2005 NHRA SUMMIT SPORT COMPACT DRAG RACING SERIES TELEVISION SCHEDULE EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPN2

GLENDORA, Calif. (March 24, 2005) – NHRA announced its 2005 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series television schedule today, which will be showcased through unmatched coverage exclusively on ESPN2. The all sports network will feature coverage of the thrilling side-by-side drag racing action on the track as well as the popular off-track lifestyle attraction, the NHRA Stylefest presented by Sony Xplod.

All 10 of the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series events will be featured in tape-delayed half-hour shows. In addition, ESPN2 will produce an additional nine half-hour shows, to air on consecutive weeks in the fourth quarter of 2005, with a majority of the shows focusing on the NHRA Stylefest presented by Sony Xplod. One of the shows will feature coverage of the season-ending awards ceremony. The telecast schedule for the NHRA Stylefest shows will be announced at a later date.

In an effort to maintain consistency for viewers, nine of the 10 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series shows will feature 2 p.m. (ET) air times, and eight of those shows will air on Thursdays. In addition, eight of the repeats will air late-night Saturdays at 11 p.m. (PT)/2 a.m. (ET), with two others scheduled for 10 p.m. (PT)/1 a.m. (ET) and 10:30 p.m. (PT)/1:30 a.m. (ET), respectively.

NHRA also announced new on-air talent for the shows in 2005. Jessica Barton joins veteran Kenny Sargent, personality on the nationally-syndicated radio show “SpeedFreaks,” and Bruno Massel, as hosts of both shows. Barton makes her television debut in 2005, but is not unfamiliar to the camera, having graced the covers of many car-enthusiast magazines including Super Street Magazine, Performance Auto and Sound Magazine, Axis Magazine, and the 2004 Monster Tower calendar. Providing special tech reports for the race telecasts will be veteran sport compact racer Lisa Kubo. Kubo won five events last season and finished second behind the wheel of one of the quickest and fastest cars in the Pro FWD category.

All shows will be produced by Masters Entertainment and promises to build upon last year’s creative themes and concepts to deliver the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series to viewers at home in a unique and entertaining format.

“We’re thrilled that our exclusive television partnership with ESPN2 allows us to bring the excitement of the 2005 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series to more households and viewers, providing enhanced exposure for the heroes of the sport and their sponsors,” said Gary Darcy , senior vice president of marketing, NHRA. “With new faces added to the broadcast team, coupled with more consistent times for our original and repeat airings on the network, NHRA clearly has the premier television package in the sport compact industry.”

An 11th event, the Pro RWD-only portion of the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, will be highlighted during a segment of the popular Inside Drag Racing program on ESPN2.

NHRA is the premier sanctioning body for sport compact drag racing. It presents the 11-race, $2.1 million NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series at eight tracks across the country from April-October. The series features the largest guaranteed sport compact event purse of more than $27,000 paid out per event. In addition, the series offers a year-end championship fund of $144,000, along with nearly $1.7 million in contingency payouts. The series is highlighted by its five championship classes (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Turbo Magazine Hot Rod and Honda Tuning All Motor). For more information, please visit nhrasportcompact.com.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series’ provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

2005 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series television schedule on ESPN2

BFGoodrich Tires NHRA Sport Compact Nationals presented by Buzz 103.1 & R.J. Gators

Moroso Motorsports Park, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Thursday, April 14, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 1, 1 a.m., repeat



Nitto NHRA Sport Compact Nationals

featured at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals

(POWERade event-championship categories only)

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas

Thursday, April 28, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 1, 1:30 a.m., repeat



Nitto NHRA Sport Compact Springnationals

Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J.

Wednesday, May 11, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2 a.m., repeat



Northeast NHRA Sport Compact Nationals

Atco Raceway, Atco, N.J.

Friday, May 27, 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 29, 2 a.m., repeat



Nitto NHRA Sport Compact Summer Nationals

featured at the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals

(POWERade event-championship categories only)

Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kan.

Thursday, June 9, 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 12, 2 a.m., repeat



Mopar Mountain Madness NHRA Sport Compact Nationals

Bandimere Speedway, Denver

Thursday, June 30, 2 p.m.

Sunday, July 10, 2 a.m., repeat



South Florida NHRA Sport Compact Nationals

Moroso Motorsports Park, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2 a.m., repeat



Desert NHRA Sport Compact Nationals

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 2, 2 a.m., repeat



NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals

Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J.

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 16, 2 a.m., repeat



NHRA Sport Compact World Finals

Pomona Raceway, Pomona, Calif.

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 6, 2 a.m., repeat