Phil Hutchison Drag Racing Action Online

Images Kalyn Rose Guenther Geoff Sculley and courtesy Red Line Motorsports Media

Cinnaminson NJ racer Tom Fox has been in the winner’s circle before in the AnnieMac Mortgage/Cash 2 Keys Top Alcohol dragster, but those wins were in quarter mile competition. At the recent IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event at Darana Dragway in Dunn, North Carolina, Fox, a 56 year old senior mortgage banker drove his blown car to an historic eight mile win. A race he, at one point, was not even considering entering.

The track, formerly known as GALOT Dragway, was designed for the shorter 1/8 mile format and if this event is any indication, the racers and fans love the idea. The IHRA loved the idea so much that in 2026, all the IHRA action will be competed on the short track. 

The event in NC wasn’t Fox’s first foray into the IHRA. The team towed out to Columbus Ohio in July for what was then a quarter mile event. They qualified the car but went out early but the team liked the way the IHRA ran their event. 

“This is the second IHRA event for our team,” Fox said.  “We raced at the inaugural IHRA event in Ohio where we performed well and lost a close race in the first round in a 1/4 mile race. This race at Galot was our first 1/8 miles event.”

“Just a week before this event we had our entire operation apart as we were finished for the season. Mom just has a knee replacement about 6 weeks earlier but was progressing well and told us to go and win the event, so we decided to enter. We spent the next 5 days working to put a motor together and get the car ready for battle. We were really excited because with the 1/8 mile format it favors the blown combination.”

“Dad and I drove down to North Carolina from Jersey and set up Thursday for the race. Our crew Luke Ellis, Chris Prendergast, Bob Toth and Rocky Pirrone, along with Tom Fox Sr and I were ready. While we waited for Q1 we added some graphics for Red Line Media for Jerry Meddock who claims by adding a mustache to the car would add horsepower. Well, it helped as our first qualifying shot took us to the number one qualifying spot with a 3.58. 

Jerry and Mindy Meddock managers and owners of Red Line Motorsports Media said, “The Wednesday before the IHRA race in Dunn, NC I received a text message from Tom Fox of the Fox Racing Top Alcohol Dragster Team. The text says ‘Jerry, what do you think about making our dragster the Red Line Motorsports Media stache mobile for the IHRA Finals in Galot’?

“At this time, I wasn’t sure what Tom had in mind, but we did some previous work for Tom and we clicked immediately. Tom’s vibe and energy were a great match with Mr. and Mrs. Mustache. From that point on we have been in communication with Tom and felt like we gained another friend in the drag racing community. I just knew collaborating for the IHRA race in Dunn was going to be an awesome experience.”

“Two days before the event Tom had some Red Line Motorsports Media Decals made for his dragster. He picked them up practically on his way to the event. Once we all arrived, we met up in the pits and greeted each other with a hug and a smile. This is something we both are pretty good at. Tom got the decals out and we determined the placement on his dragster. Tom applied the decals with the advice of Tom Sr and we did a promo video.”

“I mentioned to Tom that adding these decals was going to add horsepower to his car. In the back of mind I was thinking ‘Wouldn’t it be great if Tom went out and won this thing?’ We have had similar experiences in the past where what we call the “Mustache Mojo” has taken effect. As it turns out, this was just going to be another one of those moments!”

After two sessions, Fox has the dragster in the #1 spot with a track record 3.525. It was a quick field that included third generation racer Megan Smith, New Jersey’s Joe Gerdelmann along with Canadian Jeff Chatterson, engine builder Jamie Noonan, Texas racer Shane Conway and Brett Winward from Delaware on the bump with a 3.765.

Megan Smith, near lane, and Fox had a great side by side during Friday nights second session

“After the first qualifier, Pops wanted to step it up, So we added some weight to the clutch and lined up vs Megan Smith,” Fox adds. “Good thing because she’s stepped up as well and we ran low ET of the event with a 3.52. Since we were number 1, we earned the first round bye. We just broke the beam and saved parts for the semis.” 

“We had to run the tough Samsel team driven by Jamie Noonan and knew this one would be a close race. Since this is a short race format, reaction time would be key. I was focused and patient and staged very deliberately and let my competitor prestage first to gain a slight advantage. It worked as I left first with an .053 RT to his .062 and we stayed in front of for the win.”

In the win against Noonan, Fox nearly tied his record with a 3.526 to Noonan’s losing 3.610

“The biggest emotional roller coaster was the finals. We were up against Shane Conway in the McLeary A/FD. They have a winning combo and a great team; I was having an issue with keeping the RPMs steady on the line but as it turned out Shane left early and went red. Even with his foul I still ran it through with a 3.563 and saw the winners screen and I knew it was our Iron Man! So exciting.”

Red Line Media’s Meddock said, “Tom ends the weekend getting his final Top End interview where we met for yet another hug and even more smiles! WE DID IT!! Tom’s team worked wonderfully all weekend and were a pleasure to be a part of! This was an amazing end to what has been a very good season of the revamped IHRA!” 

“And one other positive of Tom’s win was that Tom wanted to help us celebrate and recognize our Facebook page going over 250,000 Followers. Another reason he thought it would be nice to put our decal on the car.” 

After his win Fox added, “Thanks to Olsen Machine, AC Grinding, Brad Anderson, Reid Rockers, Hillock Anodizing, Fast Signs, Finishline, Red Line Motorsports Media, Annie Mac Cash2Keys, Thompson Motorsports, Holly Days Nursery, B & J Transmissions, DJ Safety, Taylor Motorsports, VP Racing Fuels NGK spark plugs CP Carillo pistons and Goodyear Tires.”

“Also, thanks to my Family, Crew and all the people that help back at the shop Like Brian List and my son Tommy and brother-in law Brett, Cheryl and mom Angie! Most importantly my father Tom who is the driving force behind the scenes. Thank you, dad, for all of your blood sweat and tears! I love you for all you have challenged and guided me to accomplish! Thanks to the IHRA and all the staff in Galot/Darana Motorsports Park! Thank you and Carpe Diem God Bless.”

One plus to winning an IHRA event is the purse. The win at Darana netted the New Jersey driver $7500 which in comparison to what NHRA is paying, is a big difference. Many of the racers think that the competition from the IHRA will make the NHRA rethink there current prize money structure. Time will tell. But as Fox says, “I really like running the IHRA. Next year, if all goes well, I might be the 2026 IHRA Top Alcohol Dragster champ.”