What's New for NHRA Drag Racing in 2024?
As you can see, the National Hot Rod Association found a stellar new title sponsor to replace Camping World, who is still onboard as an official partner of the NHRA. Mission Foods has transcended from team sponsorship to special event sponsor of the Mission Foods NHRA Challenge to signing an agreement as a multi-year sponsorship.
FILL-IN DRIVER ANNOUNCED AT JOHN FORCE RACING
Three-time NHRA Funny Car world champion announced that Austin Prock will be taking over the driving duties for the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS at the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals to begin the 2024 season. Hight is stepping down to take care of a personal medical issue and vows to resume competition for John Force Racing as soon as his health permits.
The company behind the number one tortilla brand in the nation said they decided to increase its involvement in the NHRA Drag Racing Series after witnessing firsthand the loyalty NHRA racing fans have for brand sponsors. Moreover, their previous involvement had shown a positive increase in product sales.
The company has announced it is planning an innovative retail activation that will follow the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule rather than being released nationwide. Race fans can look for distinct product packaging, driver cut-outs, and co-branded end-caps designed for special promotions at retail grocery stores in NHRA communities.
As for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, there is more good news. Not only will Mission partner with the National Hot Rod Association to continue as the sponsor of the popular specialty events but the company also expects to expand the series so more tracks are involved this year. The grudge-race format stages re-match races between qualified drivers from the previous national event, and in 2024, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge will feature an increase in purse money as added incentive.
Silly Season is Over; Let's Go Racing!
With less than two months before drag racing fans fill the parking lots at the 55th NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway, the “silly season” reminds us that sponsorships, contracts, and commitments from year-to-year in motorsports racing. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is no different. Listed below are some notable changes for the new year:
1) Jeg Coughlin, Jr, a seven-time world champion with 65 Pro Stock wins, came out of retirement late last year and will run a full a season in the 2024. The former Rookie of the Year was hired by the Elite Motorsports Team to work the kinks out of a new car that was under development for six-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders.
2) Leah Pruett, who was runner-up in NHRA Top Fuel last season and had a legitimate shot entering the final round of Countdown to the Championship, is out of her seat at Tony Stewart Racing. After eight years of pursuing the title, Pruett and her team owner/husband had already decided to focus on starting a family.
3) Tony Stewart will move from the team’s Top Alcohol dragster to fill the vacated seat. Smoke is the only driver to have won an Indy Car Championship (1997) and a NASCAR Championship (2003, 2005 and 2011). Already inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, he is also an IROC, USAC Triple Crown, and USAC Midget National champion.
4) Jasmine Salinas is another Top Alcohol driver that will also be making her Top Fuel debut for Scrappers Racing in 2024. Mike and Monica Salinas not only built a successful business (Valley Services) from scratch, but they also built, run, and manage a highly competitive family racing team. Her sister, Jianna Evaristo, has already won a Pro Stock Motorcycle Wally for the team.
5) Ida Zetterstrom is the 2023 FIA European Top Fuel champion and will make her debut in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series this season for JCM Racing. The Finnish driver will run a limited schedule in 2024 as a teammate to eight-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Tony Schumacher. Joe Maynard and his late wife Cathi formed the team in 2022.
6) Chris Bostick has been announced as a team rider at the White Alligator Racing (WAR) Team for the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series alongside last year’s NHRA Rookie of the Year, Chase Van Sant. Along with Pro Stock Motorcycle Crew Chief Tim Kulungian, the pair are looking forward to the season opener in March.
7) Lyle Barnett is the epitome of a Pro Mod driver and will join Scott Tidwell Racing for a fulltime ride in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series for 2024. A reality-TV racer and veteran of many outlaw events joined Elite Motorsports a three years ago and won three Wallys including The Big Go. Last year, he was a fill-in driver for Russian Dmitry Samorukuv.
Sponsorship packages continue to be put together for the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with other drivers and team set to make big moves by inking last-minute contracts for the upcoming season. One thing is for sure; the 2024 professional stock and nitro classes will be stacked with talent for what appears to be an epic year for the sport.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Both Stock and both Nitro classes return to action at the 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals for the opening round of the season for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycles. Winning drivers will also receive a commemorative “Golden Gator” trophy and the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout specialty race and FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod will return to Gainesville Raceway on March 7 thru 11 to open the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
