A major realignment of the 2011 NASCAR schedule could have important ramifications for the NHRA Full Throttle series.

One event certain to be impacted is the Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. That race has traditionally been run the last weekend of February, but the Arizona Republic reported Tuesday that NASCAR is moving its post-Daytona 500 event to Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Feb. 27.

NASCAR considers that date to be prestigious because the race one week after Daytona typically receives increased national media attention and strong TV ratings.

A major realignment of the 2011 NASCAR schedule could have important ramifications for the NHRA Full Throttle series.

One event certain to be impacted is the Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. That race has traditionally been run the last weekend of February, but the Arizona Republic reported Tuesday that NASCAR is moving its post-Daytona 500 event to Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Feb. 27.

NASCAR considers that date to be prestigious because the race one week after Daytona typically receives increased national media attention and strong TV ratings.

NASCAR plans to release its full 36-race Sprint Cup calendar later this month. NHRA usually announces its schedule, which this season includes 23 National events, in conjunction with the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend.

"Mike Helton (NASCAR president) called us a few weeks ago," NHRA Vice President of Communications Jerry Archambeault said Monday. "He said, 'I know what your schedule usually looks like. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.' He shared with us their schedules and has been very cooperative . . . so we're trying to adjust ours accordingly.

"We would not compete the same weekend (in Phoenix). That I can say, officially, that we will modify our schedule to make sure Valley fans can experience both forms of racing."

Franki Buckman, Firebird Raceway vice president, confirmed Monday the track's NHRA date has not been set.

Bryan Sperber, president of Phoenix Raceway, said: "My understanding is there may have been some discussions among NASCAR and NHRA. Typically, there is some, about calendars. It’s all being dealt with at the top levels."

At least six other Cup tracks -- and perhaps others which host NASCAR's Nationwide and Camping World Truck series -- will have changes.

Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, Calif., which had the post-Daytona date for the last six years, is being cut to one Cup weekend, expected to be March 27. International Speedway Corp., which owns the California and Phoenix properties, among others, asked NASCAR to transfer that date to Kansas Speedway as part of a business deal to build a casino. Kansas now will have two Cup events.

Chicagoland Speedway, adjacent to Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., is shifting from a July date to September and will bump New Hampshire Motor Speedway as the first round of NASCAR's 10-race Chase to the Sprint Cup championship. Atlanta Motor Speedway will lose its March date to Kentucky Speedway -- both owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc.

These significant changes to the NASCAR schedule likely will affect other circuits, such as the Izod IndyCar Series, as well as NHRA. Track operators would be expected not only to avoid overlapping races, but also scheduling events too close together in the same area.

Several NHRA team and sponsor sources have told Attitude Apparel's Competition Plus.com they would consider it a positive to have more major markets included in the six-race Countdown to the Full Throttle championship.

"The (NHRA) schedule is going to change," one experienced industry source told CP.com. Monday. "It has to (in reaction to NASCAR.)"

Also uncertain is the status of  Gateway International Raceway, near St. Louis, in Madison, Ill. Owner Dover Motorsports Inc. recently announced the track would not seek to renew its NASCAR Nationwide and Truck events for 2011 due to financial issues. The facility could be offered for sale. Gateway has hosted an NHRA National event since 1997.