CITY OF POMONA DECLARES FEB. 11-14 AS
“WINTERNATIONALS DAYS” IN PROCLAMATION

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2010) -- As part of the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration for the historic Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, the city of Pomona has proclaimed Feb, 11-14, 2010 as “Winternationals Days,” it was announced Saturday by city officials at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

The tradition-rich season-opening event in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series takes place Feb. 11-14 at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The race will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.

As NHRA celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, the showcase of speed and high performance continues. More than 500 competitors in 12 different racing categories are expected to perform in front of a standing-room only crowd during the much-anticipated event at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, hot-rodding’s birthplace.

Elliott Rothman, Mayor for the City of Pomona, presented the proclamation.

“Drag racing has been a great success across the country, but everyone knows that the heart and soul of all hot-rodding is right here in its birthplace in Southern California, at Pomona,” Rothman said. “The City of Pomona is extremely proud to take part in the celebration of the 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals by offering this well-deserved proclamation and we look forward to many more years of exciting and successful NHRA Full Throttle Series Drag Racing at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.”

In 1961 NHRA held the first NHRA Winternationals event at what was then known as Pomona Raceway at the Los Angeles Fairgrounds. At that time, it was the second NHRA national event in addition to the U.S. Nationals. Today, a victory here is one of the greatest achievements for any drag racer..