Dunn, Leong Named Grand Marshals
CORDOVA, Ill. - Three-time Top Fuel World Champion Larry Dixon will headline the lineup for the 64th annual World Series of Drag Racing at Cordova International Raceway to be held Aug. 25-27 at Cordova International Raceway.
In addition, International Hot Rod Association President Mike Dunn and his former car owner Roland Leong, will serve as Grand Marshals for the world's longest continually running drag racing event.
"Larry Dixon headlines a great lineup of talent for the World Series of Drag Racing," Cordova International Raceway President Dominic Blasco said. "And, what a bonus to have Mike Dunn and Roland Leong reunited as grand marshals. So many fans remember their days with the Hawaiian Punch Funny Car. It adds to an already exciting lineup with more announcements to come soon."
Dixon, a second-generation racer, has three NHRA World Championships and 62 national-event wins, including four victories in the prestigious U.S. Nationals. Driving for the Rapisarda Automotive International team in IHRA Australia, he was both the No. 1 qualifier and winner at the 2016 City of Ipswich Winternationals.
Dunn is a 22-time national-event winner, and one of only four drivers to win 10 more races in both Top Fuel and Funny Car competition. He currently serves as IHRA President and continues in a role as on-air analyst for the ESPN network's broadcasts of the IHRA Summit Sportsman National Championship.
As car owner of the famed "Hawaiian" dragsters, Leong fielded cars for such drivers as Danny Ongais, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, Mike Snively, Larry Reyes, Butch Mass and Dunn. Leong won the U.S. Nationals three times as a car owner. Later in his career, Leong served as the engine tuner for Prudhomme's Funny Car team with driver Ron Capps.
"Roland was the first guy I went to work for outside of my family," Dunn said. "It was scary and very exciting at the same time. I drove for him after being a mechanic for four seasons. He had worked with some great drivers over the years, so it was quite a learning experience."
Started in Lawrenceville, Ill., in 1953, the World Series of Drag Racing has featured many of the world's best drag racers in a family-friendly event.
The early entry list includes: Nitro Funny Cars, Jet Dragsters, Fuel Altered Dragsters, Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stocks, Nostalgia Gassers, Chicagoland Super Stocks, Mountain Motor Pro Stocks, Nitro Harleys, the Pro Mod Shootout and Richard Hutchins' famed Chevy Rebellion Wheelstander.
About Cordova International Raceway
Cordova International Raceway (CIR) is home of the 64th annual World Series of Drag Racing, the world's longest continually running drag racing event. Located in the Quad Cities region of Illinois and Iowa, the 190-acre facility features a 1/4-mile drag racing strip sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association.
Weekend drag racing events are held all summer. Speciality shows include the original Super Chevy Show, the School's Out Junior Nationals and the 39th annual AMC Nationals. For more information about CIR, visit www.RaceCIR.com or connect on Facebook @RaceCordova.
