The latest update as of February 3, 2025
A little more IHRA News
The latest news out of the newly rejuvenated International Hot Rod Association is the hiring of Christian Byrd as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. With an extensive sports marketing background, which included the mentorship of his late father, Jeff Byrd, who was heavily involved in bringing the R.J. Reynolds (Winston) sponsorships to the IHRA, and later NHRA. Christian's latest motorsports position was as General Manager of zMax Dragway.
At this point we're not sure exactly what his duties will entail, but the media release announcing his hiring closed with the following statement from Mr. Byrd. "We need to make things cost-effective for our families. We need to make it cost-effective for racers. We need the right people in the room. The IHRA is well on its way to doing that."
Other developments at IHRA include the shift of Darlington Dragway (Huntsville, SC) and Wichita Raceway Park (Wichita Falls, TX) from IHRA sanction to the NHRA. While the 1/8-th mile track in Texas is not that significant of a move, the loss of "Legendary" Darlington is a definite loss to the IHRA's roster of tracks. As to how this might affect their plans for a 10-event Nitro Jam season in 2025, that remains to be seen. More news on the "New" IHRA when it happens.
The 2025 Drag Racing Season is underway!
Despite the winter weather covering many parts of North America, there's already one major doorslammer event in the books, and later this week a second, and even bigger, event is on tap at the winter racing capital of Bradenton, FL. Two weeks ago, the Drag Illustrated Winter Series had it's second of three events at Bradenton, with the U.S. Street Nationals. To say it was a very competitive event is a major understatement, as the 32-car Outlaw Pro Mod qualified field was led by Ken Quartuccio's very quick 3.572 pass going into the final qualifying session.
That number held up until one of the last cars down the track, the '69 Camaro of defending champion Mark Micke snatched away the #1 position with a very quick and extremely fast 3.567 - 219.36 pass. At the other end of the field, the bump spot was held down by Matt Dietsch at a very respectable 3.655. Eliminations were unpredictable as some of the higher qualified cars fell early with either too much traction - wheelstands - or severe tire shake. And the field was peppered with some big names, including the 2024 NHRA Top Fuel champion, Antron Brown, perennial NHRA Pro Mod stars Stevie "Fast" Jackson and Lyle Barnett, and No Prep Kings standout Kye Kelley.
After four rounds of intense competition, #2 qualifier Ken Quartuccio faced off against Lyle Barnett and took the $75,000 win with a great 3.586 - 208.62 pass, initiated with an .001 reaction time. Falling just short with an excellent pass of 3.608 - 207.62 was Barnett, who was close, but just not close enough.