IHRA: 'Let's get it started' - Mike Dunn

Mike Dunn is looking down from the tower at the Orlando SpeedWorld Dragway track, which is holding the first IHRA Drag Racing Series event of the season. Which is also Mike Dunn's first event as the newly-minted IHRA president.

One thing he wants people to know: He didn't take the job to be a figurehead, a spokesman. "I think they are going to give me an opportunity to help the IHRA grow, and that appealed to me," said Dunn. "I've spent a long time in drag racing, and I think I can make a contribution."

While Dunn isn't moving his family from California, he is getting a second home in West Palm Beach, Florida, to be accessible to the IHRA's headquarters.

"I'm making a commitment to them, just like they've made a commitment to me. We're working on a five-year plan, and I think some exciting things are going to happen."

One of the appealing aspects that drew Dunn to the IHRA was the presence of Chris Lencheski as the IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) Vice Chairman of the Board of Managers and Chief Executive Officer, parent company of the IHRA. He has extensive experience with a variety of sports, ranging from Formula 1 to America's Cup.

"He gets it," Dunn said. "He understands our challenges and he has ideas that address them."

Indeed, Dunn has an impressive pedigree, too. He grew up in Southern California, the son of Hall of Fame Drag Racer "Big Jim" Dunn. He began racing bicycles and go-karts as a teenager before earning his Alcohol Funny Car license in his dad's car just before he turned 20 in 1976.

The following year he earned his Fuel Funny Car license before taking a job as a crew member for legendary car owner Roland Leong and working for him until 1980. In 1986 Dunn won the biggest race of his career, the U.S. Nationals, in Joe Pisano's Oldsmobile.

Perhaps Dunn's top accomplishment, though, is mastering both Top Fuel and Funny Cars. Dunn has 10 wins in Funny Car from 1981 to 1991, and 12 wins in Top Fuel from 1993 to 2001.

With so few good rides available, Dunn signed on in 2002 to be the on-air analyst for ESPN's drag racing coverage, a job he held until last year, when Fox took over the TV coverage from ESPN. But obviously, Dunn wasn't out of work for long.

"I'm so happy to get this year started," Dunn said. "There's so much we want to do to take the IHRA to the next level."