16th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, the 14th of 23 events in the $50
million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in three
categories earn points leading to 2003 NHRA POWERade championships.
Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points leading to 2003 NHRA Lucas
Oil Drag Racing Series championships.
WHERE: Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash. The track is 10 miles east of
Interstate 5 on Highway 18. From I-5, use Exit 142A (Auburn exit) and travel
east 10 miles on Highway 18, following the signs to the track. From other
points, use Highway 18 and exit S.E. 304th St. or S.E. 312th St.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, July 25-27.
PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.9 million.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, July 25-- Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 9 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, July 26 -- Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 9
a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
SUNDAY, July 27 -- Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin
at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, July 26, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8
p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 27, ESPN will televise two hours of early eliminations at 4 p.m.
(ET).
Sunday, July 27, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of final eliminations at 8:30
p.m. (ET).
2002 EVENT WINNERS: Darrell Russell, Top Fuel; Tony Pedregon, Funny Car;
Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The second of three races on consecutive weekends in what
has become known as the West Coast Swing, Pacific Raceways could be a pivotal
stop in the race toward the POWERade championship. If the rest of the Top Fuel
field is going to catch Larry Dixon in the POWERade standings, they need to make
a serious move during this three-race western tour. Last year Darrell Russell
won two of three to move into fourth in the standings. NHRA POWERade Funny Car
championship contenders Tony Pedregon and Whit Bazemore have won the event at
Seattle the last two years respectively and both will need to go rounds to in
their quest for the title. An early exit in eliminations could juggle the
standings in Pro Stock. Last season Jeg Coughlin won at Seattle, his second of
eight victories in the final 12 events en route to the crown. This year friendly
rivals Greg Anderson and Kurt Johnson, a two-time winner at Seattle, try to inch
closer to Pro Stock supremacy by conquering the Northwest's quarter-mile.
FAST FACTS: Pacific Raceways is one of four tracks where defending Top
Fuel champion and current points leader Larry Dixon has yet to win (St. Louis;
Sonoma, Calif.; Reading, Pa.) in the Miller Lite dragster...Funny Car teammates
Ron Capps ('95) and Tommy Johnson ('93) both earned their first career NHRA
victory at Seattle in a Top Fuel dragster. Capps also won at Seattle in a Funny
Car in 1998...Joe Amato, who owns the Bilstein Engine Flush Top Fuel dragster
driven by defending event winner Darrell Russell, and John Force, have five wins
at Pacific Raceways, more than any other NHRA competitor. Pro Stock driver
Warren Johnson is second on the list with four...Russell and Cory McClenathan
are the only two active Top Fuel drivers who have previously won at Pacific
Raceways.
ABOUT THE TRACK: The Fiorito family became involved with Pacific Raceways
at its inception in 1958, when David Fiorito Sr. wanted to eliminate the dangers
of teenage street racing by providing a safer, controlled environment. At the
time, Dan Sr. owned a heavy road construction company and agreed to construct
and pave the track. Pacific Raceways has a 2.25-mile road course carved out of
the naturally wooded terrain, providing a total elevation change of nearly 128
feet. For the last 25 years, the property was leased to another operator and was
named the Seattle International raceway. The property has returned to the
Fiorito family and has assumed its original name.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel- 4.512 seconds by Gary Scelzi, July 2001; 323.58 mph by Kenny
Bernstein, July 2002.
Funny Car-- 4.827 seconds by John Force, July. 2001; 315.19 mph by Tony
Pedregon, July. 2002.
Pro Stock-6.777 seconds by Mark Whisnant, July. 2002; 202.64 mph by Darrell
Alderman, July. 2001.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel-- 4.477 seconds (June 2001, Joliet, Ill.) by Kenny Bernstein; 332.75
mph (April 2002, Las Vegas) by Larry Dixon.
Funny Car-- 4.721 seconds (May 2003, Joliet, Ill.) by John Force; 328.06 mph
(June 2003, Joliet, Ill.) by Gary Scelzi.
Pro Stock-- 6.670 seconds (May 2003, Englishtown) by Greg Anderson; 207.18 mph
(May 2003, Englishtown) by Anderson.
TICKETS:
For tickets call (253) 639-5927 or (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also are
available online at ticketmaster.com.
GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $32; Junior (6-12
years), $10; Saturday: Adult, $40; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $45;
Junior (6-12 years), $10. Child (5 years and under), free in general admission
and pit areas each day.
RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $37; Junior (6-12
years), $15; Child (5 years and under), $5. Saturday: Adult, $50-$52; Junior (12
years and under), $20-$22; Child (5 years and under), $10-$12. Sunday: Adult,
$55-$57; Junior (12 years and under), $20-$22; Child (5 years and under),
$10-$12.
