The IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series made its way to Darana Dragway – Milan this past weekend for the second stop of their 2025 tour. As racers filled the pits, they were greeted with hospitality and smiling faces from the IHRA staff as they were getting things set up for the race weekend. Many racers went on record as stating that the race had a “home and family” feel and that the hospitality they received from the IHRA was second to none.

Racers and fans went on to say that the first stage of the facility renovations were nice and could not wait to see what was planned next. The Pro/AM race on Wednesday and Thursday was the start of the weekend, and the racing was just as hot as the temperatures, with track temperatures reaching into the 140-degree range during the event.

Nitro Funny Car

The six-car field of Funny Cars was led by former IHRA World Champion Del Worsham, qualifying with a 4.220 at 235.23MPH, with Dale Creasy claiming the second spot. Worsham faced Tod Barker in the first round, where Barker unfortunately red-lit, giving Worsham the win. Worsham would go on to the finals, where he met up with Dan Hix. The starting line advantage went to Worsham, and he carried that lead all the way to the finish line, running 4.085 at 315.35 mph to  Hix’s 4.496 at 84.40 mph.

Worsham said this was his first IHRA Ironman in 30 years, so this was a special win for him.

“This feels amazing. I was kind of bummed we didn’t win the last race, so anything other than a win wasn’t going to be enough,” Worsham said. “I haven’t had one of these (Ironman trophies) in 30 years, September 1995, my last IHRA win, so this is really special to me.”

Top Fuel

Scott Palmer, who won the first IHRA event this year, took the number one qualifying spot with a strong 3.888 at 293.73 mph blast in the final round of qualifying. In the second round of eliminations, Palmer had troubles and fell to Lex Joon. Joon would face off against number two qualifier Mitch King in the finals, where Lex would make his best run of the weekend with a 3.964 at 289.76 mph.

Joon was ecstatic after picking up the win and is already planning to attend more IHRA events this year.

“Thank the Good Lord who helped us out today,” Joon said. “Thank you, IHRA. This is unbelievable what they did. We will be back for more. My crew was also unbelievable today to get the win.”

Pro Modified

A field that featured 24 of the best Pro Mods came to Darana Dragway – Milan to run for $50,000.00 and an IHRA Ironman. Sitting at the top of the field was Robin Roberts’ Harts Charger-powered Pontiac with a run of 3.639 at 208.43 mph. As eliminations went on, local racer Wes Distefano was making his way through the field and found himself in the finals against Kurt Steding. The number six qualified car of Distefano had the starting line advantage against the number four car of Steding, but Steding was able to drive around Distefano for the win. The margin of victory was 0.008 at the stripe.

“Wes is good on the tree, and I watched him win a lot of 632 races on the tree, so I knew I had to bring it,” Steding said. “I had to keep my mind cool. You will see us at the $125,000 race coming up in two weeks. Thank you (IHRA owner) Darryl Cuttell. He’s made this such a great place to race.”

Pro Nitrous

Pro Mod newcomer Tim Molnar debuted a new-to-him car at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series this past weekend. Molnar took the new car to the top spot during qualifying, running 3.713 at 203.53 mph. Molnar would face the previous winner, Tony Wilson, in the finals. Molnar would leave first and would hold on to the lead for the win. Molnar ran 3.760 at 203.63 mph to Wilson’s slowing 4.280 at 143.63 mph.

Mountain Motor Pro Stock

Chris Powers showed why he’s one of the best in the Mountain Motor Pro Stock class. In the final round, he lined up against Dillion Voss, and Powers cut a .005 light to Voss’ .022 reaction time. The cars ran door-to-door the entire length of the track, but at the stripe, it was Powers’ 4.172 that bested Voss’ 4.175.

“I’m stoked. This is the only thing left we tried to get for Sonny, but IHRA quit running it years ago,” Powers said. “We’ve won championships in PDRA, races in NHRA, but now we’ve got an Ironman. I can’t thank the folks at Sonny’s Racing Engines enough, how they work on these motors and turn them around in days. The owners of IHRA, the people here at the track and the fans, thank you. It wouldn’t be possible without you.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Phil Esz took home the Ironman with his win over Tony Bogolo. Esz ran 5.517 at 261.02 mph to Bogolo’s 5.666 at 256.12 mph.

Top Alcohol Dragster

Number two qualifier Will Smith worked his way to the finals, where he lined up against the number four qualifier, Rich Phillips. Smith left first with a killer 0.015 reaction time and never looked back, and got his first Ironman running 5.398 at 269.14 against Phillips.

Top Fuel Harley

Six Harleys came out to see who could walk away with the big check and an Ironman in Michigan. Multi-time winner Jay Turner led the field and carried that momentum all the way to the finals, where he met up with the number two qualifier Jordan Peterson. Peterson was the first to leave with a 0.039 reaction time versus the 0.061 of Turner. Both riders had troubles down track, but Turner was able to get around Peterson for the win, running 6.365 to Peterson’s 6.533.

Outlaw Snowmobile

Anthony Mini took the number one qualifying spot in the field of Snowmobiles at Milan this past weekend with a 4.359 at 161.29 mph blast. Mini would go on to the finals, where he would run Rob Lowe Sr. and get the event win.

Index and Sportsman Winners:

Stock: Aaron Allison

Super Stock: Chris Ruzicka

Hot Rod: Shawn Pitts

Quick Rod: Steve Taylor

Super Rod: Rock Haas

Top Dragster: Kirby McLennan

Top Sportsman: Killer Brooks

Factory Stock : Taylor Dietsch