NHRA
PRO STOCK STANDOUTS IN NHRA CAMPING WORLD DRAG RACING AIM FOR WINS AT DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS – After closing out her 2020 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series with an impressive performance at The Strip at Las 
Vegas Motor Speedway, Angie Smith is returning to the track with hopes of an even bigger victory.
The Pro Stock Motorcycle standout takes plenty of excitement into this weekend’s DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, in part because DENSO is also the main sponsor on her EBR motorcycle. It would make a victory — and her first four-wide win — even more special if Smith can pull it off this weekend in the unique four-wide format.
“It’s a very cool feeling that this is the DENSO race,” Smith said. “We won in Vegas last year, and, of course, we want to put our bikes in the winner’s circle and add to our resume that we won our title sponsor’s race. It’s just an added bonus to win your sponsor’s race, and it’s very exciting to get back there. We’re always eager to race in Vegas.”
NHRA CAMPING WORLD DRAG RACING SERIES NITRO STARS READY TO PUT ON SHOW AT DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS – It isn’t a stretch to say not many people are looking forward to the return of this weekend’s DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway more than former Funny Car world champ J.R. Todd.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series star won the first two four-wide events in Las Vegas, including the most recent one in 2019 in his 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota Camry. Todd has performed well in Vegas, as has the Kalitta Motorsports team and that has continued in the unique and spectacular four-wide setup. After the race didn’t take place a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Todd is ready for more four-wide success in Las Vegas, especially after winning the opening race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
FORD NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF NHRA YES PROGRAM
GLENDORA, CA – NHRA is proud to announce Ford as a presenting sponsor of the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) Program. 
The Ford Motor Company has been a part of the NHRA YES Program for four years. Ford’s commitment to innovation and excellence aligns with the NHRA YES Program’s goals of inspiring students to begin careers within the motorsports industry.
The NHRA YES Program is the only full-time education program in motorsports providing quality educational content and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide. The YES Program invites students to NHRA national events to see first-hand the career opportunities within the motorsports field.
“Ford Motor Company is excited to support the NHRA Youth & Education Services Program for the fourth consecutive year,” said Jonathan Orth, Ford Customer Service Division Aftersales C&I Manager. “The YES Program is very important to Ford because it ties together two of our great passions – racing and education. Since this program began, we have seen numerous students progress into careers in the automotive industry, which is very rewarding. In partnership with the NHRA, we have developed a virtual program to begin the 2021 season, with the goal of moving to in-person, trackside venues later in the year.”
NHRA, AUTHENTIC STREET SIGNS PARTNER FOR MAN CAVE COLLECTION
GLENDORA, CA – NHRA has partnered with Authentic Street Signs to greenlight a collection of heavy-duty steel street signs and home 
décor that offer fans an incredible upgrade for their man caves, garage and patios. The licensing partnership was secured by JRL Group, NHRA’s licensing agency.
Authentic Street Signs brings a classic approach to American manufacturing. Known for their commitment to quality, they build incredibly durable, indoor/outdoor rated street signs exactly how they were made in the 1950’s. Heavy gauge U.S. steel, baked-on automotive grade enamels—these signs were made to last. Thundering across the finish line, these new NHRA street signs, along with a collection of their new laser cut steel emblem signs, and steel magnets, are now available for sale at www.authenticstreetsigns.com.
“With such a proud legacy, we are thrilled to partner with an organization like the NHRA,” says Mark Wollin, Founder of Authentic Street Signs. “We knew that the plastic & tin signs that you see everywhere wouldn’t cut it. Drag racing fans deserve something better. That’s why we’re excited to present these American-made, solid steel signs and magnets to fans everywhere.”
LUCAS OIL SPONSORS NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS
GLENDORA, CA – NHRA, Atlanta Dragway and Lucas Oil have teamed up to announce Lucas Oil as the title sponsor of the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals.
As a long-time NHRA partner, Lucas Oil joins the finale of Atlanta Dragway. The 40th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals will serve as the final national NHRA event at the historic track.
“We are very excited to see Lucas Oil join the celebration of the finale at Atlanta Dragway,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “Lucas Oil has been a tremendous partner for many years with a strong passion for the sport and NHRA drag racing. The sponsorship of the final NHRA Southern Nationals is a perfect match.”
“We are excited and thrilled to join the NHRA Southern Nationals,” said Brandon Bernstein, Lucas Oil Director of Partnership Marketing. “The Lucas family is happy to join in the celebration of Atlanta Dragway.”
ANTICIPATION IS HIGH AS FOUR-WIDE DRAG RACING TO RETURN TO THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOR DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
LAS VEGAS – For the first time in two years, four-wide NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series racing, the sport’s ultimate thrill ride, will 
return to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals on April 16-18.
It is the second race of the 2021 season and anticipation is high for one of the biggest spectacles in the sport. The COVID-19 pandemic caused four-wide races in Las Vegas and Charlotte to be canceled in 2020, but the thrilling showcase of four 11,000-horsepower nitro-burning machines powering down the track simultaneously has returned in 2021.
PRO STOCK CLASS JOINS CAMPING WORLD FIELD AT FINAL LUCAS OIL NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS
GLENDORA, CA – As NHRA and Atlanta Dragway gear up for the final Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals, the two announced today the addition of the Pro Stock class to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series competition.
After discussions between NHRA officials, Atlanta Dragway staff and NHRA Pro Stock teams, the decision was made to add Pro Stock to the roster at the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals – giving Pro Stock enthusiasts a final chance to see their favorite drivers compete at the historic NHRA track. The addition of Pro Stock was a must as NHRA and Atlanta Dragway conclude the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals.
“Adding Pro Stock to the NHRA Southern Nationals was an easy decision,” said Kasey Coler, NHRA Vice President of Track Management & Operations. “Fans in the area love Pro Stock and we’re thrilled to bring the class on as we celebrate the finale of Atlanta Dragway.”
ATLANTA DRAGWAY TO HOST FINAL NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS DURING 22-RACE CAMPING WORLD SEASON
GLENDORA, CA – NHRA and Atlanta Dragway announced today that the 2021 NHRA Southern Nationals, April 30-May 2, will be the final NHRA national event at the historic track.
As this chapter of drag racing history comes to a close, Atlanta Dragway invites racegoers to take in the final NHRA Southern Nationals.
“This year’s NHRA Southern Nationals is the capstone on four decades of racing at this track,” said Kasey Coler, NHRA Vice President of Track Management & Operations. “We know that our 40th will be a celebration of the track’s renowned drag racing history and will be an event fans won’t want to miss.”
Atlanta Dragway will continue to host its weekly event schedule through the fall, including the Summit E.T. Bracket Series events and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National Open, May 21-23, along with the NHRA Division 2 Summit E.T. Series Finals, September 30 – October 2.
POMONA EVENT POSTPONED TO LATER DATE, RACING CONTINUES IN LAS VEGAS
GLENDORA, CA – NHRA officials announced today the postponement of the 61st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, originally scheduled for April 9-11.
NHRA and track officials will continue to look to state and federal health officials for recommendations to host events in California. A new date for the event is to be determined.
“We are confident we will find a new date for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals,” said Kasey Coler, NHRA Vice President of Track Management & Operations. “We are working closely with California health officials to come to an agreement as to the best dates for the event.”
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season kicked off with a successful race at the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville. The season will continue racing action at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 16-18. NHRA officials are confident the season will consist of 22 national events.
JOSE GONZALEZ SETS E.T. WORLD RECORD, GETS GAINESVILLE WIN AT 2021 E3 SPARK PLUGS NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES SEASON OPENER
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jose Gonzalez started Sunday by making the quickest run in E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series 
history and ended his day with a victory, beating Justin Bond in the final round of the opening race of the 2021 season at Gainesville Raceway.
The race, which was presented by Jerry Bickel Race Cars and FTI Performance, is the first of 12 events during the 2021 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season, and Gonzalez rolled to his third career win.
He went 5.720-seconds at 254.33 mph in his ProCharger-powered Q80 Racing/EGR Racing Camaro to beat Bond in the final round as Bond, who was the No. 1 qualifier, slowed to an 8.341 at 112.00. After qualifying third, Gonzalez eclipsed the record Bond set Saturday night, going an incredible 5.621 at 254.62 to win in the first round of eliminations against Jerico Balduf and make the quickest run in class history. He followed with round wins against Clint Satterfield and Khalid Al-Balooshi to reach the final round for the sixth time in his career, meeting Bond for the first time in eliminations.
