Pritchett, Worsham are No. 1 qualifiers at Virginia IHRA Outlaw Nitro races

DINWIDDLE, Va. — Gary Pritchett continued his hot start to the Top Fuel season, and former IHRA World Champion Del Worsham was No. 1 Funny Car qualifier Friday at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park.

In both cases, the No. 1 qualifiers had both quick times and fast speeds in Nitro time trials. 

Pritchett rocketed down the drag strip in 3.033 seconds at 287.78 mph to go to the top of the Top Fuel ladder. Scott Palmer was second at 3.083 seconds and 277.43 mph. Pritchett will face Dan Mercier in round 1 of eliminations with Palmer going against Chuck Loftin. 

The other first-round matchups are Jon Capps against Lee Callaway, and Kyle Satenstein versus Lex Joon.

Worsham, who had a streak of five straight final-round appearances snapped at the last race, proved he’s still a force to deal with. His Toyota roared with a 3.228-second run at 281.01 mph. Jacob McNeal was second at 3.242 seconds and 267.75 mph. Dale Creasy Jr., who won the season opening race, was third.

Terry Haddock, Joe Morrison, Joseph Haas, Jody Austin and Dan Hix round out the eight-driver field.

There was plenty of other action as Randy Weatherford posted quick time in Pro Mod with a 3.560-second run at 211.30 mph.  Travis Harvey had the second best effort at 3.565 seconds and 213.40 mph.

The Outlaw Pro Mod field was tight with No. 1 Mike Decker Jr. just .002 quicker than Jason Scruggs. Decker went down the drag strip in 3.525 seconds and 214.31 mph. Scruggs finished in 3.527 seconds and 222.88 mph.

Mountain Motor Pro Stock featured the quickest group in history with Matt Giangrade capturing the No. 1 spot at 4.019 seconds and 180.02 mph. Elijah Morton was close behind at 4.021 seconds and 179.05 mph.

Tony Scott, fresh off his win at Darana Motorsports Park, took the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock at 4.878 seconds and 145.70 mph. The father-son duo of Jason Dietsch was second at 4,881 seconds and 145.09 mph and Taylor Dietsch was third.

Ryan Peery, also a winner at Darana, was far and away the best in Nitro Harley with a run of 4.109 seconds and 205.32 mph. Jason Leeper was second quickest. Perennial front runners Anthony Mini at 4.455 seconds at 163.31 mph and Rob Lowe had the best times in Snowmobiles.

Jamie Noonan led Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying for the second straight race. Noonan had the quickest time, 3.453 seconds at 230.84 mph. Dan Dietrich qualified second with a 3.458 elasped time at 216.13 mph. Megan Smith had the fastest speed for a second race at 231.87 mph.

Chip Beverett was No. 1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Funny Car with a 3.612-second pass at 213.27 mph. DJ Cox posted the second quickest time at 3.625 seconds and 209.92 mph. 

Ryan Hill was quickest in Fuel Altered once again at 3.596 seconds and 222.95 mph. Paul Miller earned the No. 2 spot on the ladder by finishing in 3.700 seconds and 200.35 mph.

Gates open at 7 a.m. with racing to begin at 9 a.m.. Opening ceremonies for the Pro classes is scheduled for 11 a.m.