Entering its second decade exclusively on ESPN2, NHRA and its NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will once again be showcased on the worldwide leader in sports television in 2011. ESPN2 is in nearly 100 million homes nationwide.

NHRA will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011 with a yearlong campaign to pay homage to the evolution of the hot rod, the impact of the sport's legendary racers, and the lifeblood provided by the many millions of loyal and passionate NHRA fans. ESPN2's coverage of each of this year's 22 races will include historical recaps and rarely seen footage celebrating NHRA's 60th anniversary. The season will open once again, as it has for 51 consecutive years, with the traditionrich Kragen O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 24-27.

The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series television schedule features 16 of the 22 events in ESPN2's Sunday night prime-time slot. All six of the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoff events are scheduled to offer eliminations coverage in prime time. NHRA works with ESPN each year to provide qualifying and finals programming with the best possible air times. The prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Sept. 1-5, will again feature 11 hours of wall-to-wall coverage, including complete coverage of final eliminations on Monday, Sept. 5, from noon to 6 p.m. ET.

The network will dedicate more than 100 hours of original programming to the world's quickest, fastest, and most intense motorsport with live or same-day coverage of qualifying on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday. All telecasts will be aired in high definition on ESPN2HD.

The shows are developed by the production team at ESPN, which has been producing NHRA programming since 2001. Paul Page returns as host alongside former drag racer Mike Dunn, who will provide expert analysis and insight. Dave Rieff and Gary Gerould will return as pit reporters. Veteran announcer John Kernan, who joined the NHRA telecast team in 2007, will serve as a third pit reporter at select races

In addition to coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing will be aired and distributed internationally through ESPN International. ESPN International is available to more than 35.9 million homes in 127 countries and territories around the world. Also, U.S. troops and their families serving around the world and at Navy vessels at sea can watch NHRA through the American Forces Network, bringing the total countries and territories to 206.