NHRA Gets New Sponsor

The worst-kept secret in drag racing became a reality Monday when Powerade sports drink became the title sponsor for the National Hot Rod Assn.’s professional series for the next five years.

Powerade will replace Winston, which had sponsored NHRA events for 27 years before being forced out by tobacco’s Master Settlement Agreement with the government.

A tobacco brand can be used in only one sport and R.J. Reynolds, the parent company, chose to keep its NASCAR Winston Cup affiliation and drop the NHRA.

“With Powerade joining us, the sky’s the limit for the NHRA.,” NHRA President Tom Compton said.

“There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that, with the promotional and marketing weight of the Powerade brand, we have cut a perfect light.”

“Cutting a perfect light” is drag racing lingo for getting a perfect start off the starting line.

The main beneficiaries of the new relationship will be the drivers in the four pro classes, top fuel, funny car, pro stock and pro stock bike.

Series champions next season in top fuel and pro stock will collect $400,000, double this year’s payout. Pro stock will increase from $125,000 to $200,000 and the bikes from $30,000 to $50,000.

The total prize investment for Powerade will be around $3 million, of which a little more than $1 million will come from a top-10 bonus program totaling $50,000 per race.

The NHRA continues searching for a replacement for Federal Mogul in its sportsman classes.

Summit is the new import series sponsor.

The 23-race national event series for 2002 will begin Feb. 7-10 at Pomona with the K&N; Filters Winternationals.