NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Beal Racing has signed an eight-race primary sponsorship agreement with AutoAnything, a leading eCommerce retailer of car and truck performance products and accessories, for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

After a successful two-race sponsorship with Beal Racing’s Funny Car team and driver Brandon Welch, to close out the 2015 season, AutoAnything is set to expand its commitment to Beal Racing beginning with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, June 23-26.

The team initially had targeted the NHRA Kansas Nationals for its 2016 debut, but that was postponed after Chuck Beal, owner and crew chief of the operation, was hospitalized the week before the event for an irregular heartbeat and had a pacemaker installed.

"We are still going to make at least eight races this season, and I'm just thankful to AutoAnything for their flexibility," said Beal. “At their core they are a family business and they treat us like part of the family I've had heart rhythm problems nearly all my life, so I'm hopeful I'll be a new man after the procedure.  I have a lot of racing left in me and my guys are ready to go mix it up."

The Norwalk event will be Welch's third. He and the team ran the final two events of the 2015 season, in Las Vegas and Pomona, to prepare for their 2016 efforts.

“We used the final two races of 2015 as a test session to figure out how we stacked up against the fierce competition in Funny Car,” said Beal. “At the same time, AutoAnything tested the NHRA waters. We learned that with the right partners, our team of passionate volunteers has the potential to compete while AutoAnything learned that NHRA drag racing provides a great opportunity to connect with a loyal fan base.”

Beal Racing’s 2016 debut will feature a new-look Funny Car with significant upgrades across the board.  For AutoAnything, the support of drag racing fans and a great working relationship with Beal Racing made the decision to get more involved an easy one.

Chuck Beal, AutoAnything president David Klein, and Brandon Welch.

David Klein, President of AutoAnything, said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Beal Racing for 2016. Brandon Welch and the Beal Racing team help us bring the AutoAnything brand to a large and passionate NHRA base of racing fans. We share many things with Beal Racing, such as our drive for excellence and our origins as family-owned and San Diego-based businesses.  AutoAnything strives to provide outstanding service to our loyal customers and the Beal Racing team is committed to performing on the track every race – it’s a natural fit.”

Beal Racing also added aFe Power, Coverking, and Spyder as associate sponsors for the 2016 season. All three companies are brand new sponsors to NHRA drag racing and will be featured alongside AutoAnything in the team’s eight NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series appearances. In addition, the team has secured sponsorship from Maxima Racing Oils, MSD, MAHLE Clevite, and Autolite.

For driver Welch, 2016 marks an important step in realizing the ultimate dream that he shares with his grandfather, Beal, to compete full time in NHRA funny car competition.

“Since I was young I have had a dream to compete full time in our family’s Funny Car,” said Brandon. “In 2015 I made two major milestones: I earned my Funny Car license and competed in my first two NHRA Mello Yello Series events.  In 2016, we’ll expand to eight races for my official rookie season with a great primary sponsor in AutoAnything.

“These cars run on energy. The energy of the crew guys to prepare this car to win, and the energy of the fans to support the teams and sponsors they love.  So far, our crew and our fans are why we have the privilege to compete and the drive to win.”

In addition to Norwalk, the Beal Racing AutoAnything Funny Car will compete at NHRA Mello Yello Series events in Chicago, Sonoma, Seattle, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Dallas, and Pomona.