CORDOVA NEWS ARCHIVE
Reminder that we are PACKING THE PAVEMENT this Saturday for our Trailer Decorating Contest, as well as our Trailer-N-Treat activities! So don’t forget your candy, or your costumes.
Tell your friends! We have moved HALLOWEIRD 2024 to October 26th! We have all kinds of cool Halloween features plus great racing in the TEXAS HOLD-EM format of dialing your car for the first round and keeping that dial for the remainder of eliminations. How well do you know your car?! With a BOX-NO-BOX Combo, JUNIOR DRAGSTER competition, SPORTSMAN racing class, OPEN TEST and TUNE, and TEEN DRIVER TEST and TUNE. See the event flyers on the Cordova Media Viewer page.
** NOTICE ON EVENT CHANGES ** It amazes us that the 2024 racing season is almost complete. Working with some other area tracks, we decided to move some things around for all racers’ benefit. This coming Saturday will be our FALL FUN DAY with a BOX and NO-BOX Combo, GAMBLER RACE, and OPEN TEST and TUNE.
See the event flyers on the Cordova Media Viewer page.
Friday night fun seekers can enjoy final Motion Raceworks Friday Fun Night for 2024, Whether you want to test and tune, call out some friends for a little grudge racing, or enter a trophy class, enjoy a great final event abd celebrate 2024. See the Cordova Poster on our Media Viewer Page for more details.
Get ready for the NEW HOT ROD PARTY at Cordova Dragway Park this Saturday, October 12th! It’s going to be an epic HOT ROD CAR SHOW and SWAP MEET featuring awards, live music, an art show, pinstriping, and a pinup contest. Plus, brace yourself for HAVOC on the dragstrip with ALL-RUN DRAGS, a JET CAR BURN, a RAT ROD RACE, a BURNOUT CONTEST, and GRUDGE RACING!
Check out the detailed flyer on the Cordova Media Viewer Page.
As the Cordova racing season begins to wind down, we are going full bore towards the season’s end in late October. Featured on October 5th is OCTOBERFEST, featuring a big BOX/NO BOX COMBO, SPORTSMAN SPOOKTACULAR, GAMBLERS RACING, JUNIOR DRAGSTER COMPETITION, PLUS OPEN TEST AND TUNE. Additional features for the event include championship run-offs with the OZARKS, GASSERS, and BEAT THE HEAT groups. See the event flyers on the Cordova Media Viewer Page.
The event bracket racers know and love just got even BETTER!!! Cordova Dragway and Wells Racing Promotions have partnered together to bring you the Triple 777 WILD CARD Bracket Jackpot!!! What was going to be a two-day, 7K event now features the 7K bracket jackpot on Friday and Sunday, September 27th and 29th. A special WILD CARD 14K event will be hosted on September 28th.
Higher round money, including $14,000 to win on Saturday!!! See both flyers on the See both flyers on the Cordova Dragway Media Page.
The BOP Nationals will offer a wealth of racing, car show, and swap meet activities for Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac enthusiasts on Saturday, September 21st. The drag racing portions will feature on-track action such as Test and Tune, BOP/Slicks, BOP Street, Trophy Race, King of the Hill Challenge, Brand X, and a Quick 8 Shootout. There will also be the Holden Challenge race, Swap Meet, and a big Car Show. And what would this day be without a guest appearance by the legendary Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick!
SEE ALL OF THE BOP NATS DETAILS HERE ON THE CORDOVA MEDIA VIEWER PAGE.
The team started off strong on Friday and never looked back. Special congrats goes to :
Tyler Books – No-Box Champion
Alexa Berlett – Junior Dragster Champion
Chloe McGlynn – Junior Dragster Runner Up
Scott Parker – Motorcycle Champion
Pat McGlynn – No-Box Runner Up
A great weekend was had and we will keep the good times rolling as we finish the 2024 season
Great job everyone!!!
The O’Reilly Auto Parts 70th World Series of Drag Racing is now another chapter in Cordova’s long history.
Now that everyone has had more than two hours of sleep and our bodies have filtered out the nitro fumes, we can think straight. In many ways I am sad it is over, but we are excited for what is in store for the next one.
This event is more than just a drag race, more than just a camping trip, more than just a feature show and more than just et slips, it is a pilgrimage. Now I am not saying the sand of Cordova Dragway is “holy” but it does have an effect on all of us. The World Series of Drag Racing is all about the people. We are very blessed to have great people in every aspect of Cordova Dragway.
Thank you to our race teams. Each and everyone of you continues to make the event phenomenal. No matter if you win or lose, you are there for the team next to you. We are very lucky to have you as part of the family.
Thank you to O’Reilly Auto Parts. I am pretty sure that everyone will like the sound of “Welcome to the 100th O’Reilly Auto Parts World Series of Drag Racing”, as this partnership continues for years to come.
Thank you to the Cordova Dragway team. Your dedication and hardwork to make this event a success was seen by everyone there. You guys and girls rocked this weekend!!! I could not be more proud of each and every one of you. This journey is possible because of you all.
Thank you to the fans. I am hoping you all enjoyed the show. We pride ourselves in showcasing some of the coolest cars on the planet and they really put on a performance. Every racer and team member gave their all to keep you entertained and wanting to come back for more.
Congratulations to all our winners. You should be very proud of yourselves, winning the World Series is a big deal.
Congratulations to the Cordova Dragway Hall of Fame class of 2024. Scott & Laura Gardner, The Weets Brothers, Tim Wilkerson and Mike Garland. Your contributions and commitment to Cordova can never be repaid, we all thank you for that.
The 71st World Series of Drag Racing is only 361 days away. Join us August 21-24, 2025 for the “Granddaddy of Them All”. You have plenty of time to rest up. Get your vacation days planned now because it will be one you will not want to miss.
My family and I are grateful for each and every one of you. The World Series of Drag Racing is a ton of work, it is a monster in each and every way. It is only possible because of the family that Cordova Dragway has and will continue to be. Thank you all for giving your all.
Now I have to go fix the fence that the jet semi blew over. (Totally worth it!!!)
See you at the track
– Danny
Not just for the Ford Fucus enthusiast, Focus, Fiesta, Maverick, Bronco Sport, Ranger, ST, and Bronco Owners at Cordova Dragway August 31 for drag racing, car show, and a night time event party. Check out the Focus Fest website for more details.
The final Midnight Mayhem will be held on On Friday, August 30th. Exclusively for street-legal cars and trucks with DOT tires and mufflers, promises a night filled with unique events. Burnout Contests, ‘Top the Cops’ challenge, Db Sound Drags, dragstrip ‘callout’ style grudge racing throughout the night.
See more info on the Midnight Mayhem flyer here.
Big fans of everything to do with wild, wheelstanding, gear-banging competition will not want to miss the O’Reilly Auto Parts World Series of Drag Racing. Not just one group, but SEVEN distinctive styles of competition will race for your personal WORLD SERIES experience.
The Builders Brawl will feature: Junkyard Stude vs. Zombie vs. Joliet Joe Zolper. Nostalgia Pro Modifieds offer: Peppermint Twist vs. Shake Rattle & Run. The Midwest Pro Stock Association will attend with all of their high-winding Pro Stockers. The Chicago Wise Guys and the Roadway Outlaws will bring all of the Pro Doorslammer competitors. The Ozark Super Shifters are always a crowd favorite with their screaming show. And the Nostalgia Gassers and True Nostalgia Super Stocks compete with stick shift masters racing against other shapes and sizes of machinery.
These two iconic Chicagoland hot rods have been battling on the dragstrip since before many fans were born. Bob Mayerle and his family from Pro Glass Windows compete with their Peppermint Twist against the equally famed Shake, Rattle and Run 1957 Chevy, still owned by the Mensino family. These two “shoebox” cars are the innovative grandfathers bridging the gap between gasser racing and the early years of today’s insanely popular Top Sportsman and Pro Modified competition. Each will do battle in this week’s WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING!
All of Cordova Dragway’s pinnacle events have their own dedicated pages. The general Event Page contains all entertainment specifics, General Track Information is here, and the sportsman racer page is filled with itinerary details. Event classes and payouts are on the O’Reilly Auto Parts – World Series Sportsman racing page. Also, make sure to visit our official lodging page for any of our racers and fans who travel to the GRANDADDY OF THEM ALL!
The World Series of Drag Racing is also offering to the fans of Friday and Saturday night, enjoy a free extra concert feature at the Cordova Pavilion Friday Night we have Shay O’Laughlin! and Saturday you can see Cal Stage and 3 Day Rain! Get your tickets now with secure ordering and start making plans for the 70th World Series of Drag Racing on August 23 and 24.
NITRO is coming in every shape and form to the 2024 WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING – presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts. Bruce Litton versus Scott Palmer will pair in TOP FUEL, Tim Wilkerson, Jack Wyatt, Dale Creasy, and John Lawson will be lined up for NITRO FUNNY CAR, and Pete Dove will be match racing Tom Motry in the wild FUEL ALTEREDS – This coming August 23rd and 24th.
Not only can spectators save time at the gate with the World Series of Drag Racing, but competitors can also breeze through with their entry fees and crew passes pre-purchased on the secure Cordova Racer Registration and class entry website.
August 23 to 25 will be here before you know it! Make plans for this very special 70th edition of the world’s longest-running drag racing national event. Filled to the brim with Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Jets, Wheelstander, and every specialty race car class in the world… see! That is why it is called the O’Reilly Auto Parts World Series! View our media viewer page for informational flyers, our dedicated event page for all special information, and Cordova Dragway’s secure online ticket sales page for pre-purchase tickets to avoid the lines. SEE YOU THERE!
Sportsman racers, make plans now to be a part of the “Granddaddy of them All.” With the great racing show in store for this 70th annual event, sportsman racers will have their special spot in the program as well. Check out the O’Reilly Auto Parts – WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING Sportsman event poster on our Cordova Media Page – PLUS our dedicated World Series page on the website too.
Are you a fan of everything “truck?” This is the Saturday for you at Cordova Dragway! The Monson •Trucking •Heavy and Auto Towing •Truck Repair will feature four big dragstrip classes: BIG RIG, DIESEL SHOWDOWN, DAILY DRIVER, and RACE TRUCK, along with a truck BURNOUT CONTEST. On the truck show side, there is a host of classes brought to you by Twisted Shifterz. The big rig classes are WORKING CLASS, VINTAGE CLASS, and CORDOVA’S CHOICE, while the pickup truck classes include 2WD PICKUP, 4WD PICKUP, VINTAGE CLASS, and CORDOVA’S CHOICE. See all the details on the Truck Stop Nationals event page and the event flyer on the Cordova Media Viewer Page.
15 BUCKS – That’s all you need to attend the biggest all-doorslammer event of the year. The Small Tire Bash where huge horsepower meets little tires! Midwest Top Sportsman: The most intense variety of ultra-fast doorslammers! Nostalgia Gassers are the wildest gear-jammers and wheelstanders! Nostalgia Pro Stocks revitalize the great Pro Stock era with screaming starting line power and top-end charges. And the crowd favorite, Ozark Super Shifters, with their wild gear-jamming action. Fans can spend all day and evening on July 27th for only $15 bucks! – Gates open at on July 27th at 10AM and we’re on track at 12Noon.
Visit the DOOR WARZ dedicated event page >>>
Pre-Purchase your DOORWARZ tickets online at the secure TracksideApp
Visit the DOOR WARZ dedicated event page >>>
If you are a fan of doorslammer competition – This coming Saturday is going to be filled with Midwest Top Sportsman:, Nostalgia Pro Stocks, the Small Tire Bash, Nostalgia Gassers, Ozark Mountain Super Shifters, Local Bracket Racing Competition. And the coolest part of the big one-day, July 27th event is spectator admission is only $15,00!
Pre-Purchase your DOORWARZ tickets online at the secure TracksideApp
On Saturday, July 27th, not only can fan enjoy a day and evening of Doorslammer competition for only $15 bucks! – Gates open at on July 27th at 10AM and we’re on track at 12Noon. Thanks to the Ozark Mountain Super Shifters are treating the fans and racers with a concert by popular area performing artist, Kaiden Leezer. Kaiden will be performing in the pavilion outside the bar on Saturday from 8PM-12AM. He is a local artist and is expected to draw a big crowd that night so we want to help him spread the word.
Pre-Purchase your DOORWARZ tickets online at the secure TracksideApp
On Saturday, July 21, the RJ-Quartermax Bracket Points Race #6 will rev up the excitement, followed by Race #7 on Sunday, July 22. Alongside, the North Central Super Street Association will be competing in the 10.90-second index category. If you’re a sportsman drag racing enthusiast, this weekend offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy thrilling races without breaking the bank!
This big day of doorslammer racing is for a mere $15! A Small Tire Bash where huge horsepower meets little tires! Midwest Top Sportsman: The most intense variety of ultra-fast doorslammers! Nostalgia Gassers are the wildest gear-jammers and wheelstanders! Nostalgia Pro Stocks revitalize the great Pro Stock era with screaming starting line power and top-end charges. And the crowd favorite, Ozark Super Shifters, with their wild gear-jamming action. Fans can spend all day and evening on July 27th for only $15 bucks! – Gates open at on July 27th at 10AM and we’re on track at 12Noon.
Visit the DOOR WARZ dedicated event page >>>
Pre-Purchase your DOORWARZ tickets online at the secure TracksideApp
Cordova Dragway hosts the Wells Racing Promotions – Autoland Outlets Triple 777 Brackets Jackpot, a three-day blowout from July 12-14. The payout features $7,000 to win, $2,000 for the runner-up, $750 for the semi-finals, and continues with payouts over the three days. See the complete daily payout and other featured racing details on our Cordova Media Viewer.
With a Box-No Box Combo, where the winner gets $2,500 and the runner-up receives $1,000, this event is well above average! Additionally, the payout list includes: Round 7 Win: $750 – Round 6 Win: $550 – Round 5 Win: $200 – Round 4 Win: $90 – Round 3 Win: $50
VIEW THE AVERAGE JOE’S EVENT FLYER ON OUR MEDIA VIEWER PAGE.
Also, for the Junior Dragster – All Run, the winner gets $500, the runner-up gets $200, and the semi-finalists get $85. **Get ready because this coming weekend is anything but average!**
<<<< AS YOU CAN SEE, THE COUNDOWN EVENT TIME HAS RUN OUT FOR THE NO- PREP KINGS EVENT,
STREET OUTLAWS • NO PREP KINGS is coming back to Cordova Dragway this coming Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29! View the poster on our Cordova Media Viewer Page. You can view all of the admission and event specifics at tickets.thefoat.com. Now is your chance to see the Street Outlaws personalities and their famed race cars up close and personal at Cordova Dragway.
There are some specialized racing classes on top of the Street Outlaws competition, including: SMALL TIRE SHOOTOUT – FRI and SAT, STREET CAR 7.0 – FRI and SAT, MODERN HOT ROD – FRI and SAT, UNLIMITED/RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG – SAT. See the specifics of these classes at thefoat.com as well.
What was well known as the First or Final Events is now titled the “First or Quarterfinal” events due to expanded payout to the quarterfinals! First, if you win round one – You get your entry fee back! – then $1,400 TO WIN – $400 RUNNER-UP – $200 QUARTERFINAL on top of your first round win money. Box and No-Box combo entrants compete separately until the final round. All-run Junior Dragster events too! View the detailed event poster on our Cordova Media Viewer Page.
All of the professional teams from the Funny Cars, Stick Shifting classes, to the Cordova Dragway’s outstanding Sportsman Racers will file into the track and prepare for two solid days of hardcore competition.
Gear jamming, wheel standing action from the amazing doorslammer classes like: Midwest Pro Stocks, Nostalgia Gassers, Nostalgia Super Stocks, and Ozark Super Shifters combined with the Rocky Mountain Stick Shifters!
SEE THE EVENT INFO ON THE SUMMER NATIONAL EVENT PAGES.
This all kicks off Friday evening, JUNE 14th at 7 p.m. Funny Car fans can see two HUGE Funny Car qualifying sessions on Friday night Plus one qualifying session Saturday JUNE 15 followed by eliminations for all classes.
As we worked to secure two of the biggest names in the area of Nitro Funny Cars, it has been a secret until now. Announcing ‘Drastic Plastic’ versus ‘The Runaway’! This is not the first time these two outstanding Nitro Funny Car teams have paired up.
SEE THE COMPLETE FUNNY CAR LINEUP ON THE FUNNY CAR CHAOS PAGE.
John Lawson will be handling the butterfly steering wheel of his own entry, and Dave Hirata, known for his very successful years with the Hirata family A/Fuel Dragster, will be driving Mort’s entry. You can count on these two teams tipping their cans of Nitro heavily to outperform each other.
SO FEW EVENTS ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN 32 FUNNY CARS – NO HOLDS BARRED FRIDAY and SATURDAY FUNNY CAR ACTION – Funny Car Chaos , Plus big fields in: Nostalgia Pro-Stocks, Nostalgia Super Stocks, Ozark Super Shifters & Rocky Mountain Stick Shifters, Nostalgia Gassers, Sportsman Action. SEE THE EVENT INFO ON THE SUMMER NATIONAL EVENT PAGES.
ALL PACKED INTO FRIDAY and SATURDAY – Funny Car Chaos , Jet Funny Cars, Nostalgia Pro-Stocks,
Nostalgia Super Stocks, Super Shifters & Rocky Mountain Stick Shifters, Nostalgia Gassers, Sportsman Action.
SEE THE EVENT INFO ON THE SUMMER NATIONAL EVENT PAGES.
Since the 1960s, Funny Car events that offered more than 32 Funny Cars in attendance were considered the ultimate in drag racing events. History has changed very little, and the Cordova Dragway Summer Nationals is hosting more than 32 entries. This now means that on Friday night and Saturday, June 14 & 15, actual qualifying will begin to set the 32-car field, leading up to the Saturday evening eliminations.
Along with the incredible Funny Car, Jet, Gasser, and Super Shifter racing, The Twisted ShifterZ – 360 Steel Summer Nationals will host the 1/8-Mile Quick 8 on July 14-15. Racers will compete for the $500 Top Qualifier Award, sponsored by Warp Speed Competition Transmission . Additionally, the qualified eight sportsman racers will vie for a $2,000 to-win prize, with a $1,000 runner-up purse. These regional sportsman racers could be your local electrician, dentist, or shop owner, all striving to be among the quickest racers at this special event
View the Summer Nationals Quick 8 Flyer on our Media Viewer Page.
Along with the incredible Funny Car, Jet, Gasser, and Super Shifter racing; The Twisted ShifterZ – 360 Steel Summer Nationals hosts on July 14-15 the 1/8-Mile Quick 8. Racers will shoot for the $500 Top Qualifier Award sponsored by Following, the qualified eight sportsman racers will race for a $2,000 to-win, 1,000 runner-up purse. See these regional sportsman racers who could be your local electrician, dentist, shop owner who strive to be one of the quickest racers at this special event.
The Twisted ShifterZ – 360 Steel Cordova Dragway Summer Nationals is coming June 14th and 15th.. With the countdown timer set, get ready for this FUNNY CAR EXPERIENCE! We are working hard to achieve 32 FUNNY CARS! Drag racing historians will cite those golden events in the 1960’s that reached that golden number.
Also, check out our detailed event page includes details about 30+ Funny Cars competing with Funny Car Chaos , Professional Nitro Funny Car Match Race, Jet Funny Cars – Captain America vs. Wonder Woman, Nostalgia Pro-Stocks, Nostalgia Super Stocks, Super Shifters & Rocky Mountain Stick Shifters, Nostalgia Gassers, Sportsman Action. TWO GREAT DAYS OF SUMMERTIME ACTION!
Also, visit the Funny Car Chaos website for details as well!
Mark your calendars because the Motion Raceworks Sick Summer is rolling into Cordova on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024! Cleetus McFarland, Alex Taylor, Tom Bailey, Steve Morris, plus more competitors of the popular drag-n-drive series. Hundreds of top racers will be on the six-day-five dragstrip racing series that traverses over the Midwest’s highways and dragstrips. Tickets and event info can be found at sickthemag.com. See the full flyer on the Cordova media viewer page.
On top of Cordova Dragway’s already special Junior Dragster Season Points Program, the Twisted Shifter/360 Steel Summer Nationals, and the First or Quarterfinals event, Junior Dragsters get ready for their big – big – big Midwest Junior Super Series three-day event on May 31 through June 2. Classes include Outlaw 330, 13.90 Index, 11.90 Index, 8.90 Index, 7.90 Index, Pro Sportsman, Quick 16, Age 6-9, Age 10-12, Age 13-up, and Sportsman. Read more event specifics at midwestjrseries.com
As our thoughts work wayyyy ahead for the Twisted Shifterz – 360 Steel Summer Nationals, Cordova announces a special “31 Plus the Bosses Daughter” shootout program for the Friday, June 14th evening event in line with the all-run Junior racing on Saturday. View the Junior flyer on the Cordova Media Viewer Page for the pre-entered Friday shootout, plus the full Junior Dragster program on Saturday.
If you are a doorslammer fan, gather up your friends for Saturday, July 27th. Admission is only $15 to spectate the ultimate DOOR WARZ event! Nowhere else can you watch the featured OUTLAW SMALL TIRE BASH, MIDWEST TOP SPORTSMAN, NOSTALGIA GASSERS, NOSTALGIA PRO STOCKS, and the screaming OZARK MOUNTAIN SUPER SHIFTERS! There will also be BOX-NO BOX and JUNIOR DRAGEER classes for sportsman fans. See the DOOR WARZ event flyers on the Cordova Dragway Media Page.
Joe Zoelper’s big event for the craftsmen who build, no bought is this coming May 3rd and 4th at Cordova Dragway. Fans of supercharged, nitrous, and huge cubic inch doorslammer entrants that built their own race car from the ground-Up! Read about the various classes at buildersbrawl.com and see the Cordova event flyer on our media page and visit the Bash website for specific classes and rules.
On Friday night of May 24th, rally your friends and rivals! Discover who owns the most formidable street car. Midnight Mayhem, exclusively for street-legal cars and trucks with DOT tires and mufflers, promises a night filled with unique events. Burnout Contests, ‘Top the Cops’ challenge, Db Sound Drags, dragstrip ‘callout’ style grudge racing throughout the night.
See more info on the Midnight Mayhem flyer here.
On Saturday, May 25th. Cordova Dragway will roll out the red carpet for the Battle of the High Schools. High school racers compete for individual racing awards, a burnout contest, and grudge-style “callouts” between racers and your favorite teacher. The mainstay for the High School racers is the all-run bracket racing program, where you will race for individual awards plus a points tally/ where competitors will represent their high school in a team points competition.
See the Battle of the High Schools flyer here.
We are only days away from the Ignitor Season Opener and I want to try to express how excited and eager we are for the 2024 racing season to begin. The entire team at Cordova is fired up and ready to make this season the best ever.
The anticipation started when we announced the event schedule in December and has not wavered. 2024 is the most jam packed in Cordova’s history. There is literally a show for everyone.
We are also eager to welcome new team members and new racers to the Cordova family. The confidence is high that you will love calling Cordova Dragway your home away from home.
This offseason we worked diligently to improve the park. Nearly every part of the facility was touched. Many of the updates that took the most time and resources will not be seen directly by racers and fans, but the Cordova Experience will be better because of these changes.
Some improvements will not be complete for opening day, but we promise all are worth the wait and you will see the progress every time you pull in the gate.
My family and my team are ready for you all to come back to church
See you at the track
– Danny
Cordova Dragway will officially go “HOT” for 2024 in just seven days with our Spring Ignitor event. The race day schedule includes Test-N-Tune, Trophy, Gamblers, Junior Dragster, All Run Street Car, All Run, DOT Tires, and Rookie Races. Also announced is our swap Meet and free Wall Pennies for the first 300 through the gate! See the Ignitor event banner here, and our swap meet banner here.
APRIL 20th – 15-minute time slots – beginning at 10 am. – $130 for a three-year sticker.
Call 309-654-2110 to schedule your time slot.
Whether you have your hot rod is ready for the track or still working at it, the Spring Ignitor event now features a Swap Meet deal! A 10’x20′ swat area booth will only be $20. So sell you stuff or pick up same deals at the Spring Ignitor, See the swap meet flyer here, or the Spring Ignitor event poster here.
Cordova Dragway is proud to work with Trophy World out of Moline to help present exemplary awards for our racers from Junior Dragster, trophy, and bracket classes to the O’Reilly Auto Parts-presented World Series of Drag Racing.
The team at Cordova Dragway has been impressed with the quality end product that Trophy World produces and are stoked to present our race winners with awards they will be proud to show off.”
If you or someone you know would love to give drag racing a shot, CORDOVA COLLEGE is the perfect way to ease into the sport. Dan Crownhart said, “I have met people who would like to learn how to bracket race, but the process of the staging lanes, water box, and everything between the starting line to picking up their timing slip has them intimidated. We want to eliminate that and welcome new racers to the sport.” See how you can spread the work of these classes on the flyer on our Cordovadragway.com media viewer page.
Cordova Dragway will continue to accept applications for part-time, seasonal job applications!
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the fun and thrill that Cordova Dragway offers visit our current openings on our employment page where there are multiple ways to communicate about our opportunities.
This is a kick-off to the 2024 season. Come see your friends you haven’t seen since last season, and help out with the rigors of winter with our annual cleanup day!
We have extensively updated and upgraded our Cordova Competition Rules. Visit the 2024 GENERAL COMPETITION RULES and POLICIES page. You can also download a PDF of the document for your own review.
Check out the 2024 BOP Nationals event, coming September 24, 2014. The event flyer (visit here} is jam-packed with so many drag racing and car show features that we could barely fit them on a flyer!
There will be a Car Show, Swap Meet, and Drag Racing with many classes, including a “King of the Hill” BOP shootout between the winners. We will also feature a “Brand X” bracket race for all makes and models. There is also a “Holden Challenge” and a special appearance by Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick.
Gearhead television personality Joe Zoelper is bringing back to Cordova Dragway his form of racing, which brings car builders’ knowledge to the starting line, not the almighty dollar. AND THE EVENT IS COMING TO CORDOVA DRAGWAY! Builders Brawl has builders from all over the country, whether in a small two-car garage, a shop in the backyard, or the mom-and-pop companies building chassis, motors, etc.
Classes like Daily Driver, Street Muscle, Dirty 6’s, High 5, Small Tire, Rwyb 4.50 Index, Big Tire, Daily Driver, Street Muscle, Balls Out Big Tire, and Junior Dragsters will compete. See the event poster on our Media Viewer page and find more class info at buildersbrawl.com.
Check out our new Box-No Box Showdown event coming Saturday, July 6th. A big $2,500 to-win and runner-up gets $1,000 payout including round money from round 3 to 7 if ladder applies. Junior dragster will running for $500 to-win plus payout back to the semi-finals. Check out the Average Joes poster on our Cordova Dragway Media Page.
We are into phase two of fiber optic improvements that will help make our timing system the best it can be! Thank you Tech Solutions for all your hard work to get the timing hardware rockin’.
Congratulations to our March 2nd winners from out Cordova Practice Tree Shootout. Top Bulb Winner: Jace Deering and Bottom Bulb Winner: Cole Robinson. Thank you for all of our racers and friends of the ‘strip for coming out, swapping winter stories and new car chat. You all stirred out excitement for our upcoming 2024 season. Make plans for next spring’s event and check out our last flyer – here.
So many new and expanded events to mark on your calendar! Visit the Cordova Dragway Media Viewer page to see, save and print the 2024 racing season event list! Our various Event Schedule, Bracket Schedule and Junior Dragster season schedules are offered there in a printable PDF! Plus! The Grandaddy of Them All – The world Series of Drag Racing celebrates the 70th running of drag racing most historical event this season!
Cordova Dragway’s 2024 rendition of a special large-scale event for high school drag racing enthusiasts will be hosted on Saturday, May 25th. Check out the details on the event poster on the Media Viewer Page. Features like all-run bracket races, team points gathered by high school, and individual racing awards are just some featured competitions. To our high school gearheads who frequent Cordova Dragway, gather your friends for YOUR special event.
A NEW men’s bathroom is underway! We will all miss the rustic charm of the old men’s bathroom building but it’s been a long time coming!
A special thanks to Dave River and his crew over at Dave River Construction, Inc. for helping make this major improvement! Give them a call for all your construction needs!
We all can’t wait to see when it’s finished!
You can review the dedicated RJ Rave Cars- QUARTERMAX Bracket Racing Points Program for 2024 on the Cordova Dragway Media Viewer Page. You can also download a PDF of the bracket schedule poster here.
Cordova Dragway continues to support their strong group of Junior Dragster competitors with an equally stronger RJ Rave Cars- QUARTERMAX points program for 2024. With a bigger payout for the twelve points races without an increase in entry fees. Junior competitors can also enjoy racing at 7+ special events for 2024. See the special junior dragster poster with more deals in our Media Viewer Page. You can also download a PDF of the schedule poster here.
Visit our Media Viewer Page for our revised schedule. We will keep you posted here if there is any update necessary. Also, on the Cordova Media Viewer page is a link to a printable/sharable PDF of the upcoming season.
Sneaking up on us on April 27th, 2024 – The Cordova Dragway SPRING IGNITOR will kick off the competition and provide continued sorting out of your hot rods before points racing and bigger events arrive.
The rain date will be the next day, Sunday, April 28th – See the more detailed web post on our Media Page.
The day includes opportunities to: Test-N-Tune • Trophy • Gamblers • Junior Dragster – All Run • Street Car Fun Run/All Run and DOT Tires, (No Race Cars) • Fun Run • Rookie Races.
Additional first race perks include FREE WALL PENNANTS TO THE FIRST 300 THRU THE GATE!
On Saturday April 20th, bring out your racing setup for 2024 for an easy day of testing and tuning.
Gates will open at 9 am and have an open track until dark.
Entry for all cars will be $30 – Adult Admission – $10 – Kids under 12 – Free
Also! Calling out all racers, friends, family and fans, we will have a Spring Volunteer Day on Saturday , April 13th. Help spiff up the facility from 9am through daylight hours. Lend a hand and catch up with racing friends for the new year.
Remember, yu can always view the complete event website posters on our Media Viewer Page.
*Note* This is the latest update as of 2/6/2024
See the full size schedule on our website media page.
With a combination of great new events in addition to Cordova’s proven annual races, we will again fill our racing season with motorsports for all enthusiasts!
Stay tuned to the website and Facebook page for upcoming details for the AVERAGE JOE’S NATIONALS, and the TRUCK STOP NATIONALS. Also note two dates, June 21&22, and September 20&21 which are two new events we will announce soon.
Some of our annual events are back for 2024 such as the O’Reilly Auto Parts WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING, the Twisted Shifterz and 360 Steel Funny Car Chaos SUMMER NATIONALS, The BUILDERS BRAWL, and our DOOR WARZ event for doorslammer fans.
You will be able to pick up a printed event schedule at various winter car show events, the Cordova Dragway Hangover Nationals, and view the updated schedule here.
Here’s to looking forward to our next season at Cordova Dragway – Kicking off January 1st.
Join us for Hangoverfest 2024! Gates open at 11 am, with racing to follow.. The Strip Bar will be having a Bloody mary and Taco special!
Gates open at 11 am on Monday, January 1
Test & Tune/Trophy – $30 Entry
Gamblers Class – $20 Entry
Adult Admission – $10
Kids under 12 – Free
Entry is available on the Trackside App/Cordova
CORDOVA CHRISTMAS: December 16, 2023
Let’s celebrate at the Cordova restaurant and bar on December 16, 2023, for this season of giving by cleaning out your shop! Join us and bring a white elephant gift of a new or like new car part. Gift must be wrapped.
See us to get your tickets on Saturday!
While you’re at it, follow our bar page for updates during the off-season!
Another great reason to come out and see us at Cordova Christmas! !We have partnered with Gold Rush Gaming to give out three CASH prizes! Christmas came early, so come on in and pick up your free tickets to win one of our three prizes!
You must be present to win. We will be drawing the lucky three winners at 7 pm this Saturday!
See you there!
Special events coming for the holiday season include:
CORDOVA CHRISTMAS: December 16, 2023
Let’s celebrate at the Cordova restaurant and bar this season of giving by cleaning out your shop; join us and bring a white elephant gift of a new or new-like car part it must be wrapped.
HANGOVER FEST: January 1, 2024
Let’s see how well your reaction times are after the New Year’s Eve parties on track action plus food and beverage in the restaurant and bar!
CORDOVA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIP BANQUET: February 3, 2024
Join us at Bally’s Casino and Resort to celebrate the 2023 Quartermax.com points champions; more details to come.
CORDOVA PRACTISE TREE NATIONALS: March 2, 2024
Come and join us at the strip for a practice tree race. We will have delicious food and drink specials.
The First or Final event series – last of the 2023 season, will be this SATURDAY OCTOBER 21st.
Bracket racers will compete in BOX and NO BOX COMBO competition for a $100 entry fee. THE KICKER??? First round winners get their $100 back! Each class will compete independently until the final round where they will compete for additional purse winnings.
Not only will this upcoming Saturday, October 14, 2023 feature the final crowning of the champions of the RJ Race Cars/Quartermax Cordova Dragway bracket points program for 2023 – We are also featuring the fan-favorite Ozark Mountain Super Shifters with this engine screaming, clutch dumping, wheelstanding competition. Come on out and enjoy the great fall weather and some great racing action.
The Texas Hold ‘Em style of bracket racing is coming SATURDAY, September 16, 2023. Gates will open at 11am and first of two time trials begin at 1pm. The unique twist to this elimination will be tthat each racer will lock in their dial-in and that dial must remain in each round of eliminations. THAT’S TEXAS HOLD ‘EM!
Box, No Box and a Junior Class will be held that day – See more details on the event flyer on our event media viewer page.
If you are a fan of the BOP, the Buick – Oldsmobile – Pontiac Nationals is coming October 2nd, 2023. The 35th annual nationals hosted by the Blackhawk chapter of the POCI features a car show and swap meet are open to all makes. The event will include a Quick 16 and Box/NoBox combo bracket eliminator. Also, a Arnie Beswick “King of the Hill” honors will be awarded 0 see the complete flyer on our Cordova Dragway Media Viewer page.
The $7,000 TO WIN – each of the three days on the Cordova Dragway 1/8th mile. Dragsters vs, dragsters and door cars against door cars until one class exhausted. That is an all-run event presented by Layne Automotive with no-box competing until winners joins all-run. THIS IS A PRE-ENTRY EVENT! – So sign up early to be a part of this bracket racing blowout on JULY 21-23. See all information on the Wells Racing Promotions event on their website and the event flyer on our Cordova Dragway media viewer page.
All of us on Team Cordova want to say “Thank You” to everyone involved in continuing to uphold the legacy of Cordova Dragway with the 69th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World Series of Drag Racing did not disappoint!
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The “Granddaddy of Them All” continues to show what drag racing entertainment is.
Thank you to the racers, each and everyone of you put on a show that was non-stop entertainment. Everyone from Top Fuel to Junior Dragster made the event one that people will not forget. Thank you.
Thank you to the fans and guests. Your experience at the park is important. We are grateful to have such loyal fans that support Cordova Dragway. Thank you.
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We all hope you enjoyed the show and had a great time at the track.
The 70th Annual World Series of Drag Racing is only 360 days away. Team Cordova is already making plans to have an epic event. We suggest you do the same. It will be an event you can not miss.
Thank you to the racers, each and everyone of you put on a show that was non-stop entertainment. Everyone from Top Fuel to Junior Dragster made the event one that people will not forget. Thank you.
Thank you to the fans and guests. Your experience at the park is important. We are grateful to have such loyal fans that support Cordova Dragway. Thank you.
2023 World Series of Drag Racing Sportsman Winners
Friday Winners: Box / No Box, Shane Pope – Junior Dragster, Danny Ellis
Saturday Winners: Box / No Box, Dan Roth – Junior Dragster, Hannah Ince
Quick 8 – John Biagi
Sunday Winners: Novice Junior Dragster, Landon Cook – Super Junior Dragster, Bayleigh Painter
Box, Anthony Layne – No Box, Bobby Ince Jr. – Sportsman, Rob Hillyer – Trophy – Chris Walters
Purchase your tickets securely online through the secure Trackside App and avoid the ticket booth wait. There will be plenty of staff to scan your printed or phone display ticket and get you right into THE GRANDADDY OF THEM ALL! – This coming August 25 and 26, plus Sunday, August 27th, features the sportsman finale for the RJ Race Cars/Quartermax 2023 Bracket Racing Series.
THIS JUST IN… Scotty, ‘The Heat’ Holdridge, will attempt to break the Cordova Dragway 300 mph Jet Speed Record on both Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th. Be a part of this historic effort! See the full-size event poster of the World Series main page.
If you are a fan of the birth of the Top Sportsman and Pro Modified Era, you don’t want to miss the PEPPERMINT TWIST at the World Series of Drag Racing. The original owner, Bob Mayerle, found his 1955 Chevy that was once a part of the original ERA that gave birth to Pro Modified and carefully restored the ‘Twist – and then some! See his make legendary passes this coming August 25th and 26th!
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See the Peppermint Twist poster here and view all of the event posters on the World Series front page.
We are proud to present this years inductees to the Cordova Dragway Hall of Fame:
Jim Barsema
Justin Rosenbohm
Bill Leaf
Joel Miller
Make plans now to join us for the ceremony on the starting line, Saturday of the World Series, at 5 PM.
Congratulations to all of you and thank you for everything you have done to keep Cordova Dragway special.
DAN WILKERSON driving for his father, TIM WILKERSON who will be with the Funny Car team, – MARK McELWEE behind the butterfly steering wheel of “BUZZY’S BOMBER” CHEVY II funny car – JOE HAAS in the RUNAWAY 1957 Chevy – Funny Car legend DALE CREASY – MARC WHITE wheeling the Motry family DRASTIC PLASTIC! and John Lawson will be piloting his new Chevy Funny Car – Also, Friday night will see a matchup of WHITE against Top Fuel racer BRUCE LITTON, and then SATURDAY, FANS will witness the BIG SHOW of Funny Cars. See the complete event flyer here.
Check out the NEW FLYER for the 2023 World Series of Drag Racing – Bigger Purse for the quickest bracket cars of the weekend of August 25th and 26th. The Quick 8 will offer one qualifying session Friday, the 25th and Saturday the 26th with eliminations to follow that day.
As we begin to come down to the wire, there are only a FEW points dividing to top ten seats in each RJ RACE CARS/QUARTERMAX series bracket racing category. Current leaders include:
Pat McGlynn in Top Eliminator
Paige Carpenter in Modified Eliminator
Mark Rosenbohm in Sportsman Eliminator
Gaven Adams in Super Junior Dragster Eliminator
PJ McGlinn in Novice Junior Dragster Eliminator
See the updated points sheets on Cordova Dragway’s overall points page.
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WHO WILL BE THE 2023 CHAMPIONS – Attend the WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING Sportsman Sunday on August 28th for the deciding final points competition event of 2023!
One of NHRA’s”50 GREATEST DRIVERS OF ALL-TIME.” Darrell is an NHRA World Champion, Spokesperson, and Leader. See Darrell and be a part of this ongoing legacy.
We have calls questioning the pit policy rules for the upcoming WORLD SERIES of DRAG RACING. The $25 pit vehicle registration fee has been overall waived for the 2023 season bit all other rules are intact such as allowed pit vehicle type. See the complete rules on out pit policy page.
The Top Fuelers are coming to the 2023 WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING! Bruce Litton, Del Worsham, Scott Palmer, and Larry Dixon will compete for the 2023 title. IHRA World Champion Bruce Litton
will match race Marc White driving Tom and Sue Motry’s Drastic Plastic on Friday night, while the four’ fuelers will all race on Saturday. Will past IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Bruce Litton take on past NHRA Top Fuel World Champion Larry Dixon? You can’t miss that battle! See more details on the WORLD SERIES event pages.
The WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING section of this website is under daily updates between now and the event on AUGUST 25th and 26th. Sportsman racers can now view their racing information on our media viewer page.
The second Midnight Mayhem is coming on Friday, SEPTEMBER 1st
Fastest Import and Fastest Domestic face off to win $200, Run ’til they blow Burnout Contest,
Flag Girl / Flag Guy Contest, Db Sound Drags – – DID WE MENTION THE PARTY?
View all details with the event flyer on our Cordova Dragway Media Viewer Page.
Big fans of everything to do with wild – wheelstanding – gear banging – gasser competition will not want to miss DOOR WARZ featuring the Nostalgia Gasser Racing Association on Saturday, July 29th. See the complete event flyer on our media viewer page.
$7,000 TO WIN – all three days on the Cordova Dragway 1/8th mile. Dragsters vs, dragsters and door cars against door cars until one class exhausted. That is an all-run event with no-box competing until winners joins all-run. THIS IS A PRE-ENTRY EVENT! – So sign up early to be a part of this bracket racing blowout on JULY 21-23. See all information on the Wells Racing Promotions event on their website and the event flyer on our Cordova Dragway media viewer page.
Saturday, July 29th is going to be the doorslammer fan’s biggest blowout at Cordova Dragway. The newly revitalized Midwest Pro Stock Association will be in force with huge RPM clutch-dumping action that makes drag racing’s Pro Stock category so popular. See the complete DOOR WARZ FLYER and information here on our media viewer page.
Door Warz is coming Saturday, July 29th featuring Verified Street Doorslammers competition. – Many have asked for the official Verified Street Doorslammer rules for the group’s small Tire and Big tire categories – the rules flyer is now listed here on out Cordova Dragway Media Viewer Page.
Also, see the complete Cordova Door Warz event flyer here.
COUNTDOWN TIMER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2024
THANK YOU to our great sponsors that support YOUR sport. Visit our sponsors page.
