Free car entry with the purchase of an admission ticket in one class, winners’ purses up to $10,000 in another and the opportunity to race for an official IHRA Ironman trophy are the incentives expected to drive racers to Rockingham Dragway for the track’s annual (May 22-25) Ironman Memorial Day Bracket Nationals.

In addition, since it is an official IHRA Summit Series event, racers can earn points that could qualify them to participate in the IHRA Bracket Finals to be contested at The Rock, Oct. 15-18.

Free car entry with the purchase of an admission ticket in one class, winners’ purses up to $10,000 in another and the opportunity to race for an official IHRA Ironman trophy are the incentives expected to drive racers to Rockingham Dragway for the track’s annual (May 22-25) Ironman Memorial Day Bracket Nationals.

In addition, since it is an official IHRA Summit Series event, racers can earn points that could qualify them to participate in the IHRA Bracket Finals to be contested at The Rock, Oct. 15-18.

“We tried to pack as many incentives into the program as we could,” Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood said, “because we understand that in the current economy, everyone is looking for added value.  The money’s nice – and we’re paying $10,000 to win on Sunday in Top Eliminator – but the chance to race for an Ironman just like the ones IHRA awards to its pro winners, that’s something that’s not available just anywhere.”

Four Ironman trophies will be awarded over the course of the weekend.  At the end of each day’s competition (Saturday, Sunday and Monday), the Top Eliminator winner and the Sportsman winner will square off in a one-run, winner-takes-the Ironman runoff.  On Monday, the Junior Dragster winners and runners-up from all three days will race for the final Ironman.

The competition begins Friday with testing from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and a Gamblers’ Race at 7 p.m.  Gates open Saturday, Sunday and Monday for racing in Top Eliminator, Sportsman and Jr. Dragster classes.  The single biggest prize is the $10,000 payoff to the Sunday Top Eliminator winner.  The Saturday and Monday winners earn $5,000.

Adult admission is $15 daily with free parking in Rockingham’s main lot.  A three-day pass is available for $40.

Each of last year’s Ironman trophies was claimed by Top Eliminator racers – Tim Thomas of Lumberton, Mike Harstad of Charleston, S.C., and Joel Maddox of Piedmont, S.C.  Earwood thinks that may provide some extra incentive to Sportsman racers like former track champion Eric Aman of Mt. Olive, who lost the final Ironman last year to Maddox.
 

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