FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761



NHRA PLACES EFANTIS ON SUSPENSION FOR NEXT THREE NHRA XPLOD SPORT COMPACT RACING SERIES EVENTS



GLENDORA, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2005) – NHRA officials announced today that Paul Efantis, the current points leader in the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series Modified Class, has been suspended for the next three events due to conduct detrimental to the sport of drag racing.



Efantis, who drives the MSP Lucas Oil Toyota Solara, has been suspended from the next three events beginning with the NHRA Las Vegas Sport Compact Nationals, Sept. 9-10, followed by the NHRA Sport Compact Fall Nationals in Englishtown, N.J. (Oct. 1-2), and the NHRA Sport Compact World Finals in Pomona, Calif. (Oct. 22-23). Upon return to competition, Efantis will be placed on one year probation commencing on the date of his first race in the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series. Efantis’ class lead over Justin Humphreys is 193 points.



In addition, MSP was placed on probation for one year after an incident that took place during the Mopar Mountain Madness NHRA Sport Compact Nationals held in June at Bandimere Raceway in Denver. The suspension ends June 15, 2006.



Both Efantis and MSP were sent letters informing them of NHRA’s actions and both suspensions can be appealed as outlined in the 2005 NHRA Sport Compact Rulebook.



The NHRA is the premier sanctioning body for sport compact drag racing. It is presenting the 11-race, $2.1 million NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series at eight tracks across the country from April through 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 more than $1.7 million in contingency payouts.



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 80,000 members 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 Xplōd Sport Compact 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.



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