Rio Vista, Texas — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced it will acquire the Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA) race operations on September 28, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for drag boat racing. The acquisition will lay the groundwork for the launch of a new national drag boat racing series, set to debut in 2026 and will be called the IHRA Outlaw Drag Boat Racing Series.
The IHRA plans to invest in and expand on the SDBA’s 51-year legacy while elevating the sport to a broader stage, with further plans to include more boat racing under its motorsports umbrella. The forthcoming series will feature a full slate of sportsman and professional classes, ranging from personal watercraft to top-tier Fuel Boats. A preliminary schedule, unveiled at last weekend’s Diamond Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, will serve as the foundation for the 2026 season. Details on race locations and dates are expected in the coming months, but will feature venues coast-to-coast.
"This is a massive opportunity for the sport," said Cody Childress, co-owner of the SDBA. "We've worked tirelessly to grow drag boat racing, and with IHRA's resources and vision, the ceiling is limitless."
Travis Tutle, fellow SDBA co-owner, added, "The IHRA has the horsepower and know-how to take drag boat racing to a new level. We're proud to partner with them in this transition and can't wait to see what the future holds. I'm especially excited to see a brand-new national series come to life-it's something our sport has needed for a long time."
Under the new leadership of Darryl Cuttell, who purchased the organization in December 2024, the IHRA has already demonstrated its ability to revitalize motorsports––most recently evidenced with their Outlaw Nitro Series at the Darana Raceway, happening this weekend in Hebron, OH.
Cuttell recently made worldwide news from his now internet-viral 3/4-mile run of an astonishing 242 mph in a neon green 50-foot Mystic, powered by twin 4,400 hp jet turbine engines. He was the driver of the Darana Hybrid vessel along with legendary powerboat racer Steve Curtis MBE at the 2025 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in late August.
Kevin V. Burgess, IHRA Drag Boat Series Director said, "The IHRA is committed to working closely with the SDBA, Kentucky Drag Boat Association (KDBA), and other associations across the U.S. Our whole goal is to make drag boat racing great again... just like what we're doing with IHRA car racing––to make it fun for the spectators, as well as the racers. We love racing and we want to make it something that everybody loves.This isn't just about racing... it's about uniting the drag boat community and creating a national stage that showcases the speed, skill, and passion of this sport."
As part of the transition, the SDBA team will remain active and assist in managing the new series through its inaugural 2026 season and beyond. Together, the IHRA, SDBA, and partner organizations aim to deliver coast-to-coast events designed to energize fans, teams, and sponsors alike.