ROBERT HIGHT STARTS NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS WITH WHIRLWIND TOUR OF NORTHEAST

EPPING, NH – Most NHRA drivers are spending their time in advance of the Inaugural NHRA Uni-Slect Auto Plus New England Dragway getting a feel for the track or spending time with area media outlets or making sponsor appearances. Robert Hight did all that plus he threw out the first pitch at the Boston Red Sox game all in a 24-hour time period from Wednesday to Thursday.

“It has been a busy day and half. I fell asleep at halftime of the NBA Finals game seven last night. It has been an awesome start to the race but also a tiring start. I got some rest last night and this morning. I am ready to get to the track and start racing,” said Hight the driver of the AAA Northern New England Ford Mustang Funny Car.

On Wednesday Hight was part of the NHRA event press conference at Historic Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston. He was joined by teammates John Force, Brittany Force and fellow NHRA competitors Bob Tasca III, Blake Alexander, and Shawn Langdon. All the drivers met with the Boston area media and mingled with fans during an hour-long autograph session.

Wednesday night Hight and Tasca threw out the first pitch at the Boston Red Sox game through a promotion with AAA. The duo threw their pitches simultaneously and were thrilled to be on the playing field at hallowed Fenway Park.

“This is where Babe Ruth pitched. To be on the field of the oldest ballpark in the country was great. I have to thank AAA and the Red Sox for the opportunity. I have thrown out a few first pitches before MLB games and this was a highlight for me,” added an excited Hight.

Bright and early on Thursday morning Hight was one of the first people on the property at New England Dragway to race Fox 25 TV personality Lily Hopkins in Ford Escapes. Immediately after the race Hight was interviewed beside his AAA Northern New England Funny Car where he explained the ins and outs of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Following the interview Hight hustled up the coast to Portland, Maine to spend some time at sponsor AAA Northern New England’s headquarters. Hight signed autographs for the AAA employees and talked up the excitement of the upcoming NHRA national event in Epping. After visiting with fans Hight also stopped by the AAA Car Care Center to talk about car care and racing.

Hight also talked with the Portland CBS and NBC affiliates before heading back to Epping for a Mello Yello appearance at the Wal-Mart Superstore. The 27-time Funny Car national event winner signed autographs for fans from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. as they loaded their carts with Coca-Cola products in advance of a busy racing weekend.

“This was definitely a busy couple of days but worth it. You want to make the best impression you can when you come into a new market. The level of excitement from all the fans and the media has been great. I can’t wait to put on a good show at New England Dragway,” said Hight.