The Super Stock Racing Group (SSRG) announced today that its members have voted by an overwhelming majority to align the Super Stock class with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Offshore Racing Series as its official national championship platform for the 2026 season. Under the agreement, Super Stock teams will compete across the full IHRA offshore schedule to determine a national champion, as stated in a press release by the SSRG.
The decision represents a major step forward for offshore powerboat racing, bringing one of the sport’s most competitive, most populated and widely followed classes into a unified national structure. By partnering with the IHRA, the Super Stock Racing Group secures a consistent, high-profile championship format under a sanctioning body recognized for its operational leadership and long-standing involvement in motorsports.
“This is a monumental day for the Super Stock class,” said Cole Leibel, President of the SSRG and owner/driver of Team Big East Racing / Raymarine. “By an overwhelming majority, our members have chosen to align with the IHRA—a move that we believe will bring stability, growth, and a new level of professionalism to our racing. We are excited to commit to the full IHRA schedule and provide our teams with a clear and competitive path to a national championship.”
IHRA officials welcomed the Super Stock class to their offshore series, highlighting the competitive depth and on-water excitement the category consistently delivers.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Super Stock Racing Group to the IHRA family,” stated Leah Martin, President of the IHRA. “The SSRG's commitment to our series is a testament to the shared vision we have for the future of offshore racing. The Super Stock class is known for its close, thrilling competition, and we are proud to provide the stage for these talented teams to battle for a national championship.”
The 2026 IHRA Offshore Series National Championship will feature seven events across the United States, presenting a diverse and demanding schedule for Super Stock competitors. The season will conclude with the crowning of a national champion following the Orange Beach race in Alabama, a title expected to draw fierce competition from the top teams in the class.
IHRA entered the world of offshore racing last November where they were title sponsor to the Race World Offshore World Championship in Key West. They offered a prize purse to the fleet of $250,000 to the winning teams of each class, paid directly following the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony. The group then announced that they would be producing their own offshore racing series for 2026, with an unprecedented $2 milllion dollar prize purse with an additional $650,000 in tow money.
The IHRA Offshore Racing Series kicks off on March 27 weekend in St. Petersburg, FL.
