IHRA ANNOUNCES 2007 EMAX DRAG RACING SERIES NATIONAL EVENT AT
TULSA RACEWAY PARK
TULSA RACEWAY PARK
NORWALK, Ohio (July 11, 2006) – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced Tulsa Raceway Park will host a 2007 eMax Drag Racing Series race, a Live Nation event. The date for the event will be released later this year.
The announcement was made July 8th at Tulsa Raceway Park during IHRA’s “Thunder Jam” event. Jim Marchyshyn, IHRA vice president of marketing, said Tulsa had been selected from several other markets to become a national event site on the 2007 eMax Drag Racing Series schedule.
The ’07 event will be the first national event held in Tulsa since the 1994 IHRA Grand American Nationals. Tulsa Raceway Park owner Dan Guterman set his sights on hosting an IHRA national event when his ownership group purchased the facility in 2003.
“When we bought the drag strip in Tulsa it was in a state of decline,” Guterman said. “Our goal, from day one, was to host an IHRA national event. It took us three years to get the track back to the point where it could be considered for the national event schedule. We’re very excited an IHRA National is coming back.”
While Guterman and his staff took care of the physical needs, the Tulsa Sports Commission developed a proposal to support the event as a co-host. “This event brings national attention to the Tulsa region,” said Mike Dodson, Executive Director. “We are pleased to work with Tulsa Raceway Park to deliver a first class experience for race fans and attract visitors from across the nation, generating positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life in the Tulsa region through sports.”
“The group in Tulsa, from the government leaders to Dan Guterman and his staff, are the ones who made this happen,” IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. “Tulsa Raceway Park is an ideal venue for a national event. It is five minutes from the airport, there are tons of hotels and restaurants in the area and the track is only 15 minutes from downtown. And the fans are incredible. The “Thunder Jam” in Tulsa is always one of the biggest events of its kind every year. I can’t wait to see how the fans respond to a national event which, I believe, is the best dollar for dollar entertainment opportunity in motor sports. This is going to be a lot of fun.”
Some of the improvements Guterman and his staff have made include new pavement for the pit area, a new tower, new restrooms, additional grandstands, a new concession area, improved access roads, wider lanes on the track, Musco track lighting and concrete barrier walls.
“Tulsa Raceway Park is an entirely new facility,” Guterman said. “We have made a substantial investment in track improvements and I know fans and racers will like what they see when they pull in the gates next year.”
