Seattle contract extended

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: NHRA Communications (626) 914-4761

NORTHWEST NATIONALS TO STAY IN SEATTLE INTO NEXT CENTURY KENT, Wash. -- The National Hot Rod Association has reached an agreement with Seattle International Raceway to keep the Northwest Nationals at the picturesque facility through 2001, NHRA President Dallas Gardner announced. The Northwest Nationals, an NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series national event, has taken place annually at Seattle International Raceway since 1988. The 11th annual Northwest Nationals is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2, 1998. Prior to 1988, the track hosted to the Fallnationals from 1975-80. The entire dragstrip is scheduled to be repaved in April 1998. "We here in the Northwest are very excited about the extension of Seattle International Raceway's partnership with NHRA, which includes additional capital improvements for the facility," said Jim Rockstad, Seattle International Raceway general manager. "We want to provide the best environment possible for our competitors and great fans and will work diligently to reach that goal." Said Gardner, "Seattle is an important market for NHRA, its competitors and sponsors, and we're proud to provide the loyal fans of the Northwest with exciting NHRA Winston Drag Racing into the next century.