AQUAPHALT JOINS THE ALLIANCE TO SUPPORT MEMBER TRACKS AND RACERS

NORWALK, OH:  Revolutionary asphalt and concrete repair manufacturer Aquaphalt has joined the WDRA as a partner in the Alliance and offers an exclusive discount program to assist WDRA member tracks through 1^st Ayd.

“We are thrilled to introduce Aquaphalt to the sport on a large scale as this is a revolutionary product for both racing surface and general facility repairs,” said WDRA’s Jon O’Neal.  “We got to see this product used in a real-world drag racing environment and were very impressed with the repair.  The fact that it was speedy and our test repair has lasted several months now under extreme abuse at a drag strip and shows no signs of deteriorating.  This product is designed as a permanent repair not a temporary fix.”

 “Aquaphalt keeps the race going with fast repairs for damaged tracks — you just pour it in, spray some water on it and tamp it down, and it begins to harden right away so you can drive on it immediately,” says Michael Wertheim of Aquaphalt, “It’s a bad day to be a pothole.”

CORDOVA DRAGWAY SECURES OVERALL TEAM VICTORY AT WDRA SUMMIT MIDWEST BRACKET FINALS

The 2024 WDRA Summit Bracket Finals, presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance, kicked off with the Midwest event contested at Eddyville Raceway Park.

OSKALOOSA, IA: After competing all season long at their respective racetracks, WDRA members converge regionally to compete against neighboring facilities in hopes of clinching victory as a team and/or a coveted invitation to the WDRA Summit World Championships presented by SunCoast Performance. WDRA member tracks Cordova Dragway, Mid America Dragway, I-29 Dragway, and Mo-Kan Dragway competed alongside the host facility, Eddyville Raceway Park, to kick off these end-of-year festivities during the WDRA Summit Midwest Bracket Finals, presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance over the weekend.

On-track action kicked off on Friday with a Gamblers Race for the Box, No Box, and Junior Dragster classes. Eddyville racers nearly swept the competition with five of the six finalists hailing from the home track. Mark Lambert defeated Gary Smiley in the top bulb class, while the lone Cordova Dragway representative, Ryan Robinson, earned the No Box win over Donnie Ellison. A nearly heads-up final in Junior Dragster ended with Jailin Breeding winning over Ty Ratcliff.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT EXTENDS WDRA’S SPORTSMAN RACING PROGRAMS THROUGH 2026

Norwalk, Ohio – To kick-off the 2024 WDRA Summit Bracket Finals series that starts this weekend in the United States and Canada, the World Drag Racing Alliance announced today that Summit Racing Equipment has extended its commitment to the WDRA and its sportsman racing programs through the 2026 season.  The Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series (SSDRS) will again be the WDRA’s centerpiece of bracket racing programming at WDRA member tracks.  The 2024 edition of the WDRA Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series World Championships will be hosted by Montgomery International Dragway in October. 

“Sportsman racers along with the facilities and entities that support them will always remain a keystone of the Summit Racing Equipment family,” said Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf. “The opportunity to continue our work with the WDRA, the facility owners and operators, and every racer in the program is a point of pride for us.”

The Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series presented by Suncoast Performance has followed the growth trajectory of WDRA as an organization.  As the number of WDRA sanctioned tracks grew by 25% in 2024, the participation levels of the Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series followed suit with a 22% increase.  The upcoming Summit Bracket Finals Series is expected to see a 45% jump in car counts in 2024 thanks to so many new sanctioned tracks and the expansion of the series into Western Canada.

THE 100GROUP JOINS THE WDRA PARTNERSHIP FAMILY TO SUPPORT MEMBER TRACKS AND RACERS

NORWALK, OH:  The growing list of companies that have joined the Alliance to support WDRA sanctioned tracks and racing license holders has grown again with the recent partnership addition of the 100Group.  The 100Group is a single platform for a number of business services that member tracks and racer-owned businesses must have.  The 100Group will act as a business service concierge to streamline ticketing, payments, point of sale software, and much more. They are here to support WDRA tracks and license holders who operate their own businesses.

The 100Group will begin the partnership by working to reduce the operational costs of a track’s credit card processing fees.  “Individually, WDRA and its member tracks don’t have much processing volume but together we represent a larger opportunity,” said WDRA’s Skooter Peaco.  “When we pool our processing volume, we can get much better processing rates than we can individually.  This is another area where WDRA tracks can start saving money immediately.  The 100Group is already involved with motorsports operations, which is why we wanted to partner with them.  The 100Group understands how tracks operate.  That is a huge advantage for the tracks that get in this program.”

“100Group is committed to optimizing race track operations through our state-of-the-art payment processing and Point of Sale solutions. Our innovative systems not only ensure smooth and efficient transactions but also drive substantial cost savings. By reducing transaction fees and operational expenses, we empower race tracks to allocate more resources toward enhancing the racing experience and maximizing their profitability,” said 100Groups Nathan Hughes.  

KIRK FAMILY STEPS UP TO SAVE CLOSED WEST VIRGINIA DRAG STRIP

NORWALK, OH:  The Kirk family, led by ’91 and ‘93 IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock champion Doug Kirk, son Justin, and partner Ronnie Herald have stepped in to save the former IHRA sanctioned track, once known as Twin Branch. The Delbarton West Virginia facility, which sits on a reclaimed coal mine, was never developed past a racing surface and concrete wall.  The track was only operated a few days before the management disbanded after a ten-year struggle to get the concept approved.  The track has entered into a multi-year sanction agreement with WDRA and will be known as 304 Motorsports Park. The facility will be operated by Doug and his son Justin, the 2016 PDRA Top Dragster champion. 

“WDRA is proud to be chosen by Doug, Justin, and Ronnie to help them on their journey to finish the build on 304 Motorsports Park and to use our knowledge base to advise them and help them get to the finish line with this project,” said WDRA’s Skooter Peaco.  “We have been blessed with the opportunity to assist two tracks becoming active again so far this season. The hope is that the Kirk family and staff can get the facility to a soft open point before the season ends to add to that number.  Having three tracks return to prosperity is amazing for our sport and we are grateful that these tracks trust us to help them become viable again.”

Summit Racing Expands Leadership Role In Drag Racing With The Creation Of New Traction Compound

Drag Racing’s leading supporter joins forces with industry experts to improve track prep and reduce costs to facilities

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance is proud to release to the sport a historic improvement in track preparation with the creation of a new generation of traction compound.  Summit Racing’s Pro Trac traction compound was created and extensively tested as a joint effort between industry leaders Summit Racing Equipment, Bill Bader Jr., owner of Summit Motorsports Park, and Total Venue Concepts owner Kurt Johnson. 

The idea for this new generation of traction compound was born during the great glue shortage our industry experienced.  Summit Racing’s Chief Marketing Officer Al Noe saw firsthand what happened to the business of owning a drag racing facility during the shortage.  A drag racing enthusiast, Al wanted to ensure that drag racing facilities would not be squeezed or priced out of business.  Using the immense buying power of Summit Racing Equipment to secure the components, Al then recruited Bill Bader Jr. and Kurt Johnson to form a dream team that would work for two years to create not just another traction compound, but one that would be priced more affordably for the facilities and one that would work differently than what is currently available.       

Summit Pro Trac has been extensively tested by Bill and Evan Bader at Summit Motorsports Park in Northern Ohio in weather conditions that cover the spectrum.  This product was privately tested in a double-blind test with select racers as well as SMP events that exceeded 400 cars of all types.  The testing proved better results than anyone expected.  “During our double-blind test, Summit Pro Trac outperformed “brand x” with cars running one hundredth quicker in the Pro Trac lane.  Cars were both faster and more consistent.  Summit Pro Trac has exceeded my expectations and will be used confidently at all Summit Motorsports Park produced events in 2024.”

Funny Bone Embroidery & Screen Printing joins the growing list of companies supporting sportsman racers through a WDRA partnership in 2024.

This racer-owned business located in Mooresville, NC creates professional custom screen-printing, embroidery, digitizing services, and promotional products.

The talented and experienced team at Funny Bone handle the entire process in-house from creating artwork and graphic designs to printing t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, jackets, and more. 

Their 10,000 square foot facility is equipped to service personal projects, businesses, events, and special occasions with nationwide shipping. 

By working with over 30 vendors, Funny Bone is able to supply products to fit almost any need including sizes from infant to 10X, OSHA standard clothing, fireproof material, police and service industry uniforms, etc. 

Funny Bone Embroidery & Screen Printing’s contribution to the WDRA includes direct sponsorship of the Junior Dragster competitors during the Summit Bracket Finals events at Eddyville Raceway Park, Montgomery International Dragway, Keystone Raceway Park, US 131 Motorsports Park, and Union County Dragway. Saturday Junior Dragster Gamblers Race winners will each receive a 2025 WDRA license free of charge on behalf of Funny Bone Embroidery. 

WDRA Drives Financial Support to Member Tracks with Two National Sponsorship Programs

The sanctioning body quickly checks off another bucket list item by creating a Sponsorship Alliance in its second year of business.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) set out to be “Different by Design” when it became the newest drag racing sanctioning body only 16 short months ago.  One of those differing concepts is the WDRA’s mission to create a functioning alliance between the sanctioning body, member racetracks, and the racers. This new line of thinking allows the organization to work on behalf of racetracks and WDRA license holders to advocate for new sponsorship opportunities and financial benefits to the rapidly growing number of supporters.

“While operating in an environment and economy that puts constant financial pressure on dragstrip operations, our focus was to bring those tracks tangible support in terms of overhead cost reduction and sponsorship programs,” says Skooter Peaco with WDRA. “The first area we attacked was getting our tracks meaningful discounts on things they use in the racing business. Everyone in our group at WDRA, including some racers and track owners, worked together to build a network of a dozen companies that help financially covering everything from contingency awards and website design to track improvement services and consumables. As we continue to grow that network, the next step involves creating sponsorship revenue for our facilities.”

Outlaw Trailers Joins The Growing List Of Partners In The Alliance

Outlaw Trailers has stepped up to support sportsman racers through a 2024 partnership with the WDRA. The racer-owned business located in Loudon, TN is a one-stop shop for all your trailer needs. From car haulers and enclosed trailers to utility, dump, and hydraulic tilt trailers, Dustin Martin and his team can provide the best equipment at an affordable price. 

Outlaw Trailers contribution to the WDRA includes direct sponsorship of the Box competitors during the Summit Bracket Finals events. Saturday Box Gamblers Race winners will each receive a 2025 WDRA license free of charge on behalf of Outlaw Trailers. 

In addition to sponsoring the Box Gamblers Race winners, Outlaw Trailers signage will be proudly displayed at each event to remind racers to support businesses that support the drag racing community. 

To view Outlaw Trailers’ current inventory or design a trailer, visit their website at www.outlawtrailers.net. For more information call 865-657-9077 or email dustin.martin@outlawtrailer.net.