The longest series partnership in drag racing, the International Hot Rod Association and Summit Racing Equipment are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, IHRA Summit Team Finals and IHRA Summit World Finals in 2021.
It is the most prestigious championship in grassroots Sportsman bracket racing. The $200,000 program is the world championship for over 12,000 IHRA-member racers held at nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned tracks.
Each year, the program crowns a World Champion in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman and Junior Dragster.
Racers can qualify to the World Finals by winning a Summit SuperSeries track championship at a participating IHRA-member track or by winning an IHRA Summit Team Finals main event class.
This year, electric vehicles had been added to the program. Each IHRA member track has the opportunity to crown one EV Summit SuperSeries track champion and send that competitor to the IHRA Summit World Finals in October.
Mid-Michigan Motorplex promoter Mike Ledford talked about the enthusiasm of participating in the IHRA Summit Team Finals and the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.
“There are a number of upsides,” Mid-Michigan Motorplex promoter Mike Ledford said. “The bracket final is at US 131 (Dragway) and we have absolutely no issue filling a team. We usually have alternates who want to get on the team.
“Plus the Summit SuperSeries (World) Finals since we’ve signed up with IHRA, all of our champions have been eligible. They’ve all had a good time and we’ve had some success. In the last two years, we’ve had a semifinalist and a runner-up. Those are good results, but we have a good time running for 20 grand with no entry fee as part of the IHRA deal.”
Ledford also enjoys the fellowship at the World Finals, meeting other IHRA racers and promoters from all over the country.
South Carolina Motorplex owner Jeff Biegun is particularly fond of the IHRA Summit Team Finals. Many of his racers set aside vacation time for the fun and fellowship all enjoy.
“The pinnacle of coming here and racing in the points is going to the end of the year bracket finals,” he said. “It’s a big deal for us as track owners and managers. We go to the bracket finals and get the chance to mingle with the racers. When they’re here racing, we have 100 different things to do. This gives everybody a chance to come over and listen to their ideas.”
Of course, the ultimate goal for the racer is to become an IHRA World Champion. Gary Shearer did that in 2020, taking home the $20,000 prize as the Top champion.
“After winning the 2020 IHRA Summit Midwest Team Finals at my home track (Eddyville Raceway Park), I thought it can’t get better than this,” Shearer said. “I was wrong! It got better by winning the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals championship.”
There are plenty of prizes that go along with the championship. Mod champion Mason Hatton won $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, an eight-day/seven-night vacation for two to Aruba, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman trophy and an IHRA Gold Card.
Most of all was the prestige of the championship.
“Winning the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals was all I ever wanted,” Hatton said. “The trip to Aruba, the diamond ring and the Ironman were added bonuses. Most of all, I think my wife will get to enjoy spending the money.”
When it comes to money, Biegun likes how the program is geared for everyone at his track and others across North America.
“The IHRA really understands the budget racer, the guy who loves doing this, but doesn’t have a million dollars to fund it,” Biegun said. “They’ve done well catering to those people and creating a venue that makes sense as a good value.”
