O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals Sept. 16-19; Second event in NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship
GLENDORA, Calif. (April 12, 2010) – NHRA announced today that O’Reilly Auto Parts has agreed to a multi-year deal to become the title rights sponsor of the third annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway, Sept. 16-19.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals is the second of six races in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s playoff-style format to determine the world champions in each of its four Full Throttle Series classes.
“O'Reilly Auto Parts is excited to title a fifth event in 2010 with the NHRA and we’re looking forward to our first event at zMAX Dragway,” said Wes Wise, director of marketing, O’Reilly Auto Parts. “With 82 stores and a 300,000 square foot distribution center serving North Carolina, O'Reilly is in a perfect position to sponsor this event.”
Few would argue O’Reilly Auto Parts’ long-term commitment to NHRA. The auto parts giant maintains title rights sponsorship of four additional NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events in Pomona, Houston, Topeka and Dallas. O’Reilly Auto Parts also has naming rights to historic O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, home to the largest and most prestigious drag racing event in the world, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
“zMAX Dragway is one of the sport’s finest facilities,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president sales and marketing, NHRA. “And aligning one of our finest partners in O’Reilly Auto Parts with the event in the fall should make for a wonderful experience for our loyal fans in the Southeast.”
zMAX Dragway is located on the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway and is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports Inc. The Bellagio of drag strips is home to two NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, including the inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
“This is a great win for everyone involved and we’re certainly excited to welcome a new partner to zMAX Dragway,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “O’Reilly has a great relationship with Speedway Motorsports and NHRA, and they’re a natural fit as the title sponsor to one of the NHRA’s premier stops at the sport’s premier facility.”
