Maple Grove- IHRA (16 Viewers)

[Jim]

MLB has had anti-trust protection for over 100 years and the NFL was found guilty of violating it during the USFL suit.

It was a civil suit, so the NFL was found liable, not guilty. The USFL was awarded a total of $3 in damages ($1 tripled).

 

[Joe]

I hope they do well at whatever races they put on. 1/8 isn’t great, 1000 ft is the sweet spot I think for nitro. I will go to any close event that features a lot of good sportsman racing plus maybe some nitro sprinkled in. I wouldn’t fly to an IHRA event or drive more than 2 hours. Luckily, it looks like Empire is joining IHRA again and is in my back yard. 8 car fields are fine as I consider IHRA ‘better than nothing’. When I used to go to IHRA events, it featured mostly low buck fuel operations with a few NHRA capable cars like Clay, Eddie Hill, Gene Snow etc. Give me some Alcohol cars, Ohio gassers and pro mods and I’m good.

I will be flying from Texas for 4.

 

[GumbyWVU]

It was a civil suit, so the NFL was found liable, not guilty. The USFL was awarded a total of $3 in damages ($1 tripled).

Yes....I should have said liable, agreed, wasn't thinking.

The judge failed to provide adequate instructions to the jury regarding how the damages would be assessed (the jury thought the judge would determine the amount). The USFL could have appealed the decision based on that failure to provide proper instructions but it's hard to hire a good lawyer for $3.00. Bring bankrupt it all went away.

In the long run, the NFL adopted several popular rules the USFL had.

 

[Chili]

Is IHRA going to have sportsman classes on Friday and Saturday too? With everything IHRA has planned they are going to piss off the sportsman racers more than NHRA does. NHRA has always taken heat because they only run early morning or late at night. How is IHRA going to be any different? Their pro show is going to include, TAFC, TAD, XPM, PM, PN, MMPS, TFH, Nitro Harley, Fuel altered, FC and TF. I would consider all these classes as fast classes that have breakage regularly. I can easily see the Alky racers getting pushed around on the schedule regularly in 2026 along with all the other sportsman classes.

 

[Ponyhntr]

Is IHRA going to have sportsman classes on Friday and Saturday too? With everything IHRA has planned they are going to piss off the sportsman racers more than NHRA does. NHRA has always taken heat because they only run early morning or late at night. How is IHRA going to be any different? Their pro show is going to include, TAFC, TAD, XPM, PM, PN, MMPS, TFH, Nitro Harley, Fuel altered, FC and TF. I would consider all these classes as fast classes that have breakage regularly. I can easily see the Alky racers getting pushed around on the schedule regularly in 2026 along with all the other sportsman classes.

Yes, the IHRA sportsman classes run on Friday and Saturday, just like the rest of them. Didn't have a problem in 2025, and making some adjustments for 2026 that will help prevent those potential issues. Good thing about not having to work with TV windows is that classes will not, and do not have to get bumped. Live streaming for the W.

 

[Joe]

I totally agree with you.Thanks for saying that.

Seems like some of these people feel threatened by IHRA. I made a comment saying I hoped Jasmine would run IHRA and it got some strong comments.

 

[Joe]

Is IHRA going to have sportsman classes on Friday and Saturday too? With everything IHRA has planned they are going to piss off the sportsman racers more than NHRA does. NHRA has always taken heat because they only run early morning or late at night. How is IHRA going to be any different? Their pro show is going to include, TAFC, TAD, XPM, PM, PN, MMPS, TFH, Nitro Harley, Fuel altered, FC and TF. I would consider all these classes as fast classes that have breakage regularly. I can easily see the Alky racers getting pushed around on the schedule regularly in 2026 along with all the other sportsman classes.

I wouldn't think they'd by mad, not with the payout. 5000$ for stock, 6000$ TF and TS.Buy that's me.

 

[John Farce Racing]

I have been quietly watching the development of the IHRA and everything that Darryl Cuttell and his team are doing. I feel I must comment on the purchase of Maple Grove. It’s been almost nine years since the famed Old Bridge Township Raceway Park aka E-Town closed. Now another icon, Maple Grove, is no longer with the NHRA. I fear the worst not only for Maple Grove but all the tracks Darryl Cuttel and IHRA are purchasing. Permit me to explain that yes Darryl Cuttel owns Darana Hybrid but its annual revenue is 100 Million dollars, how much is left after paying operating costs, expenses, and taxes? Where and how much money is there to support all the different organizations he is dipping into not only IHRA but offshore powerboat racing, stock car racing, tractor pulling, and other emerging motorsports platforms. Then he appoints Leah Martin as President who has no drag racing experience and who’s claim to fame is leading non-profits! Next year NHRA will be celebrating 75 years having been run by one board/group that has evolved over time. Darryl Cuttell is the eight owner of IHRA in only 55 years! IHRA has a history of imploding and rebirth. I’m afraid if IHRA implodes under Darryl Cuttell ownership that we will lose several iconic tracks to housing developers. I pray I'm wrong.

Darana Hybrid is a privately held company. any revenue ( and profit) numbers are just a guess.

 

[none]

Just watched the Cycle Drag video posted above. And I know that Jack has become a bit of a lightning rod for some people.
But much of what he said is true. I don't think that IHRA is finished buying racetracks.
And I do think that there are other track owners that even if they aren't actively looking to sell, would certainly be open to taking a call.

After all, did anybody hear even a whisper that Maple Grove might be on the market? When I was at the Dutch, they were planning the next season. I was told to put the 2026 Divisional on my calendar. And I now have that week open.

Alan

 

[tb]

Just watched the Cycle Drag video posted above. And I know that Jack has become a bit of a lightning rod for some people.
But much of what he said is true. I don't think that IHRA is finished buying racetracks.
And I do think that there are other track owners that even if they aren't actively looking to sell, would certainly be open to taking a call.

After all, did anybody hear even a whisper that Maple Grove might be on the market? When I was at the Dutch, they were planning the next season. I was told to put the 2026 Divisional on my calendar. And I now have that week open.

Alan

Everything is for sale for the right price.

tb

 

[Guy]

So after having MG and Engishtown now nothing within 5 or 6 hours in the biggest market on the planet?

 

[tb]

So after having MG and Engishtown now nothing within 5 or 6 hours in the biggest market on the planet?

Yes, IndyCar fans are complaining about that also. No track wanting to hold a race.

 

[Rocket Man]

So after having MG and Engishtown now nothing within 5 or 6 hours in the biggest market on the planet?

I don't know which market but I'm guessing NY/PA? MIR is only 3 or 4 hours and it's truly a great track. Ever been there?

 

[Tim]

From the article with quotes from Larry Morgan to the Facebook replies of MG to a Facebook post with replies from Capps to the Podcast with Lohnes, it’s pretty clear the two sides are very far apart.

I’m just a fan and the chances of me ever knowing or finding out the actual truth to all of this is more than likely zero. The truth probably lies in the middle of what is getting posted on social media and articles between the two sides.

While I typically lean towards a rising tide lifts all boats, an all out media war between the two may not hurt the sport, but I’m not sure it will grow the sport or significantly help one or the other.

Both sanctioning bodies can and will run their business as needed and it’s up to the fans and teams to support whoever they want to.

My greatest fear is one person/sanctioning body buying the tracks and then something happening to where they become warehouses or condos in 5 years. Time will tell how this will end up. Let’s hope it works for the betterment of the greatest sport out there with some of the coolest folks on earth. The season can’t get here soon enough so the focus will be for the on track activity.

Long live drag racing. Bring on 2026