The movement of racetracks between sanctioning bodies appears far from finished. CompetitionPlus.com is hearing renewed rumblings that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, long regarded as one of the crown jewels of Michigan-based facilities, may be the next piece on the board.
Sources familiar with the discussions say the track — a cornerstone venue during the Bill Bader IHRA era and more recently part of the WDRA structure — has drawn interest from NHRA for potential future alignment. Nothing formal has surfaced, but multiple voices close to the situation indicate the conversations are active enough to merit attention.
U.S. 131’s history is no small part of the intrigue. The Martin, Michigan, facility once anchored the Popular Hot Rodding Nationals through the 1970s and ’80s, routinely packing the property with one of the sport’s most loyal fanbases. The track’s modern schedule of packed independent events suggests that enthusiasm hasn’t waned.
What remains unclear is how any shift would take shape. The NHRA calendar is historically difficult to adjust, and adding a new national-event-level stop isn’t done lightly. But if whispers are accurate, 2027 has been floated as a possible target window should all parties choose to move forward.
There’s also the broader context. With IHRA reinventing itself, and NHRA exploring strategic markets, the sanctioning landscape is experiencing more movement than it has in years. U.S. 131’s reputation, infrastructure, and turnout potential make it one of the few tracks capable of altering that balance.
CompetitionPlus.com will continue following the angles as they develop. For now, the notion of Martin landing on an NHRA weekend sheet remains a question — but one that insiders say shouldn’t be dismissed.
