The biggest names in Southeast bracket racing, including defending champion Allen Britt of Fairmont, return to Steve Earwood’s Rockingham Dragway this week for what has become a Memorial Holiday drag racing staple, the IHRA Ironman Classic presented by Drag Racing Magazine.

Over the course of the four-day event, drivers in Top Eliminator, Footbrake and Jr. Dragster classes will divide more than $30,000 in cash while racing for points that apply toward Rockingham Dragway track championships and the IHRA Team Bracket Finals to be contested at The Rock from Oct. 21-24.

For many, though, the biggest attraction is the opportunity to race for an IHRA Ironman, the same unique trophy awarded to pro and sportsman winners in the IHRA Nitro Jam national Series.

At the end of racing each day, the Top Eliminator and Footbrake winners will square off in a one run, winner-take-all showdown for an Ironman trophy. One trophy will be awarded each day with one additional trophy presented to the winner of a special Jr. Dragster race between the winners and runners-up from all three days of racing.

“In the current economy, everyone is looking for added value,” Earwood said. “The money’s always nice – especially the $10,000 we’re paying to Sunday’s Top Eliminator champ – but the chance to race for an Ironman, that’s something that’s not available just anywhere.”

The biggest single cash prize up for grabs over the holiday weekend is the $10,000 earmarked for Sunday’s Top Eliminator champion although the Saturday and Monday Top Eliminator winners will earn $5,000 shares and each day’s Footbrake champion will take home $1,000.

Although the race doesn’t officially begin until Saturday, the track will open at 3 p.m. Friday for a special all-comers Gamblers Race at 7 p.m. Another Gamblers Race is scheduled Sunday night following the regular program to benefit local racer Chuck Martin, who was injured in a crash earlier this year.

Gates open Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 8 a.m. with special Run for the Money time trials at 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday preceding the start of bracket eliminations. Monday’s race program will begin immediately following a 9 a.m. time trial for new entries.

Daily admission is $15 although special multi-day passes are available. As always, parking is free in Rockingham Dragway’s main lot.