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WDRA and IHRA Unite to Shape The Future of Sportsm...
IHRA Membership Renewals Important Update
Byrd named IHRA VP of Strategic Partnerships
WDRA and IHRA Unite to Shape The Future of Sportsm...

WDRA and IHRA Unite to Shape The Future of Sportsm...

2/6/2025 -
NORWALK, Ohio — In a groundbreaking move for the world of drag racing, the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and the International Hot Rod Associatio
IHRA Membership Renewals Important Update

IHRA Membership Renewals Important Update

2/4/2025 -
Membership Renewals – Important Update Attention IHRA members and competitors: Our online membership portal has been temporarily unavailable during th
Byrd named IHRA VP of Strategic Partnerships

Byrd named IHRA VP of Strategic Partnerships

2/2/2025 -
HAMILTON, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has named Christian Byrd the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. The 47-year-old B

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WDRA and IHRA Unite to Shape The Future of Sportsman Racing

2/6/2025
NORWALK, Ohio — In a groundbreaking move for the world of drag racing, the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) have announced their first-ever...more

IHRA Membership Renewals Important Update

2/4/2025
Membership Renewals – Important Update Attention IHRA members and competitors: Our online membership portal has been temporarily unavailable during the recent ownership transition. We appreciate...more

Byrd named IHRA VP of Strategic Partnerships

2/2/2025
HAMILTON, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has named Christian Byrd the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. The 47-year-old Byrd has served as General Manager for zMax...more

Syers Remembered as an Inspiration, Champion Racer

1/30/2025
The International Hot Rod Association remembers Teri Syers whose determination to be a champion despite battling cancer proved to be an inspiration for all. Syers died Tuesday. She was 52. Syers won...more

IHRA Officials Attend Xtreme Raceway Park Banquet

1/27/2025
FERRIS, Texas — International Hot Rod Association officials, led by IHRA Owner Darryl Cuttell and Vice President of Racing Operations Alan Reinhart, were on hand at Xtreme Raceway Park’s annual...more
Soucek Has Unique Journey to IHRA Summit SuperSeries (Top) Runner-Up FInish
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10/29/2024

10/29/2024

IHRA Events


Soucek Has Unique Journey to IHRA Summit SuperSeries (Top) Runner-Up FInish

Joe Soucek Jr. had quite an interesting journey to become the Top (Box) runner-up at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering.

The 47-year old Ohio racer was in a different car than he raced last season, and this accomplishment came literally four months after he suffered a heart attack. It was a sentimental win for Soucek, who has kept his great sense of humor through both the good times and adversity.

“I lost my dad a year ago and this was his car,” Soucek said. “He gave it to my daughter, but this car was a mess to say the least. The car I’m known for is really good so I decided to put her in that car. Interestingly enough, I had a heart attack the end of June and my daughter won a 10-grander in that car at Dragway 42 while I was in ICU.”

Just weeks earlier, Soucek qualified for the World Finals by winning the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser at Dragway 42. He captured the special Ironman trophy when final-round opponent John Boes broke out in his run.

Months later, he nearly won the biggest championship race of all. Asked what it meant to be the runner-up in the prestigious IHRA World Finals race after 26 years behind the wheel, he displayed the great smile and sense of humor he’s known for.

“There ain’t nothing wrong with silver, Ricky Bobby,” he joked. “You’d think after all this time I’d be better than this.”

All kidding aside, Soucek had a terrific showing at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

Soucek was just short against Scott Wallace from Xtreme Raceway Park in the final round. He was right on his dial-in time with a 6.110-second run at 114.65 mph, coupled with a .014 reaction time.

He was even better in the semifinal win over Jason Bolton from Paris Dragstrip. Soucek had the .004 start and a 6.112-second pass at 114.83 mph against a 6.11 dial-in. Surely that was good genes handed down which led to the consistent performance.

Asked if his dad was his racing hero, Soucek quipped, “No, he wasn’t that good at it. But, he’s the one who got me into it and he was my hero in life. I know it sounds cliché’ to say John Force, but he was my racing hero.”

Soucek has shared something in common with the 16-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion as they’ve battled through health issues. Fortunately for Soucek, he was back where he wanted to be at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

While the recognition and the $7,000 from Summit Racing Equipment for being the Top runner-up was great, Soucek was most appreciative of once again sharing the good times with his fellow racers.

“I love how all my friends are out here hanging out and I love the camping,” he said. “We’ve had a good time and that’s what it’s all about.”

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