IHRA Unveils 2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series Schedule Includes inaugural events in Orlando and Ohio

NORWALK, OH – International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA) officials and IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG) unveiled the 2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule today. The 2016 professional schedule currently features nine-events throughout the United States and Canada. The season will kick off in March and conclude in September.

The IHRA Drag Racing Series remains comprised of traditional stops along with the addition of two new markets. Highlighting the 2016 schedule will be powerhouse stops in: San Antonio, Texas; Grand Bend, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta and Martin, Michigan. Also returning to the schedule is Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Cordova, Illinois and Budds Creek, Maryland.

The season will get underway March 5 – 6 at Orlando Speed World Dragway in Orlando, Florida and conclude at Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio. Both of these venues are new stops on the IHRA professional tour.

The 2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series (formerly Nitro Jam) is a departure of the traditional format with all events featuring the same classes of competition. The IHRA strategically determined professional classes that are best suited for each facility and market. This move will make for the most exciting and competitive drag racing ever produced by the sanctioning body.

“The IHRA worked tirelessly at creating a series that features key classes in key markets,” stated IHRA President Scott Gardner. “The 2016 series has more diversity in classes and locations than ever in the history of the IHRA. We believe the revised schedule and format will create fierce competition for the racers and great entertainment for our fans.”

IHRA officials are currently working with several additional venues for possible new dates to the 2016 schedule. In addition, the dates and locations of the Jet Dragster class will be announced at a later time.

2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series Schedule:

March 5 – 6 Spring Nitro Nationals Orlando, FL NFC, NH, PS, PM
March 18 – 19 * Mardi Gras Nationals Baton Rouge, LA NH, PS, PM
April 1 – 2 Texas Nationals San Antonio, TX NFC, NH, PS, PM
June 3 – 4 * Summer Nationals Cordova, IL NFC, PS, PM
June 17 – 18 * President’s Cup Budds Creek, MD NH, PS, PM
June 24 – 26 Mopar Canadian Nationals Grand Bend, Ontario NFC, NH, PS, PM
July 15 – 17 * Mopar Rocky Nationals Edmonton, Alberta NFC, NH
August 12 – 13 Northern Nationals Martin, MI NFC, NH, PS, PM
September 23 – 24 World Nationals West Salem, OH NFC, NH, PS, PM

*Additional non-points pro cars to be included at the event

NFC – AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive
NH – Nitro Harley
PS – Pro Stock
PM – Crower Pro Mod

The IHRA Drag Racing Series points will be determined by the best seven out of eight events on the schedule. The World Series of Drag Racing at Cordova International Raceway on August 26 – 27, 2016 will count as a points race for the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive class.

The IHRA promotes professional and sportsman racing for drivers of all levels. Headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, the IHRA sanctions more than 100 motorsport facilities in the United States and Canada and has more than 12,000 racers as members. The IHRA Drag Racing Series stars the fastest, loudest and meanest race machines on the planet with major events throughout the year. The IHRA also oversees multiple sportsman racing programs including the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL, Summit Racing Equipment SuperSeries presented by AMSOIL, and Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL.

For more information, visit www.IHRA.com, www.NitroJam.com or connect with us on Facebook/NitroJam, Twitter @IHRA or Instagram @IHRANitroJam.