San Antonio Raceway: IHRA Sportsman Spectacular

[Yo Ken]

San Antonio Raceway set to host first big money Summit Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL of the year





In 2011 the International Hot Rod Association created a revolutionary new program for sportsman racers known as the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL.

Created as a unique way to celebrate the IHRA’s 40th anniversary season, the sports only true sportsman-only national event proved an overwhelming success as hundreds of racers from all across North America took advantage of this unique program awarding big payouts, big prizes and big competition at two experimental races last year at Maryland International Raceway and Virginia Motorsports Park.

Now, with an overwhelming demand for its return and a year under its belt, the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL returns with three big races in 2012 beginning with a stop at San Antonio Raceway in Texas the weekend of May 25-27.
San Antonio Raceway has already seen one big race in 2012 as the San Antonio Nitro Jam in March saw a 45 percent increase in car count and an extremely competitive race and with such a strong showing once already this year, and even more on the line coming up later this month, IHRA officials are expecting the first Summit Sportsman Spectacular of 2012 to be one of the biggest yet.

“The Sportsman Spectacular is an event designed specifically for the racers. What began as an experimental way to celebrate our 40th anniversary season quickly took on a life of its own and has turned into one of our biggest events on the schedule,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA VP of Race Operations. “We have opened our doors to the best drivers in the world regardless of what HRA you call home as a way to give back to those that support the great sport of drag racing.

“The overwhelming support we saw last year showed us that we needed to expand this season and we have done just that by adding a great venue like San Antonio Raceway to the schedule. I expect great racing and a great event later this month at SAR. With a spot in the TOC and $5,000 on the line for event winners, this should be one memorable race.”

In all a grand total of $5,000 is up for grabs in each IHRA class for winners as the event features open fields consisting of both IHRA and NHRA competitors and a spot in the year-end Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL up for grabs making this the must-attend sportsman drag race of the season.

The Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular all gets underway on Friday, May 25 with a test and tune for all racers followed by a full day of qualifying and the first round eliminations on Saturday, May 26. Saturday’s race will also feature a re-entry round for first round losers to get back in the competition if the class car count is less than 64 cars, however any driver that loses first round and goes on to win the event will not earn a berth in the Tournament of Champions.

Racers will conclude the event on Sunday with a huge purse, Ironman, national event contingency and a spot in the Summit Racing Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL for IHRA members all up for grabs.

Racing will be conducted in IHRA’s seven regular touring Pro-Am classes of Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod with each winner collecting a $5,000 payday. Also in competition at SAR will be Top ET, Mod ET and Junior Dragster.

Entry into the event is only $200 with a guaranteed $5,000 to win for Pro-Am classes plus national event contingency going to the winner in each of the regular IHRA touring classes.

And to add to the grandness of the event, for the first time ever, the IHRA has opened its doors to allow all IHRA and NHRA members to compete in one event for the top prize at IHRA’s biggest-ever sportsman drag race May 25-27.

And the entire event will take place at one of the finest drag racing facilities in the south – San Antonio Raceway.

SAR features a state-of-the-art facility and a track with over 15 acres of paved pit area, seating for up to 13,000 spectators, 10 staging lanes and a very fast racing surface. And with such a quality facility, San Antonio Raceway is known for attracting some of the top talents in drag racing.

Don’t miss the biggest sportsman drag race this season at San Antonio Raceway as the Summit Sportsman Spectacular presented by AMSOIL returns May 25-27.

For more information visit www.ihra.com or call San Antonio Raceway at (210) 698-2310.

[Chris1529]

Unfortunately, it looks as if San Antonio is not IHRA country. 10 stockers, 4 superstockers, not more than 26 cars in other classes running for $ 5000????

[SStockDart]

A total of 4 Super Stock cars. One lost an engine qualifying and could not make round one. So, the second round is the Final......

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by SStockDart

A total of 4 Super Stock cars. One lost an engine qualifying and could not make round one. So, the second round is the Final......

Isn't there a re-entry round?

The loser should have a bye in that round and then there will be three cars left again.

[Alan Warman]

I had posted early this week to see if anybody was going, but know one replied. I was going, but broke my wrist and don't feel good in the car. I know No Problem is next week
and it will be full. I just don't under stand why people will not go to San Antonio. Would they have had better luck in Dallas?

[Michael Beard]

Congrats to Pete Peery on a great driving job.

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by Chris1529

Unfortunately, it looks as if San Antonio is not IHRA country. 10 stockers, 4 superstockers, not more than 26 cars in other classes running for $ 5000????

What a shame....

I doubt if this opportunity will exist again in this part of the country.

[Michael Beard]

Congrats also to reigning IHRA Summit Super Series No-Box World Champion Matt Hawk for the Stock win... see you in Memphis!

[Michael Beard]

Wouldn't it be great is somebody had a race that was a $200 entry for $5,000 to win plus national event contingency?

[Alan Warman]

Boy that would be great, if the racers would show up. I did not go do to health reasons.
We had more stockers there in March than they had this weekend. The Super Stockers
have never been strong in division 4 but we always had a good showing in stock. I have also noticed that some of the big name racers don't go to the I.H.R.A races anymore.
So why didn't anybody go was it the bracket race format with buy-backs or what I would like to know.