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NHRA Launches Vintage T-Shirt Program at Target Stores Nationwide

(Erica Enders, above, and Antron Brown, below, model some of the new vintage t-shirts licensed by the NHRA. The shirts are available at Target stores nationwide. Photo provided by NHRA Communicaitons.)

After a successful test program earlier this year, JEM Sportswear and NHRA have announced the official launch of NHRA Originals, a line of vintage NHRA-themed t-shirts. The first two shirt designs, featuring classic logos from the NHRA Winternationals in 1972 and the NHRA’s 1962 Nationals, are currently available in Target stores nationwide.

As part of the launch of NHRA Originals, the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body intends to bring out of its archives some of the classic logos and symbols of the sport of NHRA Drag Racing and make them available on a variety of consumer products. These logos, which over time have become the definitive artwork of the sport, marked an era in NHRA Drag Racing like no other.

“The artwork associated with NHRA national events in the ’60s and ’70s are iconic NHRA designs and are highly sought after,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. “This new line of NHRA Originals will pay homage to those classic designs and artwork of a time gone by, but not forgotten.”

The NHRA Originals vintage t-shirt program will feature the 1972 NHRA Winternationals logo along with the iconic snowflake. A nostalgic front-engine dragster is depicted on the front of the 1962 NHRA Nationals shirt, which marked the second year the sport’s largest and most prestigious event, now known as the U.S. Nationals, was held at its current home in Indianapolis.

“We are happy to bring these classic symbols of NHRA Drag Racing to consumers through this limited-time offer,” said Jenni Gold, creative director, JEM Sportswear. “We are confident that these two shirts will quickly sell out and look forward to working with NHRA on introducing new designs to the line and to consumers nationwide.”

The test program with Target earlier this year was extremely successful with all test markets selling out of its inventory in short order. As a result, Target has decided to stock these two items nationwide at all of its 1,750 stories in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The men’s t-shirts will have a retail price of $9.99 and be available in small, medium, large and extra large. The 1972 NHRA Winternationals design comes in a navy color, while the 1962 U.S. National design is available in red.

JEM Sportswear and NHRA hope that soon after the Target Stores launch, JEM Sportswear will begin rolling out these and other products through other retail outlets.

NHRA Date at Gateway to Move Up By One Week

NHRA announced today that the 2012 return of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series to Gateway Motor Sports Park near St. Louis will be moved up one week.  The inaugural NHRA Midwest Nationals will take place Sept. 28-30, 2012. 

As a result, the 28th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway will be held the following week, Oct. 4-7.

Both events remain in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoffs to determine world champions in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories.   NHRA worked with officials at both tracks to accommodate the request for the date swap, which better suited their individual 2012 season schedules.