NHRA: AC Delco among sponsors for second NHRA event at Las Vegas
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 8, 2001GLENDORA, Calif. - ACDelco, a subsidiary of General Motors Service Parts Operations and a global leader in automotive parts, and Las Vegas Events has signed a multi-year agreement with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to sponsor the facility's second NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series event, held in late October.
The inaugural ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 25-28, is the 23rd of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series for 2001. The $2 million race will be critical for NHRA teams chasing Winston championships as the NHRA's 50th Anniversary season nears a close. The race will be televised by ESPN2.
"ACDelco's sponsorship of NHRA's first autumn event in Las Vegas is a natural extension of ACDelco's comprehensive motorsports marketing program," said Scott Mackie, general manager for ACDelco worldwide. "The ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals promises to play a pivotal role in determining the NHRA Winston champions, and the event will be a key element in ACDelco's marketing activities for Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week."
The ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals will be the official kick-off to the popular Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which takes place in the city of Las Vegas during the first week of November. The trade-only automotive aftermarket event annually attracts more than 80,000 attendees from every segment of the auto industry.
"We have three outstanding partners in NHRA, Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports organization and Las Vegas Events," Mackie added. "The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway raised the bar for drag racing facilities with its unique layout and customer amenities. I believe that ACDelco's association with NHRA, Speedway Motorsports and Las Vegas Events is going to set the new standard in motorsports marketing and promotion."
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts two NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series events annually. In early April, the state-of-the-art quarter-mile track features the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.
"We were very fortunate last year to have had such a successful national event that the NHRA saw the need for two events in Las Vegas this year," said Chris Powell, LVMS executive vice president and general manager. "We're excited that companies like ACDelco have noticed our success and have decided to become new partners with the speedway. Las Vegas Events has been a long-time supporter and friend of the speedway, and we're particularly excited that it has raised its support to another level."
The commitment increases ACDelco's involvement with the NHRA. ACDelco also is the primary sponsor for Kurt Johnson's Chevy Cavalier in Pro Stock competition. In addition, ACDelco is an associate sponsor on five-time Winston Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson's GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac Grand Am.
Presenting sponsor Las Vegas Events has been involved with other motorsports events at the speedway, but this is their first sponsorship support of a drag racing event.
"NHRA Winston Drag Racing is made for Las Vegas," said Kirk Hendrix, president of Las Vegas Events. "It's high-energy entertainment, just like our city. We became involved in the NHRA in Las Vegas from the very beginning, and we are pleased to ensure NHRA's return. This has been a very valuable tourism tool for Las Vegas, and we deeply believe in this product."
Said NHRA President Tom Compton: "It's very gratifying to see ACDelco and Las Vegas Events increase their commitment to NHRA Winston Drag Racing by sponsoring this great event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, one of the sport's marquee showplaces. We're certain that this event will become one of our most anticipated races of the year as it will lead in to the SEMA and APEX shows that highlight Las Vegas' Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. The racing is guaranteed to be intense as well in all categories, as Winston and Federal-Mogul championships will be on the line."
Tickets are available for the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals. For more information, call (800) 644-4444 or log on to www.tickets.com.
Headquartered in Grand Blanc, Mich., ACDelco markets more than 70,000 part numbers in 32 product lines that include spark plugs, batteries, shock absorbers, wire sets, fuel pumps, air conditioning units, lamps, thermostats, brake parts, ignition, fuel system and emission control parts. ACDelco remanufactured products include starters, alternators, power steering pumps, air conditioning compressors, engines, transmissions, rack-and-pinion steering gears and other undercar parts. For more information, visit the ACDelco web site at www.ACDelco.com.
Las Vegas Events, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to attracting special events that promote tourism and increase attention to Las Vegas, fill local hotel rooms and contribute to the local economy and entertainment scene.
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is owned by Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 85,000 racers and members nationwide and 144 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 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit
The Racing Photo Museum and the
Visions of Speed Art Gallery.