The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is moving swiftly to consolidate its holdings and to position itself as the sanction that’s working for its participants. Much of its activities recently, since IHRA’s acquisition by Darryl Cuttell have been in facility acquisitions. IHRA now has more than 110 sanctioned tracks, making the group a self-proclaimed “global leader in drag racing facility sanctioning.”
There are now 111 sanctioned drag racing facilities under the IHRA umbrella, representing an increase from last season of 70 percent. This is a significant year-over-year growth and, since December 2025 IHRA’s number of circuits has increased by 58 facilities. This total, however, does not include facilities recently acquitted by IHRA, including Atlanta Dragway, which became part of IHRA just a week before this declaration.
The last time IHRA sanctioned more than 100 tracks was in 2012; today’s grouping includes six countries, reflecting renewed global confidence in IHRA’s leadership and its long-term vision. “This milestone,” Cuttell emphasized, “is not just about numbers. It is about belief. This growth represents track owners around the world who believe in what we are building and where we are taking the sport. The foundation of drag racing has always been the weekly racer and the independent facility. Their vote of confidence speaks volumes.”
IHRA is championing the grassroots drag racing community. Track owners that have recently joined or rejoined the sanction’s community are doing so because of IHRA’s racer-first policies, its operational transparency, safety innovations and enhanced marketing support. Track owners have stated these key factors in their choice to sanction with IHRA.
For the first time in its history, IHRA now sanctions more global facilities than any other drag racing sanction. The series noted its gratitude to track owners and operators who “believe in our mission and have chosen to be part of the IHRA family. Your trust, partnership and commitment to the future of drag racing are what make this growth possible,” a series statement noted.
A pair of track owners chimed in: “The group IHRA has assembled to lead member tracks is second to none,” said Dan Crownhart, owner of Cordova Dragway. “We feel part of a bigger stage as IHRA moves forward in becoming the dominant sanctioning body. The enthusiasm, inspiration and growth of the sanctioning body over the last 12 months has been truly remarkable.” Gaylon Rolison of Gulfport Dragway agreed: “We are proud to be a part of IHRA. The IHRA Member Track and Bracket Racing group puts priority on assisting and helping the tracks they represent and goes out of their way to help all tracks operate efficiently,” Rolison stated.
IHRA is doing more than acquiring racetracks. Its members are now entitled to a participant accident insurance benefit while competing at IHRA member tracks in IHRA sanctioned events. This member coverage extends across all IHRA divisions, classes and racing categories, whether competing on land or water.
The recently announced IHRA member participant accident coverage includes: $1,000,000 excess medical benefit; $500,000 accident death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage and a $200 weekly disability benefit that is intended to last up to 52 weeks, while subject to policy terms and conditions. Covered activities include official races, practices, qualifying sessions and test and tune activities. All activities must be sponsored or organized by IHRA and conducted at facilities and locations intended and approved for those purposes, IHRA noted.
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