Shortly after the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park, IHRA officials made the decision to move the third event on the schedule from Montgomery International Dragway to Darana Raceway in Hebron, Ohio. Racers filled the pits, and fans packed the stands to witness another exciting weekend of IHRA drag racing.
Funny Car
For the third time this season, Del Worsham claimed the number one qualifying position. Worsham’s 3.291-second run at 272.23 mph narrowly edged Jon Capps’ 3.301 at 274.56 mph to lead the field into eliminations.
Carrying that momentum into race day, Worsham advanced to another final-round matchup against number six qualifier John Smith. Worsham held a slight reaction-time advantage, and Smith was forced to pedal the car just before half-track. Worsham capitalized and drove away for the victory, running 3.321 at 267.06 mph to Smith’s 3.594 at 249.45 mph.
Top Fuel
The eight-car Top Fuel field saw Lee Callaway, driving Scott Palmer’s second PBR-backed dragster, earn the top qualifying spot with a 3.055 at 282.31 mph.
Number two qualifier Gary Pritchett advanced to his third final round of the season, where he faced number five qualifier Cameron Ferre. Ferre gained a significant advantage at the starting line but almost immediately smoked the tires. Meanwhile, Pritchett made another clean pass, running 3.063 at 285.53 mph to secure his second IHRA Ironman of the season.
Top Alcohol Funny Car
Chip Beverett led the field into eliminations with a 3.647 at 211.76 mph, earning back-to-back top qualifying honors.
Number two qualifier Phil Esz once again found himself in the final round, this time facing number four qualifier Tony Bogolo. Esz staged first, but when the tree dropped, he turned on the red light. Bogolo made a clean A-to-B run to claim the win, running 3.729 at 201.88 mph. Esz posted a quicker, but losing 3.618 at 209.50 mph.
Top Alcohol Dragster
Eleven Top Alcohol Dragsters competed for spots in the eight-car field. Joey Severance claimed the number one qualifying spot with a 3.465 at 222.44 mph.
The final-round matchup between number one qualifier Severance and number three qualifier Jamie Noonan featured two drivers searching for their first win of the season. Both racers were making their second final-round appearances of the year. At the hit, Severance gained a slight advantage and carried it all the way to the finish line, earning his first IHRA win of the season. Severance ran 3.481 at 222.99 mph to Noonan’s 3.498 at 229.12 mph.
Fueled Altered
Ryan Hill secured his second top qualifier award of the season with a 3.732 at 214.69 mph during the second round of qualifying.
Hill advanced to a second consecutive final-round appearance against number six qualifier Paul Miller. The two previously met at Virginia Motorsports Park, where Miller took the victory. Looking for redemption, Hill posted low elapsed time of eliminations on his way to the final. Both drivers left the line side-by-side, but Miller encountered tire shake and smoked the tires. Hill stayed clean and charged to the finish line with a winning 3.526 at 224.55 mph pass.
Outlaw Pro Mod
Bubba Stanton set the pace in Outlaw Pro Mod with a 3.558 at 214.80 mph during the opening round of qualifying. That run held up through qualifying to secure the number one spot heading into eliminations.
The final round featured a heavyweight matchup between Stanton and number two qualifier Randy Weatherford. Both drivers were making their second final-round appearances of the season, with Stanton already holding one victory.
Stanton gained a major advantage at the starting line and, as he had throughout eliminations, made a clean pass to secure back-to-back IHRA wins. Stanton ran 3.522 at 216.03 mph to Weatherford’s 3.530 at 216.35 mph.
Pro Mod
Jason Harris earned his second IHRA number one qualifying position of the season with a 3.601 at 210.08 mph.
Harris advanced to his third final-round appearance of the year against number six qualifier Jason Lee. Both drivers had been consistently quick throughout eliminations. Unfortunately for Lee, his first IHRA final-round appearance ended early when he went red at the starting line. Harris went on to make a solid pass of 3.686 at 200.27 mph to earn his first IHRA Pro Mod victory of the season.
Mountain Motor Pro Stock
Dwayne Rice led Mountain Motor Pro Stock qualifying with a 4.046 at 177.44 mph.
The final round paired number eight qualifier Matt Giangrande against number three qualifier Jerry Tucker. Both drivers displayed consistency throughout eliminations to reach the final. What was expected to be a close side-by-side race turned into a holeshot victory for Giangrande, who caught Tucker asleep at the line. Giangrande secured his first IHRA Ironman with a 4.078 at 177.17 mph over Tucker’s quicker 4.043 at 175.71 mph.
Small Tire Bratz
Bill Lutz advanced to his second final round of the season, where he faced Kyle Canion in Canion’s first Small Tire Bratz appearance.
Canion defeated Corey Reed in the second round and continued his momentum into the final. In the championship round, Canion left the line first and steadily pulled away from Lutz to claim the victory.
Additional Winners
- Nitro Harley: Jordan Peterson defeated GT Tonglet
- Snowmobile: David Marshall defeated Anthony Mini
- Pro Stock: Taylor Dietsch defeated Tony Scott
- Top Sportsman: Bob Mandell Jr. defeated Jason Hutchenson
- Top Dragster: Chris Stine defeated Chris Ferguson
- Stock: Brent Darroch defeated Michael Ours
- Super Stock: Mark Nowicki defeated Homer Carty
- Hot Rod: Glenn Ferguson defeated Shawn Pitts
- Quick Rod: Gary Fleenor defeated Ron Stayer Jr.
- Super Rod: Rick Stroud defeated Mike Coughlin
- John Holt Hemi Shootout: Steve Comella defeated James Daniels
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