IHRA
Royce Miller Enters Agreement to Reacquire Maryland International Raceway
Budds Creek, MD – The Miller family owned and operated Maryland International Raceway for 25 years, from 1990 to 2014, and then sold 
the facility to IRG Sports & Entertainment in 2015. Royce stayed on with IRG for the last seven years as the Chief Operating Officer, with duties and guidance for all the IRG owned tracks as well as GM at Maryland International Raceway. The transaction is expected to close at the end of this year.
When IRG decided to sell the facility, Lou Partenza, CEO of IRG, gave Royce the first option to purchase it.
“At 67, I probably should have my head examined for buying the track back, but the deal made financial sense and I still have a little gas left in the tank,” Royce stated. “One thing is for sure: I would not have considered buying it back if it wasn’t for the great staff I have here at MIR, both full-time and part-time, of which I will be depending on more than ever.”
When asked about Chris and Jason Miller, Royce’s two sons, he said, “They have their own successful promotions company that includes the Haltech World Cup Finals presented by Wiseco, XDA series, and others. The two of them will also be adding a supporting role with me at MIR.”
IHRA Hall of Fame Inductee: Scotty Cannon
West Palm, FL – Scotty Cannon is one of the most colorful and successful drivers ever to race in the International Hot Rod Association. The 
six-time IHRA Pro Modified champion, famous for his mohawk haircut and fast machines, is the first Pro driver named to the IHRA Hall of Fame. The South Carolina driver, who began his career in 1979, won two races in the Top Sportsman ranks a decade later before scoring his first Pro Mod win at Bristol Dragway at the 1991 Spring Nationals.
He went on to set records with 28 victories and 45 final-round appearances. He received a tremendous honor in 1999 when the readers of Drag Review magazine voted Cannon the IHRA Professional Racer of the Year. In February, he was inducted in the latest class of the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
He also captured two IHRA Top Fuel victories and finished third in the 2007 points standings. However, his favorite IHRA moment came in 1989, a year before he turned pro.
“I remember at Gateway, winning the Quick 8 shootout on Saturday night and then I won the bracket race for Top Sportsman on Sunday,” Cannon said. “To do that on the same weekend, that sticks out.”
IHRA Announces 2021 Sportsman Spectacular Schedule
Hagerty Insurance and Moser Engineering Return as Sponsors
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), the premier grassroots drag racing sanctioning body in North 
America, announce the 2021 schedule for the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Hagerty and Moser Engineering. The Sportsman Spectacular series will feature an expanded 15-race schedule this season that will make stops at new venues along the way.
Top (Box), Mod (No Box / Footbrake) and Junior Dragster competitors who are members of IHRA will have the opportunity to compete for the prestigious IHRA Ironman at each event as well as the coveted oversized championship checks. This season’s iconic IHRA Ironman will be the special edition 50th Anniversary model. IHRA members will also be in the running for the limited-edition Sportsman Spectacular commemorative medals and round prizes from IHRA sponsors Sunoco Race Fuels, Moser Engineering and Summit Racing Equipment in addition to their winnings.
IHRA, Sunoco Race Fuels Announce Multi-Year Partnership
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Sunoco Race Fuels announce a multi-year partnership 
renewal that will see Sunoco Race Fuels continue as the official fuel of the IHRA.
For decades, Sunoco Race Fuels have been associated with racing excellence. As the largest manufacturer of racing gasolines in the world, Sunoco Race Fuels has a 40-year track record of winning performances. With an expanded product line, Sunoco Race Fuels offers drivers more choices than ever before. For the performance your engine is designed to deliver, consistently choose Sunoco Race Fuels.
“We appreciate the opportunity to continue our partnership with Sunoco Race Fuels, a company that has set the standard in the race fuel industry,” said Dana Landry, senior director of corporate partnerships, IRG Sports + Entertainment. “Sunoco Race Fuels offers many high-quality fuels used by IHRA racers helping them achieve peak performance on and off track.”
Summit Racing Equipment Renews Commitment to IHRA Summit SuperSeries
Summit SuperSeries Celebrates 20th Anniversary in 2021
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Summit Racing Equipment will continue the longest series 
partnership in drag racing with the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, Summit Team Finals and IHRA Summit World Finals in 2021.
The 2021 season marks the 20th Anniversary of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, the most prestigious drag racing series that began in 2002.
The $200,000 program is the World Championship for over 12,000 IHRA member-track racers each season and held at nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned member tracks.
IHRA Summit SuperSeries track champions from 28 states and international competitors from Canada, and Aruba are represented in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman and Junior divisions, at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Memphis International Raceway October 14-16, 2021. In addition, qualifying Summit Team Final champions from seven IHRA regions are also competing at Memphis, making it the most illustrious championship event in bracket drag racing.
“The Summit SuperSeries, Summit Team Finals and Summit World Finals continue to be successful programs that have withstood the test of time,” IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco said. “We are extremely proud of the success the Summit SupersSeries has seen in the last 19 years thanks to our great IHRA member tracks that care for and administer this program during the season and the team at Summit Racing Equipment who have championed our Sportsman racers for so long.
Bunker Hill Dragstrip Renews Commitment to IHRA
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Bunker Hill Dragstrip, the oldest continuously running dragway in the Hoosier State, has renewed its 
commitment to the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) through a new multi-year sanctioning agreement.
Located in Bunker Hill, Indiana, there is a rich history dating back to 1956. The facility features an 1/8-mile drag strip. In 2018, Bunker Hill was named the IHRA Division 5 (Thunder) Track of the Year.
Under the new ownership of Mark Cregier the track has plans for improvements to the facility over the course of the off-season. Improvements includes the timing system, track prep equipment, guardrails and safety equipment.
“The enthusiasm that Mark has shown in the last few months of the 2020 season has shown that he’s putting his heart into this place,” said IHRA Division 1,3, and 5 Director Jon O’Neal. “From driving to Memphis for the IHRA Summit World Finals to learn about the Summit SuperSeries to installing new guardrail in the clutches of Indiana winter, Mark is not pulling any punches.”
Central Illinois Dragway, IHRA Reach Multi-Year Agreement
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Central Illinois Dragway have entered into a multi-year 
sanctioning agreement.
Central Illinois Dragway is in rural Havana Illinois. The 1/8-mile dragway is situated on 64 acres among rolling farmland and the Illinois river opening on August 17, 1969. New Central Illinois Dragway promoters Gary Landgrebe and Don Scott secured a 3-year lease to run the track as well as an option to purchase it after the lease expires.
Planned improvements heading into the 2021 season include updating the timing equipment, increasing the flow of participants into the facility and several upgrades to track cleanup and preparation equipment.
“In a time when more dragstrips are closing than opening, it’s refreshing to see someone step up to the plate at a track like Central Illinois Dragway,” said IHRA Division Director Jon O’Neal. “There’s a core group of dedicated racers and a strong IHRA Summit SuperSeries presence due to the hard work of the previous owner and management team. Don and Gary bring a strong reputation and business acumen to the table along with a persevering spirit. We look forward to working through the new endeavor with them.”
Central Illinois Dragway plans to have around 23 events in 2021 with the anticipated schedule coming out in less than a month.
IHRA 50th Anniversary Celebration Set For 2021
IHRA Introduces Virtual Hall of Fame
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) will celebrate a historic season as the sanctioning body marks its 
50th Anniversary in 2021.
As part of the plans to celebrate this significant milestone, beginning in March, the IHRA will introduce an inductee to the inaugural to the IHRA Hall of Fame each month. Five legendary professional drivers (Pro Class), five Sportsman drivers and two legends that have greatly contributed to the sanctioning body will be inducted virtually into the newly formed IHRA Hall of Fame housed at IHRA.com.
“Celebrating 50 years is a major accomplishment and one that we at the IHRA are proud of,” IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco said. “Many great people have been involved and contributed to the IHRA from Pro to Sportsman drivers and Legends of the sport. Creating the Hall of Fame allows us the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments made over the course of our 50 years.”
The IHRA will announce additional 50th anniversary program details in the coming weeks.
Piedmont Dragway Signs Multi-Year Sanction Agreement with IHRA
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce that Piedmont Dragway, Julian, N.C., has 
entered into a multi-year sanctioning agreement.
Sitting 20 minutes outside of Greensboro, N.C, in Julian, N.C., Piedmont Dragway has been in operation since 1957 and is home of epic 1/8-mile drag racing owned by Senecal family. Daily operations of the track are handled by general manager Amanda Senecal.
“We made the decision to come back to the IHRA as we felt the IHRA really cared about the smaller tracks and Sportsman racers,” Piedmont Dragway General Manager Amanda Senecal said. “We also wanted to get back to the nostalgia of IHRA Team Finals where it felt like we were a big family and could cheer our racers on who made the IHRA Team Finals. We are looking forward to a making new memories in the IHRA family.”
The mutli-purpose facility will host nearly 90 events in 2021 ranging from drag racing, tractor-pulling, demolition derbys, drifting and more.
“I’m very happy to have Piedmont Dragway return to the IHRA,” IHRA Division 2 & 9 Director Josh Peake said. “It’s always been a staple facility with all of the IHRA programs. I look forward to working with Amanda and Jessie for many more years to come.”
IHRA Summit SuperSeries Champions Crowned at Summit World Finals
MILLINGTON, TN- Hundreds of International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries track champions, along with Summit Team 
Finals divisional champions from around the United States and Canada gathered at Memphis International Raceway Oct. 15-17 for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.
With nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned tracks represented, drivers traveled hundreds of miles for the most prestigious bracket racing championship in drag racing.
The IHRA Summit SuperSeries champions were crowned Saturday in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman and Junior Dragster. The $200,000 program is the championship competition for IHRA member Sportsman racers, and more than 8,000 racers who compete in the program annually.
Gary Shearer from Eddyville, Iowa representing the IHRA Midwest Team Finals won the Top World Championship. Mason Hatton from Jeffersonville, Ky., representing I-64 Motorplex captured the Mod World Championship. Joe Tharp Jr., from Waynesburg, Pa., representing Keystone Raceway Park captured Sportsman World Championship. Madison Fisher from Loxahatchee, Fla., representing Immokalee Regional Raceway won the Junior Dragster crown.
