Drag Race Central | Presented by Summitracing.com

Thu, 9 Dec 1999, 10:10 AM

NHRA Releases National Grading Projections

Courtesy of NHRA Competition Department

GLENDORA, Calif. As the number of racers requesting to attend NHRA national events grows and in consideration of the limited pit space and race time available, the NHRA grading system, which has been in place for a number of years, has become crucial for determining competition entry into an event.

A racer earns one grading point when he or she attends a divisional Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event or NHRA national open. Grading points earned in the previous year or in the current season, whichever is greater, stands as the driver's grading. In cases where the driver's grade is low or nonexistent for the previous or current season, a three-year grading average may be used.

Entry demands have also made entry deadlines more critical. Late entries, regardless of grade, may not be accepted. Racers are reminded that postmarked entry deadlines are generally 30 days prior to the event.

The 2000 NHRA national event projected minimum grading requirements have been established based on individual event entry quotas, past entry levels, available pit space, run schedules, curfews, and other variables. A contestant wishing to receive an entry application for an NHRA national event must meet the minimum grading requirements for that specific event. Any contestant who has a grading higher than the posted minimum grading requirement will automatically be accepted, and he or she will receive an acceptance notice from the NHRA competition department.

A competitor with a valid Gold, Silver, or Bronze Card, earned in the Federal-Mogul Series, will be guaranteed entry to any national event. Additionally, the previous year's event champion will be guaranteed entry to the event. This policy does not excuse the competitor from late fees, gate fees, or insurance surcharge.

Racers who have questions regarding grading must contact his or her division office.

Projected minimum grading requirements for 2000 NHRA national event entry applications

EVENT
FMD
FMFC
COMP
SS
STK
SC
SG
SST

AutoZone Winternationals — Pomona
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
—

Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals — Phoenix
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1*

Mac Tools Gatornationals — Gaine sville
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
—

Las Vegas Nationals — Las Vegas
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
—

O'Reilly Nationals — Houston
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
—

Virginia Nationals — Richmond
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1*

Advance Auto Parts NHRA Southern Nationals — Atlanta
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1*

Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals — Englishtown
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
—

Castrol Nationals — Dallas
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
—

Fram Route 66 Nationals — Joliet
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
—

Pontiac Excitement Nationals — Columbus
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1*

Sears Craftsman Nationals - Madison
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
—

Winston Showdown — Bristol
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
—

Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals — Denver
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
—

Prolong Super Lubricants Northwest Nationals — Seattle
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1*

Autolite Nationals — Sonoma
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
—

Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals — Brainerd
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
—

U.S. Nationals — Indianapolis
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
—

Keystone Nationals — Reading
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
—

Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nationals — Topeka
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1*

AutoZone Nationals — Memphis
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
—

O'Reilly Fall Nationals — Dallas
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
—

Matco Tools SuperNationals — Houston
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1*

Automobile Club of Southern California Finals — Pomona
Contestant must have a minimum of 250 scored points; see ** for details. .

NOTE: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee event entry acceptance.

* Grading points must be earned in Super Street

** Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals entry criteria:

Contestant must have 250 scored points toward the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series championship prior to receiving an entry application form. Any contestant with fewer than 250 scored points needs to contact the NHRA competition department prior to the event deadline. The contestant's information (car number, name, category, and scored points total) will be put on a waiting list in order by points.
On the deadline date, the NHRA competition department will compare the number of accepted entries against the event and specific category quotas. Based on this information, the NHRA competition department will accept entries with less than 250 scored points until the event or specific category quotas are met.