IHRA contingency sponsors adding up for 2017

In the world of motorsports, "contingency" is one of a racer's favorite words – it means that if you win, and your racecar is using parts from a particular manufacturer, and is wearing decals from the company, they'll pay you above and beyond the existing race-winning purse. Sometimes, contingency sponsors will even pay for a second- or third-place finish.

Contingency sponsors are huge for IHRA Sportsman racers, and for 2017, the list – and the money total – is growing. Companies like ATI Performance, Brodix, Goodyear, Hoosier, Hughes Performance, Manley Performance, Mickey Thompson, Moser, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco, Trick Flow, Performance Torque Converters and Altronics are all putting up money that is awarded for top finishes in multiple classes.

How much?

In the seven Summit Sportsman National Championship classes, a racer can take home more than $2,000 in contingency money. Obviously, you can't win all the available contingency money – with three tire sponsors, for instance, you pretty much have to pick one to run on your car – but given the fact that all the IHRA contingency sponsors are vetted for quality, you can run the very best equipment available, and still take home some extra cash.