more news from NHRA
 

A Message from NHRA President Glen Cromwell:
2020 is a year we will never forget. As the country and the world paused in the face of COVID-19, NHRA, like other sports sanctioning bodies, canceled and postponed events. We had to do our part to protect public health and our decisions were based on evolving governmental and public health guidance. We worked with our entire racing community, government authorities and experts to return to racing in a prudent way. Now, we are one of the few sports anywhere that’s successfully returned to operating with spectators, with protocols in place to support those operations.



Like many organizations, the pandemic impacted our finances. For example, without fans in the stands, we were forced to reduce purses. The good news is that our overall financial health remains strong and we are excited to gear up for our 70th anniversary in 2021. We are taking a bit more time to announce the 2021 national event schedule so we can have fuller information and more certainty. The schedule might look different than before – it might start later and it might start on the east coast – but it will be packed with what everyone expects from NHRA racing.



I’m truly proud to say that the NHRA is the largest and greatest auto racing organization in the world, and we have all of you to thank for that, as well as everyone else with a passion for NHRA racing. When the pandemic struck, our entire racing family focused on everyone’s health and safety. On the pro series side, we continued to work closely with our series sponsor, Coca-Cola, and their Mello Yello brand. Even though they decided to withhold a payment from us during the pandemic, they worked with us and all systems were go for their sponsorship to continue, as contracted, through the end of 2023.



Recently, Coca-Cola had a change of heart, and told us they would walk away from their agreement to sponsor our professional series -- not at the end of 2023, as promised in their agreement, but now, after being with us since 2002. We’re deeply disappointed that they’ve taken this position.



NHRA has always treated our sponsors as part of our family. Family sticks together when times get tough. But it seems The Coca-Cola Company is using the pandemic as an opportunity to break their promise. We can’t let that stand. We owe it to everyone who makes the NHRA so excellent – all our employees, teams, tracks, fans, partners and sponsors – to hold Coca-Cola to its promises.



Today, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, we filed a lawsuit against The Coca-Cola Company. We have never filed a lawsuit like this in our history, and we never expected to be forced to take action against such a longstanding partner. We value relationships with our sponsors. We do not take this action lightly. But we are unwavering in our belief that we have no other option to protect our rights and the interests of our racing community, especially the racers whose purse was funded in large part by this agreement.



Thank you for all you have done these past few months. We will continue to work with the greatest sponsors in the world, and together, we will cross many more finish lines, stronger than we have ever been before.

Re: more news from NHRA
 

Well seeing how they treated the Pro teams it appears the table has been turned on them. This is certainly not goid news in today's economic times it will be difficult to find another title sponsor....

Re: more news from NHRA
 

Not surprising at all. Any sponsor is expecting to get some sort of "return" for an investment. The "return" in the case for Mello Yello has completely changed since their negotiations started. First, their are not the thousands of fans at the races to enjoy a cold Mello Yello, enjoy the mock up race car and test your starting line reflexes, be surrounded by Mello Yello advertising, and see their favorite driver drink a Mello Yello.

Remember, Mello Yello has been title sponsor for "Pro" cars and not us sportsman racers. Like him or not, John Force chose not to race this season. He is THE draw to get fans, period. I believe he is probably not getting his sponsor's support for the same reason as NHRA.

It will be impossible to get another similar title sponsor. NHRA has nothing to offer a consumer goods company....no fans, no John Force, and huge financial payouts.

Their best opportunity for sponsorship of Pro racing is something like a .com company that advertises simply for awareness.

I believe that the best opportunity for successful survival of NHRA is a sort of hybrid race. Other than US Nationals and Winternationals, which could have a full field of fuel cars, all other National events would be a "match" race type of deal. "John Force vs Schumacher" in best 2 out of 3.....Same deal with Top Fuel.

The fans would still get their "taste" for fuel cars, while payoffs and insurance costs should be greatly reduced.

Then, continue to develop the factory cars, move existing older stockers and superstockers into "Nostalgia" with ALL of the same existing rules. Cars 2008 and newer would run existing Stock and Superstock classes. Oh, and bring back Modified Production with restrictions.

Swing away folks. If you wonder how I know about advertising/sponsorship value......I retired from Coca-Cola after nearly 40 years in Management and Marketing.

Re: more news from NHRA
 

I can't see how NHRA wins this, not to mention the harm they are doing in attracting future sponsors.

Re: more news from NHRA
 

Maybe there will be more Sportsnationals next year or no quotas for sportsman classes if they have any nationals next year

Re: more news from NHRA
 

The part that states with no fans ( and the Stock & Super Stock Racers they ran off ) along with all their employees ,indicates a need to cut cost ,but in the next statement they are financially Strong ! When your one of your biggest sponsors backs out what else could you say but we are financially strong to keep the other sponsors from backing out also ! The old saying is when the tide goes out you can see who is swimming naked !

Re: more news from NHRA
 

Effective immediately, I presume? So what will this do to last week's 'good' news of signing FoxSports to multi-year deal to broadcast. Again, at cost, I presume. Another 2020 Kick in the Teeth! Ouch!

Re: more news from NHRA
 

The only thing they have touched Is their pay, which looks to in the GM range.

Re: more news from NHRA
 

NHRA states Coke as a family member , then file a lawsuit. You nhra changed what Coke was to receive for their money. Covid changed your schedule. Coke should not be held responsible for fulfilling their obligation. You did not fulfill yours. You reduced purses, how about your salary and others up top in ivory tower. We are family and everyone should suffer together.

Re: more news from NHRA
 

Wonder who has the best lawyers?