Palmer, Worsham Lead Qualifying at IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series

WEST SALEM, Ohio — Scott Palmer and Del Worsham posted No. 1 times for the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes Friday in IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series qualifying at Darana Dragway — West Salem, Ohio.

Palmer showed the way with a 3.079-second pass at 277.26 mph in the dragsters, with the event livestreamed on IHRA.TV. Daniel Mercier was second at 3.103 seconds and 275.74 mph. Todd Paton was third quickest at 3.107 seconds, but had a major uptick in speed at 281.07 mph.

Gary Pritchett posted the fourth-quickest time at 3.127 seconds, but had the most speed in qualifying at 282.13 mph. Greg Carillo rounded out the top five by going down the track in 3.127 seconds.

Worsham had the quick run of 3.320 seconds at 265.02 mph to position himself at the top of the Funny Car leader. Terry Haddock was next quick at 3.391 seconds and 241.29 mph. Dale Creasy, Joe Morrison and Jody Austin rounded out the top five.

Dwayne Rice went 4.088 seconds at 175.78 mph in Mountain Motor Pro Stock. John Montecalvo was second at 4.092 seconds and the fastest speed at 175.99 mph.

Hank Stubbs paced Outlaw Pro Mod at 3.573 seconds and 212.26 mph, while Bubba Stanton was next at 3.579 seconds and 213.27 mph. Kallee Mills was quickest in Pro Mod at 3.583 seconds and 208.14 mph. Kurt Steding had the second-best time.

Jay Turner was the quickest on two wheels at 4.231 seconds and 179.86 mph in the Top Fuel Harley class. No. 2 qualifier Bob Malloy had a 4.274 elapsed time at 182.26 mph. Fuel Altereds made their debut at West Salem with Ryan Hill going 3.461 seconds and 226.70 mph. Kebin Kinsley qualified second.

Rachel Curl beat Rich McPhillips for the No. 1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster at 3.489 seconds and 229.71 mph. Phil Esz went 3.654 seconds to grab the award for Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Louie and Edwin Wirbel went 1-2 in Outlaw Snowmobile qualifying and Matt Obertanec was quickest in Factory Stock. Other No. 1 qualifiers included: Bruce Broeker (Super Rod), Kristopher Fields (Quick Rod) and Gary Fleenor (Hot Rod).

The Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, Stock and Super Stock classes made it to the second round of eliminations.

Eliminations for all classes are scheduled throughout today.

Catch all of the elimination action on IHRA.tv and SPEED SPORT 1 and SPEED SPORT 2. 

Photos by: Robert Richard/BME Photography