FAIRFIELD, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association announced the launch of the IHRA Stock Car Series, a bold new division built to restore the true essence of grassroots stock car racing.
The series emphasizes driver talent, balanced competition, and fair, cost-controlled rules—while delivering a national platform — broadcast to over 200 million homes on SPEED SPORT 1.
The IHRA Stock Car Series marks a major expansion in the IHRA’s rapidly growing motorsports portfolio. With an unwavering commitment to accessible racing, the series will offer a simplified rules package, affordable participation and transparent competition standards that put the focus on skill, determination and the spirit of American short-track racing.
Unlike many modern series, the IHRA Stock Car Series is intentionally engineered to avoid the “arms race” of high-cost builds and spending wars. Instead, it prioritizes:
- Cost-effective structure, encouraging racers to out-think rather than out-spend their competition
- Fair rules that keep the field level
- A welcoming entry point for new racers
- A sustainable pathway for teams and tracks
- A robust, LIVE broadcasting platform to help racers secure sponsorships
“We’re bringing stock car racing back to its roots,” said Darryl Cuttell, President & CEO of IHRA. “This is racing that rewards driver skill, smart setups and teamwork — not massive budgets. It’s exactly the kind of competition fans love, and competitors deserve.”
The series will run at IHRA partner facilities from the Southeast to the Midwest. Racers will compete for their portion of the $2,000,000 purse, along with series-specific awards and elevated championship opportunities as the program grows.
IHRA leadership is working closely with promoters, track owners, and competitors to ensure the series is built collaboratively, transparently, and with long-term sustainability in mind.
The new Stock Car Series comes at a pivotal moment for IHRA, following major expansions into powerboat/offshore racing, truck and tractor pulling, and additional motorsports disciplines. The Stock Car Series further strengthens IHRA’s commitment to family-first racing, grassroots competitors, and building a unified national motorsports ecosystem.
“This is just the beginning,” added Tim Horton, IHRA Stock Car Series Director. “We’re creating a modern motorsports organization with the heart of grassroots racing—and the Stock Car Series is a perfect reflection of what the new IHRA stands for.”
Horton continued: “From the top down, we’re racers — not MBA grads. We understand the challenges today’s racers face, and every decision we make puts racers and fans ahead of profits.”
Tracks, teams, and partners interested in joining the IHRA Stock Car Series can contact the IHRA Competition Department at scsinfo@ihra.com.
2026 IHRA Stock Car Series Schedule
- March 21 — Pulaski Motorsports Park, Va.
- April 18 — Cordele Speedway, Ga.
- May 30 — Newport Speedway, Tenn.
- June 27 — Anderson Motor Speedway, S.C.
- July 25 — Pulaski Motorsports Park, Va.
- Aug. 22 — Salem Speedway, Ind.
- Sept. 26 — Newport Speedway, Tenn.
- Oct. 17 — Memphis Motorsports Park, Tenn.
