NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Returns To ESPN2 In 2007

NHRA announced that ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will continue to air 16 one-hour shows with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events in 2007.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be showcased on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD on a taped-delay basis as part of NHRA’s exclusive relationship with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. The NHRA Lucas Oil Series has a long-standing tradition of serving as a developmental arena for the future stars of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Many of today’s top professional drivers, including Brandon Bernstein, Gary Scelzi, Jeg Coughlin, Erica Enders and Ashley Force to name a few, got their start in one of the NHRA Lucas Oil Series’ seven sportsman categories.

Anchoring the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts will be long-time NHRA announcer David Rieff, who will be joined in the booth by popular NHRA announcer Bob Frey. Rieff has been involved for many years with NHRA Drag Racing coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and brings a deep understanding of the sport.

In addition, the popular Sportsman Spotlight segment, which aired on NHRA 2Day last year, will continue in 2007 as part of a special feature on Inside Drag Racing, a Masters Entertainment Group production. Inside Drag Racing, a weekly show catering to drag racing and hot rod enthusiasts, debuts on The Outdoor Channel beginning Wednesday, April 4 at 8:30 p. m. (ET). In addition, Inside Drag Racing will enjoy two repeat airings each week on Friday at 9 a. m. (ET) and Saturday at 2:30 p. m. The NHRA Sportsman Spotlight on Inside Drag Racing will include features on drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as spotlights on NHRA’s member track network. Frey will host the NHRA Sportsman Spotlight segment.

ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN Today), ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360 (Broadband), Mobile ESPN, ESPN on Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

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

2007 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Television Schedule

Event Air Date/Time

CARQUEST Winternationals Sun., Feb. 18: Noon – 1 p. m. Pomona, Calif.

ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals Sun., Mar. 25: 11 a. m. – Noon Gainesville, Fla.

O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals Sun., Apr. 8: Noon – 1 p. m. Houston

NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals Sun., April 22: Noon – 1 p. m. Las Vegas

Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals Sun., May 6: Noon – 1 p. m. Commerce, Ga.

O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals Sun., June 10: 12:30 – 1:30 p. m. Topeka, Kan.

NHRA Route 66 Nationals Sat., June 16: Noon – 1 p. m. Chicago

NHRA SuperNationals Sun., July 1: 12:30 – 1:30 p. m. Englishtown, N.J.

Summit Racing NHRA Nationals Sat., July 7: Noon – 1 p. m. Norwalk, Ohio

Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals Sat., July 28: 12:30 – 1:30 a. m. Seattle

FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals Sun., Aug. 5: 11 p. m. - Midnight Sonoma, Calif.

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Sun., Aug. 19: Noon – 1 p. m. Brainerd, Minn.

Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals Sun., Aug. 26: 11 a. m. - Noon Reading, Pa.

Mac Tools U. S. Nationals Sun., Sept. 9: 3 – 4 p. m. Indianapolis

O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals Sun., Sept. 30: Noon – 1 p. m. Dallas

Automobile Club NHRA Finals Sun., Nov. 11: Noon – 1 p. m. Pomona, Calif.