(Image/NHRA)

Big news! The NHRA has created an all-new, all-electric vehicle racing class to compete in the Summit Racing Series. “We are thrilled for this new opportunity for our NHRA competitors,” says NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “NHRA Drag Racing is about performance and innovation, and we look forward to seeing how these vehicles will perform in 2022.” 

To address the rising popularity of electric vehicles and their racing capabilities, last year the NHRA launched an EV Race Car Initiative that explores the potential of electric vehicles in drag racing. The NHRA has pursued the viability of EV drag racing for quite some time, as manufacturers have introduced all-electric race cars like the Ford Cobra Jet 1400 and Chevy eCOPO Camaro.

Ford’s all-electric Cobra Jet 1400 has already wowed racing fans with its 8.27-second/168 quarter-mile ETs. (Image/Ford)

And the automotive aftermarket industry has stepped up to the EV performance party too. “We’re ready to support the EV market in the same way we support the internal combustion engine market, by leading the way in selection, service, and technical resources,” explains Al Noe, Summit Racing Equipment Chief Marketing Officer. “No matter what the powerplant, we will continue to help racers push the limits of power and performance.”

Here’s the all-electric powerplant in the eCOPO Camaro. Chevy says the motor delivers the equivalent of 700+ horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque. (Image/GM – Isaac Brekken)

So while the NHRA hasn’t released the full rules on the new drag racing class just yet, we’re nonetheless excited to see (and hear!) what this all-electric drag racing will bring. The NHRA assures us that those details are coming soon, so that racers will have plenty of time to get ready for the 2022 NHRA drag racing season.

You can get more information on this announcement in the official NHRA Press Release here.