National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) officials announced Dec. 13, that Summit Racing Equipment has been named the title sponsor of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, an entry-level series for kids ages 8 to 17.
In the multi-year agreement, Summit Racing Equipment, a national leader in direct marketing of auto racing parts and equipment, will have the exclusive right to market and promote the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, effective immediately.
“We’ve watched the Jr. Drag Racing League program grow over the last several years and felt it was time to get involved and support these young racers and their families,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing motorsports and event manager. “The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League is a terrific program for developing the professional drag racers of tomorrow. It is also an excellent addition to Summit Racing’s current NHRA programs, including the Summit Racing Series, three NHRA national events, and the King of the Track program.”
The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League consists of weekly racing at many of NHRA’s 130 member tracks and will also be showcased during two regional championship events: The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals and NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals. The dates and locations for the two Finals events will be announced at a later date.
“The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League is a very unique program and unparalleled in the world of motorsports,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. “It provides the ultimate opportunity for young racing enthusiasts to participate in NHRA Drag Racing in a controlled and safer environment. By becoming the title sponsor of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, Summit Racing is solidifying its role in helping to develop the next generation of NHRA stars.”
Founded in 1992, more than 4,000 kids compete in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. Jr. Dragsters are half-scale replicas powered by five-horsepower engines that produce speeds up to 85 mph in the eighth-mile distance. Notable NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League alumni who now compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series include Erica Enders, Shawn Langdon, Vincent Nobile, Spencer Massey, J.R. Todd and Richie Stevens.
This story was originally published on December 13, 2012. 
