IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRG) President and CEO Jason Rittenberry announced Nov. 13, that the company has acquired Maryland International Raceway (MDIR) in Budds Creek, Maryland. Last month, IRG announced a major financing agreement with TPG Specialty Lending that funded a recapitalization of the company and the acquisition of two additional motorsports venues, including MDIR.
MDIR becomes the fifth motorsports and entertainment facility in the IRG portfolio of brands, joining sister tracks Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida; Memphis International Raceway in Millington, Tennessee; Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Arizona; and Cordova International Raceway in Cordova, Illinois.
Founded in 1966, MDIR has been owned and operated since 1990 by the Miller family–Royce and Linda, along with their sons Jason and Chris. One of the most respected track operators in the drag racing industry, Royce Miller joins IRG as chief operating officer, overseeing the track division and leading the team of vice presidents and general managers from each venue. A highly successful track operator and event promoter, Miller will report to Rittenberry and will work closely with Scott Gardner, president of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).
“Royce brings 25 years of expertise, talent and knowledge in track operations and promotions to IRG,” Rittenberry noted. “This will undoubtedly bring enhancements and refinements in the management of our operations at all the IRG tracks across the country. I’m certain that Royce will prove to be one of the greatest assets to the company to date.”
L-R: Jason Miller, Royce Miller, Chris Miller
“I am looking forward to my new role as COO in overseeing and assisting all of the IRG owned tracks. With the wealth of experience and knowledge of the GMs at each track, along with my 25 years of experience as a track operator, we will have an exceptional national team capable of great things,” Miller said.
“I know I will learn as much from them as they can learn from me. We will take the best ideas and structures to each IRG raceway and make these tracks among the best run and exciting venues in the country.”
An IHRA member track since 1992, MDIR has hosted numerous IHRA national events including the President’s Cup Nationals, part of the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series show which is currently airing weekly on MAVTV. The legendary 19th Annual World Cup Finals were held at MDIR last weekend and the three-day event will continue to be hosted there in the future.
Having worked alongside their father at the track for their entire careers, Jason Miller and Chris Miller will take over the helm at MDIR, with Jason becoming vice president and general manager while his brother is the new director of administration and operations for the track.
The MIROCK Superbike Series, which is the largest motorcycle drag racing series in the country, will continue at MDIR and will be managed and promoted by Jason Miller. The World Cup Finals, an imports vs. domestics event, will continue to be owned, managed and promoted by Jason Miller and Chris Miller, as it has for the last 19 years.
Maryland International Raceway will retain its name but has been rebranded with a new logo and web URL, www.RaceMDIR.com. For more information on MDIR, visit www.RaceMDIR.com.
