Arizona Track Will Retain NHRA Event Under New Management

Firebird Int'l Raceway has officially become Wild Horse Motorsports Park, and the track’s new management group "has a signed agreement with the Gila River Indian Community and the NHRA to continue the Arizona Nationals for at least five years." The status of the race and the facility "had been unclear since the Gila River Indian Community didn’t renew former track President Charlie Allen's 30-year lease." The 458-acre property will reopen Sept. 13-15 with the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series (AZCENTRAL.com, 6/21).

Meanwhile, New England Dragway in Epping, N.H., is hosting the region's first NHRA event, the inaugural Auto Plus NHRA New England Nationals. The races began with qualifying Thursday and will conclude Sunday (New England Dragway).