NHRA WILL BEGIN 2009 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SEASON WITH TOP FUEL AND FUNNY CAR REMAINING AT 1,000 FEET

GLENDORA, Calif.  (Nov. 14, 2008) – NHRA announced today that the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Season will begin with the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories racing to 1,000 feet.   All other professional and sportsman classes will remain at 1,320 feet.

Over the next several months, NHRA will test various engine combinations following up on the analysis it has conducted to reduce power in the two nitromethane categories. 

Upon the conclusion of the engine combination testing program, NHRA will evaluate rule changes and determine whether to return to 1,320 feet or stay at 1,000 feet in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories.   There is no timetable, but a change could possibly be made at any time, including during the 2009 season.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Series and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17.