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Shawn Langdon Leaves Don Schumacher Racing, Heads to Kalitta Motorsports

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Shawn Langdon did more than carry his weight in the 30 races he drove a Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, and team owner Don Schumacher wishes him the best in the next chapter of his racing career with Kalitta Motorsports.

Langdon, the 2013 NHRA Top Fuel world champion, joined DSR on loan from Alan Johnson Racing after AJR shut down its racing operation.

Langdon won the last NHRA Countdown the Championship race at Pomona, Calif., in 2015 for DSR and added three more Mello Yello Drag Racing titles in 2016 as a full-time DSR driver for the entire 24-race season last year.

“Shawn always will be part of the Don Schumacher Racing family,” said Don Schumacher. “He was a great, great asset to our team and an excellent teammate for our seven other drivers.

Funding issues kept Langdon from starting this season for DSR, but his Top Fuel career will resume with Kalitta.

“We have been looking for partners to help us run his team, but I will never stand in the way of a driver wanting to race. If I can’t give him that opportunity then I won’t hold him back.”

63rd Annual U.S. Nationals Tickets Now on Sale

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Tickets are now on sale for the 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, the world’s most prestigious drag race, Aug. 30-Sept. 4 at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, log on to NHRA.com/tickets or call the NHRA Ticket Sales Center, 800-884-NHRA (6472). Tickets can also be purchased for the Top Eliminator Club (TEC) the exclusive members-only hospitality package. General-admission tickets for children 12 and younger are free with any paid adult ticket.

The most historic and tradition-rich event in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals has been contested annually since 1955, and its past list of winners includes “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, John Force, Bob Glidden, Tony Schumacher, and Kenny Bernstein, among other legends.

The race is the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and will again be showcased nationally on FOX broadcast channels across the country. Tony Schumacher, (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners.

The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals will feature intense side-by-side racing at more than 320 mph as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle compete for their share of the $2 million purse and battle for important world championship points.

The stakes will be high as teams will battle for the final top 10 spots for the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. With an increased number of points in play due to the point-and-a-half system for this event, the drama on ChampionshipMonday is expected to be more amplified than ever. Perhaps more important, drivers will compete to earn a permanent spot in NHRA history as a Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals winner.

The event also will showcase the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout, in which the top drivers in Top Fuel and Funny Car will race for $100,000 paydays in separate bonus races.

The race also will offer thrilling competition in both the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which also will be highlighted by the annual Mopar Hemi Challenge for Super Stock cars. Also highlighting the race weekend will be the appearance of Jet Cars to thrill the crowds during the course of the weekend.

SOURCE: NHRA

Matt Hagan on pole for Mopar at Pomona to start 2017 Mello Yello season

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Matt Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane team led by crew chief Dickie Venables wasted little time reminding the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series community that his 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car powered by Pennzoil is the quickest hot rod in the field.

Early evening rain Friday wiped out the second qualifying session to open the 2017 season but Hagan and Don Schumacher Racing’s Mopar-powered by Pennzoil team was the quickest in the early afternoon session with a time of 3.840 seconds at 330.15 mph to hold the provisional pole heading into Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions before the eliminations rounds the following day that will air live on the Fox broadcast network.

“It’s been a long winter,” Hagan said. “I’ve been chomping at the bit to put a mouth piece in and put a helmet on. I’ve had a lot of frustration and I was ready to take it out on the racetrack.

“It’s really nice to come out here and roll out of the box and run an .84. It was one of those runs where you knew you had to get it in (because of pending rain) so it’s a pressure filled situation. It needs to get it down the racetrack because you need to get qualified and you have the rain coming in.”

A year ago, Hagan set national records for elapsed time (3.822), speed (335.57 mph) and won a career-best five No. 1 qualifying positions.

In Top Fuel, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher with crew chief Mike Green and the U.S. Army team led DSR with the third-best run of the day at 3.729 (325.06) with three-time world champion Antron Brown and the Matco Tools dragster, winners of the past two championships, is ranked fifth with a time of 3.732.

SOURCE: Don Schumacher Racing ? PHOTO: Brian Groce

Troy Coughlin Jr. Gets Top Fuel Opportunity with JEGS

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Accomplished Sportsman drag racing star Troy Coughlin Jr. already was incredibly excited about the 2017 NHRA season after it was announced he’d run a sixth nitro entry for Kalitta Motorsports for a small handful of races. Now the 26-year-old third-generation racer can hardly believe what’s happening right before his eyes on the heels of the announcement he’d be taking over the seat of the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster.
“I had little doubt I was the luckiest guy alive when we said we’d be running four or five races in a JEGS.com-sponsored dragster next year,” Coughlin said. “But this is beyond anything I could have ever dreamed. I literally can’t sleep I’m so excited. I’ve never felt like this before, even after winning Indy.”
Things have fallen perfectly into place for the son of three-time world champion drag racer Troy Coughlin Sr. and grandson of JEGS Mail Order founder and drag racer Jeg Coughlin Sr. since the renowned Kalitta Motorsports camp announced Troy Jr. would be joining its ranks. Team driver Del Worsham left the camp a few weeks ago to once again race with his father, which opened the seat in the DHL Funny Car. That sparked an interest in fellow Kalitta Motorsports pro J.R. Todd to try his hand at Funny Car so with the blessing of everyone involved, Todd moved into Worsham’s former position. With that shift, the seat of Todd’s SealMaster Top Fuel dragster was vacated, opening a spot for Coughlin.
“This is a proven, championship-caliber racecar and the fact Connie (Kalitta, team owner) and Jim O (Oberhofer, Vice President of Operations) selected me to drive it is such an honor,” Troy Jr. said. “They could have hired any driver out there and I’m sure the line was a mile long with people that have a ton of experience, but they decided to give this unproven kid a chance and it just blows me away.
“I don’t have experience in driving a Top Fuel car so I can’t bring that to the table but I do know I’ll work harder than anyone in proving they made a good choice. I’ll do everything I can to represent the team sponsors with integrity, to drive to the best of my abilities so I can help the crew make the best calls possible, and to soak up everything I can as it happens so each day I can get better.”
Coughlin has competed in a variety of drag racing classes during in his career, including Jr. Dragster, Super Comp, Super Gas and Pro Mod. Among his many accomplishments is the 2013 Division 3 Super Gas championship, two wins at the prestigious U.S. Nationals, and 2015 Rookie of the Year honors in Pro Mod. In total, he has five national event victories, four high-dollar bracket race titles, and three divisional wins.
“I’m extremely proud to be representing SealMaster and their incredible services and products,” Coughlin said. “Like my family, they love drag racing and motorsports in general and I’m very anxious to meet all of the company’s representatives around the country.
“It’s also quote an honor to have Connie Kalitta and Rob Flynn tuning my car and to have teammates like JR, Doug Kalitta, Alexis DeJoria and Paul Lee. These are people I’ve looked at as heroes growing up and now I’m able to work with them. I’m so humbled. It’s a dream come true and I couldn’t be happier.”
SOURCE: Team JEGS

Elite Motorsports and Mopar to part ways in 2017

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Elite Motorsports and Mopar have announced that they will end their partnership at the end of the 2016 racing season.

“I want to thank everyone at Mopar and Dodge, from the top executives to the engineers on to the people helping us at the races for their hard work and dedication,” said Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman. “My guys should be commended. They basically worked around the clock with pretty much zero days off for the entire season, busting their butts to try and give Erica and Jeggy competitive racecars. We look forward to a fresh start into 2017.”

“We thank the entire Elite Motorsports team, including owner Richard Freeman and drivers Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. for serving as superb ambassadors of our brand,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global. “The drivers and team handled themselves with professionalism and class, constantly working hard to break into the winner’s circle. We commend them for their dedication and never-quit attitude, and wish the team, Erica and Jeg nothing but success in their future endeavors.

“For 2017, we will continue our relationship with Don Schumacher Racing in both NHRA Funny Car, which has culminated in four championships in six years, and also in Top Fuel, and we will expand our presence in the NHRA Sportsman ranks.”

Elite Motorsports drivers and multi-time world champions Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders both competed with Mopar-backed Dodge Darts in 2016.

“We really wanted to light up the scoreboards this year with our Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart but we couldn’t quite get it running where it needed to be,” Coughlin said. “Like Richard, I salute everyone at Mopar and thank them for the effort. We wish them well in 2017 and beyond.”

Enders shared her teammate’s sentiments. “Mopar has been wonderful to work with,” she said. “It seems we were chasing it all year and never really got the cars where we could challenge for wins. Hopefully, we can start writing a new chapter and everyone will move forward into a better situation, including Team Mopar. We wish them nothing but the best because they’ve been great partners.”

Enders won the 2014 and 2015 Pro Stock titles with Elite Motorsports, while Coughlin finished top of the class in 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2013, prior to his time with Elite Motorsports.

SOURCE: Elite Motorsports

2016 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Schedule, September 2-5

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The schedule for the 2016 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is as follows:

Friday, September 2, 2016

  • 1:00PM – Midway Opens
  • 1:15PM – Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (1 of 2)
  • 4:00PM – Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (2 of 2)
  • 6:30PM – Pro Mod Qualifying Session
  • 7:15PM – Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)
  • 8:00PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (FC-TF)
  • 9:10PM – Jet Cars
  • 9:15PM – Secure

Saturday, September 3, 2016

  • 10:00AM – Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (1 of 2)
  • 1:00PM – Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (2 of 2)
  • 1:00PM – Midway Opens
  • 2:00PM – Pro Mod Qualifying Session
  • 2:45PM – Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)
  • 3:35PM – Traxxas TF Shootout Driver Intro
  • 4:00PM – Traxxas TF Shootout – Round 1
  • 4:15PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (TF-FC)
  • 5:15PM – Traxxas TF Shootout – Round 2
  • 5:30PM – Pro Mod Qualifying Session
  • 6:45PM – Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)
  • 7:30PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (TF)
  • 8:00PM – Traxxas TF Shootout – Final
  • 8:10PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (FC)
  • 8:55PM – Jet Cars
  • 9:00PM – Secure Track

Sunday, September 4, 2016

  • 9:45AM – Top Alcohol Eliminations – Round 1
  • 10:00AM – Midway Opens
  • 11:15AM – Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)
  • 12:00PM – Traxxas FC Shootout Driver Intro
  • 12:30PM – Traxxas FC Shootout – Round 1
  • 12:45PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (FC-TF)
  • 1:45PM – Pro Mod Qualifying Session
  • 2:30PM – Top Alcohol Eliminations – Round 2
  • 3:00PM – Traxxas FC Shootout – Round 2
  • 3:10PM – Comp Eliminations – Round 3
  • 3:30PM – Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)
  • 4:15PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (FC)
  • 4:45PM – Traxxas FC Shootout – Final
  • 4:55PM – Nitro Qualifying Session (TF)
  • 5:30PM – Pro Mod Eliminations – Round 1
  • 6:00PM – Comp Eliminations – Round 4
  • 7:00PM – Secure Track

Monday, September 5, 2016

  • 9:00AM – Midway Opens
  • 9:45AM – Pre-Race Ceremonies
  • 11:00AM – Nitro Eliminations – Round 1
  • 12:00PM – Pro Stock Eliminations – Round 1
  • 12:25PM – Pro Mod Eliminations – Round 2
  • 12:50PM – Nitro Eliminations – Round 2
  • 1:20PM – Pro Stock Eliminations – Round 2
  • 1:30PM – Pro Mod Eliminations – Semi-Finals
  • 1:45PM – Top Alcohol Eliminations – Semi-Finals
  • 2:15PM – Nitro Eliminations – Semi-Finals
  • 2:33PM – Pro Stock Eliminations – Semi-Finals
  • 2:45PM – Top Alcohol Eliminations – Finals
  • 2:55PM – Pro Mod Eliminations – Finals
  • 3:00PM – Sportsman Eliminations – Finals
  • 3:30PM – Pro Stock Eliminations – Finals
  • 3:37PM – Nitro Eliminations – Finals

The 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Takes Place Aug. 31-Sept. 5

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The 10,000-horsepower, jaw-dropping action of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Aug. 31-Sept. 5, for the 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals – the world’s most prestigious drag race.

And it’s the world’s most prestigious drag race for a reason. The best of the best from all over the world head to Indianapolis to compete in the event known as the Big Go. Nearly 1,000 drivers will compete in 12 categories with hopes of hoisting the elusive Wally trophy on Labor Day Monday. With heightened competition and a holiday weekend crowd in attendance, a win at the Big Go often goes down on racers’ résumés as the biggest single-race achievement.

As if that wasn’t enough, it’s the last race of the 18-race regular season before the six-race Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoff. Drivers and teams will be racing to secure the final top 10 spots for the Countdown and with an increased amount of points in play via the point-and-a-half system for this event (150 points to the winner), the drama on championship Monday is expected to be more intense than ever.

Over the years fans have cheered on drag racing immortals like “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, as they raced to the winner’s circle at the Big Go. Today’s stars – such as nine-time Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Top Fuel winner Tony Schumacher, four-time Funny Car winner John Force and six-time Pro Stock winner Greg Anderson – are all racing with plenty of determination to continue to build upon their legacies.

For many of the competitors, the race has evolved into much more than an annual contest of speed. For those who seek to become a part of its mystique, winning the event has become a necessity. Racers say that no career is truly complete without a win at this, drag racing’s grandest event.

This year’s edition of the famed event will feature intense side-by-side racing as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle compete for their share of Mello Yello Series points.  Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); Erica Enders (Pro Stock); and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners.

For the first time, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals will be aired live on FOX and FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Dave Rieff leads the coverage with Tony Pedregon offering insight as an analyst and they along with the rest of the broadcast team give the viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the sport.

A special Monday edition of the SealMaster NHRA Track Walk also will take place prior to final eliminations, where many of the sport’s most celebrated drivers will walk alongside fans down the historic dragstrip. As part of NHRA’s ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of Funny Car, one legendary Funny Car driver will be honored during pre-race ceremonies. Fan-favorite vintage racecars will be on display in the Hot Rod Junction, along with several autograph sessions featuring the biggest stars of the sport will be featured throughout each day of the event. On Friday, a special fireworks show will close out that day’s racing.

Thundering Jet Cars will take to the track to make exhibition passes as part of Friday and Saturday’s racing activities. As usual, one of the highlights of the spectacular pre-race show on Monday will feature a highly-skilled skydiver soaring into Lucas Oil Raceway with an American Flag in tow during the traditional performance of the National Anthem.

Bonus bucks and bragging rights will be on the line for qualified drivers in Top Fuel and Funny Car as they battle in the lucrative Traxxas Nitro Shootout. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Top Fuel will be held on Saturday evening, while the Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Funny Car is contested Sunday afternoon. The winners in each Traxxas Nitro Shootout will earn $100,000.

Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series also will look to become winners of the prestigious event during the weekend. The fastest Super Stock cars will challenge for the ultimate bragging rights and a bonus purse during the popular Mopar HEMI Challenge.

Downtown Indianapolis will come alive with NHRA excitement on Wednesday, Aug. 31, when the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Fan Fest comes to Monument Circle in the heart of the city. NHRA race team showcars, classic cars, live music, video displays and giveaways are just a few of the activities scheduled for the event. Fans will also be able to get autographs from their favorite drivers in one of the largest autograph sessions of the season. In addition, the official event press conference will take place during the Fan Fest, where several news announcements will be made and the random lottery drawings for the No. 8 positions in the Traxxas Nitro Shootout will be conducted. The Fan Fest begins at 10 a.m.

The biggest, most historic and prestigious event in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, has been contested annually since 1955. Originally known as “The Nationals” and first held at an abandoned airstrip in Great Bend, Kan., the event made stops at Kansas City, Mo., Oklahoma City and Detroit before eventually moving to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in 1961.

The first of five Mello Yello Series qualifying sessions is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. Two more sessions will take to the track on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 2:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., and the final two qualifying sessions will take place on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 11:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 5. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Top Fuel will be contested Saturday, Sept. 3 with rounds at 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Funny Car takes place on Sunday, Sept. 4 for the eight qualified drivers, with rounds at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

FOX national broadcast and FS1 will televise coverage of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals for the first time in event history. FS1 will air highlights from the event on Sunday, Sept. 4, at noon and 5 p.m. EST. The broadcasts will continue on FS1 with two hours of live coverage on Monday, Sept. 5 starting at 11 a.m. EST. The extensive coverage will then continue live on the FOX national broadcast channel at 1 p.m. EST.

One of five motorsports facilities owned and operated by NHRA, Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis sits on 267 acres of land just west of Indianapolis in the town of Brownsburg, and features three race courses: a championship drag strip, a .686-mile paved oval and a 2.5-mile, 15-turn road course.

Tickets for the world’s most prestigious drag race can be purchased by calling the NHRA Ticket Sales Center at (800) 884-NHRA (6472), or online at www.NHRA.com/tickets.

SOURCE: NHRA

Big Go Block Party Returns to Brownsburg August 23rd

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The Big Go Block Party returns to the town of Brownsburg, Ind. on Aug. 23, as the community celebrates the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway on Aug. 31-Sept. 5. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Town Hall Green. The Big Go Block Party is hosted by the Town of Brownsburg, NHRA, Lucas Oil Raceway, Don Schumacher Racing and John Force Racing, and will feature family activities, entertainment and concessions.

Numerous drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will take part in an autograph session from 6-7 p.m. Drivers scheduled to appear are Antron Brown, J.R. Todd, Richie Crampton, Shawn Langdon, Leah Pritchett, and Brittany Force from the Top Fuel ranks. Funny Car racers scheduled to attend are Tommy Johnson, Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon, John Force, Courtney Force, Robert Hight, and Jeff Diehl. Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec also will take part in the autograph session.

Team show cars will also be on display during the event including the Top Fuel dragster of Tony Schumacher and the Funny Cars of Pedregon, Diehl, and Ron Capps.

Children will enjoy the free inflatable playground and a variety of exhibitors will have interactive experiences for attendees. Local food trucks will provide hot and cold concessions.

Fans may also bring a blanket and lawn chairs to enjoy a concert by popular central Indiana jam rock band 800 lb. Gorilla.

The event is a celebration of the jaw-dropping action of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series that returns central Indiana and is the world’s most prestigious drag race.

The best of the best from all over the world head to Indianapolis to compete in the event known as the Big Go. Nearly 1,000 drivers will compete in 12 categories with hopes of hoisting the elusive Wally trophy on Labor Day Monday. With heightened competition and a holiday weekend crowd in attendance, a win at the Big Go often goes down on racers’ résumés as the biggest single-race achievement.

Over the years fans have cheered on drag racing immortals like “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, as they raced to the winner’s circle at the Big Go. Today’s stars – such as nine-time Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Top Fuel winner Tony Schumacher, four-time Funny Car winner John Force and six-time Pro Stock winner Greg Anderson – are all racing with plenty of determination to continue to build upon their legacies.

This year’s edition of the famed event will feature intense side-by-side racing as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle compete for their share of Mello Yello Series points. Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); Erica Enders (Pro Stock); and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners.

SOURCE: NHRA ♦ PHOTO: Brian Groce

Limited Premium Tickets Available For New Top Eliminator Club At Lucas Oil Raceway

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Premium Top Eliminator Club (TEC) tickets are going fast for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis Aug. 31-Sept. 5. Those who purchase tickets will be the first to experience the new TEC pavilion which will be completed prior to the event at the historic facility. The building is located adjacent to the starting line of the drag strip on the west side of the track.

The TEC tickets offer a deluxe seating experience for the world’s largest drag race over Labor Day weekend and includes an unobstructed view down the racing surface. TEC members also are afforded great amenities during the race weekend, including access to the new expansive pavilion, complimentary breakfast and lunch buffets Saturday through Monday, complimentary beverages and snacks every day, live on-track action via closed-circuit television, members-only souvenir store, full bar, gift bag with exclusive TEC cap and official Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals event program, and, with the purchase of at least four TEC tickets, a TEC preferred parking pass.

Tickets can be purchased at NHRA.com/tickets for $395 per person.

The new pavilion is a 16,000 square foot multipurpose event space that will be air-conditioned for usage during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. The building will feature a covered entry way, private restrooms, capacity for more than 1,000 people, a state of the art audio visual system, and will feature a full service bar area.

Scott R. Smith named NHRA Director of Media Relations

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Scott R. Smith, who has been with the NHRA since 2002, has been named NHRA Director of Media Relations, it was announced today by NHRA Vice President of Public Relations Terry Blount.

Smith will direct the communications efforts of the NHRA, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and other entities within the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body. The position will continue to build upon the strong relationship the NHRA has with media outlets across the country.

“We think Scott’s experience and knowledge of the company and the NHRA will be a natural fit to continue our growth in the media landscape,” Blount said. “He will be able to continue the ongoing efforts of the NHRA Communications Department and further promote the sport.”

Smith began with the NHRA as the communications manager at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in 2002 and has worked with numerous sanctioning bodies including NASCAR, USAC, ARCA, and racing promotors including Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and Super Chevy. In 2008, Smith was named senior media relations manager and took on added duties including traveling to select NHRA events in a support role. In 2012, Smith transitioned into an expanded role with the company and was the lead NHRA communications manager at numerous NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events and Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Hot Rod Reunions across the country.

“I’m excited to take this position and further the media relations efforts of the NHRA on a national level,” Smith said. “I look to expand on my relationship with journalists and those who cover the NHRA to grow the coverage of the sport on current and evolving media platforms.”

Smith will continue to be based out of Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

SOURCE: NHRA