A STAR-STUDDED LINEUP OF NHRA LEGENDS WILL GIVE NHRA FANS IN THE DESERT SOUTHWEST A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
Garlits, Muldowney and “Big” Jim Dunn will give NHRA’s Oct. 14-16 visit to Phoenix a ‘Legendary’ feel
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2011) – With three of NHRA’s most legendary Legends – “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney and “Big” Jim Dunn – scheduled to be on hand to celebrate NHRA’s 60th Anniversary season visit to Firebird International Raceway, the 2011 NHRA Arizona Nationals promises to be a ‘can’t-miss’ event for fans in the Desert Southwest.
The NHRA Arizona Nationals is already one of the most popular ‘destination’ races for NHRA fans from around the country so this year’s race (Oct. 14-16) – featuring Muldowney, Garlits and Dunn, and a number of other 60th anniversary-themed activities – will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the NHRA fan.
“We’re really pleased to be able to add such tremendous value, on and off the track, to what is already one of the most anticipated sporting events every year in the state of Arizona,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing.
The impressive lineup of NHRA Legends includes the No. 1 driver on NHRA’s list of all-time greatest drivers (Garlits), a three-time world champion who was a pioneer for women in all forms of motorsports (Muldowney), and the No. 27 driver on NHRA’s all-time lists of greatest drivers who notably was the only driver in NHRA history to win a race in a rear-engine Funny Car (Dunn).
All three NHRA Legends will be available throughout the weekend for meet-and-greets and autograph sessions with fans and they will also participate in the increasingly popular Track Walk with a Legend on Sunday morning.
The NHRA Arizona Nationals, Oct. 14-16 at Firebird International Raceway, will mark the 20th stop in a year-long celebration that has been focused on paying 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 race will feature intense competition as it will be the fourth race in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race post-season playoffs. The event will showcase side-by-side racing in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and for the first time in track history, Pro Stock Motorcycle. The defending winners of the race are Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). The race will be televised nationally on ESPN2HD.
The NHRA’s 60th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the remainder of the year as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series completes its 2011 season with stops in Las Vegas and Pomona.
Race fans can frequent NHRA.com or simply ‘like’ the NHRA Facebook page to receive updated news regarding details of the many 60th-themed ticket promotions being offered, and specific activities planned, at each of the remaining three events on the 2011 schedule.
The virtual tour through the first 60 years of NHRA drag racing extends beyond the track to the desktops, laptops and handheld devices of NHRA fans via the NHRA Facebook page. Throughout the 2011 season, NHRA will enlist the expertise of the fans of the NHRA Facebook page to help determine the greatest moments from the first 60 years of NHRA drag racing.
