Mon, 04 Feb 2013, 10:11 AM IHRA Welcomes Award-winning North Star Dragway

Courtesy of IHRA Communications North Star Dragway Becomes 15th IHRA Track in State of Texas

NORWALK, Ohio -- The International Hot Rod Association is pleased to welcome North Star Dragway and its new owner Gene Nicodemus to the family of IHRA member tracks.

Located in Denton, Texas, the facility becomes the 15th track located in the state of Texas to join the IHRA family and was named NHRA's Most Improved Track in 2012.

"North Star Dragway is a great facility and one we are proud to welcome to the IHRA family," said Frank Kohutek, IHRA Division 4 Director. "They already have a great racer base and some pretty big events and I know that owner Gene Nicodemus is dedicated to growth and making it one of the premier tracks in the state of Texas. This is an outstanding track made obvious by its recognition by the NHRA last year and one that we are very excited to have in the division."

North Star Dragway opened in 1995 as I-35 North Texas Dragway and over the last 18 years has undergone significant upgrades. In the early 2000's the track was lengthened by over 800 feet making it the longest all-concrete 1/8th mile track in the state of Texas. The track has also added other amenities including a brand new timing tower, concession stands and brand new bathrooms in addition to 300,000 square feet of asphalt parking.

In addition to being named the 2012 NHRA Most Improved Track, North Star Dragway is the reigning NHRA Division 4 Bracket Finals champions.

It is an extremely popular facility with both the racers and the fans. Multiple outlaw events attract thousands of fans to the track during the weekends and the weekly bracket series makes North Star Dragway a premier destination for racers in and around the Dallas area. While the track is already a popular choice in the area, Nicodemus hopes to grow the track even more in 2013 and beyond.

"We have a great lineup in 2013 and with great sponsors like Evolution Custom Auto coming on board we are dedicated to making North Star Dragway a premier racer destination while also attracting the kinds of crowds you would see at some of the bigger races out there," Nicodemus said. "I originally helped with all of the upgrades in 2003 for the people that owned it before so I got to know a lot about the track. As a former racer and now track owner, I know what needs to be done to continue to bring racers and fans out to the track and I am dedicated to continuing that growth."

North Star Dragway is the first facility signed under the new IHRA ownership of Jason Rittenberry, Michael Dezer, Jospeh Lubeck and Edward Kobel and Nicodemus is excited about the possibilities created by the new ownership group.

"We are looking forward to it, especially with the new owners of IHRA. We are excited to see what is in store," Nicodemus said. "They seem fired up and I think they will be a good fit. When you are directly involved like they are it tends to bring a little more intensity and that intensity will be great for the growth of the IHRA."

For more information on the IHRA, its tracks and numerous racing programs visit www.ihra.com .

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