Tuesday, February 15, 2011

NHRA ANNOUNCES SPECIAL HARD CARD PROGRAM AS PART OF 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

All professional national event winners to receive permanent hard card in 2011

GLENDORA, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2011) — NHRA announced today that all past national event winning drivers in the current professional categories, as well as Top Eliminator dating back to 1955 and Pro Stock Truck from 1998 to 2001, will be eligible for a free permanent hard card credential for the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season.  The categories eligible include Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Truck, and Top Eliminator.

“In celebration of our 60th anniversary, it is only fitting that we welcome with open arms our past drivers who have been such a part of our history and have made NHRA what it is today,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.

The special hard card credential program is designed to honor the stars of the sport and encourage them to come out and partake in the 60th anniversary celebration throughout the 2011 season.

NHRA will be marking the 60th Anniversary of the formation of NHRA with a year-long celebration that will pay homage to the evolution of the hot rod, the impact of the sport’s legendary racers, and the lifeblood provided by the many millions of loyal and passionate NHRA fans.

The hard card credential program is designed for non-active participants in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The permanent credential, which provides admission to the 22 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, will provide the holder access to the racer section of the grandstand and the sponsor viewing area typically located near the starting line of the race track.

Eligible drivers can apply for the NHRA National Event Winners Hard Card by sending an email to Laura Sarmiento at lsarmiento@nhra.com. Eligible drivers wanting to pick up their hard cards at will call during the 51st annual Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, must submit their request no later than Monday, Feb. 21.