Lead IHRA Tech Team official Gary Stray has stepped down as technical director of the IHRA’s offshore racing program, along with Patrick Cleaveland, Speedboat has learned.
While this is disappointing news, the majority of the International Hot Rod Association’s offshore technical team is continuing onward with the organization. Sam Thompson, Craig Wilson, Logan Smolik, Aaron Fluent, Tom Richard and Jeff Westbrook will be remaining on to support the series.
Stray, who was named to the role in early February, confirmed the departure while traveling overseas. He was not available for additional comment at press time. The Ohio-based sanctioning body has acknowledged the change as the 2026 season moves forward.
Stray and his group received strong praise from the offshore racing fleet for their work this season, and has earned the trust and respect of all members of the team. He had outlined an ambitious technical vision centered on fairness, data-driven enforcement, and eliminating both potential cheating and the perception of it through technology and consistent rule application.
With decades of experience on both the technical and team-management sides of offshore powerboat racing, Stray brought significant expertise to the position.
“First and foremost we want to express our sincere gratitude to Gary Stray and Patrick Cleaveland for the tremendous work they’ve done in assembling what we believe is the strongest technical inspection team the sport has ever seen,” said IHRA Offshore spokesman, Thomas Covington.
“Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to raising the standard of technical officiating have had a huge impact and we’re incredibly thankful for everything they’ve contributed.”
Covington continued, “while we respect their decision to step away, we’re equally confident in the outstanding group of technical officials they’ve helped put in place. This is an experienced, knowledgeable and highly professional team that has been instrumental throughout the season and we have every confidence they will continue to deliver the same level of professionalism, consistency and integrity that competitors have come to expect.”
The remaining members of the IHRA Tech Team shared their thoughts with Speedboat.
“As part of the technical team for IHRA, I felt honored to be on Gary Stray’s team and was committed to a full year of racing under his leadership to keep an equal playing field for all classes,” said Tech Team member, Sam Thompson. “With his departure from the IHRA, which I fully respect, we were told if we were to be asked to continue, that there wouldn’t be any hard feelings. Since then IHRA has reached out, along with other guys from the original Tech Team. We all plan to continue to be a non biased group, to ensure equal and level competition for the remainder of the IHRA season.”
Fellow Tech official Aaron Fluent echoed Thompson’s sentiments.
“We all just work together very well. As a first-year Tech Team member, I’ve really enjoyed the experience and working alongside such talented and knowledgeable professionals. It’s really a great group of experienced guys and I am grateful that we, as a team, can continue forward with the remainder of the season.”
The continued presence of the experienced technical crew should help ensure continuity and stability for competitors and events as the series builds momentum through the remainder of the 2026 season. Speedboat Magazine will provide further updates as details become available.