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World Series of Drag Racing Will Leave Cordova

 
After more than 60 years, the World Series of Drag Racing is leaving the Cordova International Raceway.

IRG Sports and Entertainment announced this week that the race will move to Memphis at the end of August. The company says that location will allow more room for growth and the potential to host more racers, fans, vendors, and live music. 
 
But after being held here for decades, Joe Taylor, President and CEO of the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, says losing the World Series will hurt the community.

Last year, more than 100,000 people visited the Cordova dragway, including up to 20,000 visitors for the World Series of Drag Racing. 

The track also lost the IHRA Summer Nationals, held each June.

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"I think it will first be felt by those small towns on Illinois Route 84. You think of a few ten-thousands of fans not purchasing gasoline, not purchasing sandwiches, not purchasing ice — they're going to feel a loss in their revenues."

IRG Sports and Entertainment bought Cordova last year and spent more than $500,000 building a new track, grandstand, roads and other updates. 

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