NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing series - wikipedia NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing series NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Drag racing Country United States Inaugural season 1965 Tire suppliers Goodyear Continental ( Pro Modified only ) Cooper Tire & Rubber Company ( Pro Stock Motorcycles only ) Official website http://www.nhra.com Current season The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is a drag racing series organized by the National Hot Rod Association ( NHRA ). It is the top competition series of the NHRA, comprising competition in four classes, including Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The champion of each category is determined by a point system where points are given according to finishing placement and qualifying effort. The season is divided into two segments. After the first 18 races, the Top 10 of each pro category are locked in and compete in the last six races with the difference in points greatly minimized. Contents 1 History 1.1 The Countdown 2 Title sponsors 3 Champions 3.1 By driver 4 Broadcasting 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links History The series has four main professional classes : Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Top Fuel was the first category, with Funny Cars added in 1966, Pro Stock four years later and Pro Stock Motorcycles in 1987. Both Top Fuel and Funny Cars regularly see top speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour ( 480 km / h ) today, and one thousand foot times anywhere from 3.70 to 4 seconds. Both these cars burn fuel consisting of 90 % nitromethane and 10 % methanol. The Pro Stock record is 214 miles per hour ( 344 km / h ), with times often in the 6.4 - 6.7 second range and the Pro Stock Motorcycles usually run at 190 + mph ( 310 km / h ), with times in the low 7 - to high 6 - second range. Top Fuel ( class designation : AA / D top fuel dragster ) and Fuel Funny Car ( class designation : AA / FC top fuel coupe ) have recently been limited to a 1,000 - foot ( 300 m ) track, instead of the historic 1 / 4 mile ( 1,320 feet ( 402 m ) ), as a means to limit top speeds and increase safety ( there had been a number of engine explosions at or near 300 mph resulting in driver injuries and death ). Currently, driver and spectator safety has been enhanced even while top speeds often approach and exceed 300 mph. Some of the popular racers to come through the series include `` Big Daddy '' Don Garlits, Don `` The Snake '' Prudhomme, and Shirley Muldowney. Those three gained much attention from the 1960s through 1970s with their speed and personalities, a combination rarely achieved today through the political correctness of sponsorship in today 's drivers. Nonetheless there are still colorful characters today, such as 16 - time Funny Car world champion John Force. His daughter, 2007 Rookie of the Year Ashley Force Hood has made appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show and was voted AOL 's Hottest Female Athlete in 2007. On July 2, 2008, following the death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the NHRA announced that race distances for Top Fuel and Funny Car classes would temporarily be reduced to 1,000 ft from the traditional 1 / 4 mile ( 1320 ft ). The measure was intended to be temporary while safety solutions were explored ; however, the races have remained at 1000 feet since Kalitta 's death. Although unpopular with the fans, the distance remains at 1,000 feet today at the request of the teams as a cost - saving measure, with no indication by NHRA officials of any intent of returning to the full quarter - mile format any time soon. By late 2012, 1,000 foot racing became globally recognised as the 2012 FIA European title in Top Fuel became 1,000 - foot championships, as Santa Pod and Hockenheim ( the last two quarter - mile nitro strips ) made the switch, and Australian nitro racing switched to the 1,000 - foot distance only for selected tracks. The Countdown Starting with the 2007 season, the NHRA implemented a playoff system to determine the champion in each class, billed as the Countdown to The Championship. Each season is divided into two segments of races, with the bulk of the races making up the first segment, and the final events making up the second segment. After the first segment is complete, the drivers in each class at or above the cutoff point in the standings ( 8th place up to 2007 and 10th place thereafter ) become eligible for the championship, while the drivers below the cutoff point are eliminated from championship contention, though they still participate in the remaining race events. The points for the advancing drivers are readjusted so that they are separated by a fixed margin, with first place receiving bonus points. The drivers then compete for the championship over the final races of the season. Title sponsors Winston cigarettes was the title sponsor of the series from 1975 until 2001, when a condition of the Master Settlement Agreement required Winston to drop either its sponsorship of the NHRA, or the NASCAR Winston Cup Series ; Winston chose to retain its NASCAR sponsorship. Winston ended their sponsorship with NASCAR two years later. The Coca - Cola Company has since held the title sponsorship rights for the series, under a deal that, in 2012, was extended through 2018. From 2001 to 2008, the series was branded with the company 's Powerade brand, before switching to Full Throttle in 2009. In 2013, following Coca - Cola 's most recent extension of its sponsorship, the title sponsor was changed to Mello Yello. With Mello Yello having introduced a new logo, the NHRA unveiled a new logo for the series in January 2016, as well as a new `` My NHRA '' marketing campaign that plays upon the logo to feature drivers and other personalities discussing what the NHRA means to them. Champions 2009 Top Fuel trophy Before 1974, the season champion was determined by the winner of the World Finals event. The Professional categories contain the divisions of Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock ( Automobile ), and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Year Top Fuel Funny Car Pro Stock Pro Stock Motorcycle 1965 Maynard Rupp N / A Gary Lawson Classification introduced in 1966 Pete Robinson Ed Schartman N / A 1967 Bennie Osborn N / A N / A 1968 Bennie Osborn N / A N / A 1969 Steve Carbone N / A N / A 1970 Ronnie Martin Gene Snow Ronnie Sox 1971 Gerry Glenn Phil Castronovo Mike Fons 1972 Jim Walther Larry Fullerton Bill Jenkins 1973 Jerry Ruth Frank Hall Wayne Gapp Gary Beck Shirl Greer Bob Glidden Don Garlits Don Prudhomme Bob Glidden 1976 Richard Tharp Don Prudhomme Larry Lombardo 1977 Shirley Muldowney Don Prudhomme Don Nicholson 1978 Kelly Brown Don Prudhomme Bob Glidden 1979 Rob Bruins Raymond Beadle Bob Glidden 1980 Shirley Muldowney Raymond Beadle Bob Glidden 1981 Jeb Allen Raymond Beadle Lee Shepherd 1982 Shirley Muldowney Frank Hawley Lee Shepherd Gary Beck Frank Hawley Lee Shepherd 1984 Joe Amato Mark Oswald Lee Shepherd 1985 Don Garlits Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden 1986 Don Garlits Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden Dick LaHaie Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden Dave Schultz 1988 Joe Amato Kenny Bernstein Bob Glidden Dave Schultz 1989 Gary Ormsby Bruce Larson Bob Glidden John Mafaro 1990 Joe Amato John Force Darrell Alderman John Myers 1991 Joe Amato John Force Darrell Alderman Dave Schultz 1992 Joe Amato Cruz Pedregon Warren Johnson John Myers 1993 Eddie Hill John Force Warren Johnson Dave Schultz 1994 Scott Kalitta John Force Darrell Alderman Dave Schultz 1995 Scott Kalitta John Force Warren Johnson John Myers Kenny Bernstein John Force Jim Yates Dave Schultz 1997 Gary Scelzi John Force Jim Yates Matt Hines 1998 Gary Scelzi John Force Warren Johnson Matt Hines 1999 Tony Schumacher John Force Warren Johnson Matt Hines 2000 Gary Scelzi John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Angelle Sampey 2001 Kenny Bernstein John Force Warren Johnson Angelle Sampey 2002 Larry Dixon John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Angelle Sampey 2003 Larry Dixon Tony Pedregon Greg Anderson Geno Scali Tony Schumacher John Force Greg Anderson Andrew Hines 2005 Tony Schumacher Gary Scelzi Greg Anderson Andrew Hines 2006 Tony Schumacher John Force Jason Line Andrew Hines 2007 Tony Schumacher Tony Pedregon Jeg Coughlin Jr. Matt Smith 2008 Tony Schumacher Cruz Pedregon Jeg Coughlin Jr. Eddie Krawiec 2009 Tony Schumacher Robert Hight Mike Edwards Hector Arana Larry Dixon John Force Greg Anderson L.E. Tonglet 2011 Del Worsham Matt Hagan Jason Line Eddie Krawiec 2012 Antron Brown Jack Beckman Allen Johnson Eddie Krawiec 2013 Shawn Langdon John Force Jeg Coughlin Jr. Matt Smith 2014 Tony Schumacher Matt Hagan Erica Enders - Stevens Andrew Hines 2015 Antron Brown Del Worsham Erica Enders - Stevens Andrew Hines 2016 Antron Brown Ron Capps Jason Line Jerry Savoie 2017 Brittany Force Robert Hight Bo Butner Eddie Krawiec By driver Driver Championships Class Years John Force 16 Funny Car 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013 Bob Glidden 10 Pro Stock 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 Tony Schumacher 8 Top Fuel 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014 Dave Schultz 6 Pro Stock Motorcycle 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996 Kenny Bernstein 6 Funny Car Top Fuel 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1996, 2001 Warren Johnson 6 Pro Stock 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001 Joe Amato 5 Top Fuel 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992 Jeg Coughlin Jr. 5 Pro Stock 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013 Andrew Hines 5 Pro Stock Motorcycle 2004, 2005, 2006, 2014, 2015 Don Prudhomme Funny Car 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 Lee Shepherd Pro Stock 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 Gary Scelzi Top Fuel Funny Car 1997, 1998, 2000, 2005 Greg Anderson Pro Stock 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010 Eddie Krawiec Pro Stock Motorcycle 2008, 2011, 2012, 2017 Shirley Muldowney Top Fuel 1977, 1980, 1982 Raymond Beadle Funny Car 1979, 1980, 1981 Don Garlits Top Fuel 1975, 1985, 1986 Darrell Alderman Pro Stock 1990, 1991, 1994 John Myers Pro Stock Motorcycle 1990, 1992, 1995 Matt Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle 1997, 1998, 1999 Angelle Sampey Pro Stock Motorcycle 2000, 2001, 2002 Larry Dixon Top Fuel 2002, 2003, 2010 Antron Brown Top Fuel 2012, 2015, 2016 Jason Line Pro Stock 2006, 2011, 2016 Gary Beck Top Fuel 1974, 1983 Frank Hawley Funny Car 1982, 1983 Scott Kalitta Top Fuel 1994, 1995 Jim Yates Pro Stock 1996, 1997 Tony Pedregon Funny Car 2003, 2007 Cruz Pedregon Funny Car 1992, 2008 Matt Smith Pro Stock Motorcycle 2007, 2013 Matt Hagan Funny Car 2011, 2014 Erica Enders - Stevens Pro Stock 2014, 2015 Del Worsham Top Fuel Funny Car 2011, 2015 Robert Hight Funny Car 2009, 2017 Shirl Greer Funny Car Richard Tharp Top Fuel 1976 Larry Lombardo Pro Stock 1976 Don Nicholson Pro Stock 1977 Kelly Brown Top Fuel 1978 Rob Bruins Top Fuel 1979 Jeb Allen Top Fuel 1981 Mark Oswald Funny Car 1984 Dick LaHaie Top Fuel Gary Ormsby Top Fuel 1989 Bruce Larson Funny Car 1989 John Mafaro Pro Stock Motorcycle 1989 Eddie Hill Top Fuel 1993 Geno Scali Pro Stock Motorcycle 2003 Mike Edwards Pro Stock 2009 Hector Arana Pro Stock Motorcycle 2009 LE Tonglet Pro Stock Motorcycle Jack Beckman Funny Car 2012 Allen Johnson Pro Stock 2012 Shawn Langdon Top Fuel 2013 Ron Capps Funny Car 2016 Jerry Savoie Pro Stock Motorcycle 2016 Brittany Force Top Fuel 2017 Bo Butner Pro Stock 2017 Broadcasting NHRA events have been broadcast on television, with such efforts dating back as far as 1985. By the 1990s, events were split between ESPN, NBC, and The Nashville Network. TNN also broadcast a weekly highlight program, NHRA Today. Due to logistical and scheduling issues, including the possibility of long turnaround times between heats, weather delays, and other factors, events are typically broadcast in a condensed form via tape delay. From 1992 until 2000, TNN carried live coverage of selected final rounds, typically with a condensed package to air until the finals began. In 2001, the NHRA entered into an agreement with ESPN for it to become the exclusive broadcaster of NHRA events, shortly after MTV Networks had effectively shut down the CBS motorsport operations after its acquisition of CBS Cable, and the demise of TNN. During its 14 - year stint as rightsholder, ESPN faced criticism for the structure and scheduling of its coverage. Due to scheduling conflicts with other sports properties to which it held rights, ESPN typically broadcast its NHRA coverage in inconsistent and otherwise undesirable timeslots. In the final years of the contract, the NHRA attempted to structure selected events so that they could be televised live ; by the 2015 season, at least six events were broadcast live. In July 2015, ESPN and the NHRA agreed to end their contract one year early, with the association citing ESPN 's scheduling issues as a concern. In turn, the NHRA announced a new television deal with Fox Sports beginning in the 2016 season. Coverage primarily airs on the FS1 and FS2 cable channels, while 4 events per - season are broadcast on Fox ( including the flagship U.S. Nationals ). Fox committed to televising live Sunday coverage from at least 16 of the 23 events per - season, two - hour qualification broadcasts and encores ( including the condensed highlights program NHRA in 30 ), and coverage of selected Sportsman Series events. NHRA president Peter Clifford explained that the deal would be a `` game - changer '' for the association, citing Fox 's history of motorsports programming, as well as its commitment to increased coverage of NHRA events, including live network television coverage. During the first two years of the contract, Fox had achieved an average viewership of 600,000 viewers -- a major increase over ESPN 's broadcasts. Some events had attracted an audience of over 1 million. The association cited favorable scheduling practices ( including better time slots and additional encores, as well as using NASCAR broadcasts as a lead - in ), and increased promotion of the event broadcasts as part of FS1 and FS2 's programming, as having helped build their audience. Notes Jump up ^ first title after change from front - engine to mid-engine Top Fuel cars, primarily for safety reasons. Jump up ^ first championship for a female driver in any category ^ Jump up to : won the championship without winning a single event Jump up ^ also won the IHRA World Pro Stock Championship in the same year. Shepherd is the only driver to do so. Jump up ^ In 1995, the points system was revamped. The winner of an event received 100 points, runner - up received 90, 3rd place received 80, the other semi-finalist received 70, second round competitors received 50, and all qualifiers would receive 10. Jump up ^ Johnson had one of the biggest comebacks in NHRA history, moving from the bottom of the top 10, gaining over 500 points, with half the season completed, to capture the Pro Stock title. ^ Jump up to : gave driver championships in both nitro classes, one of only three drivers to do so Jump up ^ Bernstein gave his championship trophy to Alan Johnson, brother, and crew chief of late Top Fuel driver Blaine Johnson, who had died during qualifying at the U.S. nationals that year. Jump up ^ Force 's 11th Championship in 2001 made him the winningest driver in NHRA history, beating the 11 - year - old record held by Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Nitro class race distance was shortened to 1,000 feet starting July 2, 2008. Jump up ^ Schumacher won his record sixth Top Fuel title in 2008, beating the 16 - year - old record held by retired Top Fuel driver Joe Amato. Jump up ^ Hight 's win made John Force the winningest team owner in NHRA history, with 17 total championships ( 15 as a driver, one with Hight, and another with Tony Pedregon ). Jump up ^ Edwards went 27 years between NHRA titles ( he won the 1981 Sportsman class Modified title ), the longest in history. References Jump up ^ `` Meet the Hottest Athlete in Sports ''. Retrieved 2009 - 09 - 08... Jump up ^ NHRA News : In interim measure, Top Fuel, Funny Car to race 1,000 feet Jump up ^ `` What is the Countdown ? ''. Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 16. Jump up ^ `` After 27 Years, Series Goes Off Tobacco Road ''. Los Angeles Times. November 8, 2001. Retrieved 15 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` Mello Yello taking over as NHRA title sponsor ''. Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 15 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series logo gets bold makeover ''. Autoweek. Jump up ^ Sharrington, Kevin ( October 28, 1990 ). `` Renovations, TV taking the credit for bigger, diverse crowds ''. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 12 August 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` NHRA still finding itself at mercy of TV networks ''. Houston Chronicle. April 22, 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015. ( subscription required ) ^ Jump up to : `` Sources : NHRA Races To Air On FS1, Ending 14 - Year ESPN Tie - In ''. Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 15 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` NHRA president calls move to Fox Sports in 2016 a ' game - changer ' for series ''. Autoweek. Retrieved 15 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` Fox TV releases 2018 NHRA Mello Yello drag - racing series schedule ''. USA Today. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ `` NHRA Chief Content Officer Ken Adelson talks changes for 2018, relationship with Fox Sports ''. Awful Announcing. 2018 - 02 - 06. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 14. External links Official website Official NHRA Drag Racing Podcasts Drag Race Central The Latest NHRA News and Analysis NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Seasons 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Current NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series dragstrips Atlanta Brainerd Bristol Charlotte Chicago Dallas Denver Epping Gainesville Houston Indianapolis Las Vegas Madison Norwalk Phoenix Pomona Reading Richmond Seattle Sonoma Topeka Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NHRA_Mello_Yello_Drag_Racing_Series&oldid=835098259 '' Categories : Recurring sporting events established in 1965 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Hidden categories : Pages containing links to subscription - only content All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from February 2018 Articles with permanently dead external links Talk Contents About Wikipedia 日本 語 Edit links This page was last edited on 6 April 2018, at 15 : 18 ( UTC ). 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Question: when did top fuel change to 1000 feet
Answer: July 2, 2008