STOW, OHIO – Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels is the official sponsor for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Bike Battle at northern California’s Sonoma Raceway—an all-star bonus event for the eight quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle riders in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The 2017 Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals will be held July 28-30 with TV coverage provided by FOX Sports 1.

Contested as a special race-within-a-race, Pro-Stock riders began earning points for the 2017 NHRA Pro Bike Battle during the 2016 Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, and will continue earning points through the 2017 Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver. The eight riders accumulating the most qualifying points during the 16-race qualifying period will earn a berth in the 2017 NHRA Pro Bike Battle at Sonoma Raceway.

“The Pro Bike Battle brings out the best of the best in Pro-Stock motorcycle racing, so naturally Mickey Thompson is excited to partner with the NHRA and help bring fans the excitement and non-stop action of this event,” said Ken Warner, Vice President of Marketing for Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels.

Sonoma Raceway has hosted record-breaking NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle runs since 2002, and the Pro Bike Battle allows the riders to earn ultimate bragging rights in the category. Andrew Hines is the defending event winner.

For 2017, the winner will take home $10,000 and in 2018 and 2019 the winner will receive $25,000, with $10,000 going to the runner-up, two semifinalists will receive $6,000, and the quarter final finishers will get $3,500 for a total purse of $61,000.

“The Mickey Thompson Tires Pro Bike Battle is one of the most anticipated specialty events during the season,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “The racers in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category appreciate the support of Mickey Thompson Tires and their contribution to the sport.”

In addition to the multiyear sponsorship of the Pro Bike Battle, Mickey Thompson also recently announced a multiyear title sponsorship agreement for the NHRA Top Fuel Harley series.

About Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels
Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc., dba Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, markets racing and high-performance tires and wheels for street, strip, truck, and off-road applications. The company was founded in 1963 by racing legend Mickey Thompson and is headquartered in Stow, Ohio, USA. For more information, visit www.mickeythompsontires.com. Connect on Facebook and Instagram.

Media contact: Don Sneddon, Advertising Manager, 800-222-9092, 330-928-9092 ext. 3750, dsneddon@mickeythompsontires.com.