Goebel, Elrod Deliver Memorable Performances in Pro-Am Races at West Salem

WEST SALEM, Ohio — Chris Goebel secured the win in Top Dragster after making it to two finals rounds, and Jamie Elrod won for the second time this season in IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Pro-Am races at Darana Dragway — West Salem, Ohio.

The races were live-streamed on SPEED SPORT 1. They are available for fans to view at IHRA.TV on YouTube.

Goebel won the Top Dragster race when his final-round opponent, David Warner, left the tree -.010 too early. Goebel went on to drive his black dragster down the track in 4.304 seconds against a 4.29 dial-in for the win. Warner had quite the journey, going from first alternate all the way to the final round.

Charlie Flanagan beat Goebel by just .001 in a double breakout in the Super Rod final. Flanagan finished in 6.389 seconds against Goebel’s 6.388 time. Goebel had the better reaction time, .023 at the start to .115 for the veteran racer Flanagan, who won his first Ironman trophy.

Andy Gregoire piloted his orange and white 1955 Chevy Bel Air racer to the Top Sportsman win over Gary Wojnowski. Gregoire roared down the track in 4.327 seconds after a .022 reaction time. Wojnowski was just -.002 too quick at the start to trigger the red light.

Elrod delivered another outstanding performance with a .014 final-round package in Quick Rod. Elrod had a .005 reaction time and was dead-on with a 5.709-second run on a 5.70 Index. It was her second win and third final round of the season. Runner-up Nick Karas finished in 5.676 seconds after a .035 reaction time.

Thomas Coonly was dead-on the 7.00 Index in the Hot Rod final. He drove his Chevy Nova to a 7.005-second run at 104.77 mph. Runner-up Jim Pidgeon posted a 7.028-second run at 94.98 mph.

In Super Stock, Chris Lozon drove his Oldsmobile to the win as final-round opponent Zack Running fouled at the start. Lozon posted a 6.369-second elapsed time on a 6.35 dial-in. Running’s red light took away a 6.391-second run.

Zac Ross won on a holeshot with a .009 light to .076 over Mike Ours in an all-Mopar Stock final. Ross went down the track in 6.228 seconds at 99.34 mph on a 6.18 dial-in. Ours had a solid run of 7.155 seconds at 92.88 mph against a 7.15 dial.

Photos by: Robert Richard/BME Photography

Kevin Skinner ponied up to beat fellow Ford Mustang driver Matt Obertanec in the Factory Stock final. Obertanec, the No. 1 qualifier, had the better start .022 to .129, but Skinner powered down the track in 5.211 seconds to drive around him.

The IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series will wrap up the 2025 season Nov. 5-8 at GALOT Motorsports Park. Tickets are available here.