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.”