Memphis coming back from the dead

[Ponyhntr]

IHRA officially purchased Memphis Motorsports Park.

It’s official: IHRA Acquires Historic Motorsports Facility in Millington, Tennessee - DragCoverage Magazine

Photo by Taylor Waller, Full Throttle Frames

dragcoverage.com

 

[ironpony]

But but but Darryl has no money.....................

 

[Jimmy]

IHRA officially purchased Memphis Motorsports Park.

It’s official: IHRA Acquires Historic Motorsports Facility in Millington, Tennessee - DragCoverage Magazine

Photo by Taylor Waller, Full Throttle Frames

dragcoverage.com

IHRA purchased MMSP from Moroso Investment Partners IV LLC. Purchase price: Unknown ?
Moroso bought MMSP from Memphis International Motorsports Corp on January 31, 2011 for $2,062,500
We still don't know where IHRA / Darryl Cuttel is getting all this money from.
Remember Evan Knoll / Torco Oil seemed to have virtually unlimited money.
Think about it: The cost of purchasing, renovating and operating multiple drag strips, paying salaries, equipment, taxes, racer's purses, advertising, insurance, security, interest expense on loans used to finance all this which must be covered from the ticket prices and the number of racers and spectators attending the events. The economics does not work imo.

 

[Ponyhntr]

IHRA purchased MMSP from Moroso Investment Partners IV LLC. Purchase price: Unknown ?
Moroso bought MMSP from Memphis International Motorsports Corp on January 31, 2011 for $2,062,500
We still don't know where IHRA / Darryl Cuttel is getting all this money from.
Remember Evan Knoll / Torco Oil seemed to have virtually unlimited money.
Think about it: The cost of renovating and operating multiple drag strips, paying salaries, equipment, taxes, racer's purses, advertising, insurance, security etc. which must be covered from the ticket prices and the number of racers and spectators attending the events. The economics does not work imo.

While you could seemingly draw parallels to the Evan Knoll situation, the money involved isn’t even close to the same.

There are a lot of financial experts out there but not one of them has any idea as to what Darryl’s financial situation is. Instead of constantly questioning the money that he may or may not have, why can’t everyone just embrace what he is doing for the sport? If there isn’t enough support, it’s surely to fail. Nobody in this sport should want that.

 

[mgty3whlr]

We still don't know where IHRA / Darryl Cuttel is getting all this money from.

Yea we do. It's been mentioned numerous times throughout many posts right here on Nitromater.
If you can't find the info discussed here, Google him and his numerous affiliations of who he does business with and then you might find the answer.

 

[Jimmy]

Yea we do. It's been mentioned numerous times throughout many posts right here on Nitromater.
If you can't find the info discussed here, Google him and his numerous affiliations of who he does business with and then you might find the answer.

All previous attempts by IHRA and it's various owners over the years to dethrone or match the NHRA have failed. I don't see anything different happening under Darryl Cuttell even if he does have more money than Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett combined. Just saying.

 

[mgty3whlr]

All previous attempts by IHRA and it's various owners over the years to dethrone or match the NHRA have failed. I don't see anything different happening under Darryl Cuttell even if he does have more money than Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett combined. Just saying.

That's the problem right there. You are comparing things from the past. If you don't have the right people working with you, your business or businesses Will fail and I highly doubt that Darryl works in that manner that you are comparing him to.
You should be comparing Darryl to Marcus Lemonis who takes failing or failed businesses and brings them back to life. He bailed NHRA out when the Coca-Cola thing failed for them.

 

[jgrigz]

I don’t care if Darryl matches or dethrones the NHRA. Why does it have to be an either/or situation? Why can’t we just enjoy having more events and great places to race? I think the IHRA is going to create its own stars from its various classes over the next year. It’s nice to see a few friends of mine from the Nitro/Funny Car Chaos ranks stepping into the IHRA pro fields and getting some national attention. I’m wishing all of the various racing organizations nothing but success.

 

[glofria]

It certainly a gamble but a calculated risk can become fruitful.

What's one of the main principles in a successful business? Customer service and knowing what make them happy. From the racer interviews I've seen, they're very happy with what IHRA is offering them.

 

[Jimmy]

I don’t care if Darryl matches or dethrones the NHRA. Why does it have to be an either/or situation? Why can’t we just enjoy having more events and great places to race? I think the IHRA is going to create its own stars from its various classes over the next year. It’s nice to see a few friends of mine from the Nitro/Funny Car Chaos ranks stepping into the IHRA pro fields and getting some national attention. I’m wishing all of the various racing organizations nothing but success.

Each person is entitled to their opinion about Darana Hybrid, Darryl Cuttell and the IHRA's future financial success.

 

[tb]

But but but Darryl has no money..................

Who said that !! I think most people just have concerns if something happens, god forbid to him. He is the one with the vision, not the president of IHRA, or anyone else, ect ect. Everyone else has an idea of what he wants, but the vision is his.

And I wish him the best luck in the world.

 

[vehdynam]

While you could seemingly draw parallels to the Evan Knoll situation, the money involved isn’t even close to the same.

There are a lot of financial experts out there but not one of them has any idea as to what Darryl’s financial situation is. Instead of constantly questioning the money that he may or may not have, why can’t everyone just embrace what he is doing for the sport? If there isn’t enough support, it’s surely to fail. Nobody in this sport should want that.

Thank you for saying that !

 

[handsome]

i wish people would quit worrying about Darrell's money and just be glad and positive that someone is willing to take such a risk on drag racing and revamp a once great series. I don't care if it's 1/8, 1000ft or 1/4!

 

[glofria]

That's right and for those who don't like 1/8th mile racing, don't go. Stop knocking those who do. It might be the only option they can afford and/or have.

 

[mick]

found this on the interweb ...... first post is informative. no clue how accurate the dollar amounts are.
the rest of the page not so informative.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-1023030.html

 

[mgty3whlr]

MSN

 

[Joe]

That's right and for those who don't like 1/8th mile racing, don't go. Stop knocking those who do. It might be the only option they can afford and/or have.

And maybe some of us have been waiting since 2009 for them to come back.

 

[Xploder98]

Found some more details in the Memphis Business Journal. Apparently the property was purchased for $6 million, while the IHRA plans to invest over $60 million to redevelop and add new venues, including a concert venue and dirt track (!)

https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2026/01/06/memphis-motorsports-park-ihra-redevelopment.html

The former Memphis Motorsports Park is set to undergo a more than $60 million redevelopment to revive the racetracks at 5500 Victory Lane.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) plans to demolish its dilapidated buildings and add a concert venue, new dirt track, rehabilitated circle track, and drag strip. The amphitheater for concerts is to feature 16,000 covered seating and 24,000 lawn seating.

IHRA, owned by Darryl Cuttell, bought the 342-acre site in December for $6 million, according to Shelby County property records. [IHRA president Leah] Martin expects to break ground this week.

"Darryl Cuttell and his IHRA team only know one speed — all out," said Kemp Conrad of Cushman and Wakefield | Commercial Advisors. "I'm confident this will be a massive win for the community, and our team is stoked to have arranged this real estate transaction."

Martin said IHRA plans to use the facility for "an immersive fan experience" — for drag racing, stock car competitions, grassroots motorsports, and large-scale events. The site can also feature professional pulling competitions for tractors and trucks.

 

[John Farce Racing]

Found some more details in the Memphis Business Journal. Apparently the property was purchased for $6 million, while the IHRA plans to invest over $60 million to redevelop and add new venues, including a concert venue and dirt track (!)

https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2026/01/06/memphis-motorsports-park-ihra-redevelopment.html

I absolutely believe Mr. Cuttell has the right idea to make these venues multi purpose. Having a property sit empty doing nothing makes no sense. Put them to work generating money through concerts, etc. is good business...

 

[z28]

I absolutely believe Mr. Cuttell has the right idea to make these venues multi purpose. Having a property sit empty doing nothing makes no sense. Put them to work generating money through concerts, etc. is good business...

you can go broke pretty quick if you just run it as a drag strip these days