast Hot Rod Association’s season opener in Bakersfield, Calif., is believed to be the second quickest run to date in the relatively new Outlaw 8.5 category that’s been steadily growing around the country, second only to the 4.96 recorded by veteran small-tire racer Joel Greathouse last year.

Jones was 1.30 to the sixty foot marker, indicating there’s some more potential there once he and his team really get after it on the hit. As you can see the in the video, the little Deuce was smooth as silk and made the run down the famous Bakersfield strip look virtually effortless. Unfortunately, during Sunday’s eliminations, Jones spun in the second round and fell to No. 7 qualifier Mike Orban, bringing his weekend to an early conclusion.

This isn’t the first time Jones and his Nova have been in record territory, as last year, he and the 406 cubic inch, conventional headed, turbocharged entry rocked their way to the NMCA WEST True 10.5 record on a set of 275 drag radials, running a 7.25 at 197 mph with a stout 4.77 1/8-mile clocking in Bakersfield.

With a full slate of west coast events on tap this season with the WCHRA, NMCA WEST, and PSCA, it’s unlikely that this is the last we’ll hear of Ryan “Toaster” Jones and his wicked Nova.

(Video credit: Total Cost Involved Engineering)