NHRA announced today that the Pro Stock Car category, which will compete at all 24 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events in 2018, will feature eight-car fields at nine selected events and 16-car fields at the other 15 events.
The change in field size is intended to elevate competition and spark renewed interest in the Pro Stock Car category, bringing more exciting qualifying to events with historically fewer entries in the category. The eight-car fields will be at the following events: Houston, Topeka, Epping, Englishtown, Bristol, Denver, Sonoma, Seattle and Brainerd.
NHRA has been working closely with Pro Stock teams for several years on initiatives to improve fan engagement and interest. Changes have included switching to fuel injection; facing cars forward in the pits so fans can see the teams work on their engines; holding burnout contests and more.
“We hope this change in field size at selected events will help increase excitement and fan interest,” said NHRA president Peter Clifford.
NHRA will continue to work with Pro Stock teams and manufacturers this year, carefully evaluating key metrics and supporting targeted initiatives by the teams to generate interest.