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NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION

SAN DIMAS, CA · EIN 951686172 · Form 990 · FY2020 · Large ($10M-$50M) · www.nhra.com
revenue
$39.5M
expenses
$47.4M
net assets
$24.1M
employees
949
mission · from form 990

PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE SPORT OF DRAG RACING AND IMPROVE SAFETY IN THE SPORT.

profile · synthesized from sources

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a sanctioning body for drag racing, dedicated to promoting the sport and combating illegal street racing. It organizes and oversees various racing series and events across North America, providing a legal and controlled environment for drag racing enthusiasts. The NHRA also works to keep pace with automotive industry trends by updating its Street Legal program.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $0
    THE ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHES RULES THAT GOVERN COMPETITION INCLUDING RULES AND STANDARDS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE SAFETY IN THE SPORT AS WELL AS PROMOTE FAIR COMPETITION. THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUALLY ANALYZES AND LEARNS FROM EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM OVER SEVEN DECADES OF SANCTIONING THE SPORT AND INFORMATION GARNERED FROM THE THOUSANDS OF EVENTS CONDUCTED EACH YEAR. THE ASSOCIATION ANALYZES AND TRIES TO ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR CHANGES IN GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO RACE TRACK FACILITIES, AND STANDARDS FOR RACE VEHICLES, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND THE CONDUCT OF EVENTS. THE ASSOCIATION ANALYZES INCIDENTS AND SHARES ITS EXPERIENCE TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND BENEFIT THE SPORT. THE ASSOCIATION WORKS WITH THE INDUSTRY IT REPRESENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR RACE VEHICLES AND ENCOURAGES MANUFACTURERS TO CONTINUE TO BE INNOVATIVE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAFETY ORIENTED EQUIPMENT, WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN BE USED NOT ONLY IN RACE VEHICLES BUT FOR EVERYDAY PASSENGER CARS AS WELL. AS PART OF ITS MISSION TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN THE SPORT OF DRAG RACING, THE ASSOCIATION ALSO WORKS ON FACILITY ISSUES AND IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT A BROAD NETWORK OF AFFILIATED TRACKS THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. THE ASSOCIATION SHARES INFORMATION WITH OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF VARIOUS RACING FACILITIES REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS AIMED TO IMPROVE SAFETY AS WELL AS IMPROVE THE CONDUCT OF EVENTS, AND THEREBY ATTRACT MORE PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS. THE ASSOCIATION DEVOTES SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO IMPROVING RACING FACILITIES AND HELPING TRACK OWNERS AND OPERATORS PROMOTE PROGRAMS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT MORE SPONSORS, SPECTATORS AND PARTICIPANTS ALIKE. THE ASSOCIATION OWNS AND MAINTAINS A SMALL NUMBER OF RACING FACILITIES TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO RACE AND PROVIDE RACING VENUES IN CERTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AS WELL AS TO USE AS A PROVING GROUND FOR PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVE ITS ABILITY TO PERFORM ITS ROLE AS A SANCTIONING BODY.
  2. #2 $0
    THE ASSOCIATION'S PUBLICATION, NATIONAL DRAGSTER, PROVIDES IN-DEPTH INFORMATION TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS AND TO EVEN MORE PASS-ALONG READERS. INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION'S WEBSITES, NHRA.COM. AND NHRARACER.COM. THE PUBLICATION SHOWCASES THE LATEST IN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, RACE COVERAGE, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, STATISTICS AND ADVERTISING TO SPECTATORS, COMPETITORS, SPONSORS, TRACK OPERATORS, HOBBYISTS, ENTHUSIASTS AND OTHERS. THE PRINTED AND ONLINE PUBLICATION IS DISTRIBUTED TO PROVIDE FULL COVERAGE DURING THE RACING SEASON AND HAS THE LARGEST READERSHIP OF ALL DRAG RACING PUBLICATIONS AND THE INTERNET WEBSITE IS ALSO WIDELY VIEWED.
named programs · 9 · from sources

what they call their work

Let's Race
Initiative to welcome first-time racers and promote participation in NHRA events
Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
A series of drag racing events for Sportsman racers.
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
Professional drag racing series featuring Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories with events across North America
NHRA 75th Anniversary Website
A dedicated website celebrating the history of NHRA with photos, videos, news, schedules, and merchandise.
NHRA Racer Advantage
Program providing benefits and recognition to NHRA racers
NHRA Street Legal Program
Provides a legal and controlled environment for drag racing at NHRA member tracks, allowing a diverse range of street-legal vehicles to participate and receive recognition for on-track performance, aiming to combat illegal street racing.
NHRA.tv
Streaming service offering live and archived coverage of NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events, select Sportsman Series events, and historic races.
Street Legal
Program that allows owners of 2014 and newer OEM production vehicles to race at NHRA member tracks with minimal modifications, providing a legal alternative to street racing
Where to Race
Resource connecting racers with NHRA member tracks across North America
activities · 3 clusters

what they do

  • Professional Drag Racing Event Hosting 18 activities
    • Administer NHRA racing championships and awards
      Recognizes champions in various NHRA racing categories including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle through the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Awards include world championships and milestone race wins, such as the 1,000th Top Fuel and Funny Car races.
    • Administer competitive racing programs and award championships
      Runs professional drag racing categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle) under the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, awards world championships annually, and recognizes milestone race winners such as the 1,000th Top Fuel and Funny Car races.
    • Administers competitive awards and milestones in drag racing
      Awards championships in multiple categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle) for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, recognizes milestone races (e.g., 1,000th Top Fuel and Funny Car races), and honors past winners. Also awards $200 to six Sportsman drivers per event who achieve the best mathematical run in a losing elimination round at Pomona.
    • Administers performance-based awards for Sportsman drivers
      Awards $200 to six drivers in various Sportsman categories who achieve the best mathematical run in a losing effort during the first round of eliminations at Pomona, promoting sportsmanship and precision in amateur racing.
    • Advocacy and recognition in motorsports policy and culture
      Received formal recognition in the U.S. Congressional Record for its 75th anniversary, presented by Congresswoman Norma J. Torres during the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, highlighting the organization’s cultural and historical impact.
    • Advocates for motorsports recognition at the national level
      Secured formal recognition in the Congressional Record for its 75th anniversary, highlighting the NHRA’s cultural and historical impact in American motorsports, presented by Congresswoman Norma J. Torres during the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals.
    • Award performance-based incentives in Sportsman categories
      Provides $200 awards to six drivers in various Sportsman categories who record the best mathematical run in a losing effort during the first round of eliminations at Pomona.
    • Awards championships and race titles
      Awards world championships and race victories across NHRA categories including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, based on competitive performance during the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Examples include awarding the 2025 world championships in all four categories and race wins at the 2026 Arizona Nationals and Gatornationals.
    • Operate Street Legal program to combat illegal street racing
      Runs the Street Legal initiative at NHRA member tracks across North America to provide sanctioned racing alternatives to illegal street racing. Includes issuing performance-based decals to racers who meet specific benchmarks such as 9-second quarter-mile or 5-second eighth-mile times.
    • Operate Street Legal program to counter illegal street racing
      Establishes and operates Street Legal events at NHRA member tracks across North America, providing sanctioned racing opportunities and issuing performance-based decals to participants who meet specific speed benchmarks.
    • Operates Street Legal program to deter illegal street racing
      Runs the Street Legal program at NHRA member tracks across North America to provide a safe, legal alternative to illegal street racing. The program includes performance-based recognition and decal issuance for qualifying racers.
    • Operates Street Legal program to promote safe racing
      Runs the Street Legal program at NHRA member tracks across North America to combat illegal street racing by offering sanctioned, performance-based events. Issues exclusive decals to racers who achieve 9-second quarter-mile or 5-second eighth-mile times and submit a license application.
    • Organize and host NHRA drag racing events
      Hosts professional drag racing events across North America, including the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, such as the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, and Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, at designated raceways on an annual schedule.
    • Organize and host NHRA drag racing events
      Hosts professional drag racing events across North America, including the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, such as the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, NHRA U.S. Nationals, and NHRA Finals, at designated dragstrips like Gainesville Raceway, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Events include multi-day competitions with scheduled rounds and eliminations.
    • Organizes and hosts NHRA drag racing events
      Hosts major NHRA drag racing events across North America, including the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, such as the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, NHRA U.S. Nationals, and NHRA Finals, at designated dragstrips like Gainesville Raceway, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, and zMax Dragway. Events are held annually on fixed schedules, such as from March to November 2026.
    • Organizes and hosts NHRA drag racing events
      Hosts major NHRA drag racing events across North America, including the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, such as the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, NHRA U.S. Nationals, and NHRA Finals, at designated dragstrips like Gainesville Raceway, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, and zMax Dragway. Events are held annually on scheduled dates, such as March through November 2026.
    • Recognize NHRA milestones through formal advocacy and public engagement
      Secures formal recognition for organizational milestones, such as the 75th anniversary, through acknowledgments in the Congressional Record and public ceremonies, including a presentation by Congresswoman Norma J. Torres at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals.
    • Recognizes milestones and historical achievements in drag racing
      Honors major historical milestones in NHRA racing, such as the 1,000th Top Fuel and Funny Car races, by celebrating past winners and hosting commemorative events, including ceremonies at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum during major races like the Winternationals.
  • Live & Archived Motorsports Streaming 4 activities
    • Provide digital streaming and archival access to NHRA racing content
      Offers live video streaming of all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events during race days, and provides on-demand access to over 600 hours of recorded races, including full seasons from 2022–2025 and historic NHRA events through its archive collection.
    • Provide live and on-demand digital streaming of NHRA events
      Offers live video streaming of all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events during race days and maintains on-demand access to over 600 hours of recorded races, including full seasons from 2022–2025 and historic NHRA races.
    • Provides digital streaming and archival access to NHRA racing content
      Offers live video streaming of all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events during race days, plus on-demand access to over 600 hours of recorded content, including full seasons from 2022–2025 and historic NHRA races through its archive collection.
    • Provides digital streaming and archival access to NHRA racing content
      Offers live video streaming of all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events during race days, on-demand access to over 600 hours of recorded NHRA racing content, and streaming of full seasons from 2022–2025. Also maintains and provides access to historic NHRA race archives.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Advocating for Drag Racing
      The organization engages in advocacy efforts, as evidenced by its formal recognition in the Congressional Record for its 75th anniversary.
    • Broadcasting and Archiving Drag Racing Content
      The organization provides live video streaming of all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events, offers on-demand access to over 600 hours of recorded content, and makes historic NHRA races available through its archive collection, including entire seasons of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
    • Organizing and Hosting Drag Racing Events
      The organization hosts numerous drag racing events across North America, including major national events like the NHRA Gatornationals, NHRA Winternationals, NHRA Arizona Nationals, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, NHRA Southern Nationals, Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, and In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals.
    • Promoting Safe Street Legal Drag Racing
      The organization establishes and operates Street Legal events at NHRA member tracks across North America to combat illegal street racing. It also provides unique Street Legal decals to racers who achieve specific performance benchmarks and issues exclusive decals for those achieving 9-second quarter-mile or 5-second eighth-mile times.
    • Recognizing and Awarding Drag Racing Achievements
      The organization awards world championships in various categories such as Funny Car, Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. It also recognizes individual race winners and provides monetary awards to drivers for mathematical runs in Sportsman categories.
financials · form 990 · fy2020

the money

revenue
Total revenue$39.53M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$38.67M98%
Investment income$48K0%
Other revenue$819K
expenses
Total expenses$47.41M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$15.92M
Grants paid out$6K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$40.98M
Cash$9.19M
Investments$0
Liabilities$16.88M
Net assets$24.11M
Liquid reserves2.3 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

paid leadership · 12
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
GLEN CROMWELL PRESIDENT 40 $677K
PETER CLIFFORD CEO/ BOARD CHAIRMAN 40 $627K
LINDA LOUIE VP & GENERAL COUNSEL 40 $467K
BRADLEY GERBER VP SALES & CHIEF DEVELOPME 40 $413K
NED WALLISER VP COMPETITION 40 $336K
JOSHUA PETERSON VP RACING ADMINISTRATION 40 $306K
JOHN SIRAGUSA SR DIR SALES & BUS DVPMT 40 $272K
CHEYENNE HUANG ACTING TREASURER 40 $136K
GRAHAM LIGHT FORMER SECRETARY 0 $118K
EDWIN DESSER SECRETARY 1 $36K
MICHAEL COHEN BOARD MEMBER 1 $36K
DALLAS GARDNER FORMER BOARD CHAIRMAN (THRU 9/19) 0 $15K
board members · 1
  • LEE ANN GLIHA — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 27

who they work with

  • AMALIE Motor Oil Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Gatornationals event.
  • Amalie Motor Oil Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Gatornationals event.
  • Amalie Motor Oil Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Gatornationals.
  • Cornwell Quality Tools Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
  • DENSO Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
  • Dodge Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Nevada Nationals.
  • FMP Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
  • Firebird Motorsports Park Government — Host venue for the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals.
  • GlobalSKU Partner — New partner of Ida Zetterström and Shawn Reed Racing for the 2026 season.
  • Holley Partner — Sponsor of the Best Losing Package award at NHRA events.
  • In-N-Out Burger Partner — Name sponsor of the Pomona Dragstrip where the Winternationals are held.
  • In-N-Out Burger Partner — Title sponsor of the Pomona Dragstrip and the NHRA Finals event.
  • Lucas Oil Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Winternationals and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
  • Lucas Oil Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Winternationals event.
  • Mission Foods Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Drag Racing Series.
  • Mission Foods Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA world championship series.
  • Mission Tortillas Partner — Partner organization in a sponsorship collaboration with NHRA.
  • Muckleshoot Casino Resort Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
  • NAPA Auto Parts Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Midwest Nationals.
  • NGK Spark Plugs Partner — Title sponsor of the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals.
  • NHRA Member Tracks Network — Hosts NHRA Street Legal events across North America as part of the NHRA network.
  • Pep Boys Partner — Sponsor of NHRA events or programming.
  • RPM Group Partner — Strategic alliance to bring NHRA drag racing back to the South Florida area.
  • Summit Racing Equipment Partner — Title sponsor of the NHRA Nationals at Norwalk and the associated motorsports park.
  • Texas Motorplex Government — Host venue for the Texas NHRA FallNationals.
  • Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Partner — Hosts milestone celebrations such as the Night of Champions honoring 1,000 Funny Car winners.
  • zMax Dragway Government — Host venue for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.