Dirt
NMRA & NMCA Cease Production of Motorsport Events Beyond 2024
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By Nate Van Wagnen
ProMedia LLC , home of the NMRA Ford Nationals ( since 1999 ) and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals ( since 1988 ), has made the very difficult decision to cease production of motorsport events beyond 2024 . The organization released a statement on October 4th announcing the news , which sent shockwaves through the drag racing community . The full statement can be found below .
“ Despite our best efforts , the company could not overcome significant challenges that include losing 4 of our 5 largest pre-Covid revenue-producing events , losing Auto Club Speedway for our NMCA WEST series , declining sponsor and advertising revenues , substantial inflationary price increases and , most recently , the devastating effect Hurricane Helene had on the NMRA World Finals , our company ’ s largest net profit event .
“ ProMedia and our entire team sincerely thank our racers and fans for many years of dedicated support and passion for muscle car performance . We appreciate our sponsors for their longterm friendship and loyalty , most especially our series sponsors , Holley and Red Line Oil . Our track partners are the best in the business and we ’ re proud to call them our friends . Finally , we have been truly blessed having the most dedicated
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and talented employees and event staff in the business made up of true professionals and wonderful people .
“ Because we ’ ll be ceasing operations , ProMedia is unable to attend the PRI Show this December . We extend heartfelt congratulations to all NMRA and NMCA class champions and Top-10 finishers for an outstanding season of competition . Each class champion will be sent a custom package that includes their Nitto Tire Diamond Tree World Champion ring , a World Champion Victor award and a custom-embroidered World Champion jacket . We had hoped to present these items in person at the PRI ceremonies , however , Hurricane Helene proved too fierce an adversary . Please wear your jackets and rings with pride for your amazing accomplishments .
“ Although NMRA and NMCA will not be racing into the future , there are many other incredible series , events , and racetracks that need your patronage , whether as a participant or fan . Please continue supporting great series like NHRA , PDRA , Street Car Takeover and No Prep Kings . Please get out and attend amazing events like LS Fest , World Series of Pro Mod , No Mercy , Lights Out , Snowbird Nationals , MoParty , U . S . Street Nationals , Mod Motor Nationals , YellowBullet Nationals , Drag Week , Power Tour and Sick Week .
“ And especially please support all of our most recent racetrack partners including Summit Motorsports Park , Beech Bend Raceway Park , US 131 Motorsports Park , Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park , Gainesville Raceway , Rockingham Dragway , World Wide Technology Raceway and Bradenton Motorsports Park .
“ Our key industry trade associations , PRI and SEMA , need your backing as they fight for your right to race and enjoy your performance vehicles .
“ Finally , please encourage our media partners who have covered NMRA and NMCA events and patronize great drag racing print publications like
Drag IllustrateD and NatIoNal Dragster .
“ Stay tuned on NMRA and NMCA ’ s social media channels for yearend content and more information . Our home office will be open through mid-December as our remaining team takes us past the finish line .
“ Finally , we ’ re fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world , a nation blessed by God well before the words “ In God We Trust ” became a national slogan . Each NMRA and NMCA event has always praised God and country with a Saturday starting line invocation and national anthem followed by a Sunday morning chapel service . In closing , God bless you , God bless America , and God bless the NMRA and NMCA .
Sincerely , ProMedia & Our Entire Staff DI
PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS SIMMONS
44 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 191