Eds. Note: NHRA Reschedules O'Reilly Fall Nationals

EDITOR'S NOTE: Clarifies "Central" Texas in Subhead

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761

NHRA POSTPONES O'REILLY FALL NATIONALS

 

Projected Path of Hurricane Rita Includes Central Texas; 

POWERade Series Race Rescheduled for Oct. 6-9

GLENDORA, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2005) - NHRA announced, today, that it has
postponed the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals, presented by Castrol Syntec
due to the projected path of Hurricane Rita as issued by the National
Weather Service.  The race has been rescheduled for Oct. 6-9, the
weekend following the NHRA POWERade Series visit to Chicago for the
Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

"On the heels of Hurricane Katrina, and the devastation caused by that
system, NHRA feels it necessary to be extra cautious given the
forecasted path for Hurricane Rita," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.
"We feel it is best to reschedule the event for our fans, the racing
community and our sponsors. At this time, it is important we stay out of
harm's way and allow those that might be affected by Hurricane Rita to
take care of more important issues at hand."

Although the path of a hurricane is unpredictable, NHRA and Texas
Motorplex officials have been in contact with local emergency
representatives regarding the likelihood of Hurricane Rita's path moving
through the Ennis, Texas area and the possible components associated
with a system of this magnitude, including heavy rain and high wind.

With this weekend's postponement, the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will take place, in its
entirety, the weekend of Oct. 6-9, and the schedule of events will
remain the same. 

All tickets purchased for this weekend will be honored for the
rescheduled event October 6-9.

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 Equipment 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.

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