SCOTT UPDATED: WOODRUFF OUT AS IHRA COO AMID CONTINUING LEADERSHIP SHAKEUPS

[Serious News]

Scott Woodruff is out as Chief Operating Officer of Drag Racing at the International Hot Rod Association today, the latest executive departure during a turbulent rebuilding period for the sanctioning body.

IHRA simultaneously promoted Doug Foley Jr. into the role of COO, placing the second-generation racer in charge of day-to-day operational execution of the organization’s drag racing programs.

Woodruff confirmed to CompetitionPlus.com that he was no longer with the IHRA and said the dismissal came unexpectedly.

“I am no longer with the IHRA and unfortunately for me and many others in the sport, I was very truthful about where we were as a sanctioning body,” Woodruff said.

CompetitionPlus.com reached out to IHRA management for comment on the dismissal.

The move continued a pattern of executive turnover that has followed IHRA’s revival efforts since early 2025.

Leadership instability has become a recurring theme within the organization as it attempts to rebuild its national racing programs and strengthen relationships with racers and tracks.

The rate of turnover has been high at the rejuvenated IHRA dating back to January 2025 when Kenny Nowling was relieved of his duties and replaced with former NHRA division director Rich Schaefer.

Second-generation marketing specialist Christian Byrd was brought in during the same period, as was longtime NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart.

By the end of April, however, all three had exited the organization.

Josh Peake was promoted to president shortly thereafter but was gone within a matter of months.

Woodruff joined IHRA over the summer in a role designed to help guide operational growth and improve communication with racers and industry partners.

Brett Underwood, who was hired at the same time as Woodruff as IHRA’s Vice President of Publications, was also relieved of his duties.

His tenure proved brief.

Woodruff said the situation that led to his dismissal began when he raised concerns

internally about the organization’s racer registration system.

The system, he said, had created complications for competitors attempting to register for events.

“I spoke up the fact that we have a registration system that doesn’t work correctly for the racers,” Woodruff said. “They can’t maneuver through it and we can’t register any racers without having a system that they can use.”

Woodruff said he attempted to outline both the issues and the potential consequences of leaving them unresolved.

“It wasn’t received very well,” Woodruff said. “I explained the situation, I explained the consequences, and I explained reality, and nobody seemed to care.”

According to Woodruff, the situation culminated with a brief message informing him that his time with the organization had ended.

“And out of nowhere, I get a text message from Darryl Cuttell, who’s the owner of the IHRA, just telling me I’m fired on a text message, so I don’t know,” Woodruff said.

Woodruff said his responsibilities at IHRA centered on racer communication, event organization and building engagement around the organization’s programs.

“My day-to-day duties at the IHRA were to answer questions from the racers, get events organized to go forward, and get sponsors engaged, get people engaged, get fans engaged,” Woodruff said.

“And I don’t know, apparently, I didn’t do a very good job.”

Woodruff has spent decades involved in drag racing and said the sport itself remains unchanged in his mind despite the experience.

He said the situation has not altered his passion for the racing community.

“No, no, it doesn’t sour my taste for the sport,” Woodruff said. “It sours my taste for the people that don’t know what it takes to be involved with the sport.”

Woodruff added that drag racing has always been rooted in relationships within the racing community.

“Some people don’t know what it takes to be a part of the community of the sport,” Woodruff said. “Not money, not actions, but just word of mouth.”

Woodruff said some of his most memorable moments during his time with IHRA came while speaking to local officials about the economic and cultural impact of drag racing facilities.

He pointed to a community meeting alongside racer Doug Foley in presenting the case for Atlanta Dragway as one example of what he enjoyed most about the role.

“Probably the most proudest moment that I had was being in commerce with Doug Foley and in the … I don’t know what you call it, but just being there in the community,” Woodruff said.

“When we’re there in front of the county, in the municipality and talking about drag racing, man, that’s what it’s all about.”

Woodruff said those conversations illustrated the potential impact of motorsports on local communities.

“I got up there and I talked and I said a couple nice things about, ‘Hey, if you smile on us, basically, we’re going to smile on you,’” Woodruff said.

“If you make this racetrack of reality, good things are going to happen for the community.”

With Woodruff out, the promotion of Foley is an effort to stabilize operations and expand its racing programs.

IHRA officials said Foley’s responsibilities will include overseeing the execution of national events while working closely with racers, track operators and event teams.

“Doug Foley Jr. has grown up in this sport and understands it from every perspective as a racer, as part of a team, and as someone who truly cares about the future of drag racing,” IHRA President Leah Martin said.

“Having already been part of the IHRA team, he brings valuable insight into our racers, our tracks, and the direction we are building for the future.”

Foley, a multi-time six-figure winner in big-money bracket racing, said the opportunity represented a chance to help shape the future of the sport.

“Drag racing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” said Doug Foley Jr. “Being part of IHRA and helping build the future of drag racing alongside our racers, tracks, and partners is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

“I’m excited to continue working with the team as we grow the sport together.”

For now, Woodruff’s departure adds another chapter to a period of rapid leadership turnover as IHRA attempts to reestablish stability and credibility within the drag racing landscape.

SCOTT UPDATED: WOODRUFF OUT AS IHRA COO AMID CONTINUING LEADERSHIP SHAKEUPS | Competition Plus

Scott Woodruff is out as Chief Operating Officer of Drag Racing at the International Hot Rod Association today, the latest executive departure during a

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[Serious News]

Drag race drama: IHRA official fired in text, he posted receipts on social media​

The drag racing world is buzzing after a blunt Facebook post ignited fresh controversy surrounding the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). In a message that quickly began circulating among racers and fans, longtime racing figure Scott Woodruff claimed he was fired from his position with the series through a simple text message from IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell.

Woodruff’s public statement didn’t just confirm his departure. It also raised pointed questions about leadership decisions, internal operations, and the direction of one of drag racing’s most historic sanctioning bodies.

A Text Message That Lit Up the Racing Community​

Drag Race Drama: IHRA Official Fired in Text, He Posted Receipts on Social Media
In his social media post, Woodruff said the news of his firing came unexpectedly and in a format that surprised him.

“Who is ready to talk about change with the IHRA… I guess it’s not me,” Woodruff wrote. “I was fired today via a text message from Darryl Cuttell, the owner of the IHRA.”

The claim alone would have been enough to spark discussion in drag racing circles. But Woodruff’s comments didn’t stop there. He suggested deeper concerns about leadership decisions within the organization and questioned whether the series was putting the right people in charge.


“This seems like a productive way to end a relationship,” he wrote, adding that he disagreed with the decision and intended to share more about issues he believed were affecting the series.

Concerns About Leadership and Direction​

Woodruff’s post suggested frustration over the direction of the IHRA and the people being placed in key roles.

He questioned the logic of bringing in leadership without extensive drag racing experience, implying that such decisions could impact the series’ ability to succeed in a competitive motorsports landscape.

“Why would anybody bring someone with no drag racing experience to lead the charge,” Woodruff wrote, arguing that it would be difficult to achieve positive results under those circumstances.


While the statement reflects Woodruff’s perspective, it highlights the tensions that can arise when major changes occur inside a motorsports organization.

Sanctioning bodies like the IHRA rely heavily on relationships with racers, teams, track operators, and sponsors. Leadership changes or internal disagreements often ripple through those communities quickly.

A Call to Look Toward Other Voices​

In his message, Woodruff also encouraged people with questions about the organization to reach out to other figures he believes represent strong leadership within drag racing.

He specifically referenced Leah Martin, describing her as someone with experience and knowledge of what it takes to operate a successful drag racing series.

Woodruff said people seeking answers about the IHRA should talk to individuals who understand the operational and competitive side of the sport.

Those comments added another layer to the situation, suggesting that broader conversations about the future of the series could be unfolding behind the scenes.


Racing Operations and Ongoing Challenges

Woodruff also referenced operational issues he believed were affecting the series, including registration processes, ticket sales, and broader responsibilities tied to supporting racers and events.

While he did not go into detail about specific incidents, he indicated those challenges were among the topics he had been raising before his departure.

“I have done all I can do,” Woodruff wrote. “Without competent people in place success will be a mile away… and out of reach.”

For racers and fans who follow drag racing closely, those comments hint at deeper internal discussions about how the series is being managed and where it may be headed.

A Career Built in Drag Racing​

Woodruff’s post closed with a message directed toward the racers, fans, and partners who support the IHRA.

“Best of luck IHRA fans, racers and partners… I did the best with what I had,” he wrote. “Thanks for the time at helm… best of luck.”

While the statement signals a clear break with the organization, it also underscores how personal the sport can be for the people who run it. Many administrators and officials within motorsports come from racing backgrounds and maintain close ties to the competitors they serve.

When departures happen under contentious circumstances, the conversations often spill into the public arena quickly.

Questions Still Hanging Over the Series
At the moment, the IHRA has not publicly addressed Woodruff’s claims regarding the circumstances of his firing. It is also unclear what leadership changes, if any, could follow the situation.

What is clear is that the episode has already captured the attention of the drag racing community. Posts discussing the situation have spread rapidly across social media, with racers and fans debating what the comments could mean for the organization moving forward.

Drag racing has seen its share of organizational drama over the decades, but moments like this still resonate because of how deeply the sport relies on trust and cooperation between racers, sanctioning bodies, and track operators.

For now, Woodruff’s comments have opened the door to a larger conversation about leadership, communication, and the future direction of the IHRA.

And in a sport built on loud engines and fast reactions, it only took one text message to spark the latest controversy.

MSN