11/20/2018
IRA Interstate Racing Association
Constituents Announce Formation of Sprint Car Council
Sanctioning Bodies, Tracks, Car Owners and Drivers Unite
(Nov. 19, 2018) – In an effort to advance the sport of sprint car racing, constituents from across the country representing sanctioning bodies, tracks, car owners, chassis builders and drivers have announced the formation of a sprint car council. It is believed to be the first of its kind in the sprint car industry.
The intent and purpose of the council is to improve communication among all constituents in the sprint car industry. The council will work together, focusing on car and track safety initiatives, improving consistency in rules, maintaining costs, enforcing suspensions across all tracks and series, and advancing the holistic improvement of sprint car racing for drivers, team owners, series, tracks and fans.
The council will not act as a governing body. The decision to adjust rules, adapt safety measures, enforce suspensions or otherwise will ultimately be decided at the respective series, track and car owner level.
“Many people in the industry are aware that we had a vision and goal to assemble a council when we met in August during the Knoxville Nationals,” said Tony Stewart, who represents the All Star Circuit of Champions as a series owner. “I am extremely excited about the enthusiasm and participation from our members. This is a great opportunity for all of us to improve sprint car racing for years to come.”
The council will represent individuals from tracks and series representing all geographical areas of the United States. Such individuals will actively participate in sub-councils which will focus on the following disciplines: track safety, car/chassis safety, aerodynamics and forward-looking rules changes.
“Since 1978, the World of Outlaws has been a leader in sprint car racing, and we are pleased to expand on that role with the sprint car council,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “Going back 10 years with our stakeholders group, the World of Outlaws has strived to bring the industry closer and to strengthen the foundation of sprint car racing while keeping an eye toward the future. We hope through the sprint car council all the parties can learn from each other to continue enhancing the sport we all love.”
The council will meet four times per year, at a minimum, with to-be-determined dates in February, August, November and December.
Participating members of the council include: All Star Circuit of Champions, American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), Attica Raceway Park, BAPS Motor Speedway, Barry Jackson (crew chief CJB Motorsports and chassis builder), Daryn Pittman (driver), Empire Super Sprints (ESS), IRA Sprints, Jackson Motorplex, John Darby (consultant), Kevin Nouse (PA 358 Sprints), Knoxville Raceway, Lincoln (PA) Speedway, Mark Chevalier (team owner and engineer), Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA), National Sprint League (NSL), Ryan Hand (former crew chief), Paul McMahan (driver), Port Royal Speedway, POWRi, POWRi WAR Sprint Car League, Skagit Speedway, Upper Midwest Sprint Series (UMSS), United States Auto Club (USAC), WI MSA 360 sprints, World Of Outlaws and Williams Grove Speedway.
Submitted By: Kim Tennyson
