HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — Racers and track partners, you have spoken and the International Hot Rod Association has listened. #IHRAReturnToGlory is more than a hashtag. It’s a commitment to work together with track partners, marketing partners and racers to make the IHRA the best drag racing organization in the world. Your input is always welcomed on the ways you see to improve the IHRA.

We’ve heard your concerns, taken your suggestions and have worked with each of our track partners to come up with the best lineups for each IHRA division. It’s created stronger divisions and better travel for the racers.

“Shortly after we announced plans to realign and consolidate some of our divisions for 2025, I received several e-mails, messages and phone calls from racers and track partners alike. As President of the IHRA, I will always strive to do what’s best for our racers, track partners and marketing partners regardless of the outside noise. We were able to make changes to have a solid division lineup and a solid schedule for our Team Finals and World Finals for 2025,” said IHRA President Kenny Nowling.

The biggest changes occur in Division 1 which now includes neighboring tracks from Division 9. In fact, the IHRA Division 1 Team Finals are scheduled at Darlington Dragway from Oct. 2-4, 2025. Continue reading →

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — It’s much more than just a logo. It’s a symbol of the commitment to bring the IHRA back to its former glory.  The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today a return to the famed globed logo and the original Ironman trophy. In addition, the hashtag #IHRAReturntoGlory will be used for IHRA posts on social media and other content.

“Everywhere I go, the people I see have a love for the original IHRA and what it was all about,” IHRA President Kenny Nowling said. “We listened to our track partners, racers and fans. The desire to go back to the original logo is overwhelming.”

It is a tribute to the IHRA’s history with the sanctioning body founded by Larry Carrier in 1970 and the first national events held in 1971. His son, Andy Carrier, was overjoyed when he heard the news the IHRA was bringing back the iconic logo.

“That’s wonderful. I’ve been watching a lot of the old IHRA races on YouTube and the nostalgia makes you proud,” Carrier said. “I remember walking into the IHRA offices as a kid and that logo always stood out. It was so pretty with the red, white and blue. When Bill Bader Sr. was still alive, they did a tribute to dad and they gave us plaques with the old logo on it. That was very special to the family.” Continue reading →

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is proud to announce the appointment of Kenny Nowling as the new President, effective immediately. The announcement was made by IHRA Owner and CEO, Larry Jeffers, who expressed great confidence in Nowling’s leadership and vision for the future of the sanctioning body.

Nowling, a well-respected figure in the world of drag racing, brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role. With a career spanning over three decades, Nowling has played a pivotal role in promoting drag racing and expanding its reach. His appointment marks a significant step in IHRA’s commitment to elevating the sport, enhancing its programs, and expanding its fan base.

“I am thrilled to welcome Kenny Nowling as President of the IHRA,” said Larry Jeffers, IHRA Owner and CEO. “His extensive background in drag racing, innovative approach, and dedication to the sport make him the perfect choice to lead the IHRA. I am confident that under his leadership, the IHRA will continue to grow and thrive.”

Nowling is no stranger to the IHRA, having previously served in various capacities within the drag racing community, including as a promoter and organizer of some of history’s most high-profile and successful drag racing events. His passion for the sport and deep understanding of the industry have earned him a reputation for delivering exciting and successful events that resonate with tracks, racers, fans, and marketing partners alike. Continue reading →

HOLLY SPRINGS, MS — Hail to the new IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Champions!  Scott Wallace (Top), Justin Minton (Mod), Jordan Johnson (Sportsman), Grady Powell (Motorcycle) and Tate Hildebrandt (Junior Dragster) were crowned champions at the 2024 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering at Holly Springs Motorsports.

All the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Champions receive an IHRA Ironman trophy, a champion’s ring and a gold card.
Wallace gave Xtreme Raceway Park its second straight championship in the Top (Box) class with a win over Joe Soucek Jr. in the $20,000-to-win final. It was the second straight year of full-bodied cars matching up in the final round as Wallace drove his Chevy Malibu to close win over Soucek.

The Texas racer followed Jeromy Hefler as a Top World Champion from Xtreme. Wallace had the tremendous .005 start and backed it up with a 6.417-second run at 105.29 mph against a 6.41 dial-in. Soucek, who qualified by winning the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular at Dragway 42, was dead-on his 6.11 dial time at 114.65 mph. He had a solid .014 start, but came up just a fraction short of the win. Continue reading →

HOLLY SPRINGS, MS — Five drivers emerged victorious at the Race of Champions held at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering early Saturday morning at Holly Springs Motorsports.

Music City Raceway was represented by two winners, while Quaker City Motorsports Park also had two racers reach the final round.
Aaron Disinger from US41 Dragstrip had the winning combination in the Top (Box) class. He had a .012 reaction time and then posted a 5.922-second elapsed time at 116.25 mph against a 5.91 dial-in. Cody Graham, representing the home track at Holly Springs, was runner-up with a 5.838-second pass at 114.53 mph on a 5.82 dial-in with a .020 start.

Jake Howard from Xtreme Raceway Park was right-on his 6.40 dial-in with a 6.403-second run at 109.17 mph, along with a .023 start, for the Mod (No Box) win. Charlie Lockhart from Gleason Raceway Park was slightly better .020 at the tree. He finished with a 5.642-second run at 122.05 mph on a 5.62 dial-in. Continue reading →

HOLLY SPRINGS, MS — The schedule for the IHRA Division 2 (Heat Wave) Summit Team Finals at Holly Springs Motorsports has been revised due to impending weather.

The track will be closed for on-track action Thursday, but racers can park on property from noon to 8 p.m. as Tropical Storm Francine is expected to pass through Mississippi. The Friday schedule will depend on the impact from the storm, which is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane before it hits land.

If the track is suitable for a noon start, then gates will open Friday at 8 a.m. with registration to begin at 9 a.m. A test session with a $40 entry fee will run from noon to 5 p.m. Gamblers races will start at 5:30 p.m. Continue reading →

INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA officials announced today that AMKUS Rescue Systems, which has been an industry leader in motorsports for more than 40 years, will continue as the “Official Rescue Tools of NHRA” as part of a multi-year agreement. It continues a lengthy partnership between the two brands, as AMKUS has been the “Official Rescue Tools of NHRA” since 2014.

The multi-year extension ensures AMKUS will be the official supplier of rescue equipment to the Simpson NHRA Safety Safari, including updating safety equipment as technology mandates. AMKUS will continue to work closely with Simpson NHRA Safety Safari as well, conducting annual training sessions to help ensure the safest possible environment for NHRA race teams.

Continue reading →

FERRIS, TX — The IHRA Hot Rod Classic lived up to the hype with a huge debut and plenty of big money distributed over the weekend at Xtreme Raceway Park.

Thanks to all the folks at Xtreme Raceway Park, the IHRA staff working the event, the racers who participated, and partners like Don Baskin Trucking LLC, M&M Transmission, Stroud Safety, Hoosier Racing Tire, Extreme Racing Oil, LJ1 Oil Products and TMF Metal Solutions for a great debut weekend.

Bringing back a blast from the past, the excitement was at a high level as class racing returned to the International Hot Rod Association and the sounds of ground-pounding, earth-shaking Pro Mods rumbled down the drag strip. It led to plenty of old-style Texas shootouts in the final round.

John Sullivan from Macon, TN earned the $6,000 prize for winning the Outlaw Pro Mod final. He won the holeshot .026 to .168 over Kalispell, MT racer Clyde Scott and his Corvette roared down the 1/8-mile in 3.729 seconds at 163.70 mph. Sullivan needed the great start as Scott’s Camaro went 210.48 mph on a 3.598-second pass. Continue reading →

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — For more than two decades, Summit Racing Equipment and the International Hot Rod Association have set the standard in bracket racing.

They continue to do so with today’s announcement the longest series partnership in bracket drag racing has been extended through the 2024 season.

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries is the most prestigious championship program in bracket racing with over $275,000 in payouts and prizes awarded to the racers in 2023. The program, which dates back to 2002, includes the IHRA Summit Team Finals and IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

It is the World Championship for thousands of IHRA-member track racers each season, held at IHRA-sanctioned member tracks across North America. IHRA Summit SuperSeries track champions, divisional champions and winners of IHRA Sportsman Spectacular events from all over North America were represented in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster at the 2023 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Holly Springs Motorsports.

They competed for big checks from Summit Racing Equipment, special IHRA Ironman World Champion trophies, IHRA gold cards, World Championship diamond rings and grand prizes in the five different classes.

Continue reading →

HOLLY SPRINGS, MS — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering is returning to Holly Springs Motorsports for a third straight year on Oct. 9-12.

The northern Mississippi track has proven to be a great venue for the invitational-only event which brings together IHRA-member track and divisional racing champions across North America. The venue features an 1/8-mile drag strip, eight staging lanes, concrete walls, guardrails and an uphill shutdown area.
Holly Springs Motorsports is conveniently located off Interstate 22. Among the features are LED lighting, an AccuTime timing system, acres of paved parking and numerous speakers throughout the facility. There are over 100 sites with electrical hook-ups, plenty of other camping space, restrooms, showers and a concession stand with great items served.

“We’ve heard how much the racers have enjoyed their time at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering,” IHRA Owner and CEO Larry Jeffers said. “We are working hard to make it an even more memorable experience this season.”

Continue reading →