NORWALK, Ohio (December 5, 2013) – The International Hot Rod Association™ is thrilled to announce the addition of Central Illinois Dragway to the IHRA Member Track family.
Located in rural Havana, Illinois, Central Illinois Dragway is one of the longest running dragstrips in the state with continuous drag racing since 1969. Over the past decade the track has undergone a number of renovations under the direction of owner Frank Hutto and track manager Jeff Lasecke including a completely new track surface, a brand new shutdown area and a new return road with more improvements still to come.
Thanks to that dedication to the track and to the racers, Central Illinois Dragway has earned a reputation as one of the most popular racetracks in the area and one the IHRA is proud to welcome to the member track family.
Since purchasing the track in 2011, owner Frank Hutto has made improving Central Illinois Dragway his top priority. Over the past few years Hutto has made improvements to the track surface, including installing 330 feet of track cooling from 60 feet behind the starting box to the transition, track lighting, staging lanes and return road in addition to improvements to the concessions and facilities.
With the new improvements in place, Hutto and track manager Jeff Lasecke plan an expanded bracket program for racers, including bike and junior dragster competitors, in addition to continued improvements with new showers, additional spectator seating, RV parking and camping and more.
With those improvements, the track has seen its facility records lowered each season including a brand new jet dragster record of 3.76 seconds at 214 miles per hour and a brand new track record set by veteran racer Jerry Hunt earlier this year of 3.927 seconds.
"Central Illinois Dragway has entered into a new era in 2013. Track Manager Jeff Lasecke and his family are bound and determined to bring the fast cars back to Havana. Under his direction, the first 360 feet of track was rebuilt prior to the 2013 season and is as smooth as glass with a track cooling system installed to take some of the track temperature away," Hutto said. "Prepping the track is veteran Mitch Prewitt, along with help from Jeff's son Joseph, and they have spent countless hours working on the track to give racers the best possible surface anywhere.
"We are looking forward to our new partnership with the IHRA. We have big goals for our future and we feel with IHRA we can achieve them quicker and with greater results."
Central Illinois Dragway is the 109th track to join the IHRA member track family and second track in the state of Illinois along with Cordova Dragway Park. IHRA now sanctions tracks in 30 U.S. states and territories, five Canadian provinces and abroad in Aruba, the Bahamas and New Zealand.
For more information on Central Illinois Dragway please visit www.centralillinoisdragway.com and for more information on the IHRA and its family of tracks, visit www.ihra.com.
