10 The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) will make its debut April 20-22 at State Capitol Raceway, Port Allen, La., with the first two races of a 20-race schedule. The IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular is designed to produce a fun double-race weekend with increased purses that is affordable for grassroots, bracket-racing competitors who support their local tracks each week. Many of the IHRA’s partners have taken note with Moser Engineering serving as Saturday race sponsor and other partners stepping up as sponsors of early-round action. The best-losing package of first three early rounds in each class: Box, No Box and Junior Dragster will be rewarded with a variety of prizes. Beyond cash prizes, the winner of each race gets one of the prestigious IHRA IronMan trophy and the runner-up is awared a specially designed medal. There is a national contingency program available to all IHRA members who advance to the final two rounds each day. As part of its contingency program, Summit Racing Equipment will pays for the win, runner-up and semifinal positions. In addition, there are cash bonuses for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries member that goes the furthest in eliminations or wins the event. “We are pleased to have the great venues and schedule which will bring grassroots bracket racers their shot to win two races for only a $150 pre-entry,” IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco said. “This new program provides big money races without the big money entry fees. With all the extra features packed into this weekend, especially for IHRA members, these events present a tremendous value.” On-site entry fees for the season- opening races are $150 for Saturday with a $10,000-to-win payout, $2,000 for the runner-up, $1,000 for the semifinals, and $100 per round starting with Round 3 winners. For Sunday, entry fees are $100 (for anyone not pre-entered) with a $5,000-to-win payout, $1,000 for the runner-up, $500 for the semifinals and $100 per round starting with Round 3 winners. There are the other aforementioned round prizes from round one to the championship. The biggest value comes for racers who pre-enter for the event. All pre-entered competitors will get a buy one / get one free offer to help kick off our 2018 season. When you pre-enter and buy an entry for Saturday’s race, you will get a free entry for Sunday’s race. Pre-entries are available until prior to each event date. Click here for online registration. SPORTSMAN SPECTACULAR IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular TO DEBUT SOON 2018 SCHEDULE April 20-22 State Capitol Raceway Port Allen, La. May 18-20 Keystone Raceway Park New Alexandria, Pa. May 25-27 Darlington Dragway Darlington, S.C. June 1-3 Xtreme Raceway Park Ferris, Texas June 8-10 Dragway 42 West Salem, Ohio June 28-July 1 Wilkesboro Dragway Wilkesboro, N.C. Aug. 17-19 US 131 Motorsports Park Martin, Mich. Aug. 24-26 Maryland International Raceway Budds Creek, Md. Sept. 28-30 Memphis International Raceway Millington, Tenn. Oct. 5-7 Farmington Dragway Mocksville, N.C. IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular TO DEBUT SOON