NHRA released its 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule recently featuring 24 events. In addition, NHRA announced an event purse increase in excess of $1.3 million. 

Beginning in 2009, national event winners in both Top Fuel and Funny Car will each receive $50,000, an increase of 25 percent. Pro Stock national event winners will receive $25,000, and Pro Stock Motorcycle winners will receive $10,000. At the most prestigious drag racing event in the world, the 55th running of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, winners in the top two nitro classes will receive a check for $100,000, and Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle winners will earn $50,000 and $20,000, respectively.  

Increases at national events also were announced for runners-up, semifinalists, and second-round finishers. At the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, increases were announced for semifinalists and second-round finishers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle received increases for runner-up and second-round finishers. In all, the total increase in event purses in the four Professional classes is $1,353,700. 

In 2009, the total purse for professional categories for all POWERade Series races except the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is $660,000 for events including Pro Stock Motorcycle and $625,000 for those without bikes. The total professional category purse for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in 2009 will be $862,500. 

To read more about the schedule visit NHRA.com.