OLSON NAMED NHRA DIRECTOR OF TOP FUEL AND FUNNY CAR RACING

GLENDORA, Calif (Nov. 12, 2006) - NHRA announced today that Dan Olson, veteran crew chief most recently with Don Schumacher Racing, has been named as Director, Top Fuel and Funny Car Racing. Olson, who has more than 40 years of experience in nitromethane racing, starts his new position on Dec. 1.

"We are excited to have someone with Dan's knowledge and experience working at NHRA," said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations. "Dan is a tremendous asset and will help us to provide long-term solutions to advance our sport."

Olson will be responsible for working directly with Top Fuel and Funny Car teams to enhance the quality of the show, make the sport safer for the fans and its competitors, and enforce NHRA rules and regulations.

"I am looking forward to this new challenge and am excited to work with the entire racing community to find solutions and new approaches to the complex issues synonymous with NHRA POWERade Drag Racing," said Olson.

Olson has been a manufacturer and racer for more than 40 years, most recently working as assistant crew chief, overlooking the operations of all teams at Don Schumacher Racing, since 1998. Under Olson's guidance in 1999, Tony Schumacher won the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world championship. He also has served as crew chief for a number of other nitromethane teams including in the 1980s with Larry Minor's team, serving as crew chief for driver Cruz Pedregon, and before that, an assistant crew chief for driver Ed "Ace" McCulloch.

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 nationwide 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 Racing Series, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.