While we were working the annual MPMC show here in Los Angeles, just down the road in Glendora, the NHRA was dropping a huge news bomb and for once in recent memory, it was good news! It turns out that Traxxas has stepped up to become a major sponsor for the NHRA and within that sponsorship package, has agreed to fund both a Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car shootout like used to go down in the form of the Big Bud Shootout. The winner of each contest will receive a check for a cool $100,000. That’s small potatoes in NASCAR but good money for the NHRA teams running the best race fuel on Earth.

The dates of these races within other races have not been announced but it would seem traditional to run them at Indy during the US Nationals. The press release said that the locations are still up for grabs. Traxxas is a Texas company so perhaps one will happen at Billy Meyer’s Texas Motorplex. In some ways it would be good to bust them up but in many other ways, respecting the tradition and running them at the same event seems right too. There used to be a larger bonus payed to racers who won the shootout and then won their actual race as well. Hopefully that gets worked back into the equation as well.

Traxxas also became the official radio controlled performance products of the NHRA and will maintain a high profile at national events with signage and displays at all of the races on the tour.

Here’s the full press release from NHRA:

NHRA has signed a multiyear agreement with Traxxas, the leading manufacturer and seller of high performance radio-controlled vehicles. The agreement designates Traxxas as the Official Radio-Controlled Performance Products of the NHRA and will fully integrate the Traxxas brand into all aspects of NHRA, including extensive multimedia rights, broadcast elements, and a strong on-site presence, including interactive displays, signage, and entertainment features.

The sponsorship includes new Top Fuel and Funny Car specialty race-within-a-race programs, both sponsored by Traxxas. The specifics of the specialty programs, including locations for each event, will be announced at a later date. Traxxas will provide $260,000 to fund the two programs, and the Top Fuel and Funny Car specialty-race winners receiving $100,000 each.

“Traxxas comes to NHRA not only as marketing partners, but as longtime fans of the sport,” said Mike Jenkins, owner and president of Traxxas. “The extreme horsepower, speed, and excitement of NHRA Drag Racing is a great match for the performance we build into our radio-controlled products.”

Fans attending 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events will easily see the Traxxas presence throughout each racetrack. An interactive display within Nitro Alley will allow fans the opportunity to test drive one of the many premium radio-control vehicles the company has to offer. In addition, Traxxas will conduct trackside entertainment during the event to showcase the excitement, durability, speed, and maneuverability of its radio-control vehicles. Also, Traxxas signage will be seen on the on-site video screen.

“The program with Traxxas is one of the most comprehensive and extensive official sponsorships in NHRA Drag Racing,” said NHRA President Tom Compton. “As part of this sponsorship, we are very pleased to introduce two new specialty programs for Top Fuel and Funny Car. These two programs, which pair the best of the best in the two top classes, will be extremely popular with the fans and bring added excitement to the race weekend.”

As part of the agreement, Traxxas will have a major role during NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series telecasts on ESPN, including advertising both in the qualifying and eliminations shows, with broadcast enhancements including an in-show sponsor feature and race ticker. Traxxas will maintain a significant presence on NHRA.com and plans to provide outreach to NHRA members with special members-only offers.

Earlier this month, Traxxas announced it will become the primary sponsor for Courtney Force, who will make her debut in the Funny Car class in 2012 in a Traxxas Ford Mustang. The much-anticipated arrival of John Force’s youngest daughter to the Funny Car category will result in one of the more exciting Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award battles in NHRA history.