Joon, Creasy Jr. Take Top Spots in IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Qualifying

DUNN, N.C. — Lex Joon and Dale Creasy Jr. had quick times in Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying for the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Motorsports Park.

Joon, the former FIA European Champion, had a 3.160-second pass at 245.32 mph. Cameron Ferre was second quickest with a 3.239 elapsed time and the top speed at 258.42 mph. Bernie Plourd, Lee Callaway and Scott Palmer rounded out the top five.

Creasy rocketed down the track in 3.212 seconds at 277.54 mph. John Smith was next quickest at 3.254 seconds and 267.53 mph. Jacob McNeal and Robert Bode each had 3.277-second times, but McNeal had the faster speed at 261.07 mph. Terry Haddock had the fifth-quickest time.

John DeFlorian made it to the top of the Mountain Motor Pro Stock ranks at 4.034 seconds and 178.50 mph. Jeremy Huffman’s combination of a 4.046-second pass at 177.49 mph put him as No. 2 qualifier. Lenny Lottig had the fastest speed of the session at 178.73 mph.

The Pro Nitrous class saw Fredy Scriba take the No. 1 qualifier at 3.647 seconds at 205.44 mph. IHRA Hall of Fame racer Rickie Smith was No. 2 at 3.661 seconds and with the fastest speed at 207.18 mph.

Ed Marx was No. 1 in the Pro Mod ranks at 3.568 seconds and 210.41 mph, although No. 2 qualifier Randy Weatherford was right behind at 3.570 seconds and 210.93 mph. Frankie Taylor had the No. 1 effort in Outlaw Pro Mod at 3.541 seconds and 212.13 mph. Weatherford was also second in the Outlaw cars at 3.578 seconds and 209.62 mph.

Top Alcohol Dragster saw Tom Fox Jr. vault to the top with a 3.525-second run at 216.31 mph. Megan Smith posted the fastest speed with her 3.567-second pass at 228.96 mph.

Phil Esz, winner of the most recent Top Alcohol Funny Car race, edged DJ Cox as his time of 3.626 seconds was best. Mick Steele had the fastest speed of 214.62 mph.

Other No. 1 qualifiers included: Pete Dove in the Fuel Altered class and Christopher Smith in Top Fuel Harley. Tony Scott in Factory Stock and Rob Lowe in Outlaw Snowmobile were provisional pole sitters as qualifying will continue on Saturday for their respective classes before they enter into race day. 

The full weekend of racing will be broadcast live on IHRA.TV and SPEED SPORT 1 & SPEED SPORT 2, bringing all the action from the Outlaw Nitro Series directly to fans around the world.

Photos by: Robert Richard