11/7/2024
IHRA Events
Track Partner Profile: Penwell Knights Dragway
ODESSA, TX — Penwell Knights Raceway is finishing the 2024 racing season strong and getting a great jump on 2025.
Track operator Gary Gardenhire made a splash with the exciting news that former IHRA Division 4 Director Cody Pollage has come on board as the race director for the track’s bracket series.
“Cody brings a ton of experience to the table in the bracket racing world, and we’re excited to have him join us here at Penwell Knights for our bracket program in 2025,” Gardenhire said.
Pollage also has his own bracket series, CP Racing Promotions, which will be hosting a big money bracket event at Penwell Knights Raceway on Oct. 17-19, 2025. To find out more about that event, please check him out on Facebook at Cody Pollage Racing Promotions1.
The racing veteran will also continue to be assistant manager at his home race track, State Capitol Raceway, right outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“I’m very excited to join Team Penwell for the 2025 season for the bracket program.” Cody said. “There are so many of my good friends that race in this area, and this will feel like home to me. Gary and crew were very welcoming when I was here for my event in 2024, as well as some of the IHRA races I had attended while working for them.”
Pollage stated a goal of doing some big things for the West Texas racers and working towards packed houses at Penwell Knights. The track is currently looking for a race director for its Index and heads-up races.
Officially referred to as Penwell Knights Raceway at Caprock Motorplex, it has been called the Permian Basin’s premier drag racing facility. They have been a long time partner of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and share the commitment to grassroots, Sportsman racing.
Mikel McQueen was the track’s IHRA Summit SuperSeries Top champion for a second straight year. Other 2024 champions included: Benny Gossett (Mod), Robert Schoemer (Sportsman), Tadd Sprayberry (Motorcycle) and Ayden Johnson Gossett (Junior Dragster).
In addition, the track hosted an IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser back in March. Schoemer was also the Sportsman winner, while other class winners were: Tom Hollifield (Top), Evan Santos (Mod), David Baugh (Motorcycle) and Owen Blair (Junior Dragster).
Penwell Knights Raceway has released its 2025 schedule with some great special events. The Bounty Hunters No Prep races take place March 14-15. The always popular, Funny Car Chaos, is slated for May 30-31. There is also the Skinny Kid Heads Up Series, West TX Flashlight Drags and OctoberFAST.
Racing into December, there’s a No Prep Shootout and a toy drive the following week. Gardenhire and staff have been busy with work on new VIP suites, and more asphalt added in the pits.
You often hear the terms of a “blue collar” and “white collar” worker. Gardenhire is both, working a variety of jobs to provide a great experience for the racers.
“I enjoy the challenge of it,” he said. “I do everything from cleaning restrooms to marketing and meeting with companies for sponsorship. I’ve got my hands full, and it sometimes stresses me out, but I like it.”
He also likes seeing Penwell racers have success at other venues. They’ve had racers like 2022 IHRA Summit SuperSeries Junior Dragster runner-up Caden Keyes and Motorcycle racer Jeramy Tally in the IHRA National Top 10. Baugh has been wildly successful both in his car and on two wheels as a Motorcycle racer.
Gardenhire believes part of the reason Penwell racers are so tough is the track’s location.
“We have the weather changes, the DA (density altitude) that’s sometimes hard to adapt to,” he said. “If they can adapt here, they can pretty much run anywhere and be competitive. We start early March and run until mid-December.”
Click here to check out the Facebook page for Penwell Knights Raceway for more exciting news about this West Texas track.
Submitted By: Amanda Wesler