Maple Grove- IHRA (2 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 Darryl, 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 race IHRA on, I will watch, but that's it, for now.

 

[luxexpress]

Larry Morgan on IHRA and Maple Grove. I do hope the NHRA will run there next year.

 

[stitcherbob]

NHRA - "We are re-introducing Modified Production for 2026"
IHRA - "There's a nice track you can run that at here in Pennsy.... lots of people have been waiting....be a shame if something happened to it...."

 

[Steve Wayne]

I don’t know that I would call it IHRA knee pads Paul, I think it’s just glass half full people who want to see someone pouring their heart, soul, and a ton of their cash into something succeed. And I for one, know quite a few low budget guys who can’t play in NHRAs sandbox who are super excited to have a place to play. NHRA will always be the superior professional drag racing league, and I don’t think IHRA is trying to take that away. They are giving an alternative for the guys that don’t have the funds to play with the big money guys. That’s why it’s 1/8 mile, it’s what the racers wanted. From a fan perspective NHRA is the superior product, but from the racers perspective IHRA is something they have always dreamed of. As a racer, would you rather go play with the corporate suits who could care less if you are there or not, or a place where the owner feeds you and your team every night and shows you how appreciated you are? So it’s not knee pads, it’s people who can look past themselves and what they care about, and want to see, and see what is being done for others, and support that!

 

[Paul]

Steve, you're not who I was thinking of when I wrote that. You've always been balanced in your responses and I appreciate your viewpoints.

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

I don’t know that I would call it IHRA knee pads Paul, I think it’s just glass half full people who want to see someone pouring their heart, soul, and a ton of their cash into something succeed. And I for one, know quite a few low budget guys who can’t play in NHRAs sandbox who are super excited to have a place to play. NHRA will always be the superior professional drag racing league, and I don’t think IHRA is trying to take that away. They are giving an alternative for the guys that don’t have the funds to play with the big money guys. That’s why it’s 1/8 mile, it’s what the racers wanted. From a fan perspective NHRA is the superior product, but from the racers perspective IHRA is something they have always dreamed of. As a racer, would you rather go play with the corporate suits who could care less if you are there or not, or a place where the owner feeds you and your team every night and shows you how appreciated you are? So it’s not knee pads, it’s people who can look past themselves and what they care about, and want to see, and see what is being done for others, and support that!

I think you hit it on the head. It's nice that low buck teams can race and get treated nicely BUT fans need to show up to these races and if the sentiment from most people here is any indication they are not going to get hard core fans to 1/8 mile racing SO who will be the fan base????

 

[Jim]

Might want to read some of the previous reponses where he has set aside and still contributes money just to fund this IHRA venture. His primary company is heavily involved in some really big money corporations contract wise. I highly doubt money is an issue or he wouldn't have taken this step.

Reminds me of what people were saying about Evan Knoll.

IHRA has been expanding rapidly. The question is how? Is IHRA now highly leveraged and carrying a lot of debt? History is full of companies that expanded rapidly, only to go bankrupt when conditions made them unable to service the debt.

 

[Jim]

I did find it encouraging that he is looking at bringing back Atco.

What does Waterford Township think of that idea?

 

[Jim]

His primary company is heavily involved in some really big money corporations contract wise. I highly doubt money is an issue or he wouldn't have taken this step.

How do you know how much revenue Daranra brings in? Is it profitable? What happens if the market for that company goes south?

 

[jgrigz]

I don’t get the either/or attitude of some of you folks. I love the fact that there is another body that is carving out its own niche. The IHRAs main draw is in the various ProMod and MMPS categories rather than the fuel ranks. That’s a good thing for those racers. Do you refuse to attend PDRA, Nitro Chaos, Funny Car Chaos, MWDRS series events because they’re not NHRA and 1/4 mile? Enjoy all the opportunities.

 

[J. S.]

what you all fail to remember is NHRA could have easily bought the track while it was for sale several years before the Koretsky family bought it and DIDN'T!!!!

I doubt very much they could have easily bought Maple Grove even if they had wanted to. NHRA is very lucky to have survived the Covid era without going bankrupt. They sold their long-ago paid-for corporate headquarters in Glendora, CA just to help them stay afloat.

 

[GumbyWVU]

So it’s not knee pads, it’s people who can look past themselves and what they care about, and want to see, and see what is being done for others, and support that!

VERY well stated sir!

 

[Mike]

Tom, since you asked, Maple Grove is not becoming a !/8 mile track except for IHRA national events, the track management is still far more important than the sanctioning body because they are really who the racers deal with and the weekly events are the bread and butter. Its very tough for any racing organization these day just in the cost of property alone. Examples, I really doubt that the average fan cares about the teathers(which have been changed) or accurate ladders on summit, they come to see the racing and its stars.

AHRA didnt steal OCIR from NHRA. THe track was going to close because the group that operated it at the time just couldnt make money mainly because of property taxes so AHRA decided they could and we all know how that worked out. NHRA sanctioned OCIR and would have love to have kept it but at what expense. Remember they moved a D7 race to Pomona that year because of the change.

Maple Grove, Kenny isnt getting any younger and saw a chance to leave the business and ran with it. Can you blame him??

 

[ironpony]

Some of the answers I have read here are EXACTLY the reason younger guys walk away from this sport.
I have been at events and a young guy shows up with his 13 second car and the "Big Dogs" rag on him for only having a 13 second car instead of welcoming them with open arms and trying to teach them, show them the ropes.
Then the kid never comes back and they stand around saying how come we can not get any new blood in this sport.
I have seen it in many competitive sports I have been involved in.

IHRA is providing a source for many people to participate in drag racing. Some may actually make it to the big show someday using IHRA as a stepping stone, Clay Millican ring a bell ?? I am more pro active right now because I can walk to National Trail and watch IHRA racing, used to be NHRA and JEGS.