International Hot Rod Association - Summit SuperSeries News

IHRA Officials to be at Tracks This Weekend to Assist Racers

2024-04-17T18:30:03-05:00

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — International Hot Rod Association officials will be hitting the road this weekend to help racers with memberships and other needs.

IHRA Northern Division Director Christopher Eager will be at Great Lakes Dragaway doing chassis certifications and helping with memberships. IHRA Director of Racer Relations Staci Kettles is headed to Bonne Terre Drag Strip to sign up racers as members and assist in other ways needed. Darlington Dragway will have a special visitor Saturday with IHRA President Mel Roth on site.

Please come by and say hello to these officials as we always welcome the racers’ input. Be sure you are eligible to compete in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, the most prestigious national championship in all of bracket racers. Click here to visit our membership center online. You may also call 85.JOIN.IHRA where our friendly IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth can take you through the process of getting you on track.

Kettles Introduced as IHRA Director of Racer Relations

2024-04-17T11:47:33-05:00

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — Staci Kettles feels she has been preparing her whole life for a new role with the International Hot Rod Association.

The third-generation racer was recently named the IHRA Director of Racer Relations. It’s a natural fit for the Sikeston, Missouri resident who saw her grandparents and dad race, and her mom work as a crew member. It’s a tradition that Kettles is passing on to her own kids as one daughter helps her in the pits and another races Junior Dragster.

“I literally live and breathe racing,” she said. “I want the racers to know I’m a racer too.”

Kettles is a racer first and foremost, but she’s also brings the diverse experience of working other roles. She’s been a track announcer, a track manager and has run her own No Prep series. Still, her biggest thrill is getting behind the wheel of the 1962 Plymouth that was her dad’s car when she was growing up. Built to be a 6.50 index car, she races it in No Box when time allows.

“I’ve worked so many weekends that I haven’t gotten much seat time,” she said. “The ’62 was my dad’s car the whole time I was growing up. I was able to take ownership of it before he passed away. I didn’t get to finish the build on it until he passed away and I’ve only had it on the track about a year.”

Staci’s on-track history began racing a slant-6 Duster at age 14. But, the role as announcer at her hometown track is how she got to really know IHRA CEO and Owner Larry Jeffers. She appreciates how Jeffers has put his heart and soul into bringing the sanctioning body back to its former glory.

In turn, he saw the passion that Kettles has for the sport. So have the racers who have interacted with her. Kettles, who has been working with IHRA Membership Coordinator Heather Roth, has been visiting different tracks like Newport Raceway in Arkansas last weekend.

“We wanted to be at Newport at their first IHRA points race Sunday,” she said. “People are sometimes overwhelmed with the memberships online, so it’s good to have a physical body at the track.”

Kettles plans to attend the races at Bonne Terre Drag Strip this weekend. She will again help with memberships as it’s the facility’s first season as an IHRA-sanctioned track. For Kettles, it’s a joy to meet the racers and make new friends. Thanks in large part to her history, she’s able to see things from multiple perspectives.

“It’s a huge benefit because if there’s a situation it’s easier for me to understand both sides because I’m a driver,” she said. “I love racing period, but bracket racing is where my roots are. Sometimes the racers just want somebody to talk to and tell a story. That’s where I feel I can help as a people person.”

Please welcome Kettles to the IHRA team. Racers feel free to contact her with any questions at skettles@ihra.com.

Spring 2024 Edition of IHRA Drag Review Magazine Now Online

2024-04-02T13:28:41-05:00

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — Racers, tracks and partners are highlighted in the Spring 2024 edition of IHRA Drag Review Magazine now online.

Check out the latest from Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels, Don Baskin Trucking LLC, M&M Transmission, Hoosier Racing Tire and others.

Track features include Music City Raceway coming off a highly successful 2023 campaign, Roxboro Motorsports Park celebrating its 65th anniversary and Wichita Raceway Park returning to the IHRA. Other member tracks have done a ton of work in the offseason which is also highlighted.

There’s the IHRA Hot Rod Classic set to debut next week and the story of the Bruce Dvoracek Memorial Race which plays tribute to a legendary racer at Thunder Valley Dragways in South Dakota.

We hope you enjoy this issue. You can go under the membership tab on the IHRA.com website to see this and previous issues.

Be Sure Your IHRA Membership is Up to Date as Season Begins

2024-03-12T13:06:22-05:00

HOUSE SPRINGS, Mo. — The 2024 IHRA racing season kicks into high gear this weekend with the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser at Penwell Knights Raceway and IHRA Summit SuperSeries action at other tracks across North America.

Make sure your IHRA membership is up to date as another IHRA Sportsman Spectacular comes to Knoxville Dragway in two weeks and the IHRA Hot Rod Classic at Xtreme Raceway Park is only a month away.

IHRA-member racers can qualify for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering in three ways. One way is to win the IHRA Summit SuperSeries championship at their home track. Another way is to win an individual title at one of the IHRA Summit Team Finals.

Third way is a racer can win his or her class at an IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering in conjunction with entering at least two other IHRA races..

Over $275,000 in prizes and payouts were awarded at the 2023 IHRA World Finals with racer-friendly grand prizes for the champions in five different classes — Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster.

Thanks to IHRA partners Don Baskin Truck Sales LLC, M&M Transmission and Extreme Oil Products, racers will compete for big payouts, special black powder-coated IHRA Ironman trophies, and specially designed IHRA medals at IHRA Hot Rod Classic events in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Real Steel N/T, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod.

Besides the ground-pounding Pro Mods at each event, there is bracket racing for Box, No Box and Juniors.

Here are some of the other benefits of becoming an IHRA member:

· $100,000 of excess insurance coverage. If it's a serious injury and forced to miss work, your IHRA coverage will pay you $200 for 26 weeks

· Twelve percent discount at Drury Hotels nationwide. Call 1-800-DRURYINN and use the IHRA special corporate code 334916 and start saving today

· Discount coupon and Summit Pro-Shop membership from Summit Racing Equipment

· Exclusive IHRA membership card and decals

· A printed version of the most current IHRA rulebook and decals

· Ability to compete for round prizes and bonuses exclusive for IHRA members at Sportsman Spectacular events

· Discounts on IHRA merchandise purchased on ihra.com/shop.

· Able to compete from round prizes and bonuses exclusive for IHRA members at Sportsman Spectacular, Summit Team Finals and Hot Rod Classic events

It is fast and easy to join. Click here to visit our membership center. You may also call 85.JOIN.IHRA where our friendly IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth can take you through the process of getting you on track.

Edinburg Motorsports Park Undergoes Big Improvements Ahead of IHRA Ironman Classic

2024-02-24T09:16:43-06:00

EDINBURG, Texas — Racers will be treated to big improvements when they come to Edinburg Motorsports Park for the season kickoff with an IHRA Ironman Classic on March 1-2.

A crew from Total Venue Concept did a track profile grind and total track upgrade. They worked to make the drag strip level and smooth for the racers all the way down the quarter-mile prior to the huge racing season coming up at the South Texas facility.

It’s a fun-filled two days of action with Friday headlined by 4.99, 6.0 and 7.0 Index racing with the track to add $300 on top of the buy ins for each class. There is an extra element of excitement with a winner-takes-all format.

After that gets you fired up, Saturday features unbelievable action with racers competing for IHRA Ironman trophies, double points and winner takes all in five classes — Electronics (Box), No Box, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster. There is also a winner-takes-all race for Electric Vehicles.

With the Electronics class, the track is adding $500 on top of the purse. Edinburg is adding $300 to the No Box, Sportsman and Motorcycle classes. It’s a $100 entry and $50 buy back for these four classes and $50 buy in and $25 buy back for the Junior and EV classes.

In addition, there will be IHRA chassis and membership certification services on site.

Gates open at noon Saturday and a special presentation to the 2023 IHRA Ironman winner will take place at 2 p.m. First round of racing begins at 5 p.m. Costs are $40 for the racers, $15 for spectators each day with kids 12-under admitted free.

Click here to check out the Edinburg Motorsports Park Facebook page for these and other events. Make sure you’re eligible for all the IHRA benefits and keep up to date on your IHRA membership by clicking here for the membership center or call our membership coordinator Heather Roth at 85-JOIN-IHRA.

The Road to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals Begins This Weekend in Louisiana

2024-02-22T15:18:11-06:00

PORT ALLEN, La. — Points races for the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries as well as the track’s SCR Bracket Series are starting this weekend at State Capitol Raceway.

Changes to the program for 2024 are lowering the Sportsman minimum time from 7.50 to 7.40 and not requiring IHRA members to use an X-number for track points. IHRA membership before July 1 is still required to qualify for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

$3,000-to-win Super Pro (Box), $2,000-to-win Mod (No Box) and $1,000-to-win Top Doorslammers and Quick 16 races headline this weekend’s action at the Louisiana track. Sportsman, Street and two classes of Junior Dragster (Advanced and Masters) will also be contested.

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Championship is the most prestigious championship in bracket racing with over $275,000 in payouts and prizes awarded in 2023. These included racer-friendly prizes for the champions.

Racers can qualify for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering by winning the IHRA-member track championship, an individual division title at one of the IHRA Summit Team Finals or becoming a winner at an IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering along with competing in two other IHRA events.

Here are some of the benefits of becoming an IHRA member:

·      $100,000 of excess insurance coverage. If it's a serious injury and forced to miss work, your IHRA coverage will pay you $200 for 26 weeks

· Twelve percent discount at Drury Hotels nationwide. Call 1-800-DRURYINN and use the IHRA special corporate code 334916 and start saving today

· Discount coupon and Summit Pro-Shop membership from Summit Racing Equipment

· Exclusive IHRA membership card and decals

·      A printed version of the most current IHRA rulebook and decals

·      Ability to compete for round prizes and bonuses exclusive for IHRA members at Sportsman Spectacular events

·      Discounts on IHRA merchandise purchased on ihra.com/shop.

· Able to compete from round prizes and bonuses exclusive for IHRA members at Sportsman Spectacular, Summit Team Finals and Hot Rod Classic events

You don’t want to miss out on the fun as it’s super easy to become a part of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries program, the most prestigious championship program in bracket racing. You can click here for the IHRA membership center or call our membership coordinator Heather at 85-JOIN-IHRA.

Check out a more in-depth description of the Road to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals below.

IHRA Adds Great Benefits, Opportunities to Participate in Fun Programs

2024-01-15T10:41:11-06:00

HOUSE SPRINGS, Mo. — Don’t miss out on the fun as there’s never been a better time to become an International Hot Rod Association member.

The momentum has continued to build with exciting IHRA programs and events like the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser and FuelTech and the IHRA Hot Rod Classic.

Already the most prestigious and historic national championship in bracket racing, the IHRA Summit SuperSeries had continuously evolved over two-plus decades, giving more racers more opportunities to win big money and prizes than ever before.

IHRA-member racers can qualify for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering in three ways. They can win the IHRA Summit SuperSeries championship at their home track, can win an individual title at one of the IHRA Summit Team Finals or win their class at an IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering and Fuel Tech.

Thanks to IHRA partners Don Baskin Truck Sales LLC, M&M Transmission and Extreme Oil Products, racers will compete for big payouts, special black-coated IHRA Ironman trophies, and specially designed IHRA medals at IHRA Hot Rod Classic events in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Real Steel N/T, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod. Besides the ground-pounding Pro Mods at each event, there is bracket racing for Box, No Box and Juniors.

Here are some of the other benefits of becoming an IHRA member:

· $100,000 of excess insurance coverage. If it's a serious injury and forced to miss work, your IHRA coverage will pay you $200 for 26 weeks

· Twelve percent discount at Drury Hotels nationwide. Call 1-800-DRURYINN and use the IHRA special corporate code 334916 and start saving today

· Discount coupon and Summit Pro-Shop membership from Summit Racing Equipment

· Exclusive IHRA membership card and decals

· A printed version of the most current IHRA rulebook and decals

· Ability to compete for round prizes and bonuses exclusive for IHRA members at Sportsman Spectacular events

· Discounts on IHRA merchandise purchased on ihra.com/shop.

· Able to compete from round prizes and bonuses exclusive for IHRA members at Sportsman Spectacular, Summit Team Finals and Hot Rod Classic events

Happy Birthday, 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits

2024-01-14T14:54:07-06:00

The International Hot Rod Association would like to wish a Happy 92nd Birthday to the legend among legends, 17-time World Champion “Big Daddy” Don Garlits.

The Florida native set dozens of records over his legendary career and was the first driver to surpass 200 mph in both the quarter-mile and eighth-mile. In 2019 at age 87, he set a world record of 189.03 mph for an electric dragster at Palm Beach International Raceway.

Garlits is a 10-time AHRA World Champion, four-time IHRA World Champion, a three-time NHRA World Champion and the owner of 144 national-event victories overall. His IHRA totals include 25 Top Fuel victories and 32 final-round appearances.

His Swamp Rat dragster has been long displayed at the National Museum of American History as part of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Also, the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is located at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida.

Garlits was the first drag racer inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1989 and eight years later into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Join us as we salute this true icon of the sport on his birthday.

Summit Racing Equipment, IHRA Extend Longest Series Partnership in Bracket Racing

2024-01-09T10:14:26-06:00

HOUSE SPRINGS, Mo. — For more than two decades, Summit Racing Equipment and the International Hot Rod Association have set the standard in bracket racing.

They continue to do so with today’s announcement the longest series partnership in bracket drag racing has been extended through the 2024 season.

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries is the most prestigious championship program in bracket racing with over $275,000 in payouts and prizes awarded to the racers in 2023. The program, which dates back to 2002, includes the IHRA Summit Team Finals and IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

It is the World Championship for thousands of IHRA-member track racers each season, held at IHRA-sanctioned member tracks across North America. IHRA Summit SuperSeries track champions, divisional champions and winners of IHRA Sportsman Spectacular events from all over North America were represented in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster at the 2023 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Holly Springs Motorsports.

They competed for big checks from Summit Racing Equipment, special IHRA Ironman World Champion trophies, IHRA gold cards, World Championship diamond rings and grand prizes in the five different classes.

“Summit Racing is proud to be able to extend our long term partnership with IHRA. The Summit SuperSeries was built to support the local racers and race facilities around the country,” said Summit Racing Equipment’s Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf. “We are excited to be able to support a program that gives the grassroots racers and opportunity to race for a national championship, that starts by supporting their local tracks.”

Jeromy Hefler (Top), Wesley Lockhart (Mod), Aaron Richards (Sportsman), Kane Austin (Motorcycle) and AJ Leung (Junior Dragster) were the best of the best in earning IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Championships in 2023.

“We appreciate Summit Racing Equipment’s continued support of the grassroots, Sportsman racer,” IHRA Owner and CEO Larry Jeffers said. “No other program has the history and outstanding track record of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries. We continue to work with Summit Racing Equipment to make the premier championship in bracket racing even better.”

For more information about Summit Racing Equipment, visit SummitRacing.com.

It’s super easy to become an IHRA member and participate in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries program, click here for our membership center or call IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth at 85-JOIN-IHRA.

Holly Springs Motorsports to Host 2024 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals

2024-01-05T11:03:54-06:00

HOLLY SPRINGS, Ms. — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering is returning to Holly Springs Motorsports for a third straight year on Oct. 9-12.

The northern Mississippi track has proven to be a great venue for the invitational-only event which brings together IHRA-member track and divisional racing champions across North America. The venue features an 1/8-mile drag strip, eight staging lanes, concrete walls, guardrails and an uphill shutdown area.

Holly Springs Motorsports is conveniently located off Interstate 22. Among the features are LED lighting, an AccuTime timing system, acres of paved parking and numerous speakers throughout the facility. There are over 100 sites with electrical hook-ups, plenty of other camping space, restrooms, showers and a concession stand with great items served.

“We’ve heard how much the racers have enjoyed their time at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering,” IHRA Owner and CEO Larry Jeffers said. “We are working hard to make it an even more memorable experience this season.”

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering featured over $275,000 in payouts and prizes in 2023. It included the amazing IHRA World Championship Ironman trophies and World Championship diamond rings. The event also featured the traditional Race of Champions and a Racer’s Appreciation party with live music and free food and was broadcasted live on the IHRA-TV channel on YouTube.

Holly Springs Motorsports is also scheduled to host the IHRA Division 2 (Heat Wave) Summit Team Finals Sept. 12-14. For more about this great track, click here to check out the Holly Springs Motorsports Facebook page.