NHRA Story » Sonoma coverage to air on ESPN Saturday, ESPN2 Sunday

NHRA 101: Your Guide to NHRA Drag Racing

In basic terms, a drag race is an acceleration contest between two vehicles over a measured distance, but what is a holeshot? Or a breakout? Welcome to NHRA 101, your complete guide to the world of NHRA Drag Racing, from the terminology of the sport to what you need to enjoy a day at the races to info on the many different vehicles that take to the track during a race weekend.
NHRA.com Features and Columns

There's more to drag racing than just two cars streaking down the strip. NHRA.com has a wide assortment of regular columns, including the DRAGSTER Insider -- in which ND Editor Phil Burgess treats you to "the stories behind the stories" from yesterday and today -- exclusive Driver Blogs that take you into the homes and trailers of the sport's top stars, and the NHRA.com Notebook. From this area, you also can access previous Special Sections, including special-edition websites and blogs as well as memorial pages.
Meet the Stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Series

Want more information on your favorite NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers? NHRA.com has full bios on all the series regulars, including major accomplishments, best runs, hobbies, and more, plus team and driver website addresses and contact information in the fan-club sections.
Watch NHRA Drag Racing on TV

All 24 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events feature same-day television coverage on ESPN2 of the Professional-class action with play-by-play from motor racing veteran Dave Rieff and expert color commentary by former Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Mike Dunn. ESPN2 also offers coverage of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. NHRA Drag Racing also is aired in Canada on TSN.
The Sights and Sounds of NHRA Drag Racing

NHRA.com offers a wide array of multimedia features for you to enjoy the sights and sounds of NHRA Drag Racing. With video clips and photos from the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the popular National Dragster Photo of the Week, and a gallery of .wav files for your computer, there's lots to see and hear in NHRA Multimedia.
Get Your Official NHRA Apparel and Merchandise

A wide range of NHRA-themed items is available for purchase online. The NitroMall is your one-stop spot for official NHRA merchandise, products from some of the teams of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and more. The NHRA Store is the place to join NHRA and purchase specialty items and DVDs, and the NHRA Museum Store has items to satisfy history buffs, from vintage T-shirts to historical books.

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Sonoma coverage to air on ESPN Saturday, ESPN2 Sunday

Friday, July 27, 2012

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes the second stop in the three-weeks-in-a-row Western Swing this weekend in Sonoma for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

After Denver, Antron Brown, Jack Beckman, and Allen Johnson are the only drivers with a chance to sweep the famous Western Swing. Also, the battle is heating up for the final 10 spots in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. Some are clinging to the final few positions, others are scratching to get into the top 10, and still others are clinching berths in NHRA’s playoffs. With only four races to go, the final race of the regular season being the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus, the competition is sure to intensify in the coming weeks.

A television scheduling note for this weekend: Qualifying action from the NHRA Sonoma Nationals will air on ESPN/ESPNHD on Saturday, July 28, at 7 p.m. ET. The weekend will conclude with Sunday’s three-hour broadcast in prime time on ESPN2/ESPN2HD starting at 7 p.m. ET July 29.

Here’s what viewers can expect when they tune in this weekend:

After Brown’s Top Fuel win in Denver, two more victories on the Western Swing would make him the first driver to sweep the Swing twice (he accomplished the feat in 2009). Can Brown take one step closer to his second sweep while solidifying his position in the Countdown to the Championship?

ESPN2 analyst Mike Dunn, a veteran Top Fuel and Funny Car driver, interviewed several prominent crew chiefs and drivers recently and asked them how much horsepower the nitro-burning cars really make. The answer just might surprise fans …

In this week’s Nitro Generation feature, the ESPN broadcast spotlights Dunn and his father, “Big Jim” Dunn, who has been racing in NHRA for more than six decades. It’s hard to think of NHRA Drag Racing in California without thinking about the Dunn family. It's always great to hear from the ever-entertaining “Big Jim.”

This week’s Prestone Ask the Expert question is for Connie Kalitta. Another longtime participant in NHRA Drag Racing, he has crew chiefed several cars to the winner's circle at the Sonoma track. Email your question to NHRA’s Facebook page, and it may be picked to air during Sunday’s telecast on ESPN2.

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