Marty Gordon
[email protected]
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced the cancellation of the remaining 2026 series schedule.
“This is about making the right decision for the long-term health of the IHRA Stock Car Series,” said IHRA, “and not just a couple events in 2026. Our responsibility is not simply to put races on the schedule, it is to provide a professional, competitive, and well-supported championship.”
One race had been slated for Pulaski Motorsports on July 25. It has now been cancelled.
The IHRA says it will spend the coming months working closely with racers, track owners, promoters, and industry partners to develop a long-term plan that strengthens the Stock Car program and positions it for sustained growth.
This was the first year of the nationwide series. Recently, the IHRA had cancelled its drag racing side of the organization, fueling speculation the stock car series would be next.
The series was listed as 2026 Nitro Drag Racing Series and when it was cancelled just two weeks ago, the IHRA said the decision followed continued evaluation of the operational requirements needed to finish the season “at the level our racers deserve,” and that leadership ultimately couldn’t deliver the quality, safety, and professionalism the series is supposed to guarantee.
“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.”
Meanwhile Pulaski Motorsports swings its priority back to its bi-monthly local racing series.
Motorsports Director Stacy Compton said the IHRA change will not affect local races scheduled for the rest of the season.
The local facility is close to launching its own drag racing series, which again will not be affected by the national IHRA cancelation.
The national IHRA release said this is about ‘building a stronger, more sustainable Stock Car program for 2027.”
“We believe taking this time to reset and build the series properly will allow us to return in 2027 stronger than ever.”
The IHRA said this decision was not made lightly. “After a thorough review of our operations, resources, and long-term objectives, IHRA believes the responsible course of action is to pause the series and dedicate our full attention to building a stronger, more sustainable Stock Car program for 2027.
“Rather than present events that do not meet the standards our competitors, promoters, sponsors, and fans deserve, we believe it is more important to take our time and invest our resources into creating a championship-caliber series that can return with a solid foundation and a clear vision for the future.”
All of this comes after the drag racing side of the organization announced several employee layoffs. There has also been speculation the organization was trying to grow too fast in year one and year two.
Darryl Cuttell acquired the IHRA in 2024 and purchased several major tracks including Darlington, Memphis and Rockingham and much-smaller tracks scattered through the southeast. The IHRA is leasing the Pulaski facility.
The IHRA also expanded beyond traditional drag racing by acquiring the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA), Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, and venturing into offshore powerboat racing through the purchase of Powerboat P1 USA.
The IHRA will spend the coming months working closely with racers, track owners, promoters, and industry partners to develop a long-term plan that strengthens the Stock Car program and positions it for sustained growth.
