Walk with a Legend at NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway

The 24th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals at the Southeastern Texas Home of Speed, Royal Purple Raceway, is already a must-see event, but finding a ticket for the 2011 running of the race that has been the site of so many record-setting passes will be that much more difficult.

Why? Because in addition to presenting John Force, Larry Dixon and all of the 7,000-horsepower stars of the today’s NHRA Full Throttle Series, NHRA will celebrate its 60th anniversary season by treating Royal Purple Raceway fans to one of the greatest of the many great NHRA Legends in Shirley Muldowney, the ‘first lady of drag racing.”

In addition to meet-and-greets and autograph sessions, it was just announced that the first 1,000 fans who purchase an advance three-day pit-side ticket will be invited to participate in the Track Walk with Shirley Muldowney on Sunday, May 1 (prior to opening ceremonies). The living legend will share memories from her storied career during a casual stroll down the track with a very privileged and fortunate group of fans. 
 

Shirley Muldowney

A three-time world champion, Muldowney was a pioneer for women in all sports, and she will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of her breakthrough first win by a female in a Top Fuel dragster (in Columbus, Ohio on June 13, 1976) during the 2011 season.

Royal Purple Raceway has also extended to fans purchasing single-day tickets to the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals a $5 discount if they order in advance. Also, reserved seats will go on a first-come, first-served basis so the earlier fans order the better access they will have to the best seats.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals, April 28 - May 1 at Royal Purple Raceway, will mark the fifth stop in NHRA’s year-long 60th anniversary celebration (NHRA was founded March 13, 1951) that will pay homage to the evolution of the hot rod, the impact of the sport’s legendary racers, and the lifeblood provided by the many millions of loyal and passionate NHRA fans.

“(NHRA Founder) Wally (Parks) created NHRA for the hot rod enthusiasts and the 2011 season, our 60th Anniversary, will be a year-long celebration in their honor,” said NHRA president Tom Compton.  “Fans, accustomed to an up close and personal experience with the stars of the sport through our open pit environment, will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the stars and see the cars from throughout the 60-year history of the sport.”

The celebration will continue throughout the year as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series winds its way from Pomona to Pennsylvania, Dallas to Denver, Seattle to Central Florida, and everywhere in between. NHRA drag racing fans from across the country will be treated to special events designed to give them the chance to personally interact with the men, women and vehicles that have made the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series the great sport that it is today.

Race fans can frequent NHRA.com or simply ‘like’ the NHRA Facebook page to receive updated news regarding details of the many 60th-themed ticket promotions being offered, and specific activities planned, at each of the remaining 16 events on the 2011 schedule.

The virtual tour through the first 60 years of NHRA drag racing will extend beyond the track to the desktops, laptops and handheld devices of NHRA fans via the NHRA Facebook page. Throughout the 2011 season, NHRA will enlist the expertise of the fans of the NHRA Facebook page to help determine the greatest moments from the first 60 years of NHRA drag racing. Voting – based on ‘likes’ – began March 7 and will continue throughout the season.

Tickets for the 24th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals, April 28-May 1 at Royal Purple Raceway, are on sale now at www.royalpurpleraceway.com or by phone at 281-383-7223.