News Director 
Story By: SCOTT SMITH / NHRA – GLENDORA, CA – Dodge has extended its agreement as the title rights sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Maple Grove Raceway for the 2017 season, NHRA announced Wednesday.
The 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals will be held Sept. 21-24 and serves as the second race in the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. The event will be a key stop for racers who are battling for a world championship at the conclusion of the season.
“The Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway is one of the premiere events on NHRA Drag Racing Series calendar,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “The fan base in the region is one of the most dedicated in the country and fans will witness top NHRA racers battling during the countdown to the championship.”
Dodge’s commitment to the sport of NHRA Drag Racing continues to be solidified as those who compete with Dodge vehicles in the Super Stock and Stock classes in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be eligible for additional bonus money during the course of the year. Newly introduced for 2017, the Dodge Top Finisher honor awards $500 each to the Stock and Super Stock drivers in a Dodge or Plymouth vehicle who advance the farthest during eliminations at each of the 24 NHRA National events.
“Extending the Dodge partnership with the NHRA and Maple Grove Raceway is an easy decision. Dodge belongs at the drag strip,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat – FCA North America. “The raw horsepower and energy that shakes the championship-winning Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car at NHRA weekends inspires the horsepower and performance feel found across the full line of Dodge vehicles.”
A new Dodge exhibit will also be displayed on Manufacturers Midway at 15 events this year. In addition, the second annual Mopar Mega Block Party free fan-admission event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 21, in conjunction with the Dodge NHRA Nationals.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
