BENSON, N.C. — Rising star Jasmine Salinas and former IHRA World Champion Del Worsham earned No. 1 qualifying awards for the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes Friday at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event at Darana Motorsports Park.
Salinas rocketed down the drag strip in 3.004 seconds at 285.59 mph to earn the spot atop the Top Fuel ladder.
Gary Pritchett was second quickest in the rail cars at 3.061 seconds and 283.85 mph. Lee Callaway, Scott Palmer and Spencer Massey rounded out the top five. Lex Joon, Chuck Loftin and Kyle Satenstein completed the eight-driver field.
Worsham picked up where he ended last season. After winning three times and making the final round in all five races in 2025, Worsham had the quick time (3.202 seconds) and fast speed (282.13) in Funny Car qualifying. John Smith led round 1 of qualifying and was second overall at 3.241 seconds and 270.86 mph.
Terry Haddock, Jacob McNeal and two-time IHRA World Champion Dale Creasy qualified third through fifth. Jack Wyatt, Dan Hix and Joey Haas were others who advanced to the elimination rounds.
Jason Harris was the quickest in Pro Mod at 3.543 seconds and 211.59 mph. Hometown racer John Doc qualified second at 3.558 seconds and 210.83 mph. Jason Lee throttled up for the fastest speed at 213.40 mph.
Jason Scruggs was both quickest and fastest in Outlaw Pro Mod. He had an elapsed time of 3.518 seconds at 221.49 mph. He was just .004 quicker than Bubba Stanton who had a 3.522-second run at 217.60 mph.
History was made with the quickest Mountain Motor Pro Stock field in history. Alan Drinkwater set a new standard with a 4.026-second run at 179.30 mph. Johnny Pluchino and Chris Powers had identical 4.032 elapsed times, but Pluchino captured the No. 2 spot with his speed of 178.90 mph.
Tony Scott set both quick time and fast speed in Pro Stock at 4.903 seconds and 144 mph.
Chris Smith was the quickest on two wheels with a 4.150-second run at 173.63 mph in Nitro Harley. Moving to the sleds, Anthony Mini powered down the track in 4.505 seconds with a top speed of 158.33 mph in Snowmobiles.
Jamie Noonan had quick time in Top Alcohol Dragster with 3.472 seconds at 228.58 mph. Jackie Fricke was close behind at 3.484 seconds and 229.31 mph. Megan Smith, the first driver outside the top eight, actually had the fastest speed at 230.02 mph.
Phil Esz earned No. 1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Funny Car with a 3.546-second elapsed time at 211.49 mph. Chip Everett had the second quickest time at 3.602 seconds, while Mick Steele posted the fastest speed at 215.93 mph.
The Fuel Altered class saw Ryan Hill take the No. 1 qualifying spot at 3.624 seconds and 205.10 mph. No. 2 qualifier Cody Austin had the top speed at 213.57 mph.
Today is race day with Pro-Am eliminations starting 9:30 a.m. with the Hot Rod class. Opening ceremonies for the Pro classes is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. followed by the first round for Top Alcohol Funny Car.
