NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA has announced a new program, NHRA D.R.A.G., to cultivate, grow, and improve drag racing announcing talent across NHRA’s Member Track Network.

D.R.A.G. — Drag Race Announcers Group — is designed to take a legitimate training program back to the roots of the sport and honor the memory of the late, great Dave McClelland, who had an announcing school decades ago. The major difference with D.R.A.G. is that the whole program is done virtually over the internet and is interactive with access to video coaching and more. 
 
Brian Lohnes, lead broadcaster for the NHRA on FOX, will lead the classes and will also incorporate other professional voices from the sport, track operators, and topical guests. The classes will be delivered via regular video conferences with members of NHRA D.R.A.G. The classes will be recorded and can be viewed whenever it is convenient for the member to see them. 

Each will be a topical class on a subject. They will include defining the job of announcing, how to properly prepare, the role an announcer plays in aiding the track operator with concessions, race-day operations, and more. Defining things like professionalism, best practices, how to handle emergency situations, and the list goes on and on. Members will be able to submit short videos of themselves working for real, professional, feedback, and coaching to help them grow. 

The announcer is a position that can have a strong positive effect on your customer experience, racer experience, and so much more. Historically, there has not been much available for people to truly "learn the ropes" of announcing other than simply doing it without guidance. This program changes that. 
 
“The idea of D.R.A.G. is not a class that teaches an aspiring announcer, experienced announcer, or motivated announcer to speak like me or anyone other than themselves,” said Lohnes. “The program is designed to grow the talent of the individual into the best version of themselves that they can possibly be. The true purpose of drag is to also help YOU, the track operator, by educating one of the most important employees at your facility how he or she can best help you and your facility to succeed each week. 
 
NHRA D.R.A.G. is currently enrolling students in the program. Anyone who works on an NHRA member track announcing team, wants to be an announcer, or just someone with talent are more than welcome to join the program. The cost is free. 

To join D.R.A.G., click here.