Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

ESPN2 Announces 2009 NHRA Drag Racing Coverage Schedule
FlA & Co. NHRA ^ | January 23, 2009 | ESPN Staff / Email

Posted on 01/23/2009 3:07:02 PM PST by flattorney

ESPN2’s coverage of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for 2009 will feature final eliminations action in prime time, continuing a pattern of consistent scheduling that includes finals telecasts from 18 of 24 events in Sunday night viewing times. With exclusive coverage of the NHRA for the ninth consecutive season, ESPN2’s season begins Feb. 7-8 with the 49th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals from Pomona, Calif. ESPN2 will have coverage of qualifying and finals rounds from all 24 events in the series, with expanded coverage from drag racing’s biggest event, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. All coverage is produced in high definition. The final six events, which comprise the “Countdown to 1” in the NHRA’s “Countdown to the Championship,” all will air in the 7-10 p.m. time slot on Sunday nights.

"We're looking forward to getting the season started at Pomona," said Shawn Murphy, ESPN senior coordinating producer who oversees the NHRA production. "Our team has been working together for several years now and all of us are ready to go." ESPN2’s drag racing coverage team returns in 2009 led by Paul Page, who became lead announcer in 2006. The award-winning Page has worked in motorsports broadcasting since 1974 and served as lead announcer for the Indianapolis 500 on either radio or TV for more than 25 years. Former drag racer Mike Dunn, a 22-time winner in NHRA competition and one of only three drivers to have scored more than 10 wins in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes, returns for his eighth season as ESPN’s drag racing analyst. Gary Gerould and Dave Rieff return as pit reporters for the full season, with motorsports television veteran John Kernan joining them as a third reporter for the final seven events.

Rieff and Dunn continue as hosts of NHRA RaceDay, a news and information program airing on Sunday morning of all 24 NHRA Full Throttle event weekends on ESPN2. NHRA RaceDay sets up the day for fans at home with must-see matchups, interviews with stars of the sport, driver features, news and analysis, a review of qualifying and what to look for during the finals action. The show originates from NHRA’s Nitro Alley, allowing fans attending the race to watch and participate in the show. NHRA coverage is distributed internationally by ESPN International. Rieff also continues as anchor for coverage of the NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series on ESPN2 in 2009.

2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series TV Schedule (all times Eastern, all on ESPN2 unless noted)
Feb 07 Pomona Qualifying 10 p.m. – midnight
Feb 08 Pomona Finals 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Feb 22 Phoenix Qualifying 2 – 4 a.m.
Feb 22 Phoenix Qualifying (re-air) 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Feb 22 Phoenix Finals 7 – 10 p.m.
Mar 15 Gainesville Qualifying 2 – 4 a.m.
Mar 15 Gainesville Qualifying (re-air) 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Mar 15 Gainesville Finals 3 - 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Mar 28 Houston Qualifying 8 – 10 p.m.
Mar 29 Houston Finals 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Apr 04 Las Vegas Qualifying 8 - 10 p.m.
Apr 05 Las Vegas Finals 4 – 7 p.m.
Apr 18 Atlanta Qualifying 6 - 8 p.m.
Apr 19 Atlanta Finals 7 - 10 p.m.
May 02 St. Louis Qualifying 8 – 10 p.m.
May 03 St. Louis Finals 7 - 10 p.m.
May 16 Bristol Qualifying 8 – 10 p.m.
May 17 Bristol Finals 7 – 10:30 p.m.
May 30 Topeka Qualifying 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.
May 31 Topeka Finals 4 - 7 p.m.
Jun 06 Chicago Qualifying 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Jun 07 Chicago Finals 4 - 7 p.m.
Jun 13 Englishtown Qualifying 7 – 8 p.m.
Jun 13 Englishtown Qualifying 11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Jun 14 Englishtown Finals 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Jun 27 Norwalk Qualifying 8 - 10 p.m.
Jun 28 Norwalk Finals 8 – 11 p.m.
Jul 11 Denver Qualifying 10 p.m. – midnight
Jul 12 Denver Finals 8 - 11 p.m.
Jul 18 Seattle Qualifying 7 - 9 p.m.
Jul 19 Seattle Finals 9 p.m. – midnight
Jul 25 Sonoma Qualifying 6 – 8 p.m.
Jul 26 Sonoma Finals 9 p.m. – midnight
Aug 15 Brainerd Qualifying 6 – 7 p.m.
Aug 16 Brainerd Finals 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Aug 23 Reading Qualifying 1 - 3 a.m.
Aug 23 Reading Qualifying (re-air) 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Aug 23 Reading Finals 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Sep 05 Indianapolis Qualifying 11 p.m. – midnight
Sep 06 Indianapolis Qualifying 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sep 06 Indianapolis Qualifying 5 - 7 p.m.
Sep 07 Indianapolis Finals 1:30 – 6 p.m.
Sep 19 Charlotte Qualifying 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Sep 20 Charlotte Finals 7 - 10 p.m.
Sep 25 Dallas Qualifying 10 p.m. – midnight
Sep 26 Dallas Finals 7 - 10 p.m.
Oct 04 Memphis Qualifying 1 – 3 a.m.
Oct 04 Memphis Qualifying (re-air) 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Oct 04 Memphis Finals 7 – 10 p.m.
Oct 10 Richmond Qualifying 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Oct 11 Richmond Finals 7 – 10 p.m.
Oct 31 Las Vegas Qualifying 10 p.m. – midnight
Nov 01 Las Vegas Finals 7 - 10 p.m.
Nov 14 Pomona Qualifying 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Nov 15 Pomona Finals 7 - 10 p.m.


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: espn; nhra; television
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last
To: tubebender

Thank you.


21 posted on 01/24/2009 4:11:28 PM PST by SouthTexas (Danger, Danger .. Will Robinson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: tubebender

Nice.

Thank you.


22 posted on 01/24/2009 4:30:35 PM PST by Pete-R-Bilt (Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes, so enjoy it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: fish hawk
Was this the same Jack McKeller who became a city councilman in Eureka after working for the Corp of Engineers on the north coast harbors?
23 posted on 01/24/2009 4:54:01 PM PST by tubebender (Your Tag Line offends me...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: tubebender
Yes. That is the same Jack McKeller. I believe he passed away just a few years ago. I remember seeing his obituary but not good at past dates. He was up on the Klamath a lot of the time. Why not, that's where all the outlawing was going on. LOL
24 posted on 01/25/2009 9:24:39 AM PST by fish hawk (Atheism is a non-prophet organization)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: flattorney

NHRA is up on the Bodine bobsleds. Speed channel.


25 posted on 01/25/2009 1:18:10 PM PST by SouthTexas (Danger, Danger .. Will Robinson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: fish hawk
McKeller was one of the local politicians I owned at one time or another. I own three council members now but my man on the supervisors was killed in a freak car accident last year. Jack was always willing to vote for funding for the Samoa Drag Strip as it is on city property.

Jack was a great story teller and knew how to vote on projects. His Son in Law is building a huge facility for his Honda//Yamaha MC dealership on Broadway near KMart. Richard Miller finally sold out to devote full time to drinking. My son took him over to Stoney Ford near Red Bluff to ride dirt bikes 2 weekends ago...

26 posted on 01/25/2009 2:46:56 PM PST by tubebender (Your Tag Line offends me...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: SouthTexas

Thanks, this is a great idea! - TAB

NHRA finally tops NASCAR at Bodine Bobsled Race


NHRA Morgan Lucas and NASCAR Todd Bodine

Photos

01.05.09 Auto Week: - - Whether it be on asphalt or ice, race-car drivers just want to win. For the first time in the four-year history of the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, a drag-racing driver won the race against a NASCAR driver on Jan. 4. Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas made a run down the bobsled track in 47.78 seconds in one of Team USA's competition Bo-Dyn bobsleds. Lucas beat NASCAR driver Todd Bodine, who flipped over near the end of his final run on Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, N.Y., to give Lucas the win. "We finally got the win light for the NHRA," Lucas said. "It took us straight-liners a few years but we got it done and I feel great. The Team USA guys decided to let us drive the real bobsleds in the final round and they are completely different than the ones we've been driving. It was like going from a Yugo to a Ferrari." Bodine was not injured in his flip. "I got into that [Turn 18] corner late and that's trouble," Bodine said. "You're at the bottom of the hill there and carrying the most speed. Those competition sleds are way faster than the other ones we were driving and I wasn't ready for it."

Earlier in the day, Lucas was the best of the NHRA drivers in the first race, which pitted all the drivers from both series against the clock. Lucas's teammate, J.R. Todd, came to life late, reaching the third round on the drag-racing side of the ladder before bowing to teammate Lucas by 0.03 second. "I finally had a sled today," Todd said. "For whatever reason, we got fast. That was a lot of fun going up against Morgan and he did a good job for Team NHRA."

Four-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. was solid the entire weekend in his new JEGS.com bobsled. He was the quickest during the Day 1 practice sessions and qualified fourth overall Saturday, before finishing fifth in the timed race and in the quarterfinal round of the NHRA vs. NASCAR tilt. "The big winners this weekend are the men and women athletes on the U.S. bobsled team," Coughlin said. "We're doing this for them and it's an honor to be helping them achieve their dreams and win medals for our country."

After struggling for much of the event, Bob Vandergriff ended his trip to Mount Van Hoevenberg with a nasty spill in the first round of the NHRA vs. NASCAR race. The Top Fuel veteran turned his Mac Tools/Lincoln Welders bobsled over coming out of Turn 10 and rode upside for the final 10 turns before safety workers wrangled his sled. He was sore but uninjured in the incident.

"We were letting it all hang out and just went over the edge," Vandergriff said. "We've been slow all weekend and I just decided to go for it that run because I felt like we had nothing to lose. I'm glad I have a football player's neck because I landed on my head when we went over and it was a pretty good hit. I didn't manage to get small enough in there until about the fourth or fifth hit. I'm sure I'll be feeling this later."

# # # # # #

NHRA vs. NASAR Bobsled Race to Air on SPEED Channel January 25, 2009

Second Race of the 4th Annual Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge to Follow the Rolex 24 at Daytona Race 1, which already aired this past Sunday, saw Todd Bodine snap Boris Said’s streak of five consecutive wins in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge to win his first gold in bobsledding competition. Bodine turned in a combined time of one minute, 39.18 seconds to claim victory. Joey Logano took silver with a 1:39.58. Larry Gunselman earned bronze with a 1:39.60.

In the NHRA versus NASCAR showdown, Team NHRA is comprised of Top Fuel drivers Morgan Lucas, JR Todd, Bob Vandergriff and Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin, Jr. This will be the third event for Lucas and Todd, with Lucas giving NASCAR driver Boris Said a run for his money in last year’s NASCAR versus NHRA showdown before losing to Said in the final round. Lucas has also won two silvers medals during this event. Todd is looking to improve upon his Top 10 finishes.

Vandergriff placed ninth in his first race last year, and then lost to Lucas in the NHRA final round. Coughlin is a four-time NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Champion, and is currently the two-time defending champion (2000, 2002, 2007, and 2008). Coughlin won the bronze medal as a bobsledding rookie in his first race last year, fifth in this year, and is looking to dethrone fellow NHRA competitor Morgan Lucas as the top bobsled driver on the dragster circuit.

The NASCAR field will be lead by five-time Bodine Bobsled Champion Boris Said. Said has commented in the past that maybe “bobsledding is in my genes” as his father Bob Said was an Olympic bobsled competitor.

Joining Said is NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie driving sensation Logano as well as the Bodine Brothers. Geoff Bodine is a co-founder of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., and namesake for the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge. Last year Geoff played the gracious host and didn’t compete in the races, instead giving advice and words of encouragement to the drivers. But this year Geoff climbs back into the pilot sled and is aiming to win his own event. Todd Bodine, the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Champion and brother of the Bodine Challenge founder Geoff Bodine, has participated in every Bodine Bobsled Challenge, earning his first victory in Race 1. He’s looking to upset his older brother and take home his second gold of the event. “Sliced Bread” Logano competed last year in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, finishing eighth, and finished an impressive second to Todd Bodine in Race 1.

“Driving bobsleds is one of the most fun and exciting things I’ve ever done,” said Logano. “In that first race, I was so excited to go through the straightaway clean that I sort of forgot about the rest of the course so I hope to make up for that in Race 2.”

The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., was started in 1992 by NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine, and has built American-made bobsleds for United States athletes competing in the World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games. Monies raised from the Bodine Bobsled Challenge go directly to this project. - http://www.bodynbobsled.com/

FlAttorney’s FR “Straight Talk” NHRA Drag Racing Section

TAB

27 posted on 01/25/2009 2:47:10 PM PST by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: tubebender
Top Fueler Hillary Will wins the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy in Sydney


BLACKTOWN, Australia, (Dec. 28, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, claimed the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy by winning the  Shannons U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia, Sunday.


Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., was the only American competing in the event. Her team, led by crew chief Jim Oberhofer, was plagued by many mechanical problems throughout the event but posted the quickest lap of the event in the final round by defeating Aussie Terry Sainty, 4.743 seconds, 303.16 mph to 5.284 sec., 260.51 mph.

Will, the No. 3 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph) defeated No. 6 qualifier Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations after Mariani’s dragster would not go into reverse after the burnout. Will got the solo run and advanced to the semifinals after smoking the tires immediately upon hitting the throttle, 13.309 sec., 79.83 mph.

In the semifinals, Will raced against Martin Stamatis. Will got a huge starting line advantage (.118 sec. to .334 sec.), but both dragsters struggled to maintain traction when they got near half-track. When all of the smoke cleared, Will’s win light was on after the pedal-fest, 5.909 sec., 189.31 mph to 6.054 sec., 155.47 mph to advance to the final against Sainty.

“This means so much to me and this team,” Will, who has now claimed Top Fuel titles in three different sanctioning bodies (ANDRA, NHRA, and IHRA), said. “To get this trophy and take it back to the States is such an honor for us. Scott was my mentor, and he was like a brother to me. We miss him so much, but we are so happy to win this trophy for Connie, Doug, Scott’s wife Kathy, and his boys, Corey and Colin and the entire Kalitta family.”

Scott Kalitta, a teammate of Will’s at Kalitta Motorsports and the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.

Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.

Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.

The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.

Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.

28 posted on 01/25/2009 2:53:21 PM PST by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: flattorney
Hillary has a blog that our local paper picks up and runs a story on her from time to time and that win was run a day after it happened. Whenever she is home here she makes a personal appearance at BIG LOUIE'S PIZZA a local Eureka favorite plus they sponsored her early career at the Samoa Strip as well as her Dad, Steve Will Trucking.

She was a number cruncher in the accounting department of a large sawmill after she got here degree in accounting and was racing the local scene. She started in a Camero and worked up to Alcohol Dragster. Can't remember if it was blown or not...

29 posted on 01/25/2009 3:18:40 PM PST by tubebender (Your Tag Line offends me...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: flattorney; SouthTexas
BTW... did you notice the ET and speeds? What is the length of the tracks down there...
30 posted on 01/25/2009 3:21:02 PM PST by tubebender (Your Tag Line offends me...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: flattorney; SouthTexas
For a view of the Samoa Drag Strip go the google earth and type in Eureka airport, That should take you to the shore of the pacific ocean and you should see the runway marked EUREKA. The drag strip. is is the narrow black line ending almost in the breakers on hanger side of the runway.

We used to race on the old WWII Navy runway until the FFA kicked us off in 1955. Blimps were tethered here and a seaplane base a little further south on the bay side. Then we petitioned the city of Eureka to build the drag strip and it has been updated 3 or 4 times and is now certified for 185 mph due to the short shut down with sand dunes separating the pavement from the beach

31 posted on 01/25/2009 3:59:29 PM PST by tubebender (Your Tag Line offends me...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: tubebender

Finally found it. Typed in Eureka and Arcata Airport came up.

They used to use an old runway in Corpus too, until the Navy wanted it back.


32 posted on 01/25/2009 4:29:26 PM PST by SouthTexas (Danger, Danger .. Will Robinson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: tubebender

What is the length of the tracks down there

1/4 Mile built to NHRA specs.


Western Sydney International Dragway

Aussie television broadcast of top fuel eliminations. Great Hillary Will footage. Looks like everyone had trouble getting down the track. Think it rained. Track looks slick as glass. - TAB

Video: Part 1 | Part 2


NHRA Scott Kalitta Tribute Page

From FlAttorney’s FR “Straight Talk” NHRA Drag Racing Section
06.21.08: Two time NHRA world top fuel champion Scott Kalitta Killed in T/F Funny Car Fire & Crash
- - Personally, this loss really hurt and shouldn't have happened. Subsequent to the accident the NHRA mandated 1,000 ft. racing for all nitro classes, instead of 1/4 mile (1,320 ft.) racing, to give the cars a longer shut-down area before they hit the sandtrap, net, and possible obstacles. Frankly, I and others, thought it was a bad decision and in Scott's case would not have saved his life. The NHRA needs new nitro restrictions to stop the serious and out of control top-end explosions. It was only a matter of time before a Funny Car driver was killed by one of these explosions. At the end of his run, Scott was immediately knocked out from the huge engine explosion and fire at over 320 mph. His funny car scrubbed off very little speed before it hit the sandtrap net and the track's right side concrete wall including the catch net's concrete post. Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, and others, were very upset the concrete post was sticking out of the top of the wall, totally exposed and with no crash protection. And, that NHRA did not force the track owner to properly correct the problem in the off-season. Scott’s car nailed the pole almost dead center. Scott's horrendous death rest squarely on NHRA's ineptness. # SNIP # - FlA

I have watched his video. It’s the worst thing I have ever seen. I hope Scott’s family sued NHRA and the track owner. A major update was performed today in FlA’s NHRA section which includes excellent tributes to the three NHRA nitro drivers that died last season. - TAB

NOTE: THIS IS A 2009 NHRA PRE-SEASON THREAD

33 posted on 01/25/2009 5:52:29 PM PST by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: flattorney
Many of NHRA's "top gun" nitro and pro stock drivers tested at the newly revamped Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach(PBIR) on Fri-Sun, Jan 16-18, 2009. Great weather and smokin hot Floridian women always get the best teams and drivers to make the long trip from California. - fla

Articles and Photos: PBIR | Competition Plus - Over 800 Photos | Drag Racing On-Line
Radioactive Drag Racing News

Speaking PBIR and Hillary Will - 2008

Here's Hillary after she got put on the trailer in the first round of the NHRA Finals at Pomona, Nov 16, 2008. Who knew it would be her last NHRA race. . unless she can find a new ride for 2009. She’s a tough and impressive driver. Hopefully a major sponsor will pick her up. – fla

TAB

34 posted on 01/26/2009 5:06:20 AM PST by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: flattorney
THANKS FOR POSTING THE THREAD.

I was hoping they would have the run off areas extended in the tracks that need it so they could take the Nitro cars back to a 1/4 mile. Or at least go back to 1/4 mile on those tracks that have the long shut off lanes and 1000 foot for the shorter one until they could upgrade.

Maybe soon....who knows.

35 posted on 01/27/2009 6:54:00 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: flattorney
"The nitro cars rule. Hopefully we can get through the NHRA season without another nitro funny car driver being killed. Losing a driver two years in a row is not fun. And hopefully there will not be a nitro shortage again this season like last. ~ TAB

I cannot agree more.

36 posted on 01/27/2009 6:55:21 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: WestCoastGal; Harold Shea; SouthTexas; tubebender; glock rocks; NormsRevenge; ...

=== NHRA OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES ===

01.27.09: NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES ENTERS EIGHTH YEAR ON CANADA'S TSN
## For the eighth consecutive year, NHRA announced today that The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada will televise the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series’ entire 24-event schedule in 2009, dedicating nearly 75 hours of programming to NHRA, the fastest and most exciting motorsport in the world. Highlighting TSN’s 24-event, 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series broadcast schedule will be coverage of final eliminations. The season begins with the 49th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals from the fabled Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California and stretches the entire season, concluding with the 45th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals, also at Pomona. The coverage also includes programming from the world’s largest and most prestigious drag racing event, the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals from O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

NHRA sanctions seven member tracks in Canada, offering many of its popular grassroots sportsman racing programs. NHRA’s Canadian member tracks include: Luskville, Quebec (Luskville Dragway); Napierville, Quebec (Napierville Raceway); St. Sparta, Ont. (St. Thomas Dragway); Medicine Hat, Alberta (M.H.D.R.A. Dragstrip); Mission, B.C. (Mission Raceway); Ashcroft, B.C. (Nl'Akapxm Eagle Motorplex); Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan International Raceway).

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 events through its NHRA Full Throttle 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 Racing Series, and NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17.

# # # # #

01.27.09: AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK RETURNS, SCHEDULES FULL SLATE OF 2009 NHRA DRAG RACING SERIES
# # NHRA has announced the continuation of its relationship with the American Forces Network (AFN) to deliver the unique sights and sounds of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing to the men and women stationed overseas. "NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing programming increases our ability to provide our worldwide American Forces Network audience with the best sports coverage from back home," said Larry Marotta, Chief of Television at the AFN Broadcast Center. "We are delighted by the generosity of the NHRA and proudly welcome their excellent programs to our showcase of American television." The U.S. Armed Forces, along with Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees and their families, will be able to follow NHRA’s Full Throttle Drag Racing Series all season long on AFN. In an agreement with the NHRA and ESPN, Inc., the AFN Broadcast Center plans to provide tape-delayed distribution of ESPN2’s television coverage of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series on its AFN | xtra channel. For more information about AFN, log on to www.afrts.osd.mil. For AFN radio and TV schedules, visit www.myafn.net.

# # # # #

NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES AND ESPN PARTNER FOR NINTH STRAIGHT SEASON – U.S.


1/27/2009

The worldwide leader in sports television will join forces with NHRA for a ninth consecutive season in 2009 as ESPN2 returns as the exclusive network of the 24-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. ESPN2 is now available in more than 96 million households.

The partnership that began in 2001 has grown stronger with each year of the relationship. In 2008, the fast-growing NHRA Full Throttle Series delivered 9 percent ratings growth on its Sunday eliminations broadcast.

The 2009 season begins in Southern California with the 49th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona Feb. 5-8. It will conclude back in Pomona with the season-ending Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals Nov. 12-15, the sixth and final race in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to 1, and like each of the previous five races in the NHRA playoffs, it will be shown in prime time (7-10 p.m. ET).

In all, the network will dedicate more than 120 hours of original programming to the world's quickest, fastest, and most intense motorsport with live or same-day coverage of qualifying and eliminations on Sundays. 

Sixteen of the 24 races will begin or end in the 7-10 p.m. ET time slot, and all 24 of the races will be presented once again in high definition. 

Additionally, the popular pre-race show that debuted in 2007, NHRA Race Day presented by Lucas Oil, will be back in 2009 and again will be produced on-site to allow fans attending the Sunday race a chance to watch – and participate in – the show. It will air Sundays from each of the 24 NHRA Full Throttle Series events.

Highlights of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD include consistent time slots Sunday evening for the final eliminations rounds, with a majority in the coveted Sunday night prime-time slot. In addition, the network will dedicate 10 hours of coverage to the world's most prestigious drag race, the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at historic O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-7.

Paul Page returns to the broadcast booth alongside former drag racer Mike Dunn, who will provide expert analysis and insight on the racing action. Dave Rieff and Gary Gerould will return as pit reporters. Joining them at select races throughout the year will be veteran announcer John Kernan, who joined the NHRA broadcast team in 2007. 

NHRA Race Day presented by Lucas Oil will be hosted once again by Rieff and Dunn and originate from NHRA's Nitro Alley. NHRA Race Day presented by Lucas Oil sets up the day for fans at home with must-see matchups, interviews with the stars of the sport, driver features, news and analysis, a review of qualifying, and what to watch for during the all-important Sunday eliminations action.  

This year's schedule includes four qualifying shows that will repeat on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD Sunday morning. Those shows are from the events in Phoenix, Gainesville, Reading, and Memphis, all of which have non-prime-time original airtime slots Saturday night.

In addition to coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing will be aired and distributed internationally through ESPN International.

2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series television schedule

Event Airdate/time*
Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals, Pomona Qualifying, 10 p.m.-midnight, Feb. 7
  Eliminations, 6:30-10 p.m., Feb. 8
  NHRA Race Day, 11:30 a.m., Feb. 8
NHRA Arizona Nationals, Phoenix Qualifying, 2-4 a.m., Feb. 22
  Qualifying (re-air), 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Feb. 22
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Feb. 22
  NHRA Race Day, 12:30 p.m., Feb. 22
ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Qualifying, 2-4 a.m., March 15
  Qualifying (re-air), 10-11:30 a.m., March 15
  Eliminations, (ESPN), 3-6 p.m., March 15
  NHRA Race Day, 11:30 a.m., March 15
O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, Houston Qualifying, 8-10 p.m., March 28
  Eliminations, 4:30-7:30 p.m., March 29
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., March 29
SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, Las Vegas Qualifying, 8-10 p.m., April 4
  Eliminations, 4-7 p.m., April 5
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., April 5
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, Atlanta Qualifying, 6-8 p.m., April 18
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., April 19
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., April 19
O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, Madison Qualifying, 8-10 p.m., May 2
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., May 3
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., May 3
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Qualifying, 8-10 p.m., May 16
. Eliminations, 7-10:30 p.m., May 17
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., May 17
O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals, Topeka Qualifying, 9:30-11:30 p.m., May 30
  Eliminations, 4-7 p.m., May 31
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., May 31
NHRA Route 66 Nationals, Chicago Qualifying, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., June 6
  Eliminations, 4-7 p.m., June 7
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., June 7
NHRA SuperNationals, Englishtown Qualifying, 7-8 p.m., 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., June 13
  Eliminations, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., June 14
  NHRA Race Day, noon, June 14
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Norwalk Qualifying, 8-10 p.m., June 27
  Eliminations, 8-11 p.m., June 28
  NHRA Race Day, noon, June 28
Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, Denver Qualifying, 10 p.m.-midnight, July 11
  Eliminations, 8-11 p.m., July 12
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., July 12
NHRA Northwest Nationals, Seattle Qualifying, 7-9 p.m., July 18
  Eliminations, 9 p.m.-midnight, July 19
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., July 19
Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals, Sonoma Qualifying, 9 p.m.-midnight, July 25
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., July 26
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., July 26
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd Qualifying, 6-7 p.m., Aug. 15
  Eliminations, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., Aug. 16
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Aug. 16
Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals, Reading Qualifying, 1-3 a.m., Aug. 23
  Qualifying (re-air), 10-11:30 a.m., Aug. 23
  Eliminations, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., Aug. 23
  NHRA Race Day, 11:30 a.m., Aug. 23
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis Qualifying, 11 p.m.-midnight, Sept. 5
  Qualifying, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 6
  Qualifying, 5-7 p.m., Sept. 6
  Eliminations, 1:30-6 p.m., Sept. 7
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Sept. 6
NHRA Nationals, Charlotte Qualifying, 11:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Sept.19
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Sept. 20
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Sept. 20
O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas Qualifying, 10 p.m.-midnight, Sept. 26
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Sept. 27
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Sept. 27
O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals, Memphis Qualifying, 1-3 a.m., Oct. 4
  Qualifying (re-air), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Oct. 4
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Oct. 4
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Oct. 4
NHRA Virginia Nationals, Richmond Qualifying, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Oct. 10
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Oct. 11
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Oct. 11
NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, Las Vegas Qualifying, 10 p.m.-midnight, Oct. 31
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Nov. 1
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Nov. 1
Auto Club NHRA Finals, Pomona Qualifying, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Nov. 14
  Eliminations, 7-10 p.m., Nov. 15
  NHRA Race Day, 11 a.m., Nov. 15
* All times ET. Schedule subject to change. Please check local listings.

FlAttorney’s FR “Straight Talk” NHRA Drag Racing Section

TAB

37 posted on 01/28/2009 9:01:23 AM PST by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: flattorney

Boris was a Dad Olympian, Cool!

That would definitely be a hoot to ride one of those sleds.

Here’s to a safe fast record-laden season at all the tracks.


38 posted on 01/28/2009 9:43:22 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

oops .. Boris had a Dad Olympian. That might explain his road race success.


39 posted on 01/28/2009 9:44:46 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Did you watch the bobsledding competition on Speed TV? Todd Bodine had a bad crash in his final run again Lucus. Glad he and the brakeman were alright. - TAB


40 posted on 01/28/2009 9:52:40 AM PST by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson