Jessica Hicks Spears Takes Over WDRA Communication Duties

Another racer joins the WDRA to help make the sport stronger.

WDRA is happy to welcome Jessica Hicks Spears to the family. Jessica will be handling WDRA’s rapidly growing media and communications duties as well as lending her talents to covering Summit Bracket Finals events as well as the Summit World Championship for both print and social media.

Jessica and her husband, Cody, are both avid bracket racers who both compete in the Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series at Greer Dragway where Jessica is currently fifth in the Footbrake points standings in her 4 door wagon.

Welcome to the Alliance Jessica!

Montgomery International Dragway Becomes New Home Of WDRA Summit World Championships in 2024.

Springfield, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) proudly announces that the track formerly known as Capital City Motorsports Park has not only changed its name to Montgomery International Dragway but effective immediately has become the newest addition to the WDRA member track family.  The 138 acre facility, which was originally built to national events specifications, has a three story tower with offices and media space, a set of VIP suites along with a 4,000 square foot workshop, concessions and merchandise facilities.  The facility will become the new home of the 2024 WDRA Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series World Championships.

Recently purchased by bracket racer Brad Wheeler, the facility has already received an entirely new Accutime Timing System including having its own electrical circuit installed and new photocells and surge protectors put in.  Having a bulletproof timing system was priority number one for Brad as being a bracket racer himself he knows the system is the cornerstone of any great facility.

WDRA EXPANDS STAFF WITH INDUSTRY VETERAN FRANK KOHUTEK    

Springfield, IL – To keep up with the growth of the World Drag Racing Alliance, industry veteran Frank Kohutek has been added to the WDRA management team.  Frank will join current WDRA managers Jon O’Neal and Josh Peake and work with member facilities and racers in the Southern United States and Western Canada.  Frank will also lead the upcoming WDRA Southern Summit Bracket Finals at Gulfport and the South East Summit Bracket Finals at Darlington.

Kohutek brings 20 years of sanctioning body, track management and timing system experience to WDRA.  In addition to his vast experience working with tracks all over the South during his time as an  IHRA Division Director, Frank has built an impressive resume as a driver.  Highlights include winning the 1999 NHRA Super Comp national championship, winning two NHRA and two IHRA division championships in the same season plus a 2013 Indy Super Comp win. 

Kohutek will be based in Texas and can be reached at Frank@racewdra.com

About WDRA

The mission of the WDRA is to provide value as a sanctioning body to racers and facilities through process modernization, unparalleled service and value driven partnerships.

The World Drag Racing Alliance Welcomes Street Legal Dragway to its Member Track Family

Springfield, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) proudly announces the addition of the cutting-edge Street Legal Dragway to its esteemed member track family. Spearheaded by visionary Andy Marocco, this brand-new “street tire only” 330-foot drag racing facility is located at the Southern California Fairgrounds in Perris, California. Street Legal Dragway aims to provide a safe and legal platform for regional street car enthusiasts to unleash their horsepower and compete.

Illegal street racing remains a persistent nationwide concern, and WDRA saw an opportunity to address the issue head-on by partnering with Andy on his revolutionary project. Jon O’Neal, representative of WDRA, expressed, “Working with Andy on this endeavor is not just an acknowledgment of the illegal street racing problem—it’s an actionable solution. Street Legal Dragway’s concept of a nationally recognized and sanctioned short track format (330 ft) presents a scalable model that can be readily adopted across the country, making a significant impact in curbing illegal street racing. We believe this is a blueprint for others to follow.”

JJ SUPPLY OF NC TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE WDRA DISCOUNTS AND AWARDS

Springfield, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance announced today that Joey “The Fire Guy” Cudmore of JJ Supply of NC has joined the ever-growing list of partners that have joined the Alliance to support the sportsman racing community.  JJ Supply of NC will become the Official Fire Protection supplier of WDRA.  As with the other partnerships that WDRA has announced, this one also includes exclusive benefit offers for WDRA members and WDRA Member Tracks.

Cudmore has long been a supplier of the fire safety needs of the drag racing community and looks forward to offering the opportunity to provide safety equipment to both WDRA racers and tracks while reducing the expenses for both groups. Not only do WDRA racers and Tracks receive exclusive pricing, but Cudmore will also be building and awarding the WDRA Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series presented by Suncoast Performance World Champions with safety based prize packages valued at over $350.

WDRA WELCOMES CANADA’S EASTBOUND DRAGWAY TO THE MEMBER TRACK FAMILY   

Springfield, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance is proud to have Eastbound Dragway, located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador join the WDRA member track family.  

The 1/8^th mile track is part of Eastbound International Speedway and Concert Park which encompasses 55 acres and features a NASCAR and INEX sanctioned 3/8^th mile asphalt oval, a monster truck and motorcross course and a world class music and entertainment venue.  

Eastbound Dragway opened in 2014 and the passion of Eastbound Park Director Mike James has been to get racing off the streets. The track’s “take it to the track” program has the involvement of the local police and each year the program gets bigger and more well known. Mike also visits local schools in his effort to raise awareness of the sport and gets his message in front of 10,000 students annually. 

WDRA Releases First Look At New Award

When the WDRA was being created, one of the very first things we discussed was our trophy. One of the things that bothered us about our past sanctioning body experience is that the most important thing we were awarding to racers who worked their tails off to win is produced in China.

When the WDRA was born, we vowed that the award we were going to present would have to meet 3 criteria. First, it had to be designed by racers. Second, it had to be produced by racers. Third, it had to be crafted and assembled by hands and with materials 100% sourced in the USA.

After 6 months of design and production edits we have met those criteria and arrived at what we want to award WDRA champions. Our award is custom designed and CNC machined from a block of billet. It is 21″ tall and weighs in at a little over 11 lbs. Even the assembly hardware is USA made stainless steel. The plating is laser engraved by WDRA member track owner Greg Miller from Keystone Raceway. We are serious about only car guys having a hand in creating this award before it goes to it’s forever home.

RENEGADE RACE FUEL JOINS THE ALLIANCE   

Springfield, IL – The World Drag Racing Alliance announced today that Renegade Race Fuels has joined the rapidly growing list of sponsors that will be supporting the bracket racing community by joining the WDRA in 2023.  Renegade will become an Official Partner of WDRA and offer various discounts and programs exclusively for WDRA Member tracks and racers.  Renegade has become the title sponsor of the Free Friday 5k race at the Summit World Championships presented by Suncoast Performance for Sportsman class competitors.  Beyond the free $5k race, Renegade will also provide access to the Renegade Rewards program for WDRA members.  WDRA member tracks also benefit by having an exclusive and industry first traction compound offer to earn free product.

In addition to the Summit World Championships, Renegade will have a presence at all WDRA Summit Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports events and will be providing $250 in fuel prizes to the Summit World Champions. 

WDRA Chassis Certification Dates Announced

The WDRA Chassis Certification program has been created and the first set of WDRA Chassis Inspectors have been confirmed and are listed on the website with their contact information here https://www.racewdra.com/chassis-certification/

Thanks to John Vogel, Gary Hood, Dustin Teter, Robert Kinton, Brian Savani, Brad Roorda, Bob Fragoman, Bob Jaus, Vito Antinocelli, Korey Herman and Rodney McLaughlin for getting the chassis cert program up and running.

The first set of WDRA Chassis Certification dates have been scheduled for Maryland International Raceway, US 13 Dragway and Beaver Springs Dragway. Call to schedule your time.

More chassis inspectors and dates will be announced as they become finalized.

UPCOMING CHASSIS CERTIFICATION DATES:

MARYLAND INTERNATIONAL:  3/19  Contact John Vogel 443-336-0951 for appointment

US 13 DRAGWAY:  4/1 and 4/2  Contact Track 302-846-3911 for appointment

BEAVER SPRINGS DRAGWAY:  4/22 and 4/23 Contact Track 814-329-0810 for appointment