IHRA
IHRA Releases 2019 Summit Sportsman Spectacular Schedule
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) released the 2019 IHRA Summit 
Sportsman Spectacular schedule which will feature an exciting 16-race schedule over eight double–race weekends.
The best value in bracket racing will get even better in 2019 as competitors will now earn local track championship points at each IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular event.
Box, No Box / Footbrake and Junior Dragsters will have the opportunity to compete for the prestigious IHRA Ironman at each event as well as the coveted oversized championship checks. Class runners-up will receive the limited-edition Summit Sportsman Spectacular silver medals in addition to their winnings.
The weekend program includes a test & tune, racer appreciation cookout and a Scrubblade golf cart race. The double-race weekend also features first, second and third-round prizes.
IHRA Announces 2019 Summit SuperSeries Program
New Sportsman Class to Compete for Championship
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries, the country’s most 
prestigious grassroots bracket racing program, returns for an 18th straight year in 2019 with the addition of a new Sportsman class.
The popular $200,000 program is where each season more than 8,000 racers compete to become IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Champions. Summit Racing Equipment, the official mail order company of IHRA, sponsors this program at nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned member tracks.
Top (Box) and Mod (No Box) champions earn prize packages that include $20,000-to-win, an eight-day/seven-night dream vacation courtesy of Around Aruba Tours and a new custom golf cart from Dart’s Carts.
The new Sportsman class champion will win $5,000, while the Junior Dragster champion will receive $3,000 and a turn-key junior dragster featuring a unique paint scheme by Imagine That Customs.
Sportsman Class Added to IHRA Summit SuperSeries
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Officials from the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announce the addition of a “Sportsman” class to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries program beginning in 2019.
The Sportsman class is open to door cars only (12.00 & slower in the ¼-mile and 7.50 & slower in the 1/8-mile). The use of trans brakes, two steps, and delay boxes are prohibited in the Sportsman class.
Sportsman racers who win Summit SuperSeries track championships or Summit Team Finals events will be invited to compete at the Summit SuperSeries World Finals October 17-19 at Memphis International Raceway for their chance to win the first ever Sportsman National Champions and a $5,000 payout.
“The Sportsman class was added after receiving a lot of feedback from our dedicated members about forming no electronics class,” IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco said. “We are excited to have these competitors running for a spot in the Summit SuperSeries World Finals in 2019 and making the 18th season of the Summit SuperSeries one for the record books by crowning our first Sportsman World Champion in October.”
Edinburg Motorsports Park Signs Multi-Year Renewal
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Edinburg Motorsports Park, the top racing facility in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, 
has signed a multi-year renewal with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).
First used as a drag strip in 1953, the former Moore Field Auxiliary Air Strip, boasts a multi-motorsports facility. It includes a 1/4-mile IHRA drag strip, a mud drag track, an autocross course and a motocross track.
With mild temperatures throughout the winter, the IHRA Division 4 (Renegades) facility sees plenty of activity throughout the year.
Zaith Rodriguez (Top) and Humberto Trevino Jr. (Mod) won IHRA Summit SuperSeries track championships at Edinburg in 2017.
“Edinburg Motorsports Park is truly a special place for drag racing and other events,” IHRA Division Director Frank Kohutek said. “It’s a historic facility, but one that continues to evolve and provide racers in South Texas area an excellent place to test their cars and themselves.”
IHRA, Summit Racing Equipment Announce Multi-Year Extension
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Summit Racing Equipment announce a multi-year partnership extension of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries and IHRA Summit Team Finals programs.
The IHRA Summit SuperSeries, the largest and most prestigious bracket racing program in drag racing, will return for an 18th consecutive year in 2019. The $200,000 program is the World Championship for over 8,000 IHRA member-track racers each season and held at nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned member tracks.
In 2018, IHRA Summit SuperSeries track champions from 28 states and international competitors from Canada, and Aruba were represented in Top (Box), Mod (No Box) and Junior divisions along with Summit Team Final champions from six IHRA regions competing at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Memphis International Raceway.
Summit SuperSeries Champions Crowned at IHRA Summit SuperSeries 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, Canada and Aruba, gathered at Memphis International Raceway Oct. 19-20 for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.
Representing nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned tracks, drivers traveled from all over North America and Canada, coming from as far north as Palmer, Alaska making the nearly 4,000-mile trek and as far south as Oranjestad, Aruba, to the largest and most prestigious bracket racing championship in drag racing.
The IHRA Summit SuperSeries champions were crowned Saturday in Top (Box), Mod (No Box) and Junior Dragster. The $200,000 program is the championship competition for IHRA member Sportsman racers and more than 8,000 racers compete in the program annually.
Blevins, Bowman Capture Wins at IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular Finale at Farmington Dragway
MOCKSVILLE, NC — No Box racer Hannah Blevins and Jeff Bowman captured wins at the International Hot Rod 
Association (IHRA) Summit Sportsman Spectacular finale at the Farmington Dragway
Driving a No Box door car, Blevins of Jefferson, N.C., won the Moser Engineering $10,000-to-win top prize. Jeff Bowman from Asheboro, N.C., drove a Box door car to the win the Hank Thomas Performance $5,000-to-win race.
Blevins had a .016 reaction time matching her 6.11 dial-in at 112.75 mph to beat Box racer Taylor Davis from Thomasville, N.C. in the final round. Davis had quicker but losing run with a .004 reaction time 4.48-second pass at 151.82 mph.
Blevins added to her overall winnings by claiming the $1,000 No Box bonus defeating Ernie Humes of Troutman, N.C. Blevins had a .013 reaction time 6.10 second pass at 110.02 mph. Humes had a .053 reaction time 5.82 second pass at 118.20 mph.
Capitol Raceway Named IHRA Division 1 Track of the Year
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) member track Capitol Raceway, Gambrills, 
Md., has been named the Division 1 Track of the Year.
Capitol Raceway has been one of the top drag strips in the country with many legendary names racing down the track such as Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Ronnie Sox, and more. The track was famous for its “King of Kings” Funny Car events. Funny Cars teams throughout the country would attend the race for a winner take all purse.
Cited for growth of the IHRA Summit Superseries and the willingness to listen to the racers is what makes Capitol Raceway the Division 1 Track of the Year.
Track owner Jim “Big Money” Bradshaw is always willing to try new approaches in the racing programs. Through that effort there has been considerable growth of participation in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries with racers at the track.
Maryland International Raceway Claims IHRA Division 1 (Patriots) Summit Team Finals Championship
MECHANICSVILLE, MD — Maryland International Raceway claimed the championship at the International Hot 
Rod Association (IHRA) Division 1 (Patriots) Summit Team Finals held over the weekend at Maryland International Raceway.
Maryland International Raceway captured the team title 63-37 over US 13 Dragway which finished the weekend in the runner-up spot.
Other tracks who participated were: Capitol Raceway, Richmond Dragway, Sumerduck Dragway, and Motor Mile Dragway.
Leading up to the main event, racers participated in a Gambler’s, Bogey, Golf Cart, and Big Wheels races and “best of” awards.
Main Event:
Top
John Myers (Capitol Raceway) defeated Mickey Nelson (Maryland International Raceway) .001 reaction time with a 6.23 elapsed time at 109.85 mph on a 6.21 dial-in on a 109.85 mph run. Nelson had a .010 reaction time and went down the track with a 4.80-second pass at 140.69 mph.
Dragway 42 Named IHRA Division 3 Track of the Year
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) member track Dragway 42, West Salem, 
Ohio, has been named the Division 3 Track of the Year.
Opened in 1957, Dragway 42 underwent a complete ground up restoration and reopening in spring 2017. The Matchum and Harper families provide a multi-purpose facility that hosts Drag Racing, Autocross Racing, Truck & Tractor Pulling, and Concerts/ Music Festivals throughout the year. Part of the renovation includes Musco Lighting throughout the grounds and bleacher seats that were used at the Daytona International Speedway.
Offering excellent point programs and value driven weekend events are what makes Dragway 42 the Division 3 Track of the Year.
“The Matchum and Harper families strive daily as owners and operators, respectively, to provide a great place to experience IHRA Summit SuperSeries drag racing,” IHRA Division 1, 3, and 5 Director Jon O’Neal said. “They have been a huge proponent for the Summit SuperSeries and have regained the status among racers that historic facility has held for generations.”
