Longtime NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart has become a like a soundtrack for drag racing over the past several years. Following greats like Dave McClelland, Bob Frey, Lewis Bloom and others Reinhart climbed to the top of the track announcer ranks and carved out his unique identity with his technical knowledge, humor and passion for drag racing.
Today we learned that Reinhart will not return to the NHRA for the 2025 season, ending more than three decades with the organization.
“It’ been a helluva ride for the last 30 years, Reinhart said. “The first time NHRA put me on a plane to go to a race was 1991. The first time I announced was 1989 on the national level was when I came out to my local track at Firebird. The last thirty-plus years have been an incredibly fun and wild ride. I’ve met a lot of people and got to do a lot of incredible things. But good things do come to an end, and this is one of them.
“After all the time, after all the travel, it is time for a change. I can’t tell you exactly what I am going to do next. I have been speaking to a number of different people and some race tracks about staying involved in the sport, hopefully before Bradenton. I will have something locked down. Could be soon. I just don’t have anything locked down yet.
“After thirty-plus years of being the first guy there in the morning, I will not be part of the announcing team for the national event scene going forward. Whatever happens next, stay tuned.”
I don’t think we have heard the last from the great broadcasting talent, but it does appear a major void will be left on the NHRA this season.
