Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Exclusive

DI Warm-Up: Breaking Down This Week’s NHRA Announcements

The NHRA media department was running at full throttle this week, releasing a series of announcements that were met with varying reactions online. All of the announcements are geared toward the fans, whether that means keeping current fans interested or attracting more eyes to the sport. A few of the announcements will affect the NHRA’s professional race teams as a result. We’ve broken down the information to include the highlights. The full stories are also available in case you want to learn more.

Steeper Points Deductions and Fines Added to Oildown Policy

Teams in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories will face more serious consequences for leaking oil on the racetrack this year as the NHRA attempts to improve the fan experience by reducing downtime. First-time oildown violators in 2015 will be fined $1,000 and receive a five-point deduction. These penalties increase on a scale, all the way up to a $18,000 fine and 50-point deduction after a 10th violation. Only fines will be given during the six Countdown to the Championship races. We’ll definitely watch to see how these penalties affect the teams, especially the low budget guys. (Full Story)

“Baptism by Nitro” Campaign Hopes to Attract Nitro Rookies

In an effort to boost attendance and build its aging fan base, NHRA has announced a new campaign to encourage current fans to bring newcomers to events to experience the sport; the open pit atmosphere, warm-ups and teardowns, and the thunder of nitro racing. Prizes, including VIP “Baptism by Nitro” experiences, will be awarded throughout the season. A tip of the cap to NHRA for launching the initiative.  (Full Story)

Five Live Eliminations Shows Highlight 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Series TV Coverage

NHRA and ESPN have experimented with live coverage over the last couple years. The aforementioned oildown policies should help as the live television schedule grows to include five races. Eliminations will be shown live on ESPN from the Charlotte, Bristol and Norwalk races, and live on ESPN2 from the Houston and Chicago events. The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals will receive 10 hours of coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. Unfortunately it looks like the online live streaming of the Friday evening qualifying sessions on ESPN3 has been axed. (Full story)

More Points at Stake at “The Big Go”

Adding to the excitement and prestige of the U.S. Nationals, the NHRA competition committee announced a new point-and-a-half scale for the historic Labor Day tradition. Competitors in the four professional classes will use the points scale for one weekend only, with 150 points given to the winner of the event, compared to the usual 100 points awarded at the other 23 races. Indy is the last regular season race, so the extra points will be especially valuable as racers attempt to qualify for the Countdown to the Championship or solidify their place in the Countdown. (Full Story)

GOOD READS

GOOD VIEWS

  • JRi Shocks filmed their visit to the PDRA’s Rockingham fall race last year, and the resulting video is worth a few minutes of your time.
  • PDRA live feed announcer Brian Olson and videographer Jimmy Biggs have been doing their best to keep doorslammer drag racing fans entertained and informed over the winter with their PDRA TV shop tours. This is the first part of their tour of Jerry Bickel Race Car’s production facility.
  • Strap in for this look at rear engine Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters through the lens of NitroAmerica. Several nostalgia drivers share why AA/FD is one of the wildest classes to take to the quarter-mile.

This story was originally published on January 30, 2015. Drag Illustrated

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

News

The star-studded STREET OUTLAWS: No Prep Kings series is set to return for its 6th season in the summer of 2023. Fans can expect to...

News

Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings star and renowned engine builder Pat Musi joined the recent episode of The Wes Buck Show and provided an update...

News

Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings star Lizzy Musi announced today that she has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer via her Youtube channel....

News

Tony Christian, one of the pioneering drivers of the Pro Street movement, passed away Thursday, June 9. Christian was infamous for his battles with...

Since 2005, DI has informed, inspired and educated drag racers from every walk of the racing life - weekend warrior and street/strip enthusiasts to pro-level doorslammer and Top Fuel racers. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-worthy videos to electric live events, DI meets hundreds of thousands of racers where they live, creating the moments that create conversations.