2004 National event participation

NHRA announces modification to Sportsman category participation at national events in 2004. Moves made to provide an improved experience for race teams.

GLENDORA, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2003) - NHRA announced, today, that the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series categories of Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp and Super Gas will compete at 19 national events per season beginning in 2004. While the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sportsman categories will be represented at all 23 events, each category will not compete at a national event every fifth year.

The move was made to enhance the experience for sportsman teams attending national events, allowing for more participants in competing categories, in many cases more qualifying runs, in some cases lower grading requirements, and an improved schedule for run times.

"NHRA is experiencing tremendous growth in sportsman participation at all levels, including at NHRA national events," said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations, NHRA. "We must manage this growth and continue to make it work for all participants.

"We have made this decision, after talking with sponsors, race teams and tracks, to minimize the challenges we currently face with the intent of providing an improved experience for the sportsman racer."

An effort was made to minimize the impact on any given NHRA division. All categories will continue to compete in: the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Seattle, the only event in Division 6; the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, the most prestigious event in drag racing; the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Chicago, home of the Jeg's All-Star event; and the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif.

NHRA also announced that Super Street will compete at eight national events per year, one per division plus the Jeg's All-Star event. Within the 19 national events that the Super Stock and Stock will compete at yearly, each category will also be offered class racing at six of those events.

The entry process has been improved as well. In 2004, all entries will be electronic only, via nhra.com. Entry deadline dates will be eliminated, resulting in categories closing when the posted quota for the event is reached regardless of date. NHRA also will reduce the grading requirements for many categories at some events. Entry fees for all sportsman racers will increase in 2004 by $50 per entry to cover escalating operating costs. This marks the first national event entry fee increase for sportsman racers since 1996.

"Sportsman racing is, and always will be, a crucial component of our national event structure. Today's announcement provides an opportunity, given the constraints of time and space at national events, to ensure a better sportsman racing experience at national events in the future," said Light.

"We are confident that these changes will enhance the overall experience for sportsman racers by allowing in many cases more qualifying runs at national events, improved schedule run times and more participants in competing categories at many events."

Non-Competing Events (through 2008)

Competition Eliminator
2004 - Topeka, St. Louis, Sonoma, Dallas
2005 - Las Vegas (Spring), Atlanta, Englishtown, Denver
2006 - Gainesville, Columbus, Brainerd, Las Vegas (Fall)
2007 - Pomona (Winter), Chicago (Spring), Memphis
2008 - Phoenix, Houston, Bristol, Reading

Super Stock
2004- Phoenix, Bristol, Chicago (Spring)
2005- Houston, Columbus, Reading, Las Vegas (Fall)
2006- Pomona (Winter), Englishtown, Denver, Memphis
2007- Las Vegas (Spring), Atlanta, Topeka, St. Louis
2008-Gainesville, Sonoma, Brainerd, Dallas

Stock
2004- Las Vegas (Spring), Atlanta, Denver, Memphis
2005- Pomona (Winters), Gainesville, St. Louis, Dallas
2006- Houston, Chicago (Spring), Sonoma, Reading
2007- Phoenix, Bristol, Englishtown, Brainerd
2008- Topeka, Columbus, Las Vegas (Fall)

Super Comp
2004- Pomona (Winters), Houston, Columbus, Reading
2005- Bristol, Chicago (Spring), Sonoma, Brainerd
2006- Phoenix, Atlanta, Topeka
2007- Gainesville, Denver, Dallas, Las Vegas (Fall)
2008- Las Vegas (Spring), Englishtown, St. Louis, Memphis

Super Gas
2004- Gainesville, Englishtown, Brainerd, Las Vegas (Fall)
2005- Phoenix, Topeka, Memphis
2006- Las Vegas (Spring), Bristol, St. Louis, Dallas
2007- Houston, Columbus, Sonoma, Reading
2008- Pomona (Winters), Atlanta, Chicago (Spring), Denver

Competing Events: (through 2008)
* Super Street
* Super Stock/Stock Class Events

Super Street
2004- Phoenix, Atlanta, Topeka, Columbus, Englishtown, Seattle, Chicago (Fall), Dallas
2005- Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Columbus, Englishtown, Denver, Seattle, Chicago (Fall)
2006- Phoenix, Atlanta, Topeka, Columbus, Englishtown, Seattle, Chicago (Fall), Dallas
2007- Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Columbus, Englishtown, Denver, Seattle, Chicago (Fall)
2008- Phoenix, Atlanta, Topeka, Columbus, Englishtown, Seattle, Chicago (Fall), Dallas

Super Stock (Class Events)
2004- Las Vegas (Spring), Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Indianapolis, Reading,
2005- Phoenix, Bristol, Englishtown, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Dallas
2006- Las Vegas (Spring), Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Indianapolis, Reading,
2007- Phoenix, Bristol, Englishtown, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Dallas
2008- Las Vegas (Spring), Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Indianapolis, Reading,

Stock (Class Events)
2004- Phoenix, Bristol, Englishtown, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Dallas
2005- Las Vegas (Spring), Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Indianapolis, Reading,
2006- Phoenix, Bristol, Englishtown, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Dallas
2007- Las Vegas (Spring), Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Indianapolis, Reading,
2008- Phoenix, Bristol, Englishtown, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Dallas

-nhra-