Contingency Program Tops 1 Million

GLENDORA, Calif. - The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced today that its 2000 contingency program totals more than $31 million, representing the largest overall contingency posting in the history of the 49-year-old drag racing sanctioning body.

The increase is attributed to new sponsor participation and increased involvement from several key sponsors, including Holley Performance Products. There are more than 100 sponsors involved in the NHRA contingency program for 2000.

Holley Performance Products, based in Bowling Green, Ky., contributes approximately $6.6 million to the program through its branded-name divisions, the largest posting by a single company in NHRA history. The commitment by Holley and its branded-name divisions (Annihilator, Earl's, Hooker, Lunati, NOS and Weiand) represents more than 60-percent of their $10 million overall commitment to motorsports, as they have similar contingency postings in nearly every major racing venue on a national level.

Pioneer contingency sponsors Goodyear, Crane, Edelbrock and Hurst Performance have been major participants since the program's inception in 1966. Several new companies, including Exiss Trailers, Undercover Chassis and Ringers Gloves have made a significant impact on the program by adding major postings for the first time in 2000. Other sponsors, like Jesel, Hughes Performance and Painless Wiring increased their involvement from associate status to major sponsors of the program. Longtime participant Mr. Gasket remains the leader in major contingency postings, with 12.

"We are continually working on programs that will benefit racers and sponsors for the future in the NHRA contingency program," said David Doyel, NHRA director of performance aftermarket marketing. "The 2000 contingency posting is the largest in NHRA history and sends an incredible message to both the automotive aftermarket industry and our racers."

The NHRA contingency program is available to competitors in professional and sportsman categories in the 23-event NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series and the 43-event NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Manufacturers involved in the NHRA contingency program post cash awards for NHRA teams that make final round appearances at NHRA events. In order to qualify for the awards, NHRA teams must use specific products and display designated decals on their race cars during competition.

"Obviously our contingency program is geared to accomplish a variety of goals and initiatives," Doyel added. "Our main objective with the contingency program is to provide an opportunity for the racers and manufacturers to have direct interaction. That's very important because the success of any company in this industry depends on the purchase and use of their products by racers. Another important focus of the program is to offer race enthusiasts the same type of interaction via our manufacturers midway."

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 85,000 racers and members nationwide and 142 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 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages eight to 17.