IHRA
Grand Prize 2024 Ford F150 4×4
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO – Actions speak louder than words as the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is providing a unique 
opportunity for its member tracks! Thanks to IHRA partners Morrow Brothers Ford of Greenfield, Illinois and Extreme Racing Oils, IHRA member tracks will be given tickets to distribute for a chance to win a new Ford F150 crew cab XLT Sport truck with 4-wheel drive estimated valued at $60,000. This one-of-a-kind contest will be only held at IHRA-member tracks with more prizes to be announced soon.
The grand prize winner will take home an incredible new vehicle which features the XLT Sport Package, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a towing package and a lot of nice amenities. Winner will be announced at the 2024 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.
“When we took over ownership of the IHRA, we promised a strong commitment to the grassroots, Sportsman racers and our tracks,” IHRA Owner & CEO Larry Jeffers said. “You’ve seen through our actions how we’d worked to give more value to the racers and tracks than ever before.”
Morrow Brothers Ford has been a longtime supporter of auto racing. They sponsor the MOWA Sprint Car Series and the dealership’s general manager, John Wellenkamp, is a longtime drag racer who pilots a 1985 Ford Mustang. They’re excited to partner with IHRA on this new venture.
Exciting Racing from the Past to Return with IHRA Hot Rod Classic
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — You asked for it and the IHRA is going to deliver. Taking a chapter from the International Hot Rod Association’s 
rich history, the IHRA Hot Rod Classic is set to debut in 2024. These exciting engine-roaring, tire-smoking events will be similar to the Pro-Am races from previous years with drivers in Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod classes battling to earn special black and chrome IHRA Ironman trophies.
In addition, there will be a heads-up Real Steel, No-Time class that requires OEM steel shell, steel doors and steel fenders (with the exception of those originally fiberglass, which must be factory-original parts). No Billet heads or engine blocks are allowed.
Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will be contested at the majority of events depending on location as will bracket races for the Top (Box), Mod (No Box) and Junior Dragster classes. Each event will be tailored to the individual tracks which could include other classes popular in their areas. Racers must be IHRA members to compete in these events.
With the smell of racing fuel in the air and sounds of cars rocketing down the track, it’s sure to get your blood pumping as a true celebration of the IHRA’s racing heritage.
SPRING EDITION OF DRAG REVIEW MAGAZINE IS NOW ONLINE
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO – Check out the latest features about different tracks, partners and racers. Check out the ads from our partners at some of the great products now available.
IHRA-member tracks Kentucky Dragway and Humboldt County Dragway are celebrating their 60th anniversaries, while other tracks highlighted include Beacon Dragway and Alabama International Raceway.
There are stories about our different divisions and different partners. Thanks to all our partners and International Hot Rod Association members for your support of the IHRA. Link for the page – http://www.ihra.com/images/DRM/DRM_Spring_2023_WEB_NEW.pdf
Ledford, Zimmerman, Doty, Loy Earn IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Championships
HOLLY SPRINGS, MS — Jared Ledford, Grant Zimmerman, Larry Doty and Aubrey Loy earned the ultimate prize by winning 
championships at Sunday’s International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Holly Springs Motorsports.
Ledford, a Greenville, Mich. racer representing Mid-Michigan Motorplex, won the Top (No Box) final when his final-round opponent Drew Smith from Barbourville, Ky., fouled by a heartbreaking -.001 at the start.
It’s a prize that Ledford didn’t take lightly as his family operates Mid-Michigan and he works at Ultratech race fab shop where his dragster was built. Ledford was able to make a pass at 5.103 seconds and 98.15 mph with a .031 reaction time. Smith went down the track in 5.523 seconds at 92.14 in his run.
Both Ledford and Mod (No Box) titleist Zimmerman earned prize packages which included $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, an IHRA World Champion Ironman trophy, an IHRA Gold Card and a World Championship diamond ring.
Hamlin Named IHRA Director of Track & Racer Relations
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — The International Hot Rod Association is pleased to announce that Paige Hamlin has been named the IHRA 
Director of Track & Racer Relations.
Hamlin brings enthusiasm, experience, and a true passion for bracket racing into the new role. She has worked with some of the top promoters in the sport including Tommy Phillips, Luke Bogacki, Coalburg Promotions, Great American Bracket Races, and Final Call Promotions, and on major events such as the Great American Guaranteed Million, the World Footbrake Challenge, and the Million Dollar Race.
She even promoted her own major event, the Rudd Racing Engines Six Shooter Showdown at Xtreme Raceway Park, in April. Hamlin, a 2012 graduate of the University of Texas-Arlington with a focus on marketing, also serves as social media manager for Xtreme Raceway Park. She previously held a similar role with Drag Champ to help spotlight the Sportsman racer.
“Bringing Hamlin on board immediately gives our Sportsman program not only a shot in the arm, but she also brings the latest and greatest ideas to the forefront,” IHRA President and CEO Larry Jeffers said. “Paige comes highly recommended to us for several reasons, but probably the biggest reason is her vision of where the sport is going.”
IHRA Plans Coming Into Place for 2023
House Springs, MO – The International Hot Rod Association has its 2023 plans coming into place featuring the continuation of some of the IHRA’s most popular programs.
The IHRA Summit SuperSeries program remains the most prestigious championship in all of the bracket racing with drivers and tracks throughout North America participating. Champions in the Top (Box) and Mod (No Box) classes win a prize package which includes an Ironman trophy, championship ring, gold card, and a $20,000 check. The runner-up in those classes receives a $7,000 prize with prize packages throughout.
The Junior Dragster champion receives $10,000 to win and $4,000 goes to the runner-up. The Sportsman champion is awarded $7,000 to win and $4,000 for the runner-up. There are prizes for each round. Click here for a list of the 2022 prize packages.
In addition, all those who qualify for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals receive $300 in tow money and pay NO ENTRY FEE.
IHRA members who have qualified in 2022 will be competing at the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals, October 12-15 at Holly Springs Motorsports.
Kuhnle Motorsports Park, IHRA Renew Sanctioning Agreements
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — Kuhnle Motorsports Park is coming back with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) in 2023.
The Kuhnle Brothers purchased the former Thompson Raceway Park and did a massive rebuilding project. However, one thing they kept the same in 2022 was IHRA sanctioning. Seeing how good it worked with Sportsman-friendly programs like the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, they have renewed for next season.
It goes along with the 243-acre facility being one of the most racer-friendly venues in the country.
Nicknamed “Ohio’s Thunder Capital,” the Kuhnle Brothers put new walls up and repaved in the shutdown area. They’ve made much more pit area with paved roads throughout. The lighting has dramatically improved over 100 LED lights, along with huge new electronic scoreboards.
Besides other items to help the racers like new fencing, they have 17, yes that’s correct, 17 staging lanes. Continue reading
Kentucky Dragway Signs New Sanctioning Agreement with IHRA
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — Kentucky Dragway returned to the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) in 2022. The Clay City, Kentucky 
track will remain a part of the IHRA family in 2023.
After a successful year back in the IHRA fold, Aaron and Carrie Sipple decided to renew their sanctioning agreement for the 42-acre facility which first opened in 1963. There are plenty of greats races on the Kentucky Dragway schedule including the recently completed 27th Mopar Southern Classic, this weekend’s Kentucky Car Wars and the upcoming KEN-MOR Bluegrass Nationals, a historic bracket race in its 52nd year.
There’s plenty of great family history with Aaron, son of the late John “Doc” Sipple, a well-respected chiropractor and racer. Doc won the 1999 Top Dragster title at the IHRA Northern Nationals. He finished second in the 1996 point standings and also recorded a pair of top-10 point finishes in Top Fuel in the early 2000’s.
In addition, Doc was the 1997 IHRA Track Operator of the Year when the Clay City, Kentucky facility was known as Mountain Park Dragway. With a combination on-track success and his compassion care off it, Doc won the Sportsman of the Year, the IHRA’s Most Prestigious Award in 2002.
IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals Are Just Weeks Away
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries World Finals are just weeks away October 12-
15, 2022 at Holly Springs Motorsports.
It’s the largest championship in bracket drag racing with thousands of IHRA member racers starting the season with the goal of becoming a world champion in either Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman or the Junior Dragster class.
A racer can qualify by either winning an IHRA Summit SuperSeries track championship at a participating IHRA member track or by winning an IHRA Summit Team Finals main event class and meeting the eligibility requirements. Click here for more detailed information.
All IHRA World Champions receive an Ironman Trophy, championship ring and gold card. The Top (Box) and Mod (No Box) champions win $20,000 and the runner-up in those classes receive a $7,000 prize. The Junior Dragster champion earns $10,000 and the Sportsman champion receives $7,000.
All competitors receive $300 in tow money and pay NO ENTRY FEE. Prize money is available throughout the rounds.
George Simpson (Top), Tim Pace (Mod), David Bigham (Sportsman) and Keaton Hudson (Junior) were 2021 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Champions. Click here for a printable flyer.
Ozark Raceway Park, IHRA Reach Sanctioning Agreement for 2023 Season
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — Ozark Raceway Park has a storied past and is looking towards a bright future. The Rogersville, Missouri facility, 
located less than an hour from Arkansas and an hour and a half from Kansas, is currently in his 45th year of operation. It features a 1/4-mile strip which has hosted some of the biggest names in drag racing.
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits qualified No. 1 in Top Fuel for the 1978 Ozark Nationals, a race which Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen led the Funny Car field. Those two and Pro Stock legend Lee Shepherd were professional class winners at the 1979 Ozark Nationals. More recently, Scott Palmer set a track record of 264.55 mph in his Top Fuel dragster in 2020.
