PONTIAC-GMC RETURN AS OFFICIAL VEHICLES OF NHRA
GLENDORA , Calif. (June 30, 2007) – NHRA officials announced today that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Pontiac-GMC to return in 2008 as the Official Car and Official Truck of the NHRA.
It will be the 13th consecutive year that Pontiac has served as the Official Car of the NHRA and the 19th for GMC as the Official Truck of the NHRA, the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning organization.
“Pontiac-GMC has become synonymous with the sport of NHRA Drag Racing,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “Clearly, over the last two decades, they have seen the incredible value of association with NHRA and the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series and, in turn, we are proud to be associated with Pontiac-GMC and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship in the future.”
Since becoming the Official Car of the NHRA in 1996, Pontiac has earned a winning reputation for amassing No. 1 qualifying awards, national event victories, performance records and series championships. Pontiac is the all-time win leader among auto manufacturers in the competitive world of NHRA Pro Stock racing, and a 10-time winner of the NHRA’s prestigious Manufacturer’s Cup.
In 2006, Pontiac earned 12 national event victories, 27 final round appearances, 19 No. 1 qualifying awards and set 34 individual track elapsed time and top speed records. Three drivers in Pontiac GTOs placed in the top five of the NHRA POWERade Series points standings. Pontiac claimed its fourth straight (ninth overall since 1996) Pro Stock driver’s title with the crowning of Jason Line as the ’06 champ.
Pontiac’s on-track performance has been impressive in the early part of the 2007 season, as three-time world champ Greg Anderson set the national elapsed time record in Pro Stock, posting a 6.536 second run in his GTO at Gainesville, Fla., while teammate Line set the national speed record at the same event, powering to a speed of 211.69 mph in his GTO. Anderson has raced to six victories and leads the current point standings.
“The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series continues to be an outstanding forum to showcase the quality and performance of the automobile designed for action,” said Jim Bunnell, divisional general manager, Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “ Pontiac is proud to return as the Official Car of the NHRA, and we look forward to continuing our growing relationship with the nation’s premier drag racing series and its fans for years to come.
“GMC’s 19 year affiliation with NHRA is its longest-running promotional platform ever. For a celebrated brand known for Professional Grade trucks, and its association with the legendary Safety Safari, GMC is a perfect fit as the Official Truck of the National Hot Rod Association.”
As the Official Car of the National Hot Rod Association, Pontiac provides support vehicles for administrative and on-site personnel of the NHRA. As the Official Truck, GMC also provides support vehicles for NHRA staff, and GMC Sierras and Yukons for the NHRA Safety Safari, allowing them to perform their important trackside duties.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufacturers its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at GM | General Motors: Corporate Website: Company, Cars and Customers.
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 Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
