It wasn’t a perfect season for Funny Car veteran Del Worsham, but it was close. The three-time nitro champion closed out his IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series campaign Saturday at Darana Motorsports Park in Dunn, North Carolina, by reaching his fifth straight final round and collecting his third win of the season.
Joining Worsham in the winner’s circle of the final 2025 IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series were Kyle Satenstein (Top Fuel), Ethan Steding (Pro Modified) and Chris Powers (Mountain Motor Pro Stock). Each class champion earned a $50,000 winner’s purse and the coveted IHRA Ironman trophy, capping the organization’s first full season under its revived Outlaw Nitro banner.
For Worsham, Saturday’s finale completed a five-race season in which he reached the final round at every event — a model of consistency that defined his return to IHRA competition. The California native defeated John Smith in the quarterfinals, Jacob McNeal in the semifinals and former protégé Bobby Bode in the final round.
Bode lost traction early, while Worsham powered down the groove with a 3.319-second run at 265.27 mph to take the win. It was the kind of steady, technical performance that’s long made Worsham one of the sport’s most respected drivers.
“The final round was dark and very similar to last night, which made it tough,” Worsham said. “We hadn’t made it down the track in a night run the last few events, so we were a little concerned. But it worked out, and to race Bobby — someone who’s like family — made it even better.”
Worsham said his team adjusted throughout the weekend before finding the right setup for the final. “We’ve had some races where we qualified number one and dominated, and others where we just did what we had to do and got a win,” he said. “This weekend was one of those, but we got it done.”
He credited the IHRA’s efforts for helping restore nitro racing to its grassroots roots. “It’s been a fun year,” Worsham said. “I really appreciate everything IHRA and everybody’s done for us because it’s been great.”
Kyle Satenstein delivered a breakthrough victory in Top Fuel, earning his first career win in the class and joining an exclusive group of Ironman champions. The win came after a strong day of eliminations that saw him defeat Bernie Plourd, Cameron Ferre, and Lex Joon, the No. 1 qualifier.
In the final, Satenstein recorded his best run of the weekend — a 3.137-second pass at 273.83 mph — to outdistance Joon’s 3.473 at 187.83 mph. The rookie’s sharp reflexes on the line and confident throttle control carried him to his biggest moment yet.
“We felt pretty good going into it,” Satenstein said. “We ran a .317 before and made some changes. When the tree dropped, I didn’t think I really killed it, but I felt like I left pretty good. Once I made it about 300 feet, I was like, ‘This thing’s on a pass.’”
Satenstein admitted he never saw the scoreboard. “I didn’t even get to see the numbers,” he said. “But I didn’t see anyone beside me, so I knew we got it done.”
The win signaled a major step forward for the team, which plans to return in 2026 with expanded backing and a stronger tuning program.
🔥 48-HOUR SALE! 🔥 Odd-lots, short-lots, closeouts & display shirts — all priced to move! 🏁 Get authentic https://t.co/jcAfIG1TiW gear for as low as $10 👕💥
— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) November 6, 2025
When they’re gone, they’re gone!
👉 https://t.co/ZWQRwUgEQb #DragRacing #NHRA #CompetitionPlus #PEAKSquad #Sale… pic.twitter.com/UOWDUKCRSP
In Pro Modified, rising star Ethan Steding made his IHRA debut one to remember. The young driver, working under the guidance of veteran tuner Todd Tutterow, stayed calm through every round and came out on top against a deep, talented field.
Steding defeated Kevin McCurdy in the final round with a 3.568-second pass at 209.49 mph to secure his first IHRA Ironman trophy. McCurdy followed at 3.687 seconds and 200.35 mph. Steding’s .063 light gave him a narrow edge at the start, and his composure held through the lights.
“I just kept my head real calm,” Steding said. “I’m out here racing with the baddest dudes of the baddest, and I wasn’t expecting this to happen at all. But with Todd behind the keyboard of this car, it gives you the best feeling going into the final round.”
For Steding, the victory was about trust — in his team, his car, and himself. “I was very confident in this team all weekend long,” he said. “Every time we go out and race, I know these guys have my back.”
In Mountain Motor Pro Stock, veteran Chris Powers continued his standout season with a razor-thin victory over Jordan Ensslin. Both recorded identical 4.068-second elapsed times, but Powers’ .051 reaction time edged Ensslin’s .061, sealing the win by thousandths at the finish line.
The triumph marked Powers’ second victory of the year and fifth consecutive final-round appearance in IHRA competition. “We just tried to make a good run A to B,” Powers said. “Be subtle. The car’s run good all day.”
Powers credited his crew, led by tuner Chuck Samuel and engine builder Sonny Leonard, for keeping the program strong following early-season setbacks. “Chuck did a heck of a job tuning, and Sonny’s worked day and night getting everything back together after we broke a motor earlier this season,” Powers said. “We couldn’t be more proud of this group.”
He said the run of success feels surreal. “This is five straight finals for us,” Powers added. “We’re just blessed. We cannot believe it. The crew worked nonstop trying to get this thing done.”
Beyond the headline nitro and pro classes, the IHRA season finale produced strong performances across every major category.
In Outlaw Pro Mod, Randy Weatherford capped his season with a holeshot victory over Frankie Taylor, running 3.566 seconds at 211 mph to Taylor’s 3.651 at 202.09 mph. The win followed Weatherford’s $125,000 triumph at the IHRA Outlaw Pro Mod Nationals earlier this year.
In Pro Nitrous, Cam Clark edged Dane Wood by just .001 seconds. Clark’s quicker reaction time — .046 to .054 — helped his 3.698-second pass at 202.73 mph hold off Wood’s slightly quicker 3.691 at 201.46 mph.
Ryan Peery became the first back-to-back Top Fuel Harley winner since Jay Turner in 2016, setting a new IHRA national record at 4.088 seconds and 207.56 mph. Chris Smith, the No. 1 qualifier, slowed to 6.406 at 89.35 mph after mechanical issues.
In the alcohol ranks, Tom Fox Jr. dominated Top Alcohol Dragster, running 3.563 seconds at 214.14 mph after final-round opponent Shane Conway red-lighted. Phil Esz extended his winning streak in Top Alcohol Funny Car, running 3.629 at 210.80 mph when Tony Bogolo fouled at the start.
In Fuel Altered, Paul Miller won with a 3.725 at 205.54 mph over Pete Dove, who finished runner-up for a second consecutive race. And in Outlaw Snowmobile, Mini scored from the No. 3 qualifying position with a 4.403 at 162.37 mph to defeat Courtney Moeller.
As the lights dimmed on Darana Motorsports Park, the IHRA’s first full Outlaw Nitro season closed with a clear message — veteran skill and new blood can thrive on the same stage.
