Maple Grove- IHRA (8 Viewers)

[My Name]

I would be guessing, but NHRA was probably laughing when Mr. Cuttell bought the IHRA.
I'm guessing there's no laughing now.

Competition is a good thing!

Regarding the ¼ mile, 1000',

 

[Joe]

Some may disagree this, but I think the IHRA buying Maple Grove is bigger news than Vandergriff driving the JFR funny car.

You are correct. Only an IHRA points fund would be bigger.

 

[Joe]

Absolutely sickening. Maple Grove is 6 miles from us and I’ve been going to the Nationals since 1992, often Thursday-Sunday.

Watch the race from Dunn NC. We went from Texas, going again in March.

 

[DanTheFan]

Fans better get their tix for the NHRA meet soon (and hotels), assuming it happens. Like all farewell tours, the place will likely be totally packed/sold out.

 

[ironpony]

Except this guy isn't just starting with a billion dollar stash and spending it. From what I've heard, yes he has a LOT of money, but he is continuing to generate more as time goes on with his core business. I don't love everything about what IHRA is doing, but they are doing a lot right. I'm not going to worry about the "what if" scenarios right now. Let's see how 2026 goes. If nothing else, between all the driver/crew shake ups in the big show, and the wild onslaught of activity with the resurgent IHRA, this could be a very good time for drag racing.

I agree with the above, most people do not think about it this way.
Certain entities rely on other people giving them money, Govt., sponsored teams, NHRA. Then when the money runs out they need more donations. As long as people keep donating things run OK. But then people stop donating because they do not like how you are using it or no longer have enough to donate to you. 90% of drag racing teams work this way, any that lose sponsorship are done, parked because they are running on donations. As racing costs increase the sponsors decrease.
Don Schumaker and Connie Kalitta have stated they will never use their own money to play, what's that tell you. Both of them have huge businesses and can pay their own way but do not.

Darrell has a lot of money, he is constantly generating money, he is not looking for donations. This is the difference between his success and the failures of others. The money he is spending is being replaced by his business's income. Now the question is how committed and how long is he willing to see no return. As most realize racing is a zero return sport. Personally at this point of his life he is looking to leave some sort of legacy in racing.

 

[J. S.]

Don Schumaker and Connie Kalitta have stated they will never use their own money to play, what's that tell you. Both of them have huge businesses and can pay their own way but do not.

I'm sure both stated that in the past, but in recent years Connie has been spending some of his own money to keep at least one of his dragsters afloat. How often have we seen the major lettering on the Langdon car advertising Kallita Air? Sure, that is no doubt a tax write-off (advertising), but it is still effectively his own money. And I for one am glad he does it.

 

[Paul]

Do a little research on Darrell, he has business relationships with Elon Musk, cash isn't a problem. I am not a IHRA homer with IHRA knee pads like some on here, but it appears he's legit and that's good for drag racing. If I have to pick between going to a NHRA or IHRA race, NHRA wins all day and it's not even close, the quality of nitro racing is not even remotely close. When NHRA isn't racing and there's an IHRA on, I will watch, but that's it, for now.