Over 400 cars, more than $50,000 on the line and seven big winners – the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL is back at Maryland International Raceway. 

The inaugural Summit Sportsman Spectacular at MIR made quite a splash in 2011 with one of the biggest sportsman class races in International Hot Rod Association history and now that race is back and bigger than ever and will hit the lanes July 13-15 with $5,000 to win in each IHRA touring class and a spot in the year-end Tournament of Champions on the line for qualified drivers. 

Created as a unique way to celebrate the IHRA’s 40th anniversary season, the sports only true sportsman-only national event proved an overwhelming success in 2011 as hundreds of racers from all across North America took advantage of this unique program awarding big payouts, big prizes and big competition at two experimental races last year. 

Now, with an overwhelming demand for its return, the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL returns with three big races in 2012 with MIR up next on the schedule. 

 “The Sportsman Spectacular is an event designed specifically for the racers. What began as an experimental way to celebrate our 40th anniversary season quickly took on a life of its own and has turned into one of our biggest events on the schedule,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA VP of Race Operations. “We have opened our doors to the best drivers in the world regardless of what HRA you call home as a way to give back to those that support the great sport of drag racing.” 

In all a grand total of $5,000 is up for grabs in each IHRA class for winners as the event features open fields consisting of both IHRA and NHRA competitors and a spot in the year-end Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL up for grabs making this the must-attend sportsman drag race of the season. 

The Sportsman Spectacular all gets underway on Friday, July 13 with a test and tune for all racers followed by a full day of qualifying and the first round eliminations on Saturday, July 14. Saturday’s race will also feature a re-entry round for first round losers to get back into the competition if the class car count is less than 64 cars, however any driver that loses first round and goes on to win the event will not earn a berth in the Tournament of Champions. Racers will conclude the event on Sunday with a huge purse, Ironman, national event contingency and a spot in the Tournament of Champions for IHRA members. 

Racing will be conducted in IHRA’s seven regular touring Pro-Am classes of Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, ClassRacer.com Super Stock, ClassRacer.com Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod with each winner collecting a $5,000 payday. Also in competition will be Top ET, Mod ET and Junior Dragster. Last year’s winners at MIR were Don Rudd (TS), Brett Nesbitt (TD), Anthony Bertozzi (SS), Myron Piatek (ST), John Dustin (QR), Scott Lawon (SR) and Jeff Martin (HR). 

Entry into the event is only $200 with a guaranteed $5,000 to win for Pro-Am classes plus national event contingency going to the winner in each of the regular IHRA touring classes. 

And the entire event will take place at one of the finest drag racing facilities in the country – Maryland International Raceway. 

MIR is a state-of-the-art facility and a track known for its ability to produce record times. Over the years Maryland International Raceway has become well known as the place to race thanks to an elevation of only 80 feet and many current IHRA national records still stand thanks to the Budds Creek facility. 

Don’t miss the biggest sportsman drag race this season at Maryland International Raceway as the Summit Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL returns July 13-15. 

For more information visit www.ihra.com or call Maryland International Raceway at (301) 884-9833. 

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