K&N Engineering, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of washable performance air filters and air intake systems, has signed an agreement with NHRA to become the title sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, NHRA officials announced.
              
The K&N Filters Route 66 NHRA Nationals will be held July 7-10 at the state-of-the-art facility located in Joliet, Ill., just south of downtown Chicago. The race, which will be televised nationally by FOX Sports 1, is the 13th of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The race also features the popular JEGS Allstars bonus event for the top racers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
              
“K&N Engineering has been a longtime partner with NHRA and their commitment to provide title sponsorship for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals will help ensure a premium motorsports experience in the major market of Chicago,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “K&N has demonstrated over the years that they understand the tremendous value of aligning their marketing strategy with NHRA’s racing product. In turn, we feel confident we will help expose more potential customers to K&N’s brand through this association.”
              
The event entitlement increases K&N’s commitment to NHRA Drag Racing. The company is the longtime sponsor of the popular K&N Horsepower Challenge, a lucrative bonus event for NHRA Pro Stock teams held each April during the national event in Las Vegas. The company also provides primary and associate sponsorships for several NHRA pro and sportsman race teams.
              
“Partnering with NHRA to become the primary sponsor of the Route 66 NHRA Nationals is a perfect fit to satisfy our business objectives,” said Tony Yorkman, sports marketing manager, K&N Engineering. “Our customers will not only be in the grandstands watching the exciting racing that weekend, many of them will be on the track competing. There is a lot of excitement surrounding NHRA this year, with the rise in event attendance and increased television ratings through FOX Sports’ coverage. We are looking forward to a great event in Chicago that weekend.”