Thu, 13 Dec 2012, 16:09 PM Summit Racing Equipment Becomes Title Sponsor of NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

GLENDORA, Calif. -- National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) officials announced today that Summit Racing Equipment has been named the title sponsor of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, an entry-level series for kids ages 8 to 17.

In the multi-year agreement, Summit Racing Equipment, a national leader in direct marketing of auto racing parts and equipment, will have the exclusive right to market and promote the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, effective immediately.

"We've watched the Jr. Drag Racing League program grow over the last several years and felt it was time to get involved and support these young racers and their families," said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing motorsports and event manager. "The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League is a terrific program for developing the professional drag racers of tomorrow. It is also an excellent addition to Summit Racing's current NHRA programs, including the Summit Racing Series, three NHRA national events, and the King of the Track program."

The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League consists of weekly racing at many of NHRA's 130 member tracks and will also be showcased during two regional championship events: The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals and NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals. The dates and locations for the two Finals events will be announced at a later date.

"The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League is a very unique program and unparalleled in the world of motorsports," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. "It provides the ultimate opportunity for young racing enthusiasts to participate in NHRA Drag Racing in a controlled and safer environment. By becoming the title sponsor of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, Summit Racing is solidifying its role in helping to develop the next generation of NHRA stars."

Founded in 1992, more than 4,000 kids compete in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. Jr. Dragsters are half-scale replicas powered by five-horsepower engines that produce speeds up to 85 mph in the eighth-mile distance.

Notable NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League alumni who now compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series include Erica Enders, Shawn Langdon, Vincent Nobile, Spencer Massey, J.R. Todd and Richie Stevens.

The commitment increases Summit Racing Equipment's presence in NHRA Drag Racing. The company is the title sponsor of three NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events, including the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in early April; the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in early May; and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on the Fourth of July weekend at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. The company also is the primary sponsor for the Chevy Camaros driven by multi-time Pro Stock world champs Greg Anderson and Jason Line in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In addition, Summit Racing Equipment also sponsors the popular NHRA Summit Racing Series, the premier grassroots level series in NHRA competition, as well as the Summit Racing NHRA King of the Track program.

With headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, Summit Racing Equipment is the industry's leading direct marketer of auto racing parts and equipment through catalogs and the Internet. The company also operates large retail stores in Sparks, Nev. and McDonough, Ga.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates five racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville in Florida; National Trail Raceway in Ohio; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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