Hessler Navigates Tough Path to Top Final Round

Scott Hessler was able to beat the defending champion in Top eliminations at the IHRA SuperSeries World Finals.

He wasn’t able to stop Luke Bogacki’s run to history, where he became the first driver to win both the IHRA Top and Mod World Championships. Hessler, a 35-year veteran of drag racing, was glad to be a part of history and make it to the championship round at Alabama International Dragway.

“It really is an honor,” Hessler said. “There are a lot of people who would’ve liked to have been in my shoes in the final. I was so excited to be there. Luke was on a mission, and I was in his way. He’s a great racer and a great guy. He deserves everything he gets.”

Hessler, 54, qualified for the IHRA SuperSeries World Finals by being the track champion at Darana Raceway — Hebron, Ohio. Hessler is no stranger to big wins. He was the Race of Champions winner at the IHRA Division 3 (North Stars) Team Finals.

The Ohio racer works full-time as a mechanic for a geo-tech company in Columbus. On the track, he pilots a 1969 Camaro with a fiberglass body, 601 cubic-inch motor, Jerry Bickel chassis and double frame rail. It’s a great car that has served him well. He even joked that the car is better than he is.

That’s certainly up for debate, especially when you consider what Hessler did behind the wheel to get to the Top final.

In an incredible semifinal, Hessler went 5.192 seconds on his 5.91 dial-in to beat 2024 IHRA World Champion Scott Wallace, who was dead-on his 6.31 dial-in. The difference was a .010 advantage for Hessler at the start.

The quarterfinals saw Hessler slower on the tree than Jim Schuett, but he overcame it with a 5.187-second pass on a 5.81 dial-in. His numbers all-around were better than fellow Ohio racer Adam Wirth in the previous round. They show the consistent nature of Hessler’s performance.

There’s little wonder why Hessler loves the competitive nature of the Top (Box) class. He is the same as Mod runner-up Joe Barney in that both have been big fans of the Pro Stock ranks, always known for close finishes. One of the first people to congratulate him was Larry Morgan, a Pro Stock legend and current IHRA Vice President.

“Larry Morgan was my biggest racing hero growing up,” Hessler said. “I love Pro Stock, and he means a lot to me. I’m honored to call him my friend nowadays.”

Congratulations to all the IHRA World Champions and Runner-Up finishers. Keep checking out IHRA.com and our social media pages as the National Top 10 lists will be posted soon.