NHRA ANNOUNCES THREE AFFILIATED EVENTSADDED TO HOT ROD HERITAGE SERIES FOR 2008

NHRA has announced that three affiliated events will be added to an already impressive 2008 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series schedule, increasing the schedule from seven to 10 events.

The events to be added are the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 13-15 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky.; the ACDelco NostalgiaFest presented by RM Distributing, June 20-21 at Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, Ill.; and Geezers at the Grove, Sept. 5-6 at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pa.

Though the events will be affiliated with the series, they will not count as points-earning events toward the 2008 championships.

“We’re extremely pleased to expand the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series brand to include these popular nostalgia events,” said Peter Clifford, NHRA executive vice president/general manager. “Nostalgia racing is growing in popularity, and NHRA is excited to be part of these events in Kentucky, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.”

The ACDelco NostalgiaFest presented by RM Distributing at Cordova Dragway Park will feature “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who will bring multiple Swamp Rat dragsters to participate in a Cacklefest. Garlits, who earned 35 NHRA Top Fuel victories – including a record eight wins at the prestigious U.S. Nationals -- during his legendary career, also will serve as master of ceremonies. Also in attendance will be NHRA legend and three-time Top Fuel world champion Shirley Muldowney, serving as grand marshal of the event, along with famed Pro Stock driver Arnie “the Farmer” Beswick.

“We’re really excited to have this event and to be involved with the NHRA through this series,” said Scott Gardner, owner and operator of Cordova Dragway Park. “The Hot Rod Heritage series is a great series to be a part of, and we feel that it, along with the ACDelco NostalgiaFest presented by RM Distributing, are going to continue to grow year after year. We’re very happy for this opportunity.”

Geezers at the Grove, an event that began at Maple Grove Raceway in 2002, will feature two E.T. brackets, both for pre-1982 entries. Division 1 nostalgia circuits also will be a part of the program scheduled for early September.

“We’re just so happy to be a part of the new series,” said Lex Dudas, vice president and general manager for Maple Grove Raceway. “We go a long way back with the NHRA, and to have the Hot Rod Heritage Series here is just a big step up for us and for our Geezers at the Grove event. It’s a good move for us, and I think the Hot Rod Heritage combined with our Geezers at the Grove event will be a great attraction for drag racing fans.”

Returning to Beech Bend Raceway Park after a brief hiatus, the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion will descend on the rolling hills of Bowling Green. Located on 368 acres covered with beech trees, for which the track is named, Beech Bend Raceway Park has been providing family entertainment for years.

“We’re extremely happy and excited to be involved with NHRA and the Hot Rod Heritage Series,” said Dallas Jones, owner and president of Beech Bend Raceway Park. “Not only is the track excited to have this event, but the community is excited as well. To have not only the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion here but also the Hot Rod Heritage Series is just great, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”