The Steele, Alabama track was the site of IHRA national events when it first opened, home of the IHRA Super Nationals from 1994-95. Winners included such names as IHRA Hall of Fame drivers Scotty Cannon and Anthony Bertozzi, Top Fuel drivers Clayton Harris and Rhonda Hartman, Pro Mod shoe Tommy Mauney and Pro Stock legend Roy Hill.
Over the years, the racing has evolved at the venue which can run as either an 1/8-mile or 1/4-mile track.
“A lot of our racing program has changed over the years,” track owner Jason Collins said. “We do a lot of small-tire radial stuff and grudge racing. We haven’t been running a bracket program the last few years. Several racers have been asking about doing a bracket program. When the deal came up with IHRA, it was a great fit.”
Looking at all the programs available, the IHRA Summit SuperSeries provided the best option for them. It’s the most prestigious national championship in all of bracket racing, and has gotten even better with grand prizes added for the champions at the World Finals.
There’s also the IHRA Summit Team Finals which many of the racers love how they not only compete against others individually, but brings the racers together as the build a team chemistry.
For the racers, there’s already a pride at competing at Alabama International Dragway. It has the well-deserved reputation as a fast track with the tagline, “Where Records Fall.”
“We have set records throughout the radial genre and we’ve got a good grasp on track prep,” Collins said. “We had the first LDR car in the 3s, the first doorslammer in the 40s on a 3.15 drag radial. If we ever get the mineshaft conditions like a couple of the Eastern tracks have, you could blow the doors off the records.”
The facility features asphalt pit areas, 10,000-seat bleachers, concessions and restrooms. One of the greatest assets is its location right off Interstate 59. You literally get off the interstate at exit 174 and you’re there.
Collins is a record-setting racer himself, running a Nitrous Pro Modified car. He brings a passion both for the sport and the track which his father built. They have a full schedule of events in 2023 in addition to the IHRA Summit SuperSeries program.
There are the radial outlaw races, the Street Car Takeover event, No Prep Kings and Night of Fire event. The Night of Fire has featured Pro Mods, fire-breathing Jet Cars and much more. It has been a thrill ride that has seen the windows out blown of the tower in the past.
Learn more about this record-setting venue by clicking here for the track’s website. Keep checking out IHRA.com and our social media pages in the coming days about more exciting news with Alabama International Dragway and the IHRA Summit Team Finals.
