Summit racing series: 300,000 racers strong

National Dragster, Mar 21, 2003

SPECIAL SECTION

Summit Racing Equipment, an industry leader in the distribution of auto racing parts and equipment through catalogs and the Internet, is the primary sponsor of the NHRA Summit Racing Series, a bracket racing program that allows drivers in many types of cars, including dragsters, roadsters, sedans, and coupes, to compete on an equal basis against each other. In addition to three car categories, the series features a motorcycle class.

NHRA Summit Racing Series racers compete for points and cash awards in a number of qualifying events at 142 NHRA member tracks throughout North America. Drivers who gain the most points are eligible to compete for individual and team honors at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals in each of NHRA's seven divisions. Individual winners receive a division trophy and paid travel expenses to attend the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship in Pomona, where they compete for a national title, $5,000, national champion's trophy, and bragging rights for the year.

The commitment by Summit Racing was a huge boost to the series, which has long been the backbone of drag racing. The sponsorship more than doubled the financial commitment to the program, including a record increase in cash payouts and awards. In addition, the series includes a national event where a champion in each category is crowned. Summit Racing has expanded the member-track participant kit and developed extensive programming for consumers and enthusiasts that is designed to increase visibility for the sport on a national level. Internet components and links to Summit Racing and NHRA websites (www.summitracing.com and www.nhra.com, respectively) are part of the initiative to increase racer participation.

As many as 300,000 racers participate in the NHRA Summit Racing Series, making it the largest organized series in drag racing nationwide.

"Summit Racings increased involvement with NHRA and sponsorship of the NHRA Summit Racing Series significantly elevates our already established and successful grassroots racing programs," said NHRA President Tom Compton. "In addition, Summit increased its visibility with grassroots drag racers, forging an even greater relationship with many of their best customers. Not only does Summit Racing's involvement with the program significantly increase the series purse, but it also maximizes opportunities available in the program for our locally based competitors across North America.

"With Summit's aggressive approach to its sponsorship of this series, we are able to enhance our value to member tracks while giving them the resources to stage events that benefit the racer and the venue," Compton added.

"We are very pleased with the progress that this program has made over the last few years, and I think that weekly NHRA racers would agree," said Summit Racing Motorsports Manager Skooter Peaco. "Everyone wants to participate in the NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals so that they can have a shot at qualifying for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship in Pomona. We have elevated the weekly Sportsman racer through this series, and that has proven beneficial for everyone involved."

NHRA has featured an E.T. drag racing series since the mid-1970s, providing local racers with safe, even, and exciting competition.