The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and new owner Darryl Cuttell have sent shockwaves through the drag racing community with a series of groundbreaking announcements ahead of the 2025 season. The return of nitro racing to Maryland International Raceway (MIR) and the revival of the prestigious President’s Cup Nationals were just the beginning of what would prove to be a transformative 24-hour period for the organization.
“I am proud to announce that the International Hot Rod Association is purchasing seven legendary racing facilities as of today. This is just the beginning of growing IHRA into a global leader in sports and entertainment.”
—Darryl Cuttell, IHRA owner
In a bold move that has the motorsports world buzzing, IHRA has reached an agreement in principle to acquire seven iconic drag racing facilities. This acquisition forms the cornerstone of what IHRA describes as phase one in their “dynamic strategy to position IHRA as a global leader in sports and entertainment.” The announcement is particularly noteworthy as several of these facilities were previously NHRA-sanctioned tracks just last year and are already featured on the 2025 IHRA schedule. The impressive lineup of acquired tracks includes:
- National Trail Raceway (OH) – A historic quarter-mile facility known for its rich racing heritage and passionate fan base
- Maryland International Raceway (MD) – One of the East Coast’s premier drag racing destinations
- Milan Dragway (MI) – A beloved Midwest racing landmark with decades of competition history
- Dragway 42 (OH) – A recently modernized facility offering state-of-the-art racing amenities
- Darlington Dragway (SC) – A Southern racing institution with deep roots in the sport
- Galot Motorsports Park (NC) – One of the most advanced motorsports facilities in the Southeast
- Kil-Kare Raceway (OH) – A versatile racing venue with a dedicated following
The timing of this announcement is particularly intriguing, coming just hours after the release of the 2025 schedule. That schedule notably included a cryptic asterisk suggesting additional events would be forthcoming – a hint that now makes perfect sense in light of these acquisitions.
But the IHRA wasn’t done making headlines. Hidden within the track purchase announcement was another tantalizing revelation: “The IHRA has also agreed in principle to purchasing, hosting, and partnering with some of the most successful and popular racing series in the entire world. These events will combine music, entertainment, and All-American family fun!”
This ambitious vision quickly began taking shape with the appointment of Jim Howe as National Outlaw Director. Howe’s appointment comes as part of an exciting partnership with No Time Kings, establishing a limited-prep, no-time event series that will bring heart-pounding, heads-up racing action to IHRA tracks. Five of the six locations for this adrenaline-fueled series have been confirmed: Galot, Milan, MIR, Dragway 42, and Steel Alabama, promising fans an incredible season of competitive racing.
The final piece of IHRA’s transformative announcement was the unveiling of the IHRA TV digital platform. This innovative streaming service promises to revolutionize how fans consume drag racing content, offering not just live coverage of IHRA events but expanding into a diverse array of motorsports programming. From snow and water to dirt racing, IHRA TV aims to be the go-to destination for any competition involving horsepower and high-stakes racing.
The scope and scale of these announcements represent a seismic shift in the landscape of drag racing and motorsports entertainment. By acquiring these seven legendary facilities, partnering with established racing series, and launching a comprehensive digital platform, IHRA is positioning itself as a major player in the future of motorsports entertainment.
The burning question on everyone’s mind is: What does the next phase of IHRA’s expansion strategy hold? While the organization is keeping its cards close to the vest, the ambitious nature of these initial announcements suggests that even bigger developments may be on the horizon. From potential international partnerships to innovative racing formats and enhanced fan experiences, the possibilities are endless.
One thing is certain – the IHRA under Darryl Cuttell’s leadership is not content with the status quo. These bold moves demonstrate a clear vision for growth and innovation in drag racing, promising an exciting future for racers, fans, and the sport as a whole. As the 2025 season approaches, the motorsports community will be watching closely to see how these transformative changes unfold and what new surprises the IHRA has in store for the racing world.
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