After getting away from traditional racing and exploring a more entertainment-based program over the past three years under Feld Motor Sports, the IHRA announced today that it will be combining the best of both worlds with the return of traditional elimination-style racing in its professional classes while still maintaining a family-friendly format.
IHRA’s top tier series that has been branded as Nitro Jam, will be rebranded as the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series and will feature a new logo incorporating the excitement of the new series plus new event logos for each of the NJDRS national events held in 2014. All events on the expanded 2014 North American Tour schedule will once again be branded as Nationals and will feature the addition of traditional qualifying and eliminations in its professional classes as well as a points chase and a championship points fund.
Under the guidance of the new ownership group IRG Sports + Entertainment and its President & CEO Jason Rittenberry, the IHRA will be implementing its new, traditional drag racing format beginning in 2014. The series will feature professional drag racing in select classes at events held throughout the United States and Canada, plus a number of exciting new elements that will make the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series a major draw in each market.
“Acquiring the IHRA after the 2013 season had already began allowed us the opportunity to evaluate the Nitro Jam events this season before and see what elements we wanted to change and what was working for the series,” said Rittenberry.
“This redesign of the brand is the first step in bringing more traditional professional racing back to the IHRA. We are excited to announce all of the plans for the 2014 tour next week at our World Finals in Memphis.”
Through it all, the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series will maintain its reputation as an affordable and excitement-filled motorsport spectacle for both families and drag racing fans alike.
“This is just a matter of listening to the customer. The Nitro Jam format was successful as evidenced by our growth since its debut three years ago. Our fans loved the show, but wanted to see more professional racing,” said Aaron Polburn, President of IHRA Motorsports.
“What the end result turned out to be was a hybrid of Nitro Jam and traditional IHRA professional racing plus a greatly expanded pit experience. Add in value and I think the end product will be extremely fun to watch.”
A full lineup of classes and the complete IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series 2014 Tour schedule will be announced at the Summit Racing Equipment World Finals at Memphis International Raceway on Friday, October 12.
This story was originally published on October 5, 2013. 
