The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) will return to Heartland Park Topeka May 17-19 in 2013, for the NHRA Kansas Nationals. The HPT event was previously known as the NHRA Summernationals.

“With a new series sponsor and continued growth in enthusiasm for the sport, Heartland Park is excited to host the Mellow Yellow Drag Racing Series in 2013,” said Heartland Park’s General Manager Joe Douthitt. “The 2012 NHRA Summernationals was a great event and we are looking forward to the 2013 NHRA Kansas Nationals being even bigger. And we’re especially excited to promote the State of Kansas by renaming the event to the NHRA Kansas Nationals.”

The NHRA event, originally in the fall, has featured numerous record performances, the most significant of which was the shattering of the quarter-mile four-second and 300-mph barriers in Funny Car in 1993. The event moved to its current spot on the schedule in 2001.

“NHRA has always looked forward to its annual visit to Kansas and Heartland Park Topeka,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. “The state holds a special place in NHRA’s history having staged the first-ever national event in Great Bend, Kansas in 1955.”

This year will mark NHRA’s 25th visit to the multipurpose facility that has been a Midwest favorite since it opened in 1989. Heartland Park Topeka will have numerous activities to celebrate its Silver Anniversary throughout the 2013 racing season, including special ticket offers to the 2013 NHRA Kansas Nationals. NHRA and Heartland Park Topeka will all free general admission for children 12 and under for the 2013 NHRA Kansas Nationals!

Tickets to the NHRA Kansas Nationals are expected to go on sale to the public on December 12, 2012.

Heartland Park Topeka is a unique, multi-faceted motorsports facility that offers an array of activities for fans of all ages, tastes and backgrounds, from Saturday night dirt stock car racing to world-class, nationally prominent drag racing and road circuit events. It is the mission of owner Raymond Irwin and his team to “be a leader in the world of motorsports entertainment, and to build a community-based spirit throughout Topeka and the region.” For tickets and more information on all Heartland Park Topeka activities, please go to www.HPT.com.