The International Hot Rod Association has been building momentum ever since its first national event on the 2006 eMax Drag Racing Series schedule, the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals, which set attendance marks for San Antonio Raceway. The amount of spectators who have enjoyed IHRA events in person has consistently climbed all season, while television ratings for the IHRA program on SPEED Channel are at all-time highs.

That momentum is continuing at the Skull Shine World Nationals held at Norwalk Raceway Park this weekend. By Thursday morning, sportsman registration had already surpassed the total car count from all classes at last year's event. When professional participants are finalized the 2006 Skull Shine car count could far surpass any IHRA national event in track history.

“This continues to be a banner season for sportsman participants in IHRA racing,” IHRA vice president of race operations Skooter Peaco said. “This is just another example of the growth of our racing series at all levels.”

ACCEL Quick Rod competitor Don O'Neal thinks the prestige of the event, coupled with its IHRA history, brings the sportsman entries out to Norwalk.

“This is like (NASCAR’s) Daytona for IHRA racers,” O'Neal said. “For all these cars to show up here is huge. For sportsman racers, if you can go out and win this race it can make your career. Just to race at the World Nationals is a big deal.”

Erson Cams Top Sportsman driver Jeff Solyan thinks the series in general is on the upswing.

“Everybody just wants to race at these events,” he said. “It's the World Nationals, and you better bring your 'A' game. The national events in IHRA this season have been great for the sportsman racer.”