National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) officials announced today that Summit Racing Equipment has extended its title sponsorship of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, an entry-level series for kids ages 5 to 17.

In the multi-year agreement, Summit Racing Equipment, a national leader in direct marketing of auto racing parts and equipment, will continue to have the title sponsorship of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, effective immediately.

The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League consists of weekly racing at many of NHRA's member track network and young drivers can compete at the premier NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western and Eastern Conference Finals, where Wally trophies are awarded to individual and team champions.

The League also offers the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge, a program that provides NHRA Member Tracks the opportunity to host a special event exclusively for their junior drag racers and award specially designed NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge Wally trophies.

"The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League provides the ultimate opportunity for young racing enthusiasts to participate in NHRA Drag," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. "By extending its title sponsorship of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, a unique program that is unparalleled in the world of motorsports, Summit Racing is solidifying its role in developing the next generation of NHRA stars."

Founded in 1992, more than 4,000 kids compete in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. Jr. Dragsters are half-scale replicas powered by five-horsepower engines that produce speeds up to 85 mph in the eighth-mile distance.

"Summit Racing Equipment's sponsorship of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League has been a rewarding opportunity to support the young stars of NHRA drag racing," said Jim Greenleaf, motorsports & events manager for Summit Racing Equipment. "We are looking forward to continuing our involvement in this distinctive program that is at the very foundation of NHRA drag racing."  

Notable NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League alumni who now compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series include two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, 2013 Top Fuel world champion Shawn Langdon, Pro Stock standout Vincent Nobile and eight-time Top Fuel winner J.R. Todd.