ESPN Provides LIVE Webcasts 6 Years After The Auto Channel Did

NHRA AND ESPN360 TEAM UP TO PROVIDE LIVE QUALIFYING FROM O’REILLY NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS GLENDORA, Calif. (April 25, 2005) – ESPN360, ESPN’s customizable broadband service, will air live coverage of professional qualifying from the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, as part of a promotion for ESPN broadband users that is free of charge and runs from April 27 -- May 1. Highlighting the broadband promotion will be the live coverage of the night qualifying session from the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., on Friday, April 29, at 7:30 (ET) as part of the ESPN360 “All-Access Week”.

This one-time opportunity will provide NHRA broadband users with a first-ever look at Friday night qualifying from their computers of an event from the 23-race, $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

“ESPN360 provides an unparalleled experience for sports fans who want to get the most out of their broadband connection,” said Tanya Van Court, vice president and general manager, ESPN Broadband and Interactive Television. “The All-Access Week is a great opportunity for NHRA fans to see live Friday night qualifying from Bristol (Tenn.), at no charge to the fan.”

The final elimination presentation of the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals is scheduled to air on Sunday, May 1 on ESPN2 from 7 – 10 p.m. (ET).

“We are thrilled that ESPN360 is going to air the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Friday night qualifying session from the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “Not only is NHRA being included as part of this innovative way to bring sports programming to consumers, the NHRA program itself is one of the highlights of ESPN360’s All-Access Week.”

The All-Access Week will enable fans to log on to www.espn360.com and download the ESPN360 application. The show will feature all the elements NHRA fans have grown accustomed to when watching the qualifying show on ESPN2, including commentary from the show’s host Marty Reid, color commentator Mike Dunn, and pit reporters David Reiff and Gary Gerould.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series’ provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.