IRG Sports and Entertainment
Pro Winter Warm-Up Returns to Palm Beach International Raceway
Top Fuel Dragster and Nitro Funny Car Teams to Test March 5-7
JUPITER, FL – Palm Beach International Raceway will host the Pro Winter Warm-Up for the first time since 2015 featuring earth-shaking 
NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel Dragsters and Nitro Funny Cars . Over a dozen of the top professional NHRA teams, including nine current or former world champions will be on-track March 5-7.
NHRA teams will use the test session, which is open to the public with limited tickets available each day, to prepare for their 2021 season-opening event in Gainesville, Florida.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series teams* scheduled to participate in the March 5-7 pre-season test session include:
– Don Schumacher Racing (Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan)
– Torrence Racing (Steve Torrence, Billy Torrence)
– Kalitta Motorsports (Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon)
– John Force Racing (John Force, Robert Hight and Brittany Force)
Along with Cruz Pedregon Racing (Cruz Pedregon); Alexis DeJoria/Del Worsham (Alexis DeJoria); Justin Ashley Racing (Justin Ashley); Scrappers Racing (Mike Salinas); Tasca Racing (Bob Tasca III); Paul Lee Racing (Paul Lee); and Head Racing / Blake Alexander Racing (Blake Alexander).
IRG Sports + Entertainment Expands Leadership Team
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), a leading marketer and promoter of sports and 
live entertainment experiences, announced it has expanded its leadership team.
Joining the IRGSE team are: Ryan Perezluha, public relations manager for IRG Sports + Entertainment; Justin Kamm, director of corporate partnerships for Palm Beach International Raceway; and Lee Lyons, senior manager, corporate partnerships for IRG Sports + Entertainment.
Located at IRGSE’s West Palm Beach, Fla., headquarters, Perezluha, Kamm, and Lyons will report to IRGSE Senior Director of New Business & Industry Relations Dana Landry.
IRG Sports + Entertainment Affirms Commitment to IHRA and Grassroots Drag Racing
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), a leading marketer and promoter of sports and live entertainment experiences, today reaffirmed its commitment to IHRA and grassroots drag racing.
IRGSE purchased the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) in 2015 with the primary plan to make the sanctioning body a successful motorsports organization that consistently promotes grassroots drag racing and provides exceptional events for it racers and fans. Two years later, the original focus remains, and IRGSE maintains its long-term commitment to the IHRA as well as its membership, racing venues, and corporate partners.
IRG SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT NAMES JOURNALIST JEFF BIRCHFIELD DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Award-winning journalist Jeff Birchfield has been named director of public relations for 
IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), the company announced today. Birchfield joins IRGSE from the Johnson City (Tenn.) Press.
Birchfield will lead the public relations efforts for IRGSE-owned properties including the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), Palm Beach Driving Club, Palm Beach International Raceway, Memphis International Raceway, Maryland International Raceway and Cordova International Raceway. Located at IRGSE’s West Palm Beach, Fla., headquarters, Birchfield will report to IRGSE chief revenue officer Shawn Hackman.
“Jeff’s award-winning sports-writing experience and understanding of the Motorsports industry will be a tremendous asset to our IRGSE team,” Hackman said. “His passion for Motorsports and the importance he places on relationship building will be well received by the industry and members of the media.”
64th ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING RETURNS TO CORDOVA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The World Series of Drag Racing is returning to Cordova International Raceway in 
Cordova, Ill., after a one-year stay in Memphis, Tenn., IRG Sports + Entertainment announced today. The 2017 World Series of Drag Racing is set for Aug. 25-27, 2017; ticket information will be available in March.
The World Series of Drag Racing has a storied history with its inaugural event taking place in Lawrenceville, Ill., in 1953 and later transitioning to IRGSE-owned Cordova International Raceway. Since its inception, the event has featured many of the world’s best drag racers in a family-friendly environment. The event comprises activities for the whole family including the kids zone, an array of food options, driver meet-and-greets with autograph sessions and fireworks shows.
IRG Sports + Entertainment and Street Racing Made Safe Announce Multi-Year Partnership
New agreement brings illegal street racing off the streets and into the tracks of IRGSE and the IHRA
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), a global leader in marketing and promoting of 
sports and live entertainment experiences, and Street Racing Made Safe (SRMS), a leading national promoter of street racing lifestyle style event announced a three-year partnership today which will see over 100 race-events from this fast growing segment of racing lifestyle programming. SRMS will bring their program to IRGSE-owned properties; Palm Beach International Raceway, Memphis International Raceway, Maryland International Raceway and Cordova International Raceway starting in 2017 and via IRGSE’s ownership of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) sanctioning body will make SRMS events and racing available to IHRA sanctioned tracks at reduced rates delivering more positive bottom line financial benefit to IHRA member tracks.
“I’ve watched Street Racing Made Safe grow from a small local event to a major grass roots movement. Mario Ojito has done a tremendous job getting kids off the streets and on to the track,” stated Mark Gold, owner of The Ticket Clinic. “As the founder of The Ticket Clinic, a law firm, obviously we make money representing people charged with racing tickets. But as a father, if SRMS saves just one life, I’d rather make nothing on those tickets. I’ve been to many of the events. They are fun, organized, well run and well attended. SRMS saves lives!”
World Series of Drag Racing Announces Strong Sponsor Line-up for the 63rd Running of the Prestigious Event
Suites sold out and limited VIP experiences still available
MEMPHIS, TN – Memphis International Raceway (MIR) and IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) today 
demonstrated widespread motorsports industry support in announcing its sponsor line-up. The World Series of Drag Racing presented by Sunoco and Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau is partnering with an elite group of sponsors for the August 26 and 27 event at MIR including: Sunoco, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Coca-Cola, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Autobahn Indoor Speedway, R.J.S. Racing Equipment and Seatbelt Solutions.
“The World Series of Drag Racing presented by Sunoco and Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau is the most anticipated drag racing event of the year,” stated Shawn Hackman, IRGSE chief revenue officer. “To have such great sponsor partners join us at this event speaks volumes. The event is shaping up to be the largest to date with a record number of sponsors, a talented line-up that is second-to-none and ticket sales exceeding expectations. MIR is the place to be this weekend for all racing enthusiasts.”
IRG Sports + Entertainment and International Hot Rod Association Open New Offices in West Palm Beach, Florida and Indianapolis
WEST PALM BEACH, FL/NEW YORK, NY – IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) and the International Hot Rod 
Association (IHRA) today announced the relocation of IRGSE and IHRA to new and larger offices in West Palm Beach, Florida and the addition of an IHRA marketing and team servicing office in Indianapolis. The new office space will assist the recent and continuing growth of both companies as well as give the IHRA a presence in the Indianapolis market to assist with IHRA Dragster 1: World Series of Drag Racing Series planning.
“The move to new office space and the opening of an Indianapolis office will allow us to increase our capabilities in key areas that align with our current and future growth plans,” stated IRGSE vice chairman and CEO Chris Lencheski. “The new space and location will also allow us to expand our core executive teams in supporting the growth we are experiencing within the IHRA as evidenced by our larger role in Australia and pending agreements elsewhere. Moreover, we are rebuilding the IRGSE and IHRA corporate culture and strive everyday to make IRGSE and our related companies a great place to work and we are thrilled to be able to punctuate that effort this year with a move to new executive offices.”
Pam Kendrick Promoted to President of Memphis International Raceway
JUPITER, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), a TPG portfolio company, announced the promotion of Pam 
Kendrick to President and General Manager of Memphis International Raceway (MIR). The announcement was made by Chris Lencheski, Vice Chairman and CEO of IRGSE.
“Ms. Kendrick’s aptitude and contributions to Memphis International Raceway since IRGSE took ownership of the facility has been invaluable,” stated Chris Lencheski. “She is an innovative thinker, hard worker and embodies all the traits a company needs to be successful. We appreciate all that she has done at Memphis International Raceway and her commitment to the new culture within the organization.”
Ms. Kendrick has worked in the motorsports industry since 1998 where she worked for Dover International Speedway on the operations and management side of the business. In 2002 she transferred to Dover Motorsports owned Memphis Motorsports Park as the Director of Administration and remained with the facility until it closed in 2009. IRGSE purchased the facility in late 2010 and reopened it under the direction of Ms. Kendrick as the Vice President and General Manager.
Records Set at Season Opening Super Chevy Shows
IRGSE and TEN celebrate record numbers at Memphis and Palm Beach
JUPITER, FL / NEW YORK CITY, NY – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE) and TEN: The Enthusiast Network, 
publishers of Super Chevy, Motor Trend, HOT ROD, and more than 25 other automotive magazines, partnered to bring all things Chevy to the forefront in the Mid-South and Southeast during the month of April. The relationship resulted in record fan attendance at Memphis International Raceway and record racer and car show participants at Palm Beach International Raceway.
IRGSE and TEN announced a multi-year partnership to bring an unmatched at-track racer and fan experience to automotive enthusiasts across the country earlier this year. The result of the new relationship has elevated the prestigious Super Chevy Show into one of the premiere automotive events of the year. Fans and racers enjoy top notch racing on the drag strip, a swap meet filled with hard to find Chevy parts, an elite car and truck show, a Chevy specific vendor midway, car corral and much more.
