NHRA has announced its 2006 NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series schedule which will be comprised of nine stand-alone NHRA Sport Compact Series events and two Pro RWD-class-only events.
The 11-race schedule is highlighted by the addition of Virginia Motorsports Park, near Richmond, Va., as the newest stop on the touring series that runs from April through October. Further enhancements to the schedule included moving the fourth annual Las Vegas NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to mid-July to bridge the gap between the first and second halves of the season.
The two Pro RWD-only events will be contested as part of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events at both the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals at Topeka, Kan., and at the most prestigious drag race in the world, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Pro RWD eligibility guidelines for both events will be released at a later date.
“In 2006 the NHRA Xplōd Series will return to traditional world class venues that have served as the setting for some of the most memorable racing moments in the history of the NHRA Sport Compact Series,” said Josh Peterson, general manager, NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series. “These facilities have the resources and the capabilities to ensure a safe racing environment for our competitors while simultaneously putting on the best possible show that NHRA fans have become accustomed to.
“In addition, the 2006 NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series schedule creates consistency and is more convenient for the racers and all of the sponsors involved with our sport,” said Peterson.
The 2006 NHRA Xplōd season opens with the first four events being contested in facilities located along the eastern seaboard. The series then heads west during the summer months for three events before returning to the East Coast for three races. The 2006 season will conclude with the NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at historic Pomona Raceway in Southern California.
The 2006 NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series will once again feature competition in five championship classes: Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod and All-Motor. In addition, the series will continue its emphasis on developing the sportsman ranks which is comprised of vehicles in the Sport FWD, Sport RWD, Street Stock and Quick 16 classes.
2006 NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Drag Racing Series Schedule
Fourth annual
South Florida NHRA Sport Compact Nationals
April 1-2
Moroso Motorsports Park
Jupiter, Fla.
Inaugural
NHRA Virginia Sport Compact Nationals
April 22-23
Virginia Motorsports Park
Richmond, Va.
Sixth annual
Nitto NHRA Sport Compact Springnationals
May 6-7
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Englishtown, N.J.
Fifth annual
Northeast NHRA Sport Compact Nationals
May 20-21
Atco Raceway
Atco, N. J.
Second annual
NHRA Sport Compact Summer Nationals at the
May 27-28
O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals
Heartland Park Topeka
Topeka, Kan.
(Pro RWD only)
Third annual
Mountain Madness NHRA Sport Compact Nationals
June 10-11
Bandimere Speedway
Denver
Fourth annual
Las Vegas NHRA Sport Compact Nationals
July 14-15
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas
Second annual
Palm Beach NHRA Sport Compact Nationals
Aug. 19-20
Moroso Motorsports Park
Jupiter, Fla.
Second annual
NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at the
Sept. 2-3
52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis Raceway Park
Indianapolis
(Pro RWD only)
Fifth annual
NHRA Sport compact Fallnationals
Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Englishtown, N.J.
Sixth annual
NHRA Sport Compact World Finals
Oct. 21-22
Pomona Raceway
Pomona, Calif.