Ford replaces GM as NHRA sponsor
The NHRA, drag racing’s largest sanctioning body, has signed a multiyear agreement with Ford Motor Company, designating the legendary automaker as the official car and truck of NHRA, replacing the ailing General Motors.
NHRA will be transitioning all official vehicles to the renowned blue oval. As official car and truck of NHRA, Ford will provide support vehicles for NHRA trackside, including the NHRA Safety Safari presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, to allow them to perform their important trackside duties.
This partnership by no means represents Ford Motor Company’s first foray into NHRA and NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing. The Ford Motor Company has a long and storied history with drag racing at the Sportsman and Professional levels. Ford Motor Company is a longtime partner with John Force Racing, and most recently, Ford’s Motorcraft and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center brands partnered with Bob Tasca Racing on the NHRA circuit as well. In all, Ford Motor Company has won 24 world championships in NHRA Drag Racing at the Professional level and countless more in the Sportsman ranks. Ford also is a three-time winner of the prestigious NHRA Manufacturers Cup.
But Ford’s involvement in NHRA goes beyond race-team sponsors and winning championships. In 2008, Ford and NHRA teamed up on safety, mandating the Ford Blue Box crash sensors on all Funny Car and Top Fuel race cars. In addition, Ford has played an instrumental role with John Force Racing on the development of a new Funny Car chassis and other safety initiatives in the sport.
In the coming months, Ford and NHRA hope to announce extensive activation programs to drive business both at Ford dealerships and to NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events.