He’s already developed a solid reputation in one nitro-centric series, and this weekend, he’ll be looking to add another.
2024 Nitro Chaos champion Joey Haas will make his International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Outlaw Nitro Series debut, July 11-12 at National Trail Raceway. The two-day race marks the return of nitro funny car competition to the IHRA after nearly 20 years.
Haas, who captured his first career drag racing championship last season in Nitro Chaos, will drive Team Nimrod’s Nitro Funny Car tuned by Mike Kern. The Illinois-based driver has also competed in alcohol funny cars, nostalgia Top Fuel and NHRA Top Fuel, including a final-round appearance in Terry Totten’s dragster at the 2021 Mile-High Nationals.
“Through Nitro Chaos we feel we matured our program,” Haas said. “Packed within this maturation was the development of a program that routinely performed well while not damaging serious components, thus slowing down a drag racing event.”
Haas and Team Nimrod routinely showcase 300 mph quarter-mile runs at major match races, including US 131 Motorsports Park’s Northern Nationals. He said the IHRA’s format — with an eight-car field, two qualifying rounds, and a Friday-Saturday schedule — fits their goals and budget.
“The small teams are going to go where it works,” Haas said. “The two-day format, the afternoon and evening schedule, and less parts attrition fit well in the economy of the small nitro-burning team with crews that hold professions often beyond the program itself.”
Haas said the IHRA’s return offers more than just a race opportunity for his team. He believes it could provide a meaningful platform for smaller or part-time nitro teams and bring much-needed competition to the sport’s landscape.
“There’s a lot of opportunity for the IHRA and the NHRA needs competition,” Haas said. “My hope is that IHRA will actually listen to the racer.”
This weekend will mark Haas’ first visit to National Trail Raceway. The Team Nimrod funny car will carry its Nitro Chaos championship livery promoting autism awareness in partnership with Horizon Behavioral Autism Center.
“It’s a good opportunity for us as a team,” Haas said.
