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NHRA: National Hot Rod Association Announces $1 Million Increase in Professional Purses for 2000

15 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
GLENDORA, Calif. - Representing one of the largest single-season dollar increases in the organization's history, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced a $1 million total purse increase for the 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season. The addition of the Las Vegas national event brings the overall total increase to $1.5 million.

In all, purses were raised by more than seven percent in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series to nearly $13 million. Combined with the sportsman categories, the total purse for the 2000 season is $15.5 million. The purse increase expands the total cash available in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series to more than $19 million, when coupled with lucrative NHRA professional category bonus programs, the Winston Top 10 program and other awards and programs. An additional $26 million in contingency sponsor postings brings the overall national event series awards total to more than $45 million for the 2000 season.

"The increase in purse is part of NHRA's long-term objective to provide our racers with a payout schedule consistent with other motorsports endeavors," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. In the last ten years, NHRA Winston Drag Racing purses have jumped nearly 300 percent.

A portion of the record increase will strengthen purses at the Advance Auto Parts Southern Nationals in Atlanta and the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.

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 Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 85,000 racers and members nationwide and 142 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 E.T. Drag Racing Series and the Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

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