BRISTOL, Conn. – NHRA drivers and their race vehicles paid a visit today to the corporate headquarters of its exclusive broadcast partner ESPN in advance of the inaugural Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals this weekend at New England Dragway, June 20-23. It marked the first time that NHRA has showcased vehicles on the campus of the worldwide leader in sports.
Race vehicles from all four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series classes were showcased in the heart of the sprawling ESPN campus near the company’s cafeteria. Antron Brown and his Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster, Courtney Force and her Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car, Allen Johnson and his Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Avenger Pro Stocker and the Underdahl Racing Bad Boy Buggies Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle were featured during the afternoon.
During lunch, the three NHRA drivers signed autographs for ESPN employees and answered questions while standing alongside the fastest, most powerful race vehicles on the planet. Immediately following lunch, the entourage of NHRA racers and their crews toured the ESPN campus and participated in media activities, including an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter. Joining the group from The Coca-Cola Company was Senior Sports Marketing Manager Al Rondon.
The biggest stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be competing at the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals, including local favorite Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III from Hope, R.I., 15-time Funny Car world champ John Force, seven-time Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, Cruz Pedregon, Brown, Courtney Force, Ron Capps, Erica Enders-Stevens, Eddie Krawiec and many more.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series also will be showcased during the event, featuring exciting side-by-side racing action in the Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp and Super Gas categories, among others.
Qualifying for the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals will begin Friday, June 21, with sessions at 4:45 and 6:45 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 22, at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 23.
To purchase tickets, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRAtix.com. For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
