About Us

The Pioneers of Performance Ignition

Today, MSD Ignition can be found on a nitro-breathing 12,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragster, 200+ mph NASCAR or gravity-defying 6-ton Monster Jam truck; But tracing our roots sends us back to 1970 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, a U.S. Military testing and firing range. Tasked with the challenge of igniting lean-burning and exotic fuels, the focus was to create an ignition system that could meet the demands of lean-burning fuels and optimize fuel efficiency. This focus led to the birth of CD or Capacitive Discharge ignition, which is an ignition that can produce and store higher spark output energy to help burn or ignite these lean-burning fuels. Through this, MSD, or Multiple Spark Discharge was pioneered. This technology allows an ignition system to fire or send spark to a spark plug multiple times during one combustion event, producing a hotter, cleaner and faster spark performance. Soon MSD would grow and innovate breakthrough products tailored for high performance street and drag racing applications, and the rest is history. Fast forward over a half century and MSD has maintained its position as a leader & relentless innovator in performance ignition ranging from classic to late-model, street, strip, dirt, marine and nearly every racetrack around the globe.

The Pride of El Paso

For decades, MSD has delivered world-class ignition systems and racing products that power professional racers and automotive enthusiasts alike. Behind the red box lies not just quality components and cutting-edge engineering, but a family of proud teammates based in our El Paso, Texas manufacturing plant spanning over 150,000 square feet. When you purchase an MSD LS control, 7-series drag box or Pro-Billet distributor, you’re not only providing your vehicle with industry leading ignition components, but also supporting a company dedicated to U.S. manufacturing, employing a proud workforce over 275 strong! Much of our team has called MSD home for decades, bringing an added layer of passion, excellence and community to our brand. Investments into cutting edge manufacturing equipment, SMT circuit board screen printers, specialty electronic potting equipment and state-of-the art testing & validation equipment provides our team with the tools to continue delivering the most trusted performance ignition products in the world!

We'll see you at the races!

Trusted by the Pros

What do professional racing series such as NHRA, NASCAR, Monster Jam, ARCA, World of Outlaws and NTPA share in common? MSD ignition can be found as the leading performance ignition provider in the most extreme motorsports environments. Exotic burning fuels, extreme cylinder pressures and jaw-dropping high performance engines require an ignition system up to the task – and MSD unapologetically delivers! Our world-class Pro-Mag Magnetos are the only of their kind, and exclusively used to ignite engines producing over 10,000 horsepower, coining the often quoted “Pro-Mag or No Mag!”

MSD applies the very same focus on performance, reliability and passion for pushing limits to every one of our products. From our iconic 6AL series ignition box, to the legendary Pro-Billet distributors or Super Conductor 8.5mm plug wires, MSD brings professional grade ignition components to any ride, from professional racing to daily drivers! Looking for a value driven solution? Street Fire by MSD is a value-driven sub-brand built on affordability without compromise. With a mission to bring the MSD experience to enthusiasts at every level and any budget, Street Fire offers customers solutions that balance price and performance!