NHRA goes Hollywood; To stage annual awards ceremony at Universal Ampitheater
28 July 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
GLENDORA, Calif.- In a fitting and appropriate venue, the
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) will host its annual awards ceremony
for
the first time ever at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City,
Calif.The NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony, where the champions of the 2000 season will be crowned, will take place on Monday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., at one of the premier venues in the United States.
"Southern California was the birthplace of modern drag racing. There is no question that Hollywood was the birthplace of the entertainment industry," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. "It is natural, then, to move the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body's annual award show to the spotlight of the world's premier entertainment complex."
Located adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal City Walk, the Universal Amphitheatre is not unfamiliar with big productions, playing home to some of the biggest stars in the music industry, as well as other awards shows including the MTV Video Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.
For the last five years, the NHRA awards ceremony took place at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center in Cerritos, Calif. The move to the Universal Amphitheatre will showcase NHRA's truly great entertainment value as one of America's great motorsports attractions. The event promises to feature a star-studded roster including the most recognizable drag racers in the world.
The awards ceremony will begin by recognizing the champions in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, followed by the elite names in the sport of drag racing that compete in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock Truck categories will be honored during an entertaining production.
Immediately following the awards ceremony, fans will be able to use their ticket stub for entrance into two nightclubs at Universal City Walk: B.B. King's Blues Club or The Rumba Room. An invitation-only, post-event party will take place at the famous Hard Rock Caf, also at the Universal City Walk.
Tickets for the event will be complimentary and distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. A block of hotel rooms at both the Sheraton Universal and the Hilton Universal City and Towers. For more information on hotel reservations contact Carolyn Burtch, Sheraton Universal at (818) 509-2734 or Rhonda Leigh Pina, Hilton Universal City and Towers at (818) 509-2055. For information on the event and ticketing contact Shirley Sata-Schultz at (626) 250-2213.
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 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.