IHRA Triple Crown Opener Delivers Drama at Darana Raceway: Taylor Dietsch, Phil Esz, Rachel Curl, Anthony Rhodes & Mitch Brown Take Class Victories

Hebron, Ohio – June 20, 2026 — DARANA Raceway hosted an action-packed ET Series 5 event filled with tight racing, dramatic upsets, and standout performances across multiple classes. Racers battled through time trials and elimination rounds under the lights, with several classes going the distance in best-of-three or longer finals. Here are the class winners from the final elimination rounds:

Pro Stock Winner: Taylor Dietsch

Taylor Dietsch dominated the Pro Stock class, claiming the title with a strong final-round performance. Dietsch posted a winning 4.8651 ET at 148.66 mph in the decisive round, securing the low ET and top MPH honors for the class. The consistent runs throughout eliminations showcased why Dietsch stood atop the Pro Stock field.

Hemi Shootout Winner: Anthony Rhodes

Anthony Rhodes took the Hemi Shootout crown in dramatic fashion. In the final round, Rhodes delivered a 8.3344 ET at 159.80 mph to edge out the competition. Rhodes also earned class honors for low ET and top MPH, capping a strong weekend with precise driving and solid reaction times.

Top Alcohol Funny Car Winner: Phil Esz

Phil Esz emerged victorious in Top Alcohol Funny Car after a hard-fought final against Stan Sipos. Esz clicked off a winning 5.4562 ET at 259.37 mph in the decisive round. The run sealed the championship and highlighted Esz’s ability to perform under pressure in the nitro-burning class.

Top Alcohol Dragster Winner: Rachel Curl

Rachel Curl captured the Top Alcohol Dragster title with a solid final-round effort. Curl’s winning pass of 5.3446 ET at 264.71 mph proved decisive against a strong field. Curl’s consistent performance and strong mph numbers throughout the event earned her the class championship.

Top Fuel Motorcycle Winner: Mitch Brown

Mitch Brown rode to victory in Top Fuel Motorcycle, defeating Bob Malloy in the final. Brown’s winning 3.9403 ET at 195.99 mph sealed the deal. Brown’s strong runs and competitive reaction times made him the class champion in this high-speed motorcycle category.

Nitro Harley Winner: Ryan Peery

Ryan Peery claimed the Nitro Harley crown in the final round against Bob Malloy. Peery delivered a winning 4.0912 ET at 186.88 mph, also earning low ET and top MPH honors for the class. The pass capped an impressive elimination run for Peery.

Top Fuel Winner: Tripp Tatum

Tripp Tatum took the Top Fuel title with a blistering final-round performance. Tatum’s winning 3.7640 ET at 328.47 mph defeated Gary Pritchett and secured the championship. Tatum’s speed and consistency in the nitro class were unmatched on this night.

Funny Car Winner: Paul Lee

Paul Lee drove to the Funny Car victory in the final against Del Worsham. Lee posted a winning 3.9738 ET at 326.32 mph in the decisive round. The strong mph and solid ET gave Lee the class title in this competitive nitro Funny Car field.

Mountain Motor Pro Stock Winner: John DeFlorian Jr

John DeFlorian Jr. captured the Mountain Motor Pro Stock championship with a strong final-round win over Jeremy Huffman. DeFlorian Jr. delivered a 4.0527 ET at 177.30 mph to take the title. Consistent performance and strong numbers throughout eliminations earned him the win.

Pro Mod Winner: Jason Harris

Jason Harris won the Pro Mod class in a thrilling five-round final elimination battle. Harris sealed the championship with a winning 3.5675 ET at 210.58 mph against Jacob McNeal. Harris also posted strong numbers throughout, including top MPH honors, to claim the Pro Mod crown.