The International Hot Rod Association named Leah Martin as its new president, marking what IHRA officials believe is the first time a woman has led a major motorsports sanctioning body in the United States. Martin steps into the role overseeing all IHRA disciplines, including drag racing, offshore powerboats, stock cars, tractor pulling and emerging competition platforms.
Her appointment formalizes responsibilities she has gradually taken on while helping restructure the organization during its recent expansion. The IHRA said Martin will lead with unified oversight across its motorsports properties, ensuring operational consistency and long-term organizational alignment.
Martin’s background blends nonprofit leadership, national advocacy work and event operations. Before entering motorsports, she held senior positions with national nonprofits, including the American Lung Association, where she directed statewide and regional initiatives and coordinated multi-layered program goals.
Martin later transitioned into motorsports as executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, the world’s largest powerboat event. During her tenure, the event increased sponsorship support, strengthened safety protocols, improved logistics and expanded its economic impact on the region.
She continues in an oversight capacity with the Shootout, providing governance and long-term planning while the event maintains its national stature. Her experience managing hundreds of volunteers annually helped her develop operational systems that the IHRA has since adopted across its properties.
Within the IHRA, Martin has been part of efforts to modernize internal structure and unify multiple racing disciplines under a single framework. Officials said she has earned a reputation for strategic clarity, operational discipline and a racer-first approach to decision-making.
In her public statement, Martin said her priority is fostering collaboration throughout the IHRA. “Stepping into this role is an incredible honor, and I am fully committed to advancing the International Hot Rod Association with a racer-first mindset and a clear vision for long-term growth,” she said.
She emphasized organizational alignment as a driver of future progress. “Motorsports thrive when organizations work together, when teams feel supported, and when there is alignment with a shared mission. My focus is on fostering collaboration, strengthening our operations, and building a foundation that will carry the IHRA forward for years to come.”
Martin credited her family—husband Justin and their three children—for support throughout her career. She noted that her sons often tell people she has “the coolest job in the world,” a sentiment she said motivates her work within the IHRA community.
IHRA CEO Darryl Cuttell praised Martin’s leadership qualities and said her appointment reflects capability rather than symbolism. “What’s important to me isn’t male or female, but rather who is best for the job,” Cuttell said. “Leah has a tremendous sense of business and has surrounded herself with the strongest experts in each racing discipline under our umbrella.”
He added that her approach is what the IHRA needs as it expands its motorsports footprint. “Her leadership, her strategic approach, and her ability to unite teams are exactly what the IHRA needs as we elevate our motorsports portfolio to new levels,” he said. “The fact that she is a woman breaking new ground in motorsports is a bonus — but it’s her capability, not her gender, that makes her the right leader. We are committed to progression in motorsports, and we couldn’t be prouder that Leah will lead the way.”
