Pomona grandstand expansion announced

NEW LOOK IN STORE FOR AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA
NHRA to build new luxury VIP box suites atop East Side Grandstands

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2006) -- NHRA announced plans, today, to build new luxury VIP box suites atop the East Side Grandstands at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The extensive, multi-million dollar expansion to the historic drag racing facility will deliver to suite holders a unique viewing prospective, high atop the current grandstand complex.

"We're excited to begin construction on the new luxury VIP box suites and provide our suite customers with this unique perspective on viewing an NHRA event," said Peter Clifford, executive vice president and general manager, NHRA.

"Pomona is the birthplace of organized drag racing and NHRA is committed to transforming this historic landmark into one of the premiere drag racing facilities in the United States," said Clifford. "This expansion reaffirms NHRA's commitment to the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and the Los Angeles County Fairplex as home to NHRA POWERade Drag Racing for years to come."

Construction will begin shortly after the running of the 46th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals, Feb. 9-12 and in time for the 42nd annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 9-12.

In all, eight state-of-the-art luxury VIP box suites will be constructed atop the East Side Grandstands, providing a birds-eye view of the track on one side and all the activity associated with the open pits environment featured at NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series national events on the other side. Besides the spectacular views, suite guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the race either in the suite or in outside terrace viewing areas.

Originally opened in 1950 as a way to encourage street racers to compete safely, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona was built with the combined efforts of the Pomona Valley Timing Association, Pomona Police Chief Ralph Parker and the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. Through fund raisers, these three entities opened the track that began as a dirt parking lot with an asphalt strip down the middle. Bleachers that held no more than 300 spectators were in place next to a timing tower that was merely scaffolding with a roof on top. Auto Club Raceway at Pomona built its first permanent timing tower in 1968, and it was a meager three-story building that housed race control, the track office and a small media room.

In 2005, the legendary track, which was long known as Pomona Raceway, entered into a title sponsorship relationship with the Automobile Club of Southern California and the track name was changed to Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

NHRA currently owns and operates five drag racing facilities across the country, including Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Other facilities include Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind., which recently went through a multi-million dollar renovation including construction of trackside suites along the west side grandstands; Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla.; National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio; and Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., just outside Atlanta.

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 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 Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youth's ages 8 to 17.

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