Former IHRA driver arrested in drug raid

Metropolitan police say they arrested a former professional drag racer on drug charges Thursday during a raid on the Northside.

Jeff O’Neill, the 2007 International Hot Rod Association’s Rookie of the Year, was held without bond in the Marion County Jail on initial charges of dealing a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, records show.

O’Neill, 28, and another man were arrested when police served a search warrant on suspected narcotics dealers who they believe had been selling near McDonalds, 37 W. 38th St., Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

Police arrested O’Neill and Charles Reynolds, 58, in the parking lot, Duhamell said. Officers found suspected narcotics and needles in O’Neill’s black Lexus, Duhamell said.Reynolds was also held without bond facing the same charges as O’Neill, records show.Duhamell confirmed that O’Neill told officers he had been a professional drag racer but hadn’t raced in a couple years.No McDonald’s workers were arrested in the investigation, Duhamell said.