NHRA Unleashed Visiting Seven New Venues In 2011

After a debut season that most – including the NHRA brass themselves – would likely describe as less successful than anticipated, speculation has been rampant whether the NHRA Unleashed series would continue in 2011. Rumors were abound earlier this off season that the series might become an index-only, entry-level series to attract street car racers and the recent announcement that NHRA’s southeast division Lucas Oil series would contest three Unleashed index categories further put the whole deal in question.

Well today, the NHRA finally squashed those rumors by unveiling the full 2011 Unleashed schedule. The number of events has nearly doubled last years trial-run of four races, with seven brand new venues covering virtually every region encompassing the sophomore season schedule. Interestingly, NHRA has chosen not to utilize their own facilities this time around, which comprised the entire series last year with events in Gainesville, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Atlanta.

The new year will kick off at what is quickly becoming the home of heads up street car drag racing – the South Georgia Motorsports Park – on May 6-7. Other notables include the popular doorcar venue of Milan Dragway in Michigan on September 9-10 and a trek out west to the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Calif. on October 14-16.

In addition to the schedule, the race classes have also been modified. Gone is the headlining Pro Modified category as well as EZ Street, replaced with the popular X275 Drag Radial eliminator that will join the returning Outlaw 10.5 and Limited Street classes. They will be joined by 8.50, 9.50, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, and 13.0 Index categories.

2011 NHRA UNLEASHED SCHEDULE

MAY 6-7

SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK

CECIL, GA

www.racesgmp.com

JUNE 3-4

TULSA RACEWAY PARK

TULSA, OK

www.tulsaracewaypark.com

JUNE 17-18

NO PROBLEM RACEWAY PARK

BELLE ROSE, LA