FAIRFIELD, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association announced the purchase of Pennsylvania’s Maple Grove Raceway on Friday and on Monday morning the NHRA announced it was moving the opening round of its Countdown to the Championship from Maple Grove to U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Michigan.
On Monday afternoon, IHRA issued the following statement regarding the future of national-level motorsports events at Maple Grove Raceway:
“Following IHRA’s recent acquisition of Maple Grove Raceway, IHRA leadership engaged the National Hot Rod Association with the intent of maintaining continuity for racers, teams, fans, and the facility.
“While the existing NHRA contract did not permit assumption upon closing, NHRA received a standard notice related to due diligence during the acquisition process. That notice was followed by direct communication from IHRA leadership expressing a clear desire to continue hosting the event and to work collaboratively toward a path forward. Ultimately, a collaborative solution was not pursued.
“’At its core, a sanctioning body exists to serve racers, fans and the tracks that give them a place to compete,’” said Darryl Cuttell, Owner of the IHRA. “’That responsibility extends to supporting Sportsman racers in every region of the country, not just select markets. Events at facilities like Maple Grove Raceway consistently deliver sold-out attendance and meaningful economic impact for the surrounding community. While collaboration was not achieved in this instance, IHRA remains committed to acting in the best interests of racers, fans and host communities nationwide.’
“’I personally reached out to NHRA leadership because I believe collaboration matters,’” said Leah Martin, President of IHRA. “’While I was disappointed by their decision, our focus remains on the future. When organizations are willing to collaborate around a common goal, the entire sport is elevated. That willingness to lead, to work together, and to put the sport first is what separates true leadership from the rest. IHRA remains committed to supporting racers in every region of the country and strengthening the communities that host our events.’
“IHRA believes that national-level motorsports opportunities should be accessible across all regions and that Sportsman racers deserve strong, competitive platforms regardless of geography. Facilities like Maple Grove Raceway are cornerstones of their regions, driving tourism, hotel occupancy, restaurant traffic, and local business revenue while serving as gathering places for racing families and fans.
“IHRA is moving forward with plans to bring a premier national-level motorsports event to Maple Grove Raceway, paired with live music concerts and enhanced fan experiences. These initiatives are designed to honor the track’s historic legacy while strengthening its role as a modern, multi-use entertainment destination that benefits racers, fans, and the local economy alike.
“Additional details regarding IHRA’s national event and concert programming at Maple Grove Raceway will be announced in the coming weeks.”
