In honor of the 40th anniversary of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), the official sanctioning body of the Nitro Jam professional drag racing series, NitroJam.com will be taking an in-depth look back at some of the legendary figures and incredible moments that helped shape the face of IHRA drag racing.

Founded in 1970 by the famed Larry Carrier, the International Hot Rod Association has hosted 40 years of professional and sportsman drag racing featuring everything from the power and fury of Top Fuel to the skill and precision of Hot Rod. Over the years the IHRA has proven a frontrunner in the sport of drag racing, producing some of the many firsts in the Top Fuel class and inventing such classes as Pro Modified, Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Top Sportsman, and today is helping redefine what drag racing is all about.

From Don Garlits, Kenny Bernstein and Del Worsham to Connie Kalitta, Warren Johnson and Ronnie Sox – all former IHRA World Champions – the IHRA has proven a leader, both past and present, in the industry.

Today, the IHRA is both the home for sportsman drag racing and a leader in motorsports entertainment with the Nitro Jam series. The Nitro Jam series uses a unique collection of nitro machines ranging from the 100 percent nitro-powered Pro Fuel Dragsters, the unique designs of Prostalgia℠ Nitro Funny Car and the insane pilots of Fuel Altered and Nitro Harley at tracks across the U.S. and Canada in a thrilling show format.

After 40 years of great racing and innovation in the sport, NitroJam.com will take the next few weeks to look back at some of the legendary figures and incredible moments that have helped shape IHRA’s long and storied history.

To begin IHRA’s journey into the past, lets first take a look at the all-time winningest drivers in IHRA history – past and present.

PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. Mark Thomas (Alcohol Funny Car) – 7

2. Scotty Cannon (Pro Modified) – 6

    Clay Millican (Top Fuel) – 6

4. Rickie Smith (Pro Stock) – 5

5. Doug Herbert (Top Fuel) – 4

    Mark Oswald (Nitro Funny Car) – 4

7. Rob Atchison (Alcohol Funny Car) – 3

    Raymond Beadle (Nitro Funny Car) – 3

    Don Garlits (Top Fuel) – 3

    Shannon Jenkins (Pro Modified) – 3

    Dale Pulde (Nitro Funny Car) – 3

    Paul Romine (Top Fuel) – 3

    Von Smith (Alcohol Funny Car) – 3

    Gene Snow (Top Fuel) – 3

*20 Drivers tied at 2 World Championships

PROFESSIONAL WINS

1. Clay Millican (Top Fuel) – 52

2. Rickie Smith (Pro Stock & Pro Modified) – 33

3. Scotty Cannon (Top Fuel & Pro Modified) – 28

4. Mark Thomas (Alcohol Funny Car) – 27

5. Don Garlits (Top Fuel) – 25

6. Bob Glidden (Pro Stock) – 21

    Mark Oswald (Nitro Funny Car & Top Fuel) – 21

8. Rob Atchison (Alcohol Funny Car) – 20

    Doug Herbert (Top Fuel) – 20

    Mike Janis (Pro Modified) – 20

    Dale Pulde (Nitro Funny Car) – 20

    Gene Snow (Top Fuel & Nitro Funny Car) – 20

14. Raymond Beadle (Nitro Funny Car & Top Fuel) – 19

15. Jimmy Rector (Alcohol Funny Car) – 18

16. Kenny Bernstein (Nitro Funny Car & Top Fuel) – 17

      Von Smith (Alcohol Funny Car) – 17

18. Shannon Jenkins (Pro Modified) – 16

      Ronnie Sox (Pro Stock & Pro Modified) – 16

20. Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car & Pro Outlaw) – 15

      Doug Kirk (Pro Stock) – 15

22. Ed Hoover (Pro Modified) – 14

      Warren Johnson (Pro Stock) – 14

25. Roy Hill (Pro Stock) – 13

      Bruce Litton (Top Fuel) – 13

      Robert Patrick (Pro Stock) – 13

      Doug Vancil (Nitro Harley) – 13