IHRA Announces Strategic Refocus on Drag Racing

July 9, 2026

Fairfield, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) regrets to announce that the remaining events of the 2026 IHRA Nitro Drag Racing Series will not be contested as originally scheduled.

This was an extremely difficult decision. Following last week’s schedule update, IHRA’s management team continued evaluating the operational requirements necessary to complete the season at the level our racers deserve. It became clear we could not deliver the quality, safety, and professionalism that define IHRA competition. Rather than lower our expectations simply to complete the schedule, we believe concluding the 2026 Nitro season is the most responsible decision.

This announcement applies only to the 2026 IHRA Nitro Drag Racing Series. IHRA-owned drag racing facilities, weekly bracket racing, sportsman competition, Team Finals, and the IHRA World Championship will continue as scheduled. Racers should continue following their individual series and track communications for updates.

“Our roots started in drag racing,” said IHRA President Dustin Farthing. “The racers who fill the staging lanes every weekend are the foundation of IHRA. Our focus is on rebuilding from the ground up by investing in our member tracks, sportsman racing, and the grassroots racers who built this organization. We will not lower our event standards simply to say we completed a race.”

“This isn’t the end of national event drag racing, it’s a reset. By strengthening our foundation first, we’ll build a stronger future for our racers, tracks, sponsors, and fans.”

IHRA sincerely thanks its racers, teams, sponsors, volunteers, track operators, and fans for their continued support as we begin the next chapter of the organization.

Thank you,
Dustin Farthing
President IHRA

Happy 250th !

Many race tracks, of all types, have come and gone through the years here in South Dakota.
One of those, Thunder Valley Dragways, located outside Marion, SD, lives on.  2026 marks 60 years
of continuous operation.
Glen Rapp, owner and founder, remains an active part of the venerable
drag strip.

Ardys and I are humbled by the kindness of the Gary Buer family …

We lost Gary three years ago yesterday … Gary was one of the first racers we met back in 2005
and the Buer family became a part of our Oahe racing family …
Awhile back, Gary’s son, Josh, contacted us and asked if we could provide some
photos of his Dad racing at Oahe. I gathered a few shots and sent them on to Josh.
The family was looking for an image to place on the headstone.
Needless to say, we were so happy that Ardys’s starting line capture was chosen.
Gary was truly one of the best … Godspeed, our friend .