NHRA has announced that O’Reilly Auto Parts has agreed to a multiyear extension to be the title-rights sponsor of the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka through 2010. O’Reilly Auto Parts has maintained the title-rights sponsorship of the event since 2002.

"O’Reilly Auto Parts is extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue our long-term association with NHRA and Heartland Park Topeka," said Doug Ruble, vice president of marketing and advertising for O’Reilly Auto Parts. "Our relationship with NHRA has grown significantly over the years, and we welcome the opportunity to continue this great relationship and enable our customers to the amazing experience and excitement of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing."

Few would argue O’Reilly Auto Parts’ deep commitment to NHRA. In addition to the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals, the auto-parts giant maintains title-rights sponsorship of five NHRA POWERade Drag Racing series events, in Houston, St. Louis, Bristol, Memphis, and Dallas. Recently, O’Reilly Auto Parts signed a long-term naming rights deal to historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, home to the largest drag racing event in the world, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. O’Reilly also is the series sponsor of the successful O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League, an NHRA series for youths ages 8 to 17.

"O’Reilly Auto Parts continues to be an outstanding partner for NHRA," said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We appreciate O’Reilly’s significant involvement in NHRA Drag Racing, from our grassroots programs to the NHRA POWERade Series. We look forward to working with O’Reilly Auto Parts for many years to come."

The O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals is scheduled for May 30-June 1.

"O’Reilly Auto Parts has been a wonderful supporter of both NHRA and Heartland Park Topeka," said Raymond Irwin, owner of Heartland Park Topeka. "We are proud to continue our relationship with them as we partner together for the 2008 O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals."