NHRA leaves ESPN, signs long-term deal with Fox Sports 1

GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) Drag racing is about to get a little more exposure.

NHRA and Fox Sports announced Tuesday they have agreed to a long-term contract that will put four drag-racing events on the main Fox network each year, a deal NHRA President Peter Clifford calls a ''game-changer.'' It begins in 2016.

NHRA has been on ESPN since 2001. They agreed to end their contract a year early, clearing the way for NHRA to be featured more prominently on Fox Sports 1.

Fox Sports already owns rights to NASCAR, Supercross, the United SportsCar Championship, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other racing events.

FS1 will provide coverage of NHRA qualifying and eliminations for every event, with a minimum of 16 Sunday eliminations in a live-coverage format, with the rest shown either in weekend afternoon or prime-time slots.