How does this impact NHRA long-term?

[Mike]

How do these developments (and potential developments) impact NHRA? Non-drag racing motorsports news being included. Could the scope affect NHRA's or race teams ability to obtain sponsors?
- You already know about the Cuttell-owned IHRA tracks. From Comp Plus IHRA buying Memphis and Commerce?

IHRA buys Powerboat series
First this IHRA allies with Pro Pulling League
Today, this IHRA joins Outlaws and Pro Pulling League alliance

 

[Under_Pressure]

Preface by saying I follow pulling closely and it is by far my most attended motorsport so I have been keeping a keen eye on those announcements and want the best for the sport. But the more this goes on the more I can't help think about Evan Knoll. I just can't see how this can be sustainable unless this guy is a legit billionaire, and even then... Although how much Cuttell/IHRA is actually investing in things like this pulling "partnership" isn't really clear to me. But the IHRA stuff alone would drain about any bank account, even before craziness like buying Georgia and Memphis and getting them operating again. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[z28]

Preface by saying I follow pulling closely and it is by far my most attended motorsport so I have been keeping a keen eye on those announcements and want the best for the sport. But the more this goes on the more I can't help think about Evan Knoll. I just can't see how this can be sustainable unless this guy is a legit billionaire, and even then... Although how much Cuttell/IHRA is actually investing in things like this pulling "partnership" isn't really clear to me. But the IHRA stuff alone would drain about any bank account, even before craziness like buying Georgia and Memphis and getting them operating again. Hope I'm wrong.

lesson on how to become a millionaire, start off a billionaire

 

[Jim]

But the more this goes on the more I can't help think about Evan Knoll. I just can't see how this can be sustainable unless this guy is a legit billionaire, and even then.

You thought Evan Knoll, I thought Live Nation and Feld Entertainment.

 

[ironpony]

One, I think a lot of the "buy" sensationalism is just that, partnering with, joining with is more likely. I would hope a guy of his wealth has a very good plan in place and is not winging it.

 

[CS]

A lot of cross marketing - look for pulling events to be at IHRA events in 2026. The reason is to attract more people at the gate, sell more merch and food. Win Win for all involved.

 

[mole]

Always room for another....But...Will never knock down the NHRA and maybe their not trying to....To me...The IHRA has always financially struggled...I don't see that changing

 

[ironpony]

Always room for another....But...Will never knock down the NHRA and maybe their not trying to....To me...The IHRA has always financially struggled...I don't see that changing

IHRA might not but they are doing a pretty good job themselves

 

[Chili]

I believe IHRA is bad news for the PDRA and possibly the MWDRS. Both are predominantly 1/8 mile pro mod and sporstman series and the IHRA will pay more than those two organizations.

 

[TSK]

IHRA, to me anyway, has always seemed like a little ankle biting dog; an irritant, but not able to do any real harm.

 

[Under_Pressure]

This week's new series.

Next week airplanes? Lawnmower racing?

It actually reminds me most of Lucas taking over a bunch of niche motorsports 15 or so years ago. But at least he had an obvious revenue source with a need for motorsports marketing and people to help run things. And a new motorsports TV channel with a schedule to fill. And in the end most of it didn't work out even with Lucas' resources, and the series he propped up ended up in a lurch.

 

[Rocket Man]

I'm no expert but I don't think Lucas had as much money as Darrell.

 

[John Farce Racing]

This week's new series.

Next week airplanes? Lawnmower racing?

It actually reminds me most of Lucas taking over a bunch of niche motorsports 15 or so years ago. But at least he had an obvious revenue source with a need for motorsports marketing and people to help run things. And a new motorsports TV channel with a schedule to fill. And in the end most of it didn't work out even with Lucas' resources, and the series he propped up ended up in a lurch.

Cuttell has an obvious revenue source...

 

[Butch]

I'm no expert but I don't think Lucas had as much money as Darrell.

I believe Lucas was smarter with his $$.
I remember when I was in Phoenix around 08-09, he would purchase half a block of homes and repair then flip them at a reasonable profit. He didn't drop all his money into a hobby.
Time will tell,
I do believe the sport needs a body that is more economical to precipitate in

 

[winr]

Cuttell wants and is spending money on drag racing and doing what he thinks will draw people to the stands. People in the stands is good for the racers of any sanctioning body/class. It builds interest from non racers and that will boil over into sponsor opportunities. 1 yr, 10yrs 100yrs no matter how long it last, it is not costing the racer anything but is offering more opportunities to race our stuff. The New IHRA is offering an abundant amount of sensory entertainment and makes the race an EVENT, and that"s what it takes to get people to put their electronics down. To keep comparing him to EK doesnt seem just at this time. That's my two cents.

 

[Custom Body Fan]

Cuttell has an obvious revenue source...

I can’t find much about Darana corp’s revenue since they are a private company. Per their website they have a great client list, but best I could find about there revenue is an est of $100 million annually, but who know a how much profit they get from that. Anyway, let’s hope the IHRA is solid. It does seem to be stealing some part time top fuelers from the NHRA, which may contribute to ongoing short fields.

 

[ironpony]

I can’t find much about Darana corp’s revenue since they are a private company. Per their website they have a great client list, but best I could find about there revenue is an est of $100 million annually, but who know a how much profit they get from that. Anyway, let’s hope the IHRA is solid. It does seem to be stealing some part time top fuelers from the NHRA, which may contribute to ongoing short fields.

I would have to say he is far north of that number to be doing what he is doing. As stupid as it will sound 100 mil. a year isn't much. I do work for a guy that his company does 150 mil a year and he couldn't do what Darrel is doing. Yes he has a private jet, multiple homes etc but there still isn't that type of cash available.
In perspective the company my wife works for is a OEM supplier, privately owned by the same family since founding 100 years ago and does 6 BILLION a year. The little plant, 150 employees, she works at does 1 mil a week in product. They have sponsored a few cars in different motorsports over the years.

 

[Custom Body Fan]

I would have to say he is far north of that number to be doing what he is doing. As stupid as it will sound 100 mil. a year isn't much. I do work for a guy that his company does 150 mil a year and he couldn't do what Darrel is doing. Yes he has a private jet, multiple homes etc but there still isn't that type of cash available.

I agree. So hopefully he is far north of that number - the unfortunate other alternative is he is Evan Knoll the 2nd.

What I also find interesting is the Darana company certainly appears successful regardless of what the revenue and profits actually are. So it sure looks like he knows how to run a company. Given that, the fact he is trying to do everything all at once is pretty odd. He is getting the IHRA going, buying and improving tracks (supposedly with some big ones yet to come), getting involved in pulling, some other thing, and as of 2 days ago launching a oval track series https://ihra.com/press/2025/article...ar-series-reigniting-spirit-grassroots-racing and as announced on Nov 26, buying the WDRA. All this without yet having been able to put more than a handful of butts in seats at ihra events. The ihra drivers are happy, but without any fans in seats…..

I’ve worked at some big, successful companies and even they can’t do everything all at once. I also worked at a startup that tried to do that and it didn’t work.

So Darrel better be better than most to make all this successful.

 

[Rajunz]

Yeah, all of a sudden, IHRA is into everything. This can be a great thing for all Motorsports, however, it doesn't matter though if they can't put butts in the seats, it'll be unsustainable.

 

[Nunz]

Yeah, all of a sudden, IHRA is into everything. This can be a great thing for all Motorsports, however, it doesn't matter though if they can't put butts in the seats, it'll be unsustainable.

Well maybe it's an "If you build it they will come" scenario. They did get more fans toward the end of the season I believe. Once you build the series, marketing will bring the fans.