If there was any doubt about whether the new IHRA was growing, the race this weekend at Darana Dragway – West Salem (previously Dragway 42) should prove that it absolutely is. Most professional categories saw full fields, and the sportsman classes have also shown increases. Even though the race week didn’t start off as planned due to Mother Nature, the IHRA adapted with a new schedule of events, and the race was completed. The 1/8th-mile format isn’t always appealing to some fans, but the racing this weekend was some of the closest side-by-side action around. Holeshots, pedal-fests, new record runs, you name it, this weekend had it all. The upgrades to the facility brought new life to the track, with more improvements in the works for an even better racing experience.

Fuel Altered

Ryan Hill – Number one qualifier: 3.461 at 226.70 mph
Winner: Ryan Hill 3.512
Runner-up: Pete Dove 3.986

Ryan Hill of Hill Family Racing took his Nitro Altered “Nitro Bandido” straight to the top of the eight-car field during qualifying. With more than a tenth and a half over the number two qualifier, Hill got wins against Mitch King in round one and Chuck Loftin in the semifinals. Pete Dove started race day from the number three spot and faced Anthony Whitfield in the opening round, then moved on to the semifinals, where he got by Kebin Kinsley in the War Wagon. In the final, Hill had the better reaction time and carried that lead all the way down the track for the win over Dove.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Phil Esz – Number one qualifier: 3.834 at 202.07 mph
Winner: Phil Esz 3.711
Runner-up: Tony Bogolo 5.735 (red light)

Top Alcohol Funny Car once again saw the Ultrasonic LLC car driven by Phil Esz qualify in the top spot. As eliminations started, Esz had a bye in the first round, moving him to the finals, while number two qualifier Tony Bogolo who got the win light against Ryan Stack. In the final, Bogolo tried for a holeshot but pushed the tree too hard, turning on the red light as Esz ran low elapsed time of the weekend in the other lane for the win. This marked Phil Esz’s third IHRA victory of the season.

Top Alcohol Dragster

Rachel Curl – Number one qualifier: 3.489 at 229.71 mph
Winner: Rachel Curl 3.517
Runner-up: Rich McPhillips 3.581

Rachel Curl returned to the driver’s seat and qualified number one in Alcohol Dragster. In round one, Curl posted low elapsed time of eliminations to defeat Eric Hinderburger, while Rich McPhillips got past Jeff Chatterson on the other side of the ladder. The final between Curl and McPhillips was set to be a showdown. McPhillips had the starting line advantage, but the Gunk-sponsored machine of Curl drove around him for the win.

Pro Mod

Kallee Mills – Number one qualifier: 3.583 at 208.14 mph
Winner: Wes Distefano 3.654
Runner-up: Mike DiDomenico (broke)

Twenty-two of the best Pro Mods came to race for an IHRA Ironman. Mike DiDomenico advanced on the lower half of the ladder with wins against Doug Greene, Kurt Steding, and Dean Karns, earning a bye-run in the semifinals. On the upper half, Wes Distefano in the Skinny Kid Racing Oldsmobile was deadly consistent, running 3.66 three out of four rounds on his way to the finals. The final was set between DiDomenico and Distefano, but DiDomenico suffered mechanical problems in the semifinals. Still wanting to put on a show for the fans, Distefano made a full run as if there had been a car in the other lane, clicking off a 3.654 to secure the Ironman.

Outlaw Pro Mod

Hank Stubbs – Number one qualifier: 3.573 at 212.26 mph
Winner: Hank Stubbs 3.716
Runner-up: Pat Moore 3.895

A true Outlaw Pro Mod class, where the only rules are safety rules—any power-adder, any engine, any weight. Hank Stubbs, the top qualifier, advanced past Brandon Pesz and John Sullivan to reach the final. Number six qualifier Pat Moore worked his way through Doug Riesterer and Bubba Stanton to meet Stubbs in the final. The two left nearly even, but Stubbs pulled away to take the win and the IHRA Ironman.

Pro Nitrous

Rickie Smith – Number one qualifier: 3.677 at 205.29 mph
Winner: Rickie Smith 3.689
Runner-up: Jackie Slone Jr. 3.710

Pro Mod veteran Rickie Smith shows no signs of slowing down. Smith qualified number one in the 10-car Pro Nitrous field and posted low elapsed time in the opening round. He had a bye-run in round two and a holeshot win in the semifinals. Number nine qualifier Jackie Slone Jr. struggled early but turned things around, posting low elapsed time in both the second round and semifinals. The final was an all-Musi-powered affair, with Smith in his J&A Service Ford Mustang against Slone’s Camaro. Knowing Slone had been quicker, Smith cut a .007 light and never looked back, running 3.689 to Slone’s 3.710 to reach the winner’s circle.

Mountain Motor Pro Stock

Dwayne Rice – Number one qualifier: 4.088 at 175.79 mph
Winner: John Montecalvo 4.091
Runner-up: Chris Powers 4.312

Ten Mountain Motor Pro Stock cars were on hand, with Dwayne Rice taking the top spot in qualifying. Rice fell in the semifinals to Chris Powers, who advanced to another IHRA final this season. On the other side of the ladder, John Montecalvo beat Kurt Neighbor and Jordan Ensslin to reach the final. With a .005 light and low elapsed time of eliminations, Montecalvo powered his Kaase Mustang past Powers to grab another IHRA Ironman.

Funny Car

Del Worsham – Number one qualifier: 3.320 at 265.02 mph
Winner: Del Worsham 3.283 (holeshot)
Runner-up: Terry Haddock 3.282

A full eight-car Nitro Funny Car field was led by Del Worsham. Number two qualifier Terry Haddock advanced with wins over Dan Hix and Dale Creasy, while Worsham knocked out Jacob Slater and Joe Morrison. The final was a battle between former IHRA champions. Both cars were nearly identical down track, but Worsham’s holeshot gave him the narrow win with a 3.283 to Haddock’s slightly quicker 3.282.

Top Fuel

Scott Palmer – Number one qualifier: 3.079 at 277.26 mph
Winner: Daniel Mercier 3.178
Runner-up: Jake Sanders 3.317

Scott Palmer led Top Fuel qualifying in the PBR dragster but was upset in round one by Jake Sanders. Sanders advanced to the semifinals, where Greg Carrillo was unable to make the call, giving Sanders a free pass to the final. Number two qualifier Daniel Mercier was flawless, posting low elapsed time of eliminations in every round with passes of 3.082 and 3.029. In the final, Sanders left with a big starting line advantage, but Mercier powered around him for the win and the big payday, parking it in the winner’s circle.

Photos by Matt Zelinko