Tue, 4 Dec 2001, 08:31 AM Del Worsham Reacts to Today's Major NHRA Announcement

Courtesy of Bob Wilber

Del Worsham, driver of the red Checker-Schuck's-Kragen NHRA Funny Car, made these comments after attending NHRA's announcement today at the ESPN Zone in Anaheim, California.

Ending months of speculation, NHRA released official word today of a 5-year multi-tiered agreement with the Coca-Cola Company's POWERade brand. Beginning in 2002, the series will be known as the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. In addition, POWERade was named the Official Sports Drink, Coca-Cola Classic the Official Soft Drink, and Dasani the Official Bottled Water of NHRA.

DEL WORSHAM:

"There aren't too many times in your career when you can sit at a press conference and hear great news like this, news you know is going to forever change the sport you love and are part of. 27 years ago Winston came aboard as our original series sponsor and took NHRA Drag Racing to levels we had only dreamed of. Last year, our new television package with ESPN was a huge boost to our sport, and will continue to help us grow for years to come. In my opinion, however, the news that we are now part of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the biggest announcement in the history of professional drag racing.

"As we waited these last few months for confirmation of our new series sponsor, our hope was that NHRA would bring on board a major, family oriented, consumer products company that had the strength and reach to take our sport beyond our millions of loyal fans. With POWERade and the Coca-Cola Company now part of our family, I can say this exceeds our biggest dreams.

"Within the last year our ESPN package has taken our sport to new heights, and has directly helped NHRA, the track operators, and the individual teams, with such huge exposure. Today's announcement of our sport's partnership with POWERade and Coca-Cola does a lot more than just put a new corporate name on our series. From the team perspective, all of our partnerships are made stronger by this, including our's with Checker-Schuck's-Kragen Auto Parts. Without a doubt, the Coca-Cola Company knows how to evaluate a property and carefully decide who to work with. We're absolutely honored with the association.

"In just the last few years, under the leadership of Tom Compton, we've seen NHRA develop into more of a truly major American sport. With today's announcement of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, I don't think there's a limit to where we can go. We've absolutely entered a new era today, and I could not be more excited about where we're headed."

Del Worsham won four events in the NHRA Funny Car class in 2001, finishing third in points. His victories and points finish were both career bests for the 11-year Funny Car veteran. He, and his new teammate Johnny Gray, will campaign the Checker-Schuck's-Kragen Pontiac Funny Cars in 2002 as part of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.



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