It was announced over the weekend that Camping World, the title sponsor for the NHRA National Event series would be leaving the series at the conclusion of the 2024 season. This leaves NHRA with the huge task of finding a corporate branding partner to form a relationship with prior to the start of the 2025 season.

Jeffrey Young, vice-president of marketing and communications, confirmed Sunday that Camping World does not plan to renew its agreement with the NHRA at the end of next season and that the sanctioning body actively is searching for a replacement.

“Our contract expires at the end of next season. They let us know that they’re not going to renew that at the end of 2024.  They said they’re going to invest that [money] in their employees,” Young said during the NHRA’s Gerber Glass and Collision Route 66 Nationals at Joliet, Ill.

“Our team’s out looking for a new sponsor. They’re out, pitching for the future and having a lot of conversations,” he said. “We expect to make an announcement soon.”

The NHRA has been riding high over the last year or so with stellar on-track performances, as well as packed venues across the country. Unlike other motorsports that tend to be male dominated, such as Indy, F1, WRC, and NASCAR, NHRA has a host of talent on the female side of the lanes as well. Along with a host of young, up and coming talent that could really lead the organization into the future.

For years I have been critical of the NHRA and their ability to change with the times. While I think there is still room for vast improvement, especially in leadership roles within the organization, I will be very interested to see what route they go with a new title sponsor down the road. NHRA is certainly not dead, and is still “the big show” when it comes it drag racing. After receiving messages last night about the potential future of the organization, my response is simple, “they will find a new partner, and they will continue the do what they do”, that said, until organizations like NHRA finally catch up with the times, they will forever be a second class citizen to other motorsports organizations that have embraced change more willingly than the NHRA has.

Let’s continue to focus on the future of the sport and help it grow in a positive manner.