IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Race 2 Winners — Top Alcohol Dragster: Jackie Fricke

Jackie Fricke used a simple formula to win the Top Alcohol Dragster race at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park. It was get down the track clean.

Fricke had a better reaction time in only one of the three elimination rounds, but her consistency led to taking home the IHRA Ironman trophy.

Runner-up Joey Severance had a .019 to .093 at the tree in the final round. But, Fricke went 3.609 seconds at 227.34 mph, while Severance lit the tires early.

“I attribute that to John Finke, the car owner,” Fricke said. “He and I tune the car together. He was outside the car when we were at the starting line. He was picking the right lane, and putting me in the right spot when we didn’t have the right lane.”

Every one of Fricke’s runs that day were in the 3.4 to 3.6-second range. She tied Jamie Noonan for the best elapsed time 3.470 seconds in the quarterfinals and posted the best speed of the day at 232.23 mph.

Fricke has learned in those tricky situations that you have to get down the track first and not get too aggressive. She pointed to the season opener at Darana Motorsports Park in Benson, N.C., when it didn’t go as well as the Virginia race.

“We got too aggressive at Galot. This class is still about going from A to B,” she said. “We can’t forget that.”

Fricke grew up around the sport and went to the track as long as she can remember with her father. Now 81, her dad finally quit racing his dragster last year. But, it’s truly a family affair as  her husband races as do her brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

“To be in my family, you have to race,” Fricke said. “My niece married Vincent Nobile. My little niece already has her Junior Dragster picked out. We’re really a big racing family.”

Still, Fricke’s passion for going down the drag strip rivals that of anyone in her family. She described just how she much truly loves the sport.

“I would race every day if they would let me,” Fricke said. “I love the competition. When I first drove alcohol cars, I thought I’d just like to drive them. Now, I love the tuning aspect of it too. It’s really tricky, and John has taught me a ton. I love racing with my family. My brother-in-law was in the final in the 10.90 class.”

They’re enjoying going to the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series races together, while they will bracket race back home. The Outlaw Nitro races are truly family vacations with a fun atmosphere.

“I met (IHRA owner) Darryl Cuttell last week and I thanked him for making racing so much fun again,” Fricke said. “It’s just got a different vibe than other organizations. I’m not a huge fan of the 1/8-mile stuff, but that’s the only negative and there are so many more positives. We were going to do one race, but then it was so cool. My whole team rode the Ferris wheel after we won. We’re having a blast.”