“This adds recognition to our track, and we’re proud to fly the IHRA colors,” track promoter Jeff Shirk said. “We know the IHRA has been looking to expand and we’re happy to help in that area.”

The three tracks are working together to promote a big shootout for their racers at the end of the season. Matter of fact, it was the relationship with Eagle Field track operator Rocky Phillips that sparked the interest of Kingdon Drags and IHRA. Shirk and Phillips go way back as Shirk helped train him on the track’s former timing system.

Shirk is currently working on a new timing system at Kingdon Drags, which has its biggest event in September. The 18th annual Return to Kingdon Drags is the track’s largest event of the season. The 2023 edition featured an arm-drop, test-and-tune and The Beast Jet Dragster on Friday, an open timed test-and-tune on Saturday, followed by opening ceremonies and a Nitro Cackle Fest. Sunday’s schedule included another test-and-tune, opening ceremonies and final eliminations.

They always try to pay homage to the early days of racing as Shirk explained some at the track are into the old-school, heads-up racing and others who like the time slips.

“Our September event, we start with the arm drop, move to the timers and finish with a bracket, dial-in,” Shirk said. “The Return to Kingdon Drags Reunion is always the big race, but we have some smaller ones too.”

The Kingdon strip was built in the early 1940s by the military and used as a training facility for pilots. Bob Cress, a Stockton police officer, converted the use to a drag strip as a way to get illegal racing off the streets and provide them with a safer and legal alternative.

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits debuted the “Swamp Rat” at Kingdon in 1959 and the facility became an operational airport again in the 1970s. Shirk held his first race at Kingdon in 2006, honoring the racers who drove there in the past. For the races, they fence it off and bring in the portable pieces like a full barrier to host the races.

They are good neighbors for the community and have used proceeds from the races to donate to military organizations. The racing can get serious as Shirk recounted how one driver got his  wheels so far up at the start, it destroyed the transmission and everything else when the car came down.

Shirk is serious about spraying and prepping the track to make it the best for the racers, while they also create a great family atmosphere. Several vendors come in to provide food options including a nice selection of desserts. They also work hard to bring in sponsors which include Premier Pools, United Rentals and Teichert Construction.

For more information about Kingdon Drags, click here to look at the track’s Facebook page. Welcome to all the new California racers. Make sure you take advantage of becoming an IHRA member as it’s fast and easy to join.

Click here to visit the IHRA 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.

Racers in Box, No Box, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster classes will compete for prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies and the very popular oversized championship checks. IHRA members will also be in the running for limited-edition Sportsman Spectacular commemorative medals.

There are exciting opportunities for racers who can gain entry to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering by winning the main event in the Box, No Box, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster classes in conjunction with entering at least two other IHRA races (an IHRA-member track Summit SuperSeries team race or Sportsman Spectacular) before the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. Current IHRA membership is required.

Each event is tailored to the host track’s racing programs with a $5,000-to-win top prize and $100 entry fee in the Super Pro (Box) class. The Pro (No Box) class features $1,200 to the winner and a $55 entry. It’s $750 for the Sportsman winner with a $45 entry fee. Motorcycle pays $400 to the winner and $45 to enter. The  Junior Dragster winner will get 45 percent of the entry fees and the runner-up receives 25 percent. 

Gates open at 10 a.m. with time trials to start at 11 a.m. Spectator tickets are $15 each with kids 10-under admitted free. Click here to check out the Facebook page for Kil-Kare Raceway for this and other exciting events like this Saturday’s Quick 16 Dragster and Door Car races.

Be sure to take advantage of all the benefits of being an IHRA member. Click here to visit our membership or call 85.JOIN.IHRA where IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth helps to make it easy getting you on track.

Through the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular, racers have more opportunities than ever before to qualify for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering. In addition, they will compete for prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies and the very popular oversized championship checks. IHRA members will also be in the running for limited-edition Sportsman Spectacular commemorative medals.

Racers can gain entry to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering by winning the main event in the Box, No Box, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster classes in conjunction with entering at least two other IHRA races (an IHRA-member track Summit SuperSeries team race or Sportsman Spectacular) before the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. 

Current IHRA membership is required, and each event is tailored to the host track’s racing programs. Here’s a little about each track.

Gleason Raceway Park in Gleason, TN has been transformed under the leadership of the Northup family. They’ve done work from one end of the track to the other. The launch pad has been reworked and they’ve added to the shutdown area. See the flyer below for this weekend’s races.

Kil-Kare Raceway in Xenia, OH has a rich history in motorsports at both the drag strip and oval track. The dragway, which first opened in 1959, has seen legendary stars such as “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, “TV” Tommy Ivo and Bob Glidden race down the drag strip. Here is the flyer for their upcoming race.

Dragway 42 in West Salem, OH is recognized as one of the finest drag strips in the country. It has hosted major IHRA races in recent years including the Division 3 (North Stars) Summit Team Finals and the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular. They have several other big events throughout the year including the Dragway 42 Music Festival.

Music City Raceway in Goodlettsville, TN, a suburb of Nashville, even has a guitar dragster on wheels as its logo. Their racers were some of the most successful in the country at the 2023 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals with Kane Austin racing to the Motorcycle championship and Jonah Allen winning the Race of Champions. They had four racers finish in the national top 10 standings.

Make sure you’re ready to take advantage of all the benefits of competing in these events, like being eligible for contingency bonuses as an IHRA member. Click here to visit our membership or call 85.JOIN.IHRA where IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth will help make the process smooth and easy.

The International Hot Rod Association would like to thank all the racers, crews, sponsors and others who showed up to support the event. We also want to give a shout out to those who watched yesterday’s Gamblers races and today’s live broadcast on the IHRA-TV channel on YouTube.

Action is scheduled to return to Darlington Dragway with a test-and-tune on Wednesday and the Spring Blast Off next Friday and Saturday. The IHRA has more Hot Rod Classic races coming up at Muncie Dragway, Kuhnle Motorsports Park and Alabama International Dragway.

Thanks to IHRA Hot Rod Classic sponsors Don Baskin Trucking LLC, M&M Transmission, Extreme Racing Oils, Stroud Safety, Hoosier Racing Tire, and TMF Metal Solutions for their support throughout the weekend.

Bilton drove his blue Chevrolet Vega GT down the track in 6.075 seconds at 108.93 mph in the Box Gamblers victory. Bryce Pittman was runner-up in his white Chevrolet Camaro, posting a run of 5.956 seconds at 116.40 mph. Bilton had the .008 to .016 advantage at the tree.

There were more victories for the Bowtie Brigade as the No Box final saw Keir drive to the win in his silver Chevy S-10 pickup despite Ross Freeman getting a .024 to.039 better start. Keir finished in 6.769 seconds at 100.04 mph. Freeman roared down the drag strip in 5.877 seconds at 111.58 mph in his white Chevy Nova.

Jackson was the winner in his red, white and blue patriotic-themed Junior Dragster with a 7.905-second pass at 83.91 mph coupled with a .015 reaction time. Braydon Crayton had a great start at .007, but came up just short with his 8.921-second elapsed time at 72.25 mph.

After eliminations, more fun ensued with the golf cart and pit bike race. In a battle of two wheels, Morgan rode his bike to the win over Robert Holton.

You can click here to check out the IHRA-TV channel on YouTube to watch the action from the Gamblers' race.

Chloe never has to go far for inspiration when she walks into her pap’s house and sees all his trophies. 

She enjoys the sensation of speed, going from 12.75 to being bumped up to 8.90 and racing for points for the first time in 2023. Morley, who races at Quaker City Motorsports Park, finished second in points last season. She was named rookie of the year after capturing her first win and qualifying for the bracket finals. Her win was more special since her grandparents and great grandma were all there to see it.

Her favorite school subject is science, although her dad helps her education at the track, teaching her how to read and understand everything about her time slips. She could see a future as a hair stylist, although she loves the sport of racing and hopes to join her dad in the big dragsters one day.

She also has a younger brother who is almost ready to race Junior Dragsters. Wright Concrete, Boring’s Salvage and Detail for Less sponsor her efforts, while she gets family support from her parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

More great Junior Dragster drivers across the country will be featured soon. Keep up with the latest good news about these young racers on IHRA.com and our social media channels.

There are talks of a combined event this fall with Eagle Field Runway Drags and another IHRA-member track soon to be announced. Rocky Phillips, the drag racing coordinator at Eagle Field, was one who talked to Gonzalez about the benefits of joining the IHRA.

“Rocky Phillips mentioned it to me and I’m really excited about it,” Gonzalez said. “My racers that race here at Mendota thought being a part of IHRA was a good idea. I’ve been in tire business 30 years and one of the things is you always have to improve and make things better. With everything, it’s about safety first.” 

Gonzalez has been working with the city of Mendota to make each race at the former William Robert Johnston Municipal Airport a great event for those who share his passion. Officials at the city, known as the “Cantaloupe Capital of the World,” have been supportive of his efforts, and the local police association operates concessions.

The track, located 30 miles west of Fresno, has seen competitors from San Francisco to Sacramento to Bakersfield turn out for the races, which have included heads-up, small tire events. Gonzalez has been working hard at the drag strip to make improvements over the past year. They’ve included installing concrete barriers all the way down a quarter-mile on one side and a Port-a-tree timing system.

 

Gonzalez is also working on landscaping to make the property more even appealing to those visiting the facility. 

Click here to check out the Mendota Raceway Park’s Facebook page. For the racers, it’s quick and easy to become an IHRA member. You can click here for the IHRA membership center or call 85.JOIN.IHRA where our friendly IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth can help you get signed up and ready to go.

There are bigger opportunities as racers can gain entry to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering by winning the main event in one of the aforementioned classes in conjunction with entering at least two other IHRA races (an IHRA-member track Summit SuperSeries team race or Sportsman Spectacular) before the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. Current IHRA membership is required. 

It is a return to the historic Ohio track for the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular. Keith Gerlach (Top), Bobby Gill (Mod), AJ Buchanan (Sportsman), Rick Poole (Motorcycle) and Madi Clark (Junior Dragster) earned victories at Dragway 42 in 2023.

Drivers in the Top ET class will compete for a $5,000 winner’s purse and $1,000 for runner-up. The payout is based on 100 entries first round with a $100 entry fee. 

The Mod (No Box) class pays $3,000-to-win and $500 for runner-up. It is based on 80 entries first round with a $75 entry fee. Payouts for Sportsman and Bike / Sled are $500 to win based on 20 first-round entries. 

There are 7.90, 8.90 and 11.90 Junior Dragster classes. There will be a runoff of the winners to determine the overall champion and who earns the trip to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. with time trials at 9 a.m. and eliminations to follow. Spectator tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and those 5-under admitted free.

Click here to check out the Dragway 42 Facebook page to check out this and other upcoming events. 

Be sure to enjoy all the benefits of being an IHRA member. Click here to visit our membership or call 85.JOIN.IHRA where our friendly IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth can help make the process quick and easy.

He continues to do work on the Eastern North Carolina facility with a new timing system installed Friday. The property, located just 10 minutes off Interstate 95, sits on 75 acres with parking and camping. They allow some camping through the week outside of the races. 

There are concrete barriers, restrooms, showers and concessions. Oxendine has installed new concrete bleachers on the right side of the track and new LED lights. There are plans to have a game room for the kids with video games and pool tables.

The track surface gets rave reviews from the racers, and the drag strip easily drains as it sits 42 inches above sea level.

“We’ve got one of the smoothest track surfaces in the country,” Oxendine said. “I know every track owner says that, but we have tons of racers who tell us that. We put a lot of work into it. We had a layout of how to build the track as far as the thickness of the concrete, the design, all the way down to the dirt.” 

With the great reputation and convenient location, the track has drawn racers as far away as Canada to the No Prep events.

Dragway officials describe the facility as family-friendly track that loves to see our racers and fans come together and have a great time at the track. Competitors at 710 Dragway will now have the opportunity to participate in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, the most prestigious national championship in bracket racing.

“We just brought bracket racing back, but it’s exciting how IHRA has expanded its overall program,” Oxendine said. “We probably will be doing from 12-15 bracket races this season.”

Outside of racing, they host 3-4 concerts per year. Click here for the 710 Dragway Facebook page. Welcome to all the racers who can now take full advantage of the IHRA membership benefits by clicking here for the membership center or making a call to our membership coordinator Heather Roth at 85-JOIN-IHRA.

Race winners in the Box, No Box, Sportsman and Junior Dragster classes, who are IHRA members, are now eligible to compete for even bigger prizes at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering if they enter at least two other IHRA races (an IHRA-member track Summit SuperSeries team race or Sportsman Spectacular) before the 2024 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. 

Fulcher had an incredible .002 start to defeat Gary Benton in the ADP Carbs Super Pro (Box) final. Fulcher then posted a 5.962 second pass at 120 mph on a 5.94 dial-in. Benton, who had a good .024 reaction time, finished in 6.03 seconds at 113.46 mph on a 6.00 dial-in.

(Box Winner — Isaac Fulcher)

(Box Runner-Up — Gary Benton)

Minton posted a winning effort of 6.068 seconds at 108.02 mph on a 6.04 dial-in in the BTE No Box class. Runner-up David Broy was a little closer to his 6.04 dial-in with a 6.069-second pass at 113.46 mph, but Minton had the .034 to .050 advantage at the tree.

(No Box Winner — Justin Minton)

Eaton was spot on in the Hoosier Tire / Rupert Carbs Sportsman final with a 7.468-second pass at 89.59 mph on a 7.46 dial-in. He also won the holeshot .036 to .109 over his final-round opponent Larry Hall. Hall went down the drag strip in 11.040 seconds against a 10.91 dial-in.

(Sportsman Winner — Chad Eaton)

Chandler took the Mohler Maintenance Junior Dragster final with a 7.936-second run at 81.68 mph. Both drivers triggered red lights, but Connor Bledsoe ended up runner-up after being just -.001 too quick at the start.

(Junior Dragster Winner — Kasey Chandler)

(Junior Dragster Runner-Up — Connor Bledsoe)

There was a special Teen Street race which Grooms won when final-round opponent Tyler Cromer fouled at the start. Grooms went ahead for a 10.094-second pass at 70.49 mph. Cromer posted a run of 9.394 seconds at 74.37 mph.

(Teen Street Winner — Jessie Grooms)

The IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering is scheduled to return May 11 at Gleason Raceway Park.