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Cordova, IHRA Look to Build on Rich History With New Agreement

Wednesday, 07 April 2021

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Cordova International Raceway (CIR) is home to the O’Reilly Auto Parts World Series of Drag Racing, the world’s longest continually running drag racing event. However, there’s much more to this legendary International Hot Rod Association member track located in Cordova, Illinois.

With a multi-year sanctioning renewal, CIR and the IHRA will continue to build on their rich history together. During the IHRA’s professional days, drivers like Tommy Johnson Jr., Doug Herbert, Bruce Litton and six-time IHRA World Champion Clay Millican took home Top Fuel trophies.

In May 2002, Millican set a then world speed record of 326.63 mph on the famed surface. Von Smith won three of four Nitro Funny Car victories in the Summer Nationals from 1997-2000, while Ron Miller and Tommy Lee traded Pro Stock victories during a four-year span. Guys like Shannon Jenkins and Fred Haun captured Pro Mod wins.

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Fast forward to today and the 67th annual O’Reilly World Series of Drag Racing, with its thrilling pro show featuring fire-breathing Nitro cars and ground-pounding Pro Mods, along with a host of Nostalgia machines takes center stage on the quarter-mile drag strip.

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But true to the grassroots, CIR also focuses on the Sportsman through the IHRA Summit SuperSeries and Kamper Korner Bracket Series.

Showing how much the track means to the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa, the community gets together for Volunteer Day every year. That’s when CIR staff and racers are joined by fans, sponsors and others to get the facility ready for the race season. 

Other key events at CIR include the “River Redemption” small-tire series and Halloweird, a great event for the family. Besides the great racing on the track, there are crafts, a costume contest and trick-or-treating for the youngsters.

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“We are thrilled to host one of the premier events in all of drag racing with the O’Reilly World Series of Drag Racing,” CIR President and General Manager Dominic Blasco said. “Plus, our partnership with the IHRA and the Summit SuperSeries is the perfect fit for our grassroots racers. Add in the great support from those throughout the surrounding communities and we are truly blessed at Cordova International Raceway.”

With a spacious 190-acre facility, amenities include plenty of on-site camping, a large fenced-in playground within site of the tower, a large pavilion area and pit-side restrooms with showers. 

For more information about Cordova International Raceway click here.

To become an IHRA member, check out the IHRA membership page here or call (561) 337-3446.

Last modified on Wednesday, 07 April 2021