The National Hot Rod Association, in response to measures being taken on the local and federal level to the Coronavirus pandemic, announced today that it will suspend operations for the next 30 days, which will include its NHRA-owned tracks and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The sanctioning body intends, at this time, to resume competition April 17-19 with the Houston national event, as scheduled.

The suspension will, at this time, effect only the DENSO Auto Parts NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas on the national level, while five events on the divisional/regional level (four in Division 4, one in Division 7) will be postponed. In addition, a number of non-sanctioned weekly racing events at each of the NHRA’s tracks, including Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Gainesville Raceway in Florida, and the Atlanta Dragway, will not be contested.

Official statement from the NHRA:

At this time, we are suspending all NHRA drag racing for 30 days in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

This suspension includes events at all NHRA-owned tracks and any NHRA-sanctioned events such as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. We intend at this time to resume the original schedule on April 17-19 in Houston, and continue thereafter, subject to developments in the interim. The spring Las Vegas event is postponed with new dates to be determined. Please go to LVMS.com for information if you have purchased tickets for the postponed event.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely, to listen to experts, and to be transparent as to when we believe we will be able to resume racing. 

We made this decision with heavy hearts as we see the effects this pandemic is having on the world, the country and our NHRA family. We believe this is the right decision since social distancing and reducing gatherings of people has been recommended as one of the most effective ways to protect everyone in the long run. 

We are all in this complicated, uncertain and rapidly changing situation together, and we encourage everyone to look out for each other. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. We encourage you to consult www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html for information and updates.