Drag Illustrated Issue 118, February 2017 | Page 66

PRODUCTS & PRESS
KOOKS’ NEW FACILITY EXPANDS CAPABILITIES
Kooks Headers and Exhaust started the way many
performance manufacturing companies do: by
solving a problem. Founder Papa Kook used a gas
torch to fabricate his first set of custom headers
and exhaust for the family race car. Because of his
innovative solutions and winning combinations,
Kooks became the industry leader.
From those humble beginnings, Kooks now
occupies three buildings including a new facility
in Mooresville, NC, also known as Race City, USA.
The third facility, which opened last fall, features
a state-of-the-art Research & Development shop
that showcases Kooks’ continued dedication to
crafting the best custom headers and exhaust
available.
Kooks greatly expanded its variety of produc-
tion parts in the past year. This includes an in-
creased selection of Axle-Backs, Cat-Backs, and
new applications for Jeep Wranglers, 4x4 trucks,
imports and domestics. The company also crafts
custom systems not currently in its catalog, par-
ticularly 2003 and earlier street performance,
classic car, and truck models. Attention to detail
and expertise makes Kooks the go-to manufac-
turer for custom applications. Some of the biggest
and most dominant names in NHRA, IHRA,
NMCA, NMRA, NASCAR, SCCA, and NASA
run Kooks products and win championships, and
many top builders with award-winning SEMA
vehicles choose Kooks because of the quality and
reliability.
“We can make headers and exhaust as custom
as your build,” said Chris Clark, VP of Sales and
Marketing. “We know every street and race car
is different, and that’s what we all love about
modifying our vehicles. It’s individual. If you
need a custom header or exhaust for your proj-
ect, we can build it, and we can build it better
than anyone else.”
With the addition of the third facility, a sub-
stantial investment in new machining equipment
and an expert staff, Kooks’ expanded custom shop
is excited to accept new projects. If you’ve been
wanting a Kooks system that isn’t your typical
off-the-shelf product, now is your opportunity
to #getkookin! Live too far away? Kooks offers
build kits with everything you need to build your
own header & exhaust system, including flanges,
bends, collectors, and components. For more
information, call 866-586-KOOK (5665) or go
to www.kooksheaders.com
64th ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING
RETURNS TO CORDOVA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
The World Series of Drag Racing is returning to
Cordova International Raceway in Cordova, Ill.,
after a one-year stay in Memphis, Tenn., IRG Sports
+ Entertainment announced today. The 2017 World
Series of Drag Racing is set for Aug. 25-27, 2017;
ticket information will be available in March.
The World Series of Drag Racing has a storied
history with its inaugural event taking place in
Lawrenceville, Ill., in 1953 and later transitioning
to IRGSE-owned Cordova International Raceway.
Since its inception, the event has featured many of
the world’s best drag racers in a family-friendly
environment. The event comprises activities
for the whole family including the kids zone,
an array of food options, driver meet-and-
greets with autograph sessions and fireworks
shows.
“We heard you Cordova and the entire greater Quad Cities -
you wanted your race back, and we are glad to make it happen,”
vice chairman and CEO of IRGSE, the parent company of Cordova
International Raceway, Chris Lencheski said. “As they say, ‘absence makes
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the heart grow fonder,’ and the out crying for the
return was palatable.
“Memphis (Memphis International Raceway
in Millington, Tenn.) was a tremendous host pro-
viding terrific corporate support, but candidly,
the jewel in their eye is NASCAR. We have now
delivered for Memphis as well with the return of
a NASCAR event on June 3.
“With great respect for everyone in Memphis
and the clearest understanding that Cordova/Quad
Cities wanted the WSOD back, we are proud
to bring the race back and expect that, with
our increased purse, this year’s edition of
the WSOD will be a true homecoming!”
“Drag racing at Cordova International
Raceway has been a mainstay of the summer
scene in the Quad Cities for more than 60 years,” Quad Cities
Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO Joe Taylor said.
“Motorsports fans, not just locally but from across the nation, are
thrilled that major drag racing will return this summer to its tradi-
tional August dates at its traditional home, Cordova International Raceway.”
Issue 118