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NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series

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NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
CategoryMixed automobile and motorcycle drag racing
Country United States
Inaugural season1965
Tire suppliersUnited States Goodyear (Goodyear brand in car classes, Mickey Thompson brand in PSM
Germany Continental (Pro Modified only)
Official websitehttp://www.nhra.com
Current season

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is a drag racing series organized by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). It is the top competition series of the NHRA, comprising competition in four classes, including Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

The champion of each category is determined by a point system where points are given according to finishing placement and qualifying effort. The season is divided into two segments. After the first 18 races, the Top 10 of each pro category are locked in and compete in the last six races with the difference in points greatly minimized.

History

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The series has four main professional classes: Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Top Fuel was the first category, with Funny Cars added in 1966, Pro Stock four years later and Pro Stock Motorcycles in 1987. Both Top Fuel and Funny Cars regularly see top speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour (480 km/h) today, and one thousand foot times anywhere from 3.70 to 4 seconds. Both these cars burn fuel consisting of 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol. The Pro Stock record is 214 miles per hour (344 km/h), with times often in the 6.4-6.7 second range and the Pro Stock Motorcycles usually run at 190+ mph (310 km/h), with times in the low 7- to high 6-second range. Top Fuel (class designation: AA/D top fuel dragster) and Fuel Funny Car (class designation: AA/FC top fuel coupe) have recently been limited to a 1,000-foot (300 m) track, instead of the historic 1/4 mile [1,320 feet (402 m)], as a means to limit top speeds and increase safety (there had been a number of engine explosions at or near 300 mph resulting in driver injuries and death). Currently, driver and spectator safety has been enhanced even while top speeds often approach and exceed 300 mph.

Some of the popular racers to come through the series include "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, and Shirley Muldowney. Those three gained much attention from the 1960s through 1970s with their speed and personalities, a combination rarely achieved today through the political correctness of sponsorship in today's drivers. Nonetheless, there are still colorful characters today, such as 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force. His daughter, 2007 Rookie of the Year Ashley Force Hood has made appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show and was voted AOL's Hottest Female Athlete in 2007.[1]

On July 2, 2008, following the death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the NHRA announced that race distances for Top Fuel and Funny Car classes would temporarily be reduced to 1,000 ft from the traditional 1/4 mile (1320 ft).[2] The measure was intended to be temporary while safety solutions were explored; however, the races have remained at 1000 feet since Kalitta's death. Although unpopular with the fans, the distance remains at 1,000 feet today at the request of the teams as a cost-saving measure, with no indication by NHRA officials of any intent of returning to the full quarter-mile format any time soon. By late 2012, 1,000 foot racing became globally recognized as the 2012 FIA European title in Top Fuel became 1,000-foot championships, as Santa Pod and Hockenheim (the last two quarter-mile nitro strips) made the switch, and Australian nitro racing switched to the 1,000-foot distance only for selected tracks.

The Countdown

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Since 2007, the NHRA implements a playoff system to determine the champion in each class, billed as the Countdown to The Championship. Each season is divided into two segments of races, with the bulk of the races making up the first segment, and the final events making up the second segment. After the first segment is complete, the drivers in each class at or above the cutoff point in the standings (8th place up to 2007 and 10th place thereafter) become eligible for the championship, while the drivers below the cutoff point are eliminated from championship contention, though they still participate in the remaining race events. The points for the advancing drivers are readjusted so that they are separated by a fixed margin, with first place receiving bonus points. The drivers then compete for the championship over the final races of the season.[3]

The NHRA suspended the format for the 2020 season after originally rewarding all teams that attempted to make two qualifying passes per race during the regular season a bonus of automatic qualification as a reward for making all races when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in five races being removed from the schedule. The format returned for the following season.

Title sponsors

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Former logo 2013–2020
Former logo 2020-2023

Winston cigarettes was the title sponsor of the series from 1975 until 2001, when a condition of the Master Settlement Agreement required Winston to drop either its sponsorship of the NHRA, or the NASCAR Winston Cup Series; Winston chose to retain its NASCAR sponsorship.[4] Winston ended their sponsorship with NASCAR two years later.

The Coca-Cola Company took over title sponsorship in 2002. Until 2008, the series was branded with the company's Powerade sports drink brand. In 2009 the company changed the branding to promote its Full Throttle energy drink brand. In 2013, following Coca-Cola's most recent extension of its sponsorship, the title sponsor was changed to its citrus soda brand Mello Yello.[5] With Mello Yello having introduced a new logo, the NHRA unveiled a new logo for the series in January 2016, as well as a new "My NHRA" marketing campaign that plays upon the logo to feature drivers and other personalities discussing what the NHRA means to them.[6]

On September 20, 2020, Coca-Cola announced that, even though their most recent agreement with the NHRA was in effect until 2023, they would be immediately pulling their sponsorship from the sport. The NHRA responded by filing a lawsuit as it looked for a new title sponsor for its premier series.[7][8]

On October 4, 2020, the NHRA announced a new sponsorship deal with Camping World.[9] In early 2023, an NHRA representative confirmed that Camping World would not be renewing their agreement with the NHRA after the conclusion of the 2024 season, and that the NHRA was seeking a new title sponsor for the series.[10]

Gruma S.A.B. de C.V., through their Mission Foods brand, was announced as the newest title sponsor for the 2024 season on October 25, 2023.[11] Camping World and the NHRA renegotiated terms of their agreement which allowed Mission Foods to replace them as the title sponsor for the 2024 season, and will keep Camping World on as a "premier partner" of the NHRA through 2026. [12]

Champions

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2009 Top Fuel trophy

Before 1974, the season champion was determined by the winner of the World Finals event. The Professional categories contain the divisions of Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock (Automobile), and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Year Top Fuel Funny Car Pro Stock Pro Stock Motorcycle
1965 Maynard Rupp — Gary Lawson Classification
introduced in
1987
1966 Pete Robinson Ed Schartman —
1967 Bennie Osborn — —
1968 Bennie Osborn — —
1969 Steve Carbone — —
1970 Ronnie Martin Gene Snow Ronnie Sox
1971 Gerry Glenn Phil Castronovo Mike Fons
1972 Jim Walther [a] Larry Fullerton Bill Jenkins
1973 Jerry Ruth Frank Hall Wayne Gapp
1974 Gary Beck Shirl Greer Bob Glidden
1975 Don Garlits Don Prudhomme Bob Glidden
1976 Richard Tharp Don Prudhomme Larry Lombardo
1977 Shirley Muldowney [b] Don Prudhomme Don Nicholson
1978 Kelly Brown Don Prudhomme Bob Glidden
1979 Rob Bruins [c] Raymond Beadle Bob Glidden
1980 Shirley Muldowney Raymond Beadle Bob Glidden
1981 Jeb Allen Raymond Beadle Lee Shepherd
1982 Shirley Muldowney Frank Hawley Lee Shepherd
1983 Gary Beck Frank Hawley Lee Shepherd [d]
1984 Joe Amato Mark Oswald Lee Shepherd
1985 Don Garlits Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden
1986 Don Garlits Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden
1987 Dick LaHaie Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden Dave Schultz
1988 Joe Amato Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden Dave Schultz
1989 Gary Ormsby Bruce Larson Bob Glidden John Mafaro
1990 Joe Amato John Force Darrell Alderman John Myers
1991 Joe Amato John Force Darrell Alderman Dave Schultz
1992 Joe Amato Cruz Pedregon Warren Johnson John Myers
1993 Eddie Hill John Force Warren Johnson Dave Schultz
1994 Scott Kalitta John Force Darrell Alderman Dave Schultz
1995 [e] Scott Kalitta John Force Warren Johnson [f] John Myers
1996 Kenny Bernstein [g][h] John Force Jim Yates Dave Schultz
1997 Gary Scelzi John Force Jim Yates Matt Hines
1998 Gary Scelzi John Force Warren Johnson Matt Hines
1999 Tony Schumacher John Force Warren Johnson Matt Hines
2000 Gary Scelzi John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Angelle Sampey
2001 Kenny Bernstein John Force [i] Warren Johnson Angelle Sampey
2002 Larry Dixon John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Angelle Sampey
2003 Larry Dixon Tony Pedregon Greg Anderson Geno Scali
2004 Tony Schumacher John Force Greg Anderson Andrew Hines
2005 Tony Schumacher Gary Scelzi [g] Greg Anderson Andrew Hines
2006 Tony Schumacher John Force Jason Line Andrew Hines
2007 Tony Schumacher Tony Pedregon Jeg Coughlin Jr. Matt Smith
2008 [j] Tony Schumacher [k] Cruz Pedregon Jeg Coughlin Jr. Eddie Krawiec [c]
2009 Tony Schumacher Robert Hight [l] Mike Edwards [m] Hector Arana
2010 Larry Dixon John Force Greg Anderson L.E. Tonglet
2011 Del Worsham Matt Hagan Jason Line Eddie Krawiec
2012 Antron Brown Jack Beckman Allen Johnson Eddie Krawiec
2013 Shawn Langdon John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Matt Smith
2014 Tony Schumacher Matt Hagan Erica Enders Andrew Hines
2015 Antron Brown Del Worsham Erica Enders Andrew Hines
2016 Antron Brown Ron Capps Jason Line Jerry Savoie
2017 Brittany Force Robert Hight Bo Butner Eddie Krawiec
2018 Steve Torrence J.R. Todd Tanner Gray Matt Smith
2019 Steve Torrence Robert Hight Erica Enders Andrew Hines
2020 Steve Torrence Matt Hagan Erica Enders Matt Smith
2021 Steve Torrence Ron Capps Greg Anderson Matt Smith
2022 Brittany Force Ron Capps Erica Enders Matt Smith
2023 Doug Kalitta Matt Hagan Erica Enders Gaige Herrera

By driver

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Driver Championships Class Years
John Force 16 Funny Car 1990, 1991, 1993-2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013
Bob Glidden 10 Pro Stock 1974, 1975, 1978-1980, 1985-1989
Tony Schumacher 8 Top Fuel 1999, 2004-2009, 2014
Dave Schultz 6 Pro Stock Motorcycle 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996
Andrew Hines 6 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2004-2006, 2014, 2015, 2019
Kenny Bernstein 6 Funny Car
Top Fuel		 1985-1988, 1996, 2001
Warren Johnson 6 Pro Stock 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001
Erica Enders 6 Pro Stock 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Matt Smith 6 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2007, 2013, 2018, 2020-2022
Joe Amato 5 Top Fuel 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992
Jeg Coughlin Jr. 5 Pro Stock 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013
Greg Anderson 5 Pro Stock 2003-2005, 2010, 2021
Don Prudhomme 4 Funny Car 1975-1978
Lee Shepherd 4 Pro Stock 1981-1984
Gary Scelzi 4 Top Fuel
Funny Car		 1997, 1998, 2000, 2005
Eddie Krawiec 4 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2008, 2011, 2012, 2017
Steve Torrence 4 Top Fuel 2018-2021
Matt Hagan 4 Funny Car 2011, 2014, 2020, 2023
Shirley Muldowney 3 Top Fuel 1977, 1980, 1982
Raymond Beadle 3 Funny Car 1979-1981
Don Garlits 3 Top Fuel 1975, 1985, 1986
Darrell Alderman 3 Pro Stock 1990, 1991, 1994
John Myers 3 Pro Stock Motorcycle 1990, 1992, 1995
Matt Hines 3 Pro Stock Motorcycle 1997-1999
Angelle Sampey 3 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2000-2002
Larry Dixon 3 Top Fuel 2002, 2003, 2010
Antron Brown 3 Top Fuel 2012, 2015, 2016
Jason Line 3 Pro Stock 2006, 2011, 2016
Robert Hight 3 Funny Car 2009, 2017, 2019
Ron Capps 3 Funny Car 2016, 2021, 2022
Gary Beck 2 Top Fuel 1974, 1983
Frank Hawley 2 Funny Car 1982, 1983
Scott Kalitta 2 Top Fuel 1994, 1995
Jim Yates 2 Pro Stock 1996, 1997
Tony Pedregon 2 Funny Car 2003, 2007
Cruz Pedregon 2 Funny Car 1992, 2008
Del Worsham 2 Top Fuel
Funny Car		 2011, 2015
Brittany Force 2 Top Fuel 2017, 2022
Shirl Greer 1 Funny Car 1974
Richard Tharp 1 Top Fuel 1976
Larry Lombardo 1 Pro Stock 1976
Don Nicholson 1 Pro Stock 1977
Kelly Brown 1 Top Fuel 1978
Rob Bruins 1 Top Fuel 1979
Jeb Allen 1 Top Fuel 1981
Mark Oswald 1 Funny Car 1984
Dick LaHaie 1 Top Fuel 1987
Gary Ormsby 1 Top Fuel 1989
Bruce Larson 1 Funny Car 1989
John Mafaro 1 Pro Stock Motorcycle 1989
Eddie Hill 1 Top Fuel 1993
Geno Scali 1 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2003
Mike Edwards 1 Pro Stock 2009
Hector Arana 1 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2009
LE Tonglet 1 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2010
Jack Beckman 1 Funny Car 2012
Allen Johnson 1 Pro Stock 2012
Shawn Langdon 1 Top Fuel 2013
Jerry Savoie 1 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2016
Bo Butner 1 Pro Stock 2017
J.R. Todd 1 Funny Car 2018
Tanner Gray 1 Pro Stock 2018
Doug Kalitta 1 Top Fuel 2023
Gaige Herrera 1 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2023

Broadcasting

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NHRA events have been broadcast on television, with such efforts dating back as far as 1983. By the 1990s, events were split between ESPN, NBC, and The Nashville Network, all produced by Diamond P Sports. TNN also broadcast a weekly highlight program, NHRA Today. Due to logistical and scheduling issues, including the possibility of long turnaround times between heats, weather delays, and other factors, events were typically broadcast in a condensed form via tape delay. From 1992 until 2000, TNN carried live coverage of selected final rounds, typically with a condensed package to air until the finals began.[13][14]

In 2001, the NHRA entered into an agreement with ESPN for it to become the exclusive broadcaster of NHRA events, shortly after MTV Networks had effectively shut down the CBS motorsport operations after its acquisition of CBS Cable, and the demise of TNN. During its 14-year stint as rightsholder, ESPN faced criticism for the structure and scheduling of its coverage. Due to scheduling conflicts with other sports properties to which it held rights, ESPN typically broadcast its NHRA coverage in inconsistent and otherwise undesirable timeslots. In the final years of the contract, the NHRA attempted to structure selected events so that they could be televised live; by the 2015 season, at least six events were broadcast live using the TNN model from 1992 to 2000.[14][15]

In July 2015, ESPN and the NHRA agreed to end their contract one year early, with the association citing ESPN's scheduling issues as a concern. In turn, the NHRA announced a new television deal with Fox Sports beginning in the 2016 season. Coverage primarily airs on the FS1 and FS2 cable channels, while 4 events per-season are aired on the Fox broadcast network (including the flagship U.S. Nationals). Fox committed to televising live Sunday coverage from at least 16 of the 23 events per-season, two-hour qualification broadcasts and encores (including the condensed highlights program NHRA in 30), and coverage of selected Sportsman Series events. NHRA president Peter Clifford explained that the deal would be a "game-changer" for the association, citing Fox's history of motorsports coverage (such as NASCAR), as well as its commitment to increased coverage of NHRA events, including live network television coverage.[15][16][17]

During the first two years of the contract, Fox had achieved an average viewership of 600,000 viewers—a major increase over ESPN's broadcasts. Some events had attracted an audience of over 1 million. The association's chief content officer Ken Adelson cited favorable scheduling practices (including better time slots and additional encores, as well as using NASCAR broadcasts as a lead-in), and increased promotion of the event broadcasts as part of FS1 and FS2's programming, as having helped build their audience.[18]

The NHRA renewed its contract with Fox in 2021, and while expanding network television coverage, the contract involves more tape-delayed races during the Fox half of the NASCAR season to not conflict with NASCAR Cup Series events, designed to air after the conclusion of such events from February until June), and a split broadcast race that airs at live at 2 PM ET or delayed at 5 PM depending on market during the NFL season on a Fox NFL single-game weekend.

Notes

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  1. ^ first title after change from front-engine to mid-engine Top Fuel cars, primarily for safety reasons.
  2. ^ first championship for a female driver in any category
  3. ^ a b won the championship without winning a single event
  4. ^ also won the IHRA World Pro Stock Championship in the same year. Shepherd is the only driver to do so.
  5. ^ In 1995, the points system was revamped. The winner of an event received 100 points, runner-up received 90, 3rd place received 80, the other semi-finalist received 70, second round competitors received 50, and all qualifiers would receive 10.
  6. ^ Johnson had one of the biggest comebacks in NHRA history, moving from the bottom of the top 10, gaining over 500 points, with half the season completed, to capture the Pro Stock title.
  7. ^ a b gave driver championships in both nitro classes, one of only three drivers to do so
  8. ^ Bernstein gave his championship trophy to Alan Johnson, brother, and crew chief of late Top Fuel driver Blaine Johnson, who had died during qualifying at the U.S. nationals that year.
  9. ^ Force's 11th Championship in 2001 made him the winningest driver in NHRA history, beating the 11-year-old record held by Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden (10).
  10. ^ Nitro class race distance was shortened to 1,000 feet starting July 2, 2008.
  11. ^ Schumacher won his record sixth Top Fuel title in 2008, beating the 16-year-old record held by retired Top Fuel driver Joe Amato.
  12. ^ Hight's win made John Force the winningest team owner in NHRA history, with 17 total championships (15 as a driver, one with Hight, and another with Tony Pedregon).
  13. ^ Edwards went 28 years between NHRA titles (he won the 1981 Sportsman class Modified title), the longest in history.

References

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  1. ^ "Meet the Hottest Athlete in Sports". Retrieved 2009-09-08..
  2. ^ NHRA News: In interim measure, Top Fuel, Funny Car to race 1,000 feet[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "What is the Countdown?". Retrieved 2009-11-16.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "After 27 Years, Series Goes Off Tobacco Road". Los Angeles Times. November 8, 2001. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Mello Yello taking over as NHRA title sponsor". Sports Business Journal. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  6. ^ "NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series logo gets bold makeover". Autoweek. 11 January 2016.
  7. ^ Fenwick, Adam (2020-09-21). "Coca-Cola Ends NHRA Deal, Series Files Lawsuit". SPEED SPORT. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  8. ^ "NHRA files lawsuit against Coca-Cola over sponsorship termination [UPDATED]". RACER. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  9. ^ "Camping World enters multi-year deal as NHRA pro series sponsor".
  10. ^ Wade, Susan. "Camping World Out As NHRA Series Title Sponsor After 2024 Season". Autoweek. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  11. ^ Stern, Adam (25 October 2023). "Mission Foods comes on board as NHRA's new title sponsor". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  12. ^ Illustrated, Drag (25 October 2023). "Camping World and NHRA Announce Partnership Extension Through 2026 | Drag Illustrated | Drag Racing News, Opinion, Interviews, Photos, Videos and More". dragillustrated.com. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  13. ^ Sharrington, Kevin (October 28, 1990). "Renovations, TV taking the credit for bigger, diverse crowds". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 2015-11-18. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  14. ^ a b "NHRA still finding itself at mercy of TV networks". Houston Chronicle. April 22, 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015.(subscription required)
  15. ^ a b "Sources: NHRA Races To Air On FS1, Ending 14-Year ESPN Tie-In". Sports Business Journal. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  16. ^ "NHRA president calls move to Fox Sports in 2016 a 'game-changer' for series". Autoweek. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Fox TV releases 2018 NHRA Mello Yello drag-racing series schedule". USA Today. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  18. ^ "NHRA Chief Content Officer Ken Adelson talks changes for 2018, relationship with Fox Sports". Awful Announcing. 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
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