Mazda and Their Long-time Sponsorship of the NHRA

Back in 2001, the Mazda automotive company sponsored the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) during the lead up to the Pomona Raceway's Summit Import Drag Racing Series finale. The auto company had signed to be sponsors for many other companies before this, but due to the lead up and the power brought with the name of the NHRA, Mazda clearly saw this as an advantageous move. The auto company has several sponsorships around the world, but the NHRA was one of the most strategic in terms of its status as a governing body of motor sports.

The National Hot Rod Association is the main governing body of the hot rod and drag racing industry. Formed in 1951 and headquartered in Glenmora, California, the NHRA is one of the largest governing bodies for motor sports on the globe. With Mazda as their sponsor in several large-scale races, their name and image was thrust into the commercial spotlight. Many sporting events, especially those that involve automotive vehicles and racing are eager to obtain sponsorships by such a large and well-known company. With an incredible amount of financial capital backing them, many companies within the auto industry are able to use these events as advertisement investments.

For full throttle drag racing events, the NHRA categorizes four different events. These events are as follows: Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. In all of these events, the NHRA mandates several health and safety protocols to prevent injury and fatality. Because racing occurs at such high speeds with many different automobiles, accidents continue to occur, and the NHRA admits that no amount of safety measures can truly prevent fatalities or injury. Nevertheless, the measures that the organization takes were enacted to mitigate and control these risks.

In 2004, the NHRA Mazda Sport Compact Nationals were held at the Texas Motorplex, a quarter-mile long racing facility located in Ennis, Texas. This was another strategic sponsorship of the NHRA by the auto dealer. For the racing enthusiasts out there, many will remember the finale of the NHRA Mazda Sport Compact Nationals. The First Place prize went to Matt Hartford, Lisa Kubo, Paul Enfantis, Ron Lummus, Scott Kelley, and Don Hammons and Jasen Penman for the Sport RWD/FWD category.


The huge auto company is sure to continue various sponsorships as the years pass. With such strategic partnerships, auto and racing fans are sure to continue to see such sponsorships in future events. Currently, the company has sponsored major baseball teams, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Sanfrecce Hiroshima (both in Japan), and the North Melbourne Football Club and the ACF Fiorentina (International teams). As of late, the company also sponsors various racing events throughout Japan, the Australian Rugby Championship, the Laguna Seca racing facilities in California, and the Western New York Flash, a WPA-sanctioned women's professional soccer team based out of New York.