IHRA Nitro Returns; Day One of Qualifying Sessions

Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh

By Logan Morris

Friday at the IHRA’s Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Raceway was historic in more ways than one. From the time the gates opened at 7:00am, there was a different vibe in the air. This was a history-making day.

After all, IHRA brought Nitro racing back to the historic track formally known as National Trail Raceway. Friday also served as the IHRA’s official reentry into the national event scene. To make the festivities even bigger, drag racing royalty was on the property in the form of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and “The First Lady of Drag Racing” Shirley Muldowney. It’s fitting that the two icons will be meeting fans all weekend, given their impact in IHRA’s history.

Track Preparation

Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh

Friday’s first qualifying session for both Funny Car and Top Fuel was marred by issues in the hot and sticky conditions, but that didn’t dampen the importance of the moment. There were nostalgic feelings of days gone by, mixed with an excitement about something new. The Nitro scene for the IHRA went dormant in 2008. But, on July 11, 2025 you can say something was both reborn and reimagined. Names like Dale Creasy Jr., Jack Wyatt, and Terry Haddock made their official return to IHRA competition, while new names like Krista Baldwin, Jody Austin, and others made their IHRA debut.

First Nitro Run in 19 Years

Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh

Session two under the lights lived up to the hype and was a special moment in the revival, it had the feel of what everyone on the property had been waiting for.

Veteran racer Scott Palmer is the No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel, he ran a 3.955 ET at over 267 MPH. Mike McIntyre was the No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car with a 4.073 ET at over 309 MPH.

Eliminations are set to begin Saturday afternoon, July 12th.