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NHRA ANNOUNCES
MODIFICATION TO SPORTSMAN CATEGORY PARTICIPATION
AT NATIONAL EVENTS IN 2004
NHRA announced Oct. 20 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, NHRA
senior vice president of racing operations. "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. (This) 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
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