Joining representatives from the Quad Cities and the Missouri Valley Conference in college athletics, the IHRA and Cordova Dragway Park greeted area media in welcoming the IHRA Summer Nationals back to the Quad Cities for the first time since 2002. IHRA President and former Cordova Dragway Park manager Scott Gardner joined Nitro Funny Car driver Mike McIntire Jr. and Jet Dragster driver Elaine Larsen in greeting the crowd, while Larsen’s jet-powered dragster, Ron Hope’s “Rat Trap” Nitro Altered and the locally-based “Crop Duster” Nitro Funny Car of Frank Ousley sat out front of the multi-purpose facility in downtown Moline.

   IHRA President Scott Gardner speaks while being flanked by Mike McIntire Jr. and Elaine Larsen

“We are so excited to bring the IHRA and the Summer Nationals back to the Quad Cities and give the great fans in this area another great event they can embrace and be proud to have in their backyard,” Gardner said during the press conference. “This is going to be one exciting weekend, with one of the biggest Funny Car races ever held and potential for a few records to be broken. We welcome all of the fans in the area to come out and enjoy drag racing the way it is meant to be seen with the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series."

The 2014 IHRA Summer Nationals will take place this Friday and Saturday with professional competition in Nitro Funny Car, Nitro Harley, Nitro Altered, Pro Stock and Jet Dragster. The weekend will also feature sportsman racing throughout the weekend with the IHRA’s Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL.

For more information on the return of the Summer Nationals to Cordova Dragway Park, visit www.ihra.com or call Cordova at (309) 654-2110.