Richard Freeman bid for IHRA fails as Heartland Park hangs in balance

Racing entrepreneur Richard Freeman recently sought to buy the IHRA, which owns Topeka's Darana-Heartland Motorsports Park, but was told July 23 that someone else had bought it, the Drag Illustrated website says.

The buyer's identity wasn't disclosed, according to an article published on that site.

No sale has been announced by the IHRA.

Entrepreneur described purchase effort

Freeman's statement comes at a time of uncertainty for the IHRA, which late last year bought Darana-Heartland Motorsports Park . Drag racing and Sports Car Club of America events at that venue were then canceled before general manager Emily Mawhinney confirmed July 24 on Facebook that she had been let go from her job the previous week.

The DragCoverage Facebook page reported that same day that all of the IHRA's division directors had been relieved of their duties.

A Drag Illustrated article published July 24 detailed a recent attempt to purchase the IHRA by Freeman, the owner of Elite Motorsports, which the article described as "the largest and most decorated team in professional drag racing."

The publication told of discussions Freeman had regarding the potential purchase with Darryl Cuttell, whom it said is "the man who has controlled the IHRA since December of 2024."

Freeman traveled July 14 to Hamilton, Ohio — the home of Cuttell's company, Darana Hybrid, Inc. — accompanied by three men, including Drag Illustrated founder Wes Buck, the article said.

Freeman didn't like being considered a 'backup plan'

It outlined a series of events that included the following:

Freeman's inspecting the assets involved.

Freeman's submitting a formal letter of intent July 16 seeking to buy what was left of the IHRA.

Cuttell's responding that he was still working out his "best situation."

Freeman's withdrawing his offer while indicating he didn't like being a "backup plan."

Cuttell's then trying to make a deal with Freeman.

Freeman's being told at 2 p.m. July 23 that the IHRA had been sold to someone else, whose identity wasn't disclosed.

IHRA announced acquisition of facility last December

The IHRA, the second-largest drag racing body in North America behind the NHRA, announced Dec. 30 it had acquired Darana-Heartland Motorsports Park and planned to restore it as a destination for racing, music and community.

The facility had previously been in business from 1988 to 2023.

It hosted an NHRA competition annually from 1989 to 2023, except in 2020, when that event was canceled because of the COVID pandemic.

2026 drag racing competition at facility was previously canceled

The IHRA last month canceled three drag race competitions , including one set to be held in Topeka, then this month canceled the rest of its 2026 Nitro Drag Racing Series.

IHRA president Dustin Farthing characterized the season's cancellation as being a "reset," not an ending.

Cone dodging events were also canceled

The Kansas Region of the Sports Car Club of America then announced July 19 on Facebook that due to unspecified "circumstances affecting the operation" of that park, the SCCA had canceled the rest of its 2026 Darana Heartland Park Cone Dodging Comeback Tour.

SCCA drivers taking part in cone dodging events typically navigate a course marked by orange traffic cones.

The canceled races had been set to take place July 25 and 26, Aug. 1, Sept. 19 and Oct. 17 and 18. An event held as part of the same competition last month went on as scheduled at the park.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Richard Freeman bid for IHRA fails as Heartland Park hangs in balance

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