Bogacki Makes History at IHRA SuperSeries World Finals Davis, Stidham, Bell also Capture World Championships

STEELE, Ala. — Luke Bogacki etched his name in the record books by becoming the first driver in the 24-year history of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) SuperSeries to win both Top and Mod World Championships.

Three other racers — Brad Davis (Sportsman), Austin Stidham (Motorcycle) and Ryan Bell (Junior Dragster) —  proved to be the best of the best Saturday as they won their classes at the IHRA SuperSeries World Finals at Alabama International Dragway.

All the champions earned prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies, commemorative big checks, an IHRA Gold Card, and a championship ring and jacket.  Bogacki stood out amongst the gathering of champions with an effort that had some in awe.

Along with winning the most prestigious national championships in bracket racing, the Carbondale, Illinois driver enjoyed record payouts totaling $50,000 for doubling up in the Top (Box) and Mod (No Box) classes.

Bogacki had a .008 reaction time in his 1974 Chevrolet Vega to get the early jump on Scott Hessler, who had a .054 start in his Camaro, in the Top final. His winning pass was 6.513 seconds at 104.43 mph. Hessler gave it his all with a 5.187-second run at 131.04 mph.

“I’m having a hard time taking it all in,” Bogacki said. “It was just my day. I didn’t drive particularly well on the bottom bulb, but it just fell into place. It’s pretty cool to get two here. It’s incredible just to be here on this stage – it’s an incredible accomplishment.”

Bogacki did well enough with the bottom bulb as he beat another Ohio racer, Joe Barney, in the Mod final. Barney fouled by just -.005 second, which handed the win to Bogacki. It allowed Bogacki to enjoy a 6.821-second pass at 81.51 mph after a .034 reaction time. Barney, who won Friday’s Race of Champions, powered down the track in 6.353 seconds at 96.83 mph.

Davis denied 2020 champion Joe Tharp Jr. his second IHRA SuperSeries world title and the Sportsman championship. Davis posted an 8.369-second pass at 79.95 mph along with a .015 reaction time. Tharp went 7.482 seconds at 87.63 mph after a .025 start.

It was a memorable victory worth $20,000 for the Mississippi driver after his home track, Holly Springs Motorsports, had hosted the previous three IHRA SuperSeries World Finals.

“This means everything to me. It doesn’t even seem real,” Davis said. “I was in the World Finals last year and didn’t do any good. I felt like today, if I could win the first round, I could win the whole race. I won the first round and everything fell into place.”

Ohio racer Austin Stidham broke the two-year stranglehold by Tennessee riders for the Motorcycle title. Stidham was quick at the tree for a .006 to .028 advantage over Nashville’s Drew McLain. Stidham’s winning package included a 5.721-second pass at 122.21 mph. McLain went 6.861 seconds at 97.31 mph.

While the track surface was super smooth, it was a rough beginning for Stidham, who hurt the motor on his bike Thursday. He was racing on a bike borrowed from his father to take home the $10,000 winner’s check.

“The weekend did not start out well. I didn’t get things figured out until this morning,” Stidham said. “Yesterday was a completely different day, but today everything fell into place.”

Virginia racer Bell had the daunting task of facing two of the toughest Junior racers in the country, with talented Texans Ty Janousek in the semifinal and 2024 World Champion Tate Hildebrandt in the final.

Bell made it through that gauntlet with a final pass of 7.595 seconds at 81.95 mph, along with a .023 reaction time. Hildebrandt finished his run in 8.029 seconds and 78.34 mph with a .081 start.

“This means the world to me. I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity with the crew that I have,” Bell said. “I feel my home track, Elk Creek Dragway, helped prepare me for this race with all the great competition. This showed me that I can stick right with the best of them.”

Congratulations to all the new IHRA SuperSeries World Champions. Look for features about the new champions and runners-up on IHRA.com and on our social media pages over the coming weeks.

Photos by: Hobbie Lee ProPhotography