The Roar Returns: IHRA Breathes New Life into the Legendary Motor Mile
For a while, things felt a little uncertain for the Motor Mile. But today, it’s time to dust off your earplugs and get ready for a homecoming. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has officially announced it is taking the wheel at Pulaski County Motorsports Park. This isn’t just a business transaction. It feels like a revival.
A New Chapter for Pulaski County Motorsports Park
In the world of motorsports, tracks come and go. When a venue changes hands, you often worry if the new operators will understand what makes the place special. But listening to the folks at the IHRA, it sounds like they get it.
Darryl Cuttell, the owner of the IHRA, put it best when he said this track is “part of the racing fabric of Virginia.” He’s right. This isn’t just a patch of asphalt. It’s where generations of families have spent their Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. By leasing the facility, the IHRA isn’t just looking for a place to host events.
They are looking to put racing back into the hands of the community. Additionally, they want to make it accessible for local teams who pour their paychecks into their cars, and exciting for the fans in the stands who cheer them on. The goal is to permanently restore power and make the park a year-round hub for the New River Valley.
Remembering the Legacy of the Motor Mile
You can’t talk about the future without tipping your cap to the past. While the sign out front says Pulaski County Motorsports Park, for many of us, this place will always carry the spirit of the Motor Mile. Since the gates first cracked open in 1952 as a dirt oval, this place has seen it all. It evolved from those dusty beginnings into a 0.416-mile paved beast that chewed up tires and spat out champions.
It grew to include a drag strip, becoming a dual-threat venue that drew speed demons from all over the region. It has gone by different names, Pulaski County Speedway, New River Valley Speedway, but the soul of the track has remained the same.
It was, and is, a true motorsports hub. The IHRA seems committed to honoring that history not just by maintaining the track but by restoring the consistency fans have been craving. We’re talking about a renewed calendar that brings life back to the grandstands.
The IHRA Stock Car Series Finds a Home
So, what’s actually going to happen on the track? This is the exciting part. The facility is set to become the launchpad for the brand-new IHRA Stock Car Series. This series is designed to be a callback to the roots of stock car racing. It’s about cost-controlled competition, meaning you don’t need a million-dollar sponsor to be competitive.
It’s a racer-first approach that should bring out the best talent in the garage. Mark your calendars, because history restarts on March 21, 2026. That’s when the series kicks off right here in Pulaski County. They’ll be swinging back around for a summer showdown on July 25. It’s a huge vote of confidence from the IHRA to choose this track as their cornerstone venue.
More Than Just Racing
What’s really warming is the reaction from local leadership. Jonathan Sweet, the County Administrator, and Tim Miller, the Director of Sports & Entertainment, have been vocal about getting this track back to its “former glory.”
It’s not just about the cars. A thriving track lifts the whole local economy. It brings people into town for gas, for dinner, for hotels. The vision here includes family-friendly festivals, community nights, and sponsor-driven experiences. It’s about making the park a place where you want to hang out, even if you don’t know a carburetor from a crankshaft.
The Motor Mile has always been a point of pride for us. It’s where memories were made. With the IHRA steering the ship, it looks like we’re about to make a whole lot more. See you at the track.
