Racers will be paying more at the pump in more than one location - on the way to the track and once they get there. Multiple teams have confirmed they received a letter from the official nitro distributor of the NHRA informing them that not only has the quantity been limited to 395 pounds (roughly 42 gallons), they will also face a $300 per barrel increase bringing the total to $1250. Reportedly, this increase is attributed to Homeland Security restrictions.

 

Just to give you an idea of how this shakes out, last year at this time the cost of a 55-gallon barrel of nitro pre-mixed with methanol sold for $850. The price was increased to $950 during the NHRA U.S. Nationals.

 

How does this affect the teams? For a team to warm up, make four qualifying runs and go out first round it will now cost them an additional $600 to $700 per race.  If the nitro cars use 2500 barrels per year it is an additional $750K and if they go thru 3000 drums it is $900K.

 

Our question is this. How can the non-official suppliers of nitro afford to sell their same size barrels of pure nitromethane for under $900 while adhering to the same Homeland Security regulations?