Shawn Reed and Dan Hix each claimed victories Sunday in the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Raceway, leaving with Ironman trophies and $50,000 checks in a weekend that featured a mix of close finishes and dramatic moments. The event was streamed live on IHRA.TV and SPEED SPORT 1.
Reed, a multi-time champion in boat racing who has built a second career on land, delivered a standout performance in the Top Fuel final. He covered the Ohio drag strip in 3.819 seconds at 327.75 mph to defeat Larry Dixon, who finished close behind with a 3.855 at 319.83 mph. The win marked Reed’s first career Ironman trophy.
“It’s pretty cool,” Reed said. “That win was pretty epic for us. We won Bradenton at the beginning of the year, and it’s been a long road, testing some parts, crashing the car in Seattle, so it’s a good job to Rob Wendlyn and the guys to get us down that right lane with a pretty good number too.”
Hix earned his victory in the Funny Car final in a rematch against Del Worsham, who had beaten him at the last event in Milan, Michigan. The two raced side by side until Worsham’s car broke loose, forcing him to wrestle it back under control. That opened the door for Hix, who posted a winning time of 4.329 seconds at 295.86 mph. Worsham slowed to a 4.535 at 196.42 mph.
“It’s unbelievable — I didn’t think I actually got the win,” Hix said. “He [Worsham] shut it off at the finish line, and I just went ripping by there. It wasn’t until they were waving me over to do the fun interviews that it started to set in.”
For Hix, the win was particularly meaningful because it came in just his second outing with his current Funny Car combination. He credited support from Rich Jr. and Rich Sr. McPhillips as well as Dom Lagana, and he noted the victory came on a special weekend. “Yesterday was my dad’s birthday, so I was happy to get the win for him today,” Hix said.
The Pro Nitrous final featured Hall of Fame driver Rickie Smith, who last won an Ironman in 1997. Smith overcame a strong reaction time by Tim Molnar, who lost traction mid-track. Smith’s smooth pass of 3.616 seconds at 213.57 mph secured the win, while Molnar slowed to 7.334 seconds. “It was a good final round,” Smith said. “I tune that car too, and I knew he was good on the tree. I had a good light, and it was a really awesome day.”
Chris Powers continued his strong season in Mountain Motor Pro Stock with a second straight victory. He ran 4.059 at 176.47 mph in his Chevrolet, holding off Jordan Ensslin, who posted a 4.080 at 175.78 in his Mustang. “The round before we broke the tranny, so we had to get the motor fixed, and the shifter was loose when I went to do the burnout,” Powers said. “It was already a stressful moment, but I just relaxed and knew I had to do a good job because Ensslin can cut a good light.”
Craig Sullivan added to the list of winners by taking the Pro Mod final after “Disco Dean” Karns was sidelined by a driveshaft issue. Sullivan drove his car to a 3.750-second run at 205.01 mph for his first Ironman since a Top Dragster victory in the late 2000s. “We had some people step in and help us,” Sullivan said. “We swung four-link every round trying to find home. Dean and I bracket raced before. Dean had his antics, but we just went up there and mimicked what we did before.”
In Outlaw Pro Modified, Brandon Pesz became the first winner in class history within the IHRA. He posted a 3.616-second pass at 213.57 mph while Billy Banaka struggled at the start. “[The first win] is something that they can never take away,” Pesz said. “Being the first No. 1 qualifier and winner in Outlaw Pro Mod, and on top of all that, I’ve got low ET and top mile per hour — I checked all of the boxes that you can. It doesn’t happen very often, but I’m going to take it.”
Additional winners included Tracy Kile in Top Fuel Harley, Frank Brank in Top Dragster, Ricky Adkins in Top Sportsman, Gary Williams in Hot Rod, Steve Theodor in Super Rod, Pat Debottis in Quick Rod, Aaron Russell in Super Stock, and Dawson Pauley in Stock.
The IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series resumes Sept. 24-27 at Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio.
