Gulfport Dragway Signs with IHRA for 2026.
Gulfport Dragway widely known as the “Racecation Destination” officially announces it will sanction in 2026 with the International Hot Rod Association “IHRA”.
As most know Gulfport Dragway was a proud sanctioned WDRA track. It was announced in October that IHRA acquired the (World Drag Racing Alliance). Within that acquisition, around 100ish tracks will now be under the same sanctioning body.
There were numerous key factors as noted below that led Gulfport Dragway to sanction with IHRA.
Frank Kohutek and Scooter Peako. Gulfport Dragway has had a strong partnership with both Frank and Scooter. Frank as a WDRA Division Director and Scooter as the President of WDRA. When announced Kohutek and Peako would remain with IHRA, Gulfport Dragway was committed to both gentlemen as both have helped Gulfport Dragway grow into a successful racing facility.Within IHRA, Track Champions recieve a direct invite to the IHRA World Finals as in years past with WDRA. The chance to compete for a World Championship from a racer’s home track is a major feather in the cap for those racers.The 2026 IHRA Team Finals and World Finals will be 6 hours or less from Gulfport, MS. The Team Finals in September at Montgomery, AL and World Finals in October in Memphis, TN.IHRA assisted all IHRA tracks with acquiring cheaper insurance rates without reducing coverages.
All racers that have valid WDRA numbers will be able to roll their numbers to IHRA. If there are duplicate numbers due to the merger, that will be handled on a case by case basis.
Gulfport Dragway’s first IHRA Points Race is scheduled for Jan 31-Feb 1 with the Kicker 108 Friday Night Throwdown Guaranteed $1,000.00 on Jan. 30 for three days of “grass roots” racing to kick off the 2026 Track Championship Points Season
Gulfport Dragway will also adopt the Jr Street Class at IHRA Event Weekends with more information coming asap.
Lastly the popular Quick 16 will return in 2026!!!!!!
We look forward to seeing you all at Gulfport Dragway in 2026
