The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) passes on well wishes to 16-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion John Force and family following his brutal crash during Sunday’s eliminations at the Virginia Nationals.

John Force Racing released a statement Thursday afternoon that the team’s namesake is improving, but faces a long recovery. Force has been moved from the trauma intensive care unit at a Richmond hospital to the neuro ICU so the medical team can focus on his head injury. 

HOUSE SPRINGS, MO — It’s triple the fun next weekend as IHRA Ironman races are scheduled for Missouri, Texas and Hawaii.

Ozark Raceway Park in Missouri has its annual IHRA Ironman Classic scheduled Saturday, July 6. Paris Dragstrip in Texas has its Ironman Classic also that day as part of the two-day Red River Valley Shootout on July 5-6. Another two-day event takes place in Hawaii with the ninth annual Uncle Gary Arita Shakedown in H-Town on July 6-7.

WEST SALEM, OH — Big money and the prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies will be on the line when Dragway 42 hosts the third annual Hootenanny No Box Open this weekend.

The three-day event at “Northern Ohio’s Place to Race” features a $10,000-to-win race on Saturday, and $5,000-to-win main events on Friday and Sunday. The winner of each day’s main event will receive a prestigious IHRA Ironman trophy.

The International Hot Rod Association passes on its thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of legendary drag racing photographer Roger Richards who died Tuesday morning.

Richards served as director of photography for Competition Plus for 25 years. He was one of the most respected people in the business and captured so many of the sport’s iconic moments. He was a staple at the IHRA national events back in the day, working alongside Bryan Epps.

COLONIAL BEACH, VA — Custom T’s Motorsports Park and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today they have agreed to a multi-year extension of their sanctioning agreement.

The former Colonial Beach Dragway has been owned by legendary grudge racing promoter Larry Thompson since 2018. Thompson, who has been involved in many facets of the sport, is one of the most respected promoters on the East Coast.

BUNKER HILL, IN — More history will be coming to Bunker Hill Dragstrip in two weeks when the historic track hosts the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering on Saturday, July 6.

Racers in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman, Motorcycle and Junior Dragster classes will compete for prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies and the very popular oversized championship checks. IHRA members will also be in the running for limited-edition Sportsman Spectacular commemorative medals.

MUNCIE, IN — Four racers — Nick Thompson, Keith Walters, Jordan Robbins and Lane VanNote — scored victories in Saturday’s IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering at Muncie Dragway.

Racers earned special IHRA Ironman trophies, big checks and commemorative medals at the historic Indiana track. Winners, who were IHRA members, earned spots in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals presented by Strange Engineering.

ALBUQERQUE, NM — Mitch Marcy’s near-perfect run and the wins of two hometown racers highlighted the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering at Albuquerque Dragway.

Marcy in the Super Pro (Box) class, James Gonzales in Pro (Box), Reyes Romero in Sportsman, Galen Duran in Motorcycle and Mason Tuck in Junior Dragsters all took home the prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies and big checks for their Saturday victories.

MARION, SD — The International Hot Rod Association passes on our thoughts and prayers to all the staff and racers at Thunder Valley Dragways due to significant flooding at the race track. There was an official total of 16.6 inches of rain at 11 p.m. Friday night and the river isn’t expected to crest until Tuesday.

JACKSON, TN — Jackson Dragway LLC owner Don Baskin is always going the extra mile to make sure his racers have a good experience on the eighth-mile.

Baskin recently approved a number of improvements to the West Tennessee drag strip. The track contacted Mass Traction who spent time training new staff on how and when to scrape, spray and maintain their surface for optimum performance.