One of the proudest names within North American drag racing history – the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) — has finally launched itself back into reality and relevance.

Now under new ownership and after a multitude of preceding developments over a long period of time, during the month of July, the IHRA finally kicked off their 2025 national event level product by holding its first two races.

Now branded as the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series — two initial race dates near Columbus Ohio and Detroit Michigan were completed which kicked off a planned 5-race nationals event schedule for 2025.
The IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event menu includes both Pro and Sportsman class racing, from Top Fuel dragster and Funny Cars and down.

Fuel Funny Car racing was a headlining featured part of the first two races. At Hebron Ohio (formally National Trail Raceway) on July 11/13, it was home state Ohio racer Mike McIntire, who prevailed to win the first IHRA “Ironman” funny car trophy offered in a very long time.

Driving his McAttack Toyota Supra, Mike won the event from the pole position, after qualifying #1 at 4.073 secs.

After topping opponents Jody Austin and Jack Wyatt, McIntire faced off against California’s Del Worsham for the title, and won that on a hole shot by a 4.166 secs 293.41 mph to 4.160 secs 305.56 mph count.

Worsham, also in a Toyota Supra, was the quickest and fastest car at the event when he flashed up a 4.063 secs 317.79 mph while winning his semi final round over Terry Haddock.

Two weeks later (July 25-26), it was Worsham himself finding victory lane during the race held at the fabled Milan Dragway location (now rebranded as Darana Dragway).

At that event, which drew 6 entries, Del qualified #1 at 4.220 secs and beat out Tod Barker before facing Dan Hix in the final round. Worsham won that convincingly at 4.085 secs 315.35 mph as Hix, who also races AA/FA cars, had issues and shut off early.

For Del Worsham, who was a IHRA World Champion way back in 1992, his last IHRA event win had come in September 1995.

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It was back in 2011 that the IHRA made changes to what was then a traditional national event format – instead moving to more of an exhibition race attraction – called Nitro Jam events – a format which lasted only a few years.

The IHRA brand (within North America) then became arguably defunct only offering some sporadic lower level Sportsman Racing — up until this season.

The IHRA complexion experienced a major change during 2024 and into this year when new IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell was introduced. Cuttell has since invested millions of dollars into the once struggling organisation, including race track purchases (7 in total!), in advance of announcing the first IHRA Outlaw Series schedule for 2025.

Cuttell is the highly successful founder and owner of Darana Hybrid Electro-Mechanical Solutions in Hamilton, OH.

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Robert Richard/BME Photography