NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES

NOPI Sport Compact History Since launching in 2001, sport compact drag racing, via the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), has gained exceptional popularity with an increasing fanbase. Beginning in April, the 2007 NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series will feature nine stand-alone NHRA Sport Compact Series events and two Pro RWD-class-only events. Returning to some of the finest drag racing facilities throughout the country, NHRA sport compact drag racers will compete for world championships in five classes: Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod and All-Motor.

The 11-race schedule includes Virginia Motorsports Park, the largest facility of its kind on the East Coast. The season opener will take place at Moroso Motorsports Park in Jupiter, Fla., followed by three races along the Eastern seaboard. The 2007 season will conclude on the West Coast at the Pomona Raceway with the 7th annual NHRA Sport Compact World Finals.

The NHRA year-end championship will include a guaranteed bonus fund of $144,000, with varied purses at each event throughout the season.

TOYOTA IN THE NHRA XPLŌD SPORT COMPACT SERIES

Over the last seven years, Toyota’s Special Projects Group at TRD U.S.A. in Tustin, Calif., has continued to raise the bar, and increase its presence and success in sport compact/import drag racing. TRD will build engines and provide technical support for Scott Kelley of Kelley Racing in the All Motor class.

In 2006, Toyota-powered competitor and 15-time series winner Matt Scranton came close to claiming the title as “National Champion” of the Pro RWD class, placing second overall in points. In addition to 30 final round appearances, Scranton also holds the record as the first NHRA sport compact/import competitor to surpass the 200-mph barrier.

SCION IN THE NHRA XPLŌD SPORT COMPACT SERIES

Two-time champion, Brad Personett won his second consecutive title National Championship in the Pro RWD class in 2006. Personett earned the second title in his race-modified Scion tC, sponsored by Titan Motorsports. During the 2006 season, Personett also set both the national-record elapsed time (ET) of 6.41 seconds (U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis) and the fastest national speed record of 220.15 mph (Atco Raceway, Atco).

Scion will also continue to power three additional drivers in 2007 - Leslie Durst-Armendariz in her Horizon Motorsports tC (All Motor class), Kenny Tran in his Q - Nitto tC (Hot Rod class) and Christian Rado in his WORLD electronics tC (Pro FWD class).

TOYOTA-POWERED HIGHLIGHTS

• First 6-Second Pass in NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing History: Ara Arslanian – 6.984 seconds; Englishtown, N.J., Oct. 5, 2002


• First 200-mph Pass in NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing History: Matt Scranton – 202.55 mph; Englishtown, N.J., May 5, 2002


• Consecutive NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing Victories: Matt Scranton – 11


• Most Career NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing Victories: Matt Scranton – 15