Big news in the drag racing world was released yesterday with the announcement that Aaron Polburn had vacated the job of IHRA President and well known and respected track operator Scott Garnder is to replace him starting now. Garnder operates Cordova Dragway Park, Eddyville, Iowa and Cedar Falls, Iowa as well. Almost bigger news that the job he is taking, Garnder has sold Cordova to the IRG, the parent company of IHRA. There has been an additional date added to the NitroJam schedule in 2014 for a race in Cordova, which certainly makes sense as Gardner knows the market and feels like that event would be a good fit at the track.
Cordova will be managed by Gardner’s wife and the current head of operations Chris McMahan. While all of the tracks are switching to IHRA sanction, only Cordova will change ownership hands. As best we know, there are no immediate plans to sell the other tracks at this time. We’ll beat the bushes on that to see what we can find out.
Gardner has a long history in the sport and is well know among track operators and those in facility management. He has been at times an innovator, a times a survivor, and at times a PT Barnum-esque promoter, switching gears as the prevailing winds of drag racing forced him too. He kept all three of his tracks functioning through the darkest economic period in decades and all signs point to the facilities humming along in a healthy fashion today. Hell, we saw the crowds at the World Series of Drag Racing and you did, too if you watched live with us. We’re excited to see Scott’s creativity and innovative mind come to bear on the IHRA program, which already looks entertaining and fun for 2014.
On a personal note, I wish Aaron Polburn the best in whatever comes next for him. During my time working with IHRA I always had an open and honest relationship with Aaron and I respect his history in the sport an also HIS shepherding of the IHRA through the recent troubling times as well. Anyone can say what they want about IHRA’s format for the last several years but the fact remains that without a fundamental change like they made, there would be no such thing as an IHRA anymore. Period.
READ ON FOR THE FULL RELEASE FROM THE IHRA REGARDING THE HIRING OF SCOTT GARNDER AS PRESIDENT!
HERE’S THE FULL RELEASE FROM THE IHRA –
IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG), the parent company of the International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA) and multiple motorsports facilities, announced today that Aaron Polburn has stepped down as President and General Manager of the IHRA and Scott Gardner, the longtime owner and promoter of Cordova Dragway Park (CDP), has been named the new President effective today. Polburn, who had been at the helm of IHRA since 2004, has stepped down for personal reasons and will transition the company to Gardner over the next two weeks. Gardner will lead the IHRA team based out of the current Norwalk, Ohio office.
Cordova Dragway Park, home of the World Series of Drag Racing and previously the host of Nitro Jam events, will return as an IHRA-sanctioned Member Track. Gardner will pass the day-to-day management of CDP to his wife and Vice President of CDP, Laura Gardner and Chris McMahan, Director of Operations. CDP will host a newly added 12th event weekend on the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series™ (NJDRS) 2014 North American Tour. The IHRA recently announced that the NJDRS 2014 North American Tour will feature a number of enhancements for the upcoming racing season including the addition of a national points fund, the return of traditional drag racing, a new Fan Zone pit experience and more.
As Gardner moves from CDP to lead the IHRA, IRG will acquire CDP as part of its portfolio of motorsports facilities and take over the management at the end of the 2014 season. Also under Gardner’s co-ownership, Eddyville Raceway Park in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Cedar Falls Raceway in Cedar Falls, Iowa, will become IHRA-sanctioned Member Tracks. With the addition of these three Member Tracks, the IHRA now sanctions 112 facilities in five countries.
“It’s a great honor and a huge responsibility to take over the position of President of the IHRA,” noted Gardner. “The IHRA brand is something I have always felt was a viable drag racing organization. I am confident I can bring new ideas and renewed energy to the table, while staying true to the sportsman racing at the core of the organization.”
Ever since he went racing with his family at 8 years of age, Gardner has had a passion for drag racing, and he has been involved in drag racing promotions and management for more than 20 years. He raced in and served as Vice President of the United Drag Racers Association (U.D.R.A.) followed by a stint as General Manager of Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. In 1995, Gardner purchased CDP and later became co-owner of both Eddyville Raceway Park and Cedar Falls Raceway. While these facilities have done well, CDP prides itself on outstanding facility operations and continues to host the world’s oldest and continuous major drag race. In 2002, Gardner was honored with the IHRA Man of the Year Award, and in 2004, he received the IHRA Track Operator of the Year Award.
“We wish Aaron the best and appreciate all that he has done for the IHRA over the years and for his service to IRG since our acquisition earlier this year,” said Jason Rittenberry, CFE, President and Chief Executive Officer of IRG. “We are very pleased to have Scott join the IRG as the new President. As a well-respected promoter in the drag racing industry, he was an excellent choice for us. With Scott leading the charge, the IHRA’s national touring series will be reinvigorated and revamped along with other exciting developments coming in the near future.”
Finally there is a smart alternative to the boobs who currently run the National Hot Rod Association, IHRA will not attract as many Big Nitro cars as NHRA, but hopefully will show Compton & Co. what customer service is all about.
Very smart IHRA, see you at the races.
I wish Scott Gardner the best of luck and that CDP continues to prosper.
Come west young man come west
Now ! This is how you get things done correctly. Hire one of the best track owners / promoters in the country. You want $2.00 Beer and Hotdogs. Done. Affordable gate prices Done! Scott knows Drag Racing. Most of all, he knows how to fill the stands. He’s a race fans hero. I remember about 15 years ago when he started the Nostalgia weekend race. Wow, did that ever take off. The man knows his job. Scott, your the best. Congratulations and Best of luck. Hope to see you at the Performance Expo in Feb.
At the World Series this year they ran out of places to park spectators cars. The stands were completely full. They sold out of tee shirts. Hundreds of people show up to WATCH racing on New Years Day, in northern Illinois. I’d say Scott Gardner is a man who knows how to run a race track, and put butts in the seats.