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NHRA Heat to debut prior to Autozone Winternationals

26 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

GLENDORA, Calif. - The National Hot Rod Association's new 30-minute magazine show, NHRA Heat, will debut Thursday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 during the first day of qualifying action at the season-opening AutoZone Winternationals. The $1.7 million race is the first of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Veteran racing insider Bill Stephens will be the in-studio host for all 24 episodes of NHRA Heat. Joining Stephens will be long-time NHRA commentator Bob Frey who will serve as the on-site reporter at each event for NHRA Heat, keeping fans informed with the latest information from the pits of the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

"The NHRA is excited about the return of a weekly magazine show," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. "Stephens and Frey are familiar faces to our sport and bring unparalleled insight and expertise in drag racing that is sure to keep the avid fan watching week after week, while at the same time informing and educating a new fan base."

A total of 24 shows are scheduled to air each Thursday of race week. One show will be produced for each NHRA national event and the Winston Showdown, NHRA's all-star event. NHRA Heat will serve as a lead in for one of ESPN2's most watched magazine shows, RPM 2Night.

NHRA Heat programming will include in-depth coverage of not only national events, but will showcase the drivers, fans and sponsors that make NHRA Winston Drag Racing unique. Profiles on the stars of the sport combined with comprehensive features involving racing technology will all be part of drag racing's fastest half-hour.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.