GLENDORA, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2006) – NHRA and ESPN announced that ESPN Regional Television will continue to produce 16 one-hour shows with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events in 2006.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series shows will be showcased on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD on a taped-delay basis as part of NHRA’s exclusive relationship with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports.

In addition, each of the 41 half-hour episodes of NHRA 2Day presented by Lucas Oil, NHRA’s weekly news magazine show that airs each Sunday on ESPN2, will feature a Sportsman Spotlight segment focusing on the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA’s member track network.

Veteran motorsports announcers Marty Reid and Paul Page will anchor the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts and split the schedule, as each announcer will host eight events. Veteran NHRA announcer Bob Frey will serve as analyst in the booth for all 16 shows. David Rieff will serve as the pit reporter.

ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN Today), ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360 (Broadband), Mobile ESPN, ESPN on Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

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 more than 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 Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.


NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series 2006 Television Schedule

EVENT TIME/ AIR DATE

CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals Original Air, Noon – 1 p.m. (ET), Feb. 19
Pomona, Calif. (host-Marty Reid)

NHRA Gatornationals Original Air, 7 – 8 p.m. (ET), April 1
Gainesville, Fla. (host-Paul Page) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), April 9

O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals Original, 7– 8 p.m. (ET), April 8
Houston (host-Paul Page) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), April 16

NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals Original Air, Noon – 1 p.m. (ET), April 16
Las Vegas (host-Marty Reid) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), April 27

Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Original, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (ET), May 14
Atlanta (host-Marty Reid) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), May 16

O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals Original Air, Noon – 1 p.m. (ET), June 4
Topeka, Kan. (host-Paul Page) Repeat, 3 – 4 a.m. (ET), June 11

CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals Original Air, 7 – 8 p.m. (ET), June 17
Chicago (host-Paul Page) Repeat, 2:30 – 3:30 a.m. (ET), June 25

K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals Original Air, 12:30–1:30 p.m. (ET), June 25
Englishtown, N.J. (host-Paul Page) Repeat, 2 – 3 p.m. (ET), July 7

NHRA Northwest Nationals Original Air, 7 – 8 p.m. (ET), July 29
Seattle (host- Paul Page)

FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals Original Air, 1 – 2 p.m. (ET), Aug. 5
Sonoma, Calif. (host-Paul Page) Repeat, 3 – 4 a.m. (ET), Aug. 8

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Original Air, Midnight – 1 a.m.(ET), Aug. 20
Brainerd, Minn. (host-Paul Page)

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Original Air, 2 – 3 p.m. (ET), Sept. 10
Indianapolis (host-Mary Reid) Repeat, 3 – 4 a.m. (ET), Sept. 15

Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals Original Air, 1 p.m.– 2 p.m. (ET), Sept. 24
Reading, Pa. (host-Marty Reid) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), Oct. 1

O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals Original Air, 1 p.m. .– 2 p.m. (ET), Oct. 1
Dallas (host-Marty Reid) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), Oct. 8

Virginia NHRA Nationals Original Air, 1 – 2 p.m. (ET), Oct. 15
Richmond, Va. (host-Marty Reid) Repeat, 3 – 4 a.m. (ET), Oct. 22

Auto Club NHRA Finals Original Air, 4 – 5 p.m. (ET), Nov. 18
Pomona, Calif. (host-Marty Reid) Repeat, 2 – 3 a.m. (ET), Nov. 26

*All shows on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD. Times subject to change. Check local listings.

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