NHRA announces formation of Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series

 
To help preserve NHRA’s rich history and tradition while capitalizing on the success of nostalgia drag racing competition, NHRA formed the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series that will crown year-end points champions in 14 categories.

“This new series is an exciting step that will appeal to drag racing fans young and old,” said Peter Clifford, NHRA executive vice president and general manager. “It’s a great way to introduce the younger generation to the history of our sport and give fans young and old a glimpse of racing the way it used to be.”

“This series will benefit everyone, from the racers to The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum,” said Steve Gibbs, director of The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. “It provides a great opportunity to preserve NHRA’s rich heritage through nostalgia drag racing competition.”

The 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series will feature nine points-earning events and five non-points affiliate events. In 2009, the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series will crown year-end points champions in 14 categories. The Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series year-end points champions in each of the 14 classes will receive a gold Wally trophy; Champion’s jacket and hat; and a cash award.

The series’ 14 featured classes include: Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster; Nostalgia Funny Car; Group 1 (A/Fuel, AA Supercharged, Jr. Fuel (same rules as the 2008 Jr. Fuel B class) and 7.0 Pro) and Group 2 (Nostalgia I, II and III; A, B, C and D/Gas and Hot Rod).  The new 7.0 Pro class is an index class with breakout rules – intended for front engine dragsters, center-steer Altereds and pre-1980 Nostalgia Funny Cars.

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NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Schedule*
Date Event Location Groups
March 6-8 March Meet Bakersfield, Calif. TF, FC & Groups 1 & 2
April 3-5 Nostalgia Sportsman Shootout Fontana, Calif. Groups 1 & 2
May 15-17 Las Vegas Speed Spectacular Las Vegas Groups 1 & 2
June 12-14 Arizona Fuel & Gas Nationals Whittman, Ariz. Group 2
June 26-27 Nitro Nite of Fire Sacramento, Calif. FC 
July 10-11 WCTA Fremont Reunion Sacramento, Calif. Groups 1 & 2
Aug. 13-16 Pepsi NightFire Nationals Boise, Idaho TF & FC
Sept. 18-19 40th annual Governor’s Cup Sacramento, Calif. TF
Oct. 16-18 California Hot
Rod Reunion		 Bakersfield, Calif. TF, FC, and Group 1

* Schedule and categories subject to change

2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Affiliate Events* (Following are the current list of NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Affiliate Events. Affiliate events are affiliated with the Series but they will not count as points-earning events toward the 2009 championships.  The host affiliate tracks develop their own classes and rules.)

Date                Event                                                                          Location
May 29-31       Muscle Car Reunion and Nostalgia Drags                  Madison, Ill.
June 19-21       Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion                Bowling Green, Ky.
June 26-27       NostalgiaFest presented by RM Distributing             Cordova, Ill.
Sept. 11-12      Reunion at the Grove presented by Yuengling Beer             Reading, Pa.
Sept. 11-13      Muscle Car Reunion and Nostalgia Drags                  Kansas City, Mo.