Atlanta Weekend Canceled as NHRA Schedule Takes Another Hit
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is taking another extended break following the announcement that the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway have been canceled for 2020.
The event, which is the latest NHRA race weekend to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, was scheduled for Aug. 28-30.
“It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway,” said Kasey Coler, vice president of track management and operations. This tough decision was made following numerous discussions with our stakeholders regarding the ability to host and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the race. Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, we would not be able to provide the event a proper platform to honor and celebrate this historic anniversary."
The latest lost race weekend means the series is now off until the Denso Spark Plugs U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway on Sept. 3-6.
Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis has become a popular place on the schedule this year, as the last three events have been contested there. The U.S. Nationals will make it four consecutive events at the same venue, dating back to the series' restart after its initial COVID-19 pause earlier this spring.
The next time the NHRA is scheduled to take its traveling circus on the road is Sept. 11-13 at Maple Grove Raceway, near Reading Pa.
Currently, three race are technically on the NHRA "postponed" list. Those include races at Denver, Topeka and Branerd, Minn. However, those postponed races have yet to appear on the 2020 schedule that has no openings between the U.S. Nationals and the weekend of Nov. 7-8.
Racing in Denver or Minnesota in November, while is sounds like fun, seems unlikely due to weather concerns. That would appear to put those races clearly on the chopping block, unless cancellations of other races open up the schedule.
2020 NHRA Mello Yello Series Remaining Schedule
As of August 1o
Sept. 3-6, Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis
Sept. 11-13, Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals, Reading, Pa.
Sept. 18-20, NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Charlotte, N.C.
Sept. 25-27, Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, Fla.
Oct. 2-4, AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis
Oct. 9-11, NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol, Tenn.
Oct. 16-18, AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, Dallas
Oct. 23-25, Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals, Houston
Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Dodge NHRA Nationals, Las Vegas
Nov. 13-15, Auto Club NHRA Finals, Pomona, Calif.
Schedule subject to change
