IHRA’s first qualifier event for potential Million $$$ paydays (!!!) played out in Ohio!…

Racing fans saw the first leg for the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series’ announced & highly lucrative opportunity to win previously unheard of amounts of money — for within drag racing.

Within five class categories – five race teams — have now advanced their opportunity after winning the preliminary first of three “Triple Crown” races which was hosted at Darana Raceway (Hebron OH) — last weekend.

Any category driver able to sweep all three of the designated IHRA Triple Crown event — will win the bounty. The final two race dates will be contained within an amazingly scheduled “Triple Crown — Double Header” event edition to be held at Pennsylvania’s Darana Raceway (Maple Grove) – Sept 11-14th.

By emerging as winners at Darana Raceway Hebron — it will be Tripp Tatum (Top Fuel), Paul Lee (Funny Car), Jason Harris (Pro Mod) John DeFlorian Jr. (Mountain Motor Pro Stock) & Taylor Dietsch (Pro Stock) – with advanced opportunity.

Tatum won his first ever IHRA Top Fuel title — when he defeated Gary Pritchett in the TF final — using a better start and then a track record time of 3.764 seconds at 328.47 mph. Pritchett had a top end problem which slowed him to 3.859 seconds and 274.39 mph.

Top Fuel winner – Tripp Tatum

Tatum (who is from Maryland) pocketed $150,000 for his victory in Top Fuel — which saw 15 teams entered for the class.

Racing his Dodge Charger, California’s Paul Lee prevailed over fellow state resident Del Worsham to also win his first IHRA national event race. In that Funny Car final, Lee gained a .042 to .068 advantage and then ran the only 3-secs time in eliminations at 3.937 seconds and 326.32 mph to beat Worsham’s 4.018 seconds and 323.04 mph.

Lee prevailed over 13 other cars entered for the 8-car field – which was very competitive, with slots 1-8 separated by only .016 of a second and all qualifiers running over 300 mph.

Paul Lee won his first career IHRA event in Fuel FC racing.

John DeFlorian Jr. won the $50K purse in Mountain Motor Pro Stock with his Camaro, defeating Jeremy Huffman in the final and for Pro Stock. For IHRA’s Pro Stock category, (the equivalent to NHRA FSS), it was Taylor Dietsch who got the best of his dad Jason in a final round battle of Ford Mustangs.

Jason Harris rounded out the “Triple Crown” eliminator winners when he continued his amazing 2026 campaign with another win for Pro Modified cars driving his “Party Time” Camaro.

Jason Harris remained one of 2026’s hottest Pro Mod drivers – winning again.

Harris topping a highly competitive 16-car field (30 cars entered) for Pro Mod (1/8th mile format) taking out Jacob McNeal’s Barracuda in the final by a 3.567 secs 210.58 mph to 3.599 sea 205.95 mph margin.

While handing out “IHRA Triple Crown” trophies at the former National Trail Raceway facility was the top draw last weekend –numerous other class categories also campaigned for big money and prizes.

That included Rachel Curl winning the 1/4-mile TAD class with a 5.340 secs at 264.71 mph to win the Top Alcohol dragster division – defeating defending race champion for 2025, Jeff Chatterson (from Canada) in the final.

With tuning guru Les Davenport (Calgary AB) overseeing both racing camps — it was Ohio’s Phil Esz who won in Top Alcohol Funny Car using a 5.456 secs at 259.37 mph to outrun Canadian Stan Sipos (Victoria BC) who finished at 5.552 seconds at 257.88 mph.

Ohio’s Phil Esz rolled to victory for TAFC class racing.

Extremely fast Pro Motorcycle racing was presented in two categories at Darana Raceway — in Top Fuel Motorcycle and Nitro Harley.

Two very fast classes for Motorcycle racing were featured at IHRA’s Darana Raceway event!

Mitch Brown had a single run for Top Fuel Motorcycle final when Bob Malloy fouled at the start — taking the title with a winning pass of 3.940 seconds and 195.99 mph.

TFM class racing did include the event’s most harrowing moment – when class icon Larry “Spiderman” McBride had a scary tumble at the end of the track after winning his first round — but thankfully escaped without serious injury.

Ryan Peery defeated Bob Malloy in what was the quickest 1/8th mile Nitro Harley final for IHRA history. Peery winning with a 4.091 secs to Malloy’s 4.098 secs.

Outlaw Pro Mod racing saw Jason Scruggs win that final with a 3.532 secs at 215.93 mph to defeat Mike DiDomenico who crossed the center line.

The IHRA’s mega popular AA/FA cars were entertaining as always – with 11 entries putting on a great show. Jody Austin wrapped his weekend with a big win win at 4.631 secs while opponent Kebin Kinsley had an engine explosion just off the starting line.

Anthony Rhodes was the winner of the event’s added attraction HEMI Shootout hitting a 8.334 secs at 159.80 mph to defeat Steve Comella’s red light 8.370 at 159.29.

The IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series next returns to action — July 9-11 at Darana Dragway, Milan, Michigan.

Posted with files by Bruce Biegler & Dave DeAngelis
Photos by Dave DeAngelis

Link to the LMLCMedia event photo gallery from this IHRA race: HERE (Coming soon)