One Million Dollar Purse Increase Announced

GLENDORA, Calif. - Representing one of the largest single-season dollar increases in the organization's history, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced a $1 million total purse increase for the 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season. The addition of the Las Vegas national event brings the overall total increase to $1.5 million.

In all, purses were raised by more than seven percent in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series to nearly $13 million. Combined with the sportsman categories, the total purse for the 2000 season is $15.5 million.

The purse increase expands the total cash available in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series to more than $19 million, when coupled with lucrative NHRA professional category bonus programs, the Winston Top 10 program and other awards and programs. An additional $26 million in contingency sponsor postings brings the overall national event series awards total to more than $45 million for the 2000 season.

"The increase in purse is part of NHRA's long-term objective to provide our racers with a payout schedule consistent with other motorsports endeavors," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. In the last ten years, NHRA Winston Drag Racing purses have jumped nearly 300 percent.

A portion of the record increase will strengthen purses at the Advance Auto Parts Southern Nationals in Atlanta and the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.