NHRA Drops National Record Back-Up Policy

NHRA's competition committee announced Monday that the longstanding 1-percent back-up policy to certify national record performances in the NHRA Mello Yello Series, J&A Service Pro Mod Series, and Lucas Oil Series Alcohol categories will no longer be required at NHRA Drag Racing Series events starting in 2016.

Under this new policy, NHRA teams who post performances for elapsed time and speed that are quicker or faster than the existing national records at any time during any national event, will be eligible for the national record. The driver holding the record at the conclusion of the race will be credited with the record. As is currently the case with all national speed records and Alcohol elapsed time records, points will no longer be awarded for elapsed time national records.

“The one-percent policy was adopted during the early development stages of the timing system and wasn't as reliable as the technology that we are fortunate to have in race control today," said Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations. “We will still examine every national record run to make sure the incremental numbers support the performance, in addition to inspecting every vehicle for compliance with class requirements."

Below are the current national records for each NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series category:

Top Fuel

E.T.: 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. '15, Brainerd, Minn.

Speed: 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. '15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car

E.T.: 3.884 sec. by Jack Beckman, Nov. '15, Pomona, Calif.

Speed: 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. '15, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock

E.T.: 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March '15, Concord, N.C.

Speed: 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

E.T.: 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. '12, Mohnton, Pa.

Speed: 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March '15, Concord, N.C.