When the 26th Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals are run in 2010, it will be held a little later in the
year.
The NHRA released next year's Full Throttle Series schedule Tuesday and the annual event at Maple
Grove Raceway will be run Oct. 7-10. The race had been run in August the past three seasons. Before
then, since it began in 1985, it had been scheduled for September.
Maple Grove had four races in past years moved to October, including 2001, for the Sept. 11
tragedy, and 2003, '04 and '06 because of weather.
Cooler weather should bring more record-setting runs, which helped make The Grove a favorite for
drivers.
"The move to October will bring peak performances not only for the professional classes, but the
sportsmen as well," said Maple Grove vice president and general manager Lex Dudas. "The
Pennsylvania Dutch Classic, which is also held in October, has established a lot of NHRA national
records. We know this will do the same."
The move also involves Maple Grove in the NHRA's playoff series, the Countdown to 1. It will be the
fourth of the six races that determine the season points champion in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock
and Pro Stock Bike.
"We are excited to return to Maple Grove Raceway for the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in 2010," said
NHRA president Tom Compton. "Next year this event will move into a prime position in the Countdown
to 1. As the fourth race in NHRA's six-race playoff, it will certainly be a pivotal event for NHRA
race teams as they pursue world championship glory in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series."
The race at Memphis, Tenn, which will be run Oct. 2-4 this year, will be moved to August next
season.
The 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Series schedule
Feb. 11-14 Pomona, Calif.
Feb. 26-28 Phoenix
March 11-14 Gainesville, Fla.
March 25-28 Concord, N.C.
April 9-11 Las Vegas
April 16-18 Houston
April 30-May 2 Madison, Ill.
May 14-16 Commerce, Ga.
May 21-23 Topeka, Kan.
June 3-6 Joliet, Ill.
June 10-13 Englishtown, N.J.
June 18-20 Bristol, Tenn.
June 24-27 Norwalk, Ohio
July 9-11 Seattle
July 16-18 Sonoma, Calif.
July 23-25 Denver
Aug. 12-15 Brainerd, Minn.
Aug. 20-22 Memphis, Tenn.
Sept. 1-6 Indianapolis
Sept. 16-19 Concord, N.C.
Sept. 23-26 Dallas
Oct. 7-10 Reading, Pa.
Oct. 28-31 Las Vegas
Nov. 11-14 Pomona, Calif.
