The latest update as of March 8, 2025

IHRA makes a series of BIG announcements

Following a long silent spell on their website, the International Hot Rod Association made a flurry of announcements over the last two days. First up was the resurrection of the President's Cup Nationals event, scheduled for August 8-9 at Maryland International Raceway (Mechanicsville, MD). While the track is not on the IHRA list of "partner" tracks, the event is posted on the track's website. Almost simultaneously, the BIG announcement of a series of National, Nitro Jam, and Pro-Am events, ten in total, was posted on the IHRA website.

Yesterday brought what could be the biggest announcement of all, the "purchase" of seven race tracks, including two currently NHRA-sanctioned facilities, National Trail Raceway and Milan Dragway. The other properties announced for acquisition by IHRA were Darlington Dragway, Dragway 42, Kil-Kare Raceway, Galot Motorsports Park, and Maryland International Raceway. New IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell phrased the purchases in several different ways in the media release.

The headline read "Groundbreaking Acquisition of Seven Premier Drag Racing Tracks". In the first paragraph of the story read "the organization has agreed in principle to purchase seven premier drag racing tracks". The balance of the release veered off in different directions, talking about a new digital platform (IHRA TV), "partnerships with some of the most successful and popular racing series in the entire world". "These events will combine music, entertainment, and All-American family fun!".

The release closes with the seriously optimistic statement that "IHRA is revolutionizing motorsports by integrating competition, entertainment, and media innovation, to create unparalleled experiences for both racers and fans. "We look forward to revolutionizing racing and the continued growth of a legendary company," Cuttell said. "As we head into the future, we are committed to making drag racing fun again!"

It will be interesting to see how, or if, these grandiose visions all come to fruition. Whatever the result, it will be interesting to watch it all unfold.