IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Race 1 Winner — Top Sportsman: Jay Kirk

Jay Kirk’s home state of West Virginia is sometimes referred to as “Almost Heaven.” He felt the same about Darana Motorsports Park in Benson, N.C., after the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series season opener.

Kirk drove his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro to the Top Sportsman victory against a field of incredible talent. He even faced off with his best friend’s brother in the final round.

The field was filled with IHRA race winners and heavy hitters, guys like Jacob Elrod, Jeremy Bargo, Scott Weis, Darian Boesch, Donnie Gibbs Jr. and Nick Cline. Kirk emerged best of the best that day, and even faced three of the aforementioned in eliminations.

“That race could’ve paid a million dollars, but when they handed me that (IHRA) Ironman trophy, that feeling was pure priceless,” Kirk said. “That was a race for the memory books. There’s not a dollar amount that could replace that feeling. As a Sportsman racer, low budget and hard work, to win a race like that, it was truly a blessing.”

His ladder started with Robbie Steward who matched his .023 reaction time, but Kirk’s 4.303 elapsed time on a 4.30 dial-in was the difference. He faced off with Boesch the next round and his .006 reaction time was needed as Boesch was just -.004 too quick at the start.

Kirk won his quarterfinal by a slim margin over Jeff Talvacchio, who proved to be equally tough. Then, he had to face two drivers from Mooresville, N.C., a town known as “Race City USA” for all its NASCAR and drag racing shops.

Gibbs beat Kirk at the start, but a 4.321-second pass at 164.39 mph on a 4.32 dial-in gave him the win. In the final, he was spot-on again with a 4.311 at 162.98 mph on a 4.31 dial-in.

“I felt I truly earned it. I never got a bye run,” he said. “Everybody I ran was very good at what they do. That field of racers really makes the victory feel like you’ve done something.”

The unique thing about facing Cline in the final round is that Nick’s brother, Chris, also helps with his car. He’s also close friends with Gibbs.

“Chris is my best friend and we (index) race together in at Farmington (N.C.) Dragway, Kirk said. “I help Chris with his Pro Mod program. Donnie Gibbs, we race his 4.70 stuff and he’s a tough competitor. To have me and Nick in the final, that was a dream come true. Nick is one of the toughest out there.”

Kirk, 53, has been in the sport since he was 14 starting out as a bracket racer. He purchased his current car after the previous owner died. It’s a sentimental car to him for that reason, as the former owner was a friend who wanted Kirk to have it.

The car built by Tim McAmis features a 665 Chevrolet Wilkins motor. Kirk said racing it on a high level is trying to do it justice. But, it’s much more than the mechanical aspect of drag racing why Kirk loves the sport. His wife is incredibly supportive, the one who encouraged him to race the Camaro. 

“I love the atmosphere and the people, especially at IHRA. Drag racers are different people,” Kirk said. “If one of my competitor breaks and if I have the part, it’s an open trailer and it’s theirs. It’s vice-versa. Everybody still wants to win, but it’s still a big family, a feeling of home.”