IHRA postponed this weekend’s Triple Crown event at Maple Grove Raceway after forecasts calling for rain across much of the weekend left little expectation of getting the race completed.
The decision came before racers, teams and fans began making the trip for what was scheduled to be the opening race of the new three-event Triple Crown series.
Instead of risking an interrupted weekend and unfinished eliminations, IHRA elected to make the call early.
That approach avoids putting racers and teams on the road only to spend a weekend waiting on weather windows that may never materialize.
The Maple Grove event was scheduled to feature Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Mountain Motor Pro Stock. Each professional category carries a $1 million bonus opportunity for any driver capable of sweeping all three Triple Crown events.
The race also represented the first stop of a new program built around larger payouts and expanded event offerings.
Maple Grove was scheduled as more than a race weekend.
Sportsman categories and specialty classes were part of the schedule, along with a pit party, concerts featuring Jake Owen and Dwight Yoakam, and “Bulls & Burnouts,” featuring bull riding, bull games and freestyle bull fighting.
“While this is never the decision we want to make, we believe it is the right one for our racers, fans, partners, and everyone involved in producing this event,” said Dylan Stilwell, spokesperson for the IHRA. “The forecast gives us little confidence that we could deliver the full Triple Crown experience that racers and fans deserve. Rather than ask everyone to travel and invest in a weekend facing significant weather challenges, we felt it was best to make this decision proactively.”
The postponement pushes back the debut of a program centered around large payouts and expanded event programming.
Moving it will require more than finding an open date.
Concerts, racers, vendors, support classes and facility schedules all have to fit back together.
Stilwell said IHRA is already working with Maple Grove Raceway and event partners to determine a replacement date.
Additional information regarding ticketing, racer entries and event activities will be announced when plans are finalized.
Stilwell said IHRA’s attention has now shifted toward rescheduling the event and preserving the full Triple Crown program.
“We appreciate the patience and support of our racers, fans, sponsors, vendors, and the Maple Grove Raceway team,” Stilwell said. “The excitement surrounding the Triple Crown has been tremendous, and our goal remains to deliver the kind of high-level, full-scale event this program was built to showcase. Even though we have a full schedule of activities planned, we are working on rescheduling this race into our schedule so that this date merges into a smooth program.”
