Tuesday, September 11, 2012

NHRA NEWS: NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY RETURNS TO GRAND BALLROOM AT THE HOLLYWOOD & HIGHLAND CENTER

GLENDORA, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2012) – The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony is returning to the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center in the heart of Hollywood, Calif., it was announced today by NHRA officials.

The 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday, Nov. 12 and will be broadcast on the Web at NHRA.com and via NHRA’s You Tube home page beginning Wednesday, Nov. 16.   This marks the fourth year the awards ceremony will be available to NHRA fans in its entirety.

The Hard Rock Cafe, also located at the Hollywood & Highland Center, will play host to the after party. The Hard Rock Cafe sits beside the world-famous Dolby Theater home of the Academy Awards, and just steps away from Grauman’s Chinese Theater and Hollywood’s starry Walk of Fame.  The 20,000-square-foot Hard Rock Cafe includes spacious seating, a live music area, and a vibrant bar. The property also will play host to the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony, scheduled earlier in the day.

A popular tourist area, Hollywood & Highland is a one-of-a-kind high profile venue that combines the best in retail, fine dining and unique entertainment venues with the vibrant world of Hollywood. The center includes more than 60 retailers, nine of L.A.’s finest restaurants and Lucky Strike Lanes, a high tech and trendy bowling alley. 

The invitation-only black-tie event, where NHRA will crown its 2012 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world champions, will feature a pre-event cocktail reception, a formal sit-down banquet, and the after party.

The Loews Hotel & Resort, formerly the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Spa, will once again be the host hotel for the NHRA Full Throttle Awards Ceremony.  Featuring 632 rooms, including luxury suites, the venue has not only been rebranded, but is going through a multi-million dollar renovation.  The Grand Ballroom, located on the fifth level of the center, is operated by famous chef and restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck. The popular venue draws A-list events, parties and conventions.   Most notably, it is the site of the exclusive Governor’s Ball, following the Academy Awards ceremonies each year.

This year’s NHRA Full Throttle Awards Ceremony will be hosted by Dave Rieff, a veteran member of the NHRA broadcast team on ESPN.