Thu, 13 Nov 2003, 08:53 PM NHRA ANNOUNCES 2004 SCHEDULE CHANGES

Courtesy of NHRA Communication Dallas, Memphis Moved to Earlier Dates

GLENDORA, Calif. -- (Nov. 13, 2003) - NHRA officials announced today changes to the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule that will better serve fans in the Dallas and Memphis marketplaces.

Next season, the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals in Memphis will move to Aug. 20-22, 2004, one week after the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. In addition, the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas will move to Sept. 23-26, 2004, one week following the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.

"Given the amount of entertainment choices available for the general public in Dallas on our traditional weekend, and the unpredictable September weather we have had in Memphis the last few years, we wanted to make these changes to better serve our great and loyal NHRA POWERade Drag Racing fans," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.

Officials from the two tracks, and the sponsor they share, are in full support of the changes.

"I am excited about the new dates and commend NHRA for having the foresight and leadership to make these changes for the fans," said Ron Byerly, vice president of advertising and marketing for O'Reilly Auto Parts. "I believe this is a proactive step to avoid the weather challenges we have faced in Memphis, while distancing ourselves from what is a very busy time for fans in the Dallas Metroplex."

The remainder of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule will remain the same as announced earlier this year, including the later date for the season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals, Feb. 19-22, at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway.

In 2005, NHRA will condense the schedule at the end of the season to increase continuity for the fans, sponsors and racers in the series.

ESPN and ESPN2 will again provide television coverage of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series on a same-day tape or live basis.

2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule

44th annual K&N Filters Winternationals				
Feb. 19-22
Pomona, Calif.

20th annual Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals
March 5-7
Phoenix

35th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals
March 18-21
Gainesville, Fla. (PSB)

Fifth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals
April 1-4
Las Vegas

17th annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals
April 15-18
Houston   (PSB)

Fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
April 30-May 2
Bristol, Tenn.

24th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
May 13-16
Commerce, Ga.  (PSB)

Seventh annual	Lucas Oil NHRA Route 66 Nationals
May 20-23
Chicago   (PSB)

16th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals
May 27-30
Topeka, Kan.

40th annual Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals
June 10-13
Columbus, Ohio   (PSB)

35th annual K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals
June 17-20
Englishtown, N.J.  (PSB)

Eighth annual Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals
June 25-27
St. Louis   (PSB)

25th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals
July 16-18
Denver   (PSB)

17th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals
July 23-25
Seattle

17th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals
July 30-Aug. 1
Sonoma, Calif. (PSB)

23rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Aug. 12-15
Brainerd, Minn. (PSB)

17th annual O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals
Aug. 20-22
Memphis, Tenn. (PSB)

50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Sept. 1-6
Indianapolis   (PSB)

20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Sept. 16-19
Reading, Pa. (PSB)

19th annual O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals
Sept. 23-26
Dallas

Fourth annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals
Sept. 30-Oct. 3
Chicago

Fourth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
Oct. 28-31
Las Vegas   (PSB)

40th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals
Nov. 11-14
Pomona, Calif.  (PSB)

(PSB) - Event will include Pro Stock Bike