Wed, 11 Oct 2006, 12:53 AM Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals Fact Sheet

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

DINWIDDIE, Va. -- The Inaugural Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in three categories earn points leading to 2006 NHRA POWERade Series world championships. Sportsman competitors in six categories earn points leading to 2006 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Virginia Motorsports Park, Dinwiddie, Va. >From the north, take I-95 south to I-85 (Exit 51), then to Route 1 (Exit 63A). Route 1 turns into Boydton Plank Rd. Drive four miles and the Park is on the right; from the south, Take I-95 north to I-85 (Exit 51) then to Route1 (Exit 63A). Route 1 turns into Boydton Plank Rd. Drive four miles and the Park is on the right; from the southwest, take I-85 North to Dinwiddie (Exit 53), then at the top of the exit ramp take a left onto Route 703 and drive one mile until you get to the stop sign. Take a right onto Route 1/Boydton Plank Rd. and drive seven miles and the track is on the left-hand side.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 13-15, 2006 .

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.6 million.

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 13 - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 8:15 a.m.
NEW Professional Qualifying Sessions at 2:30 and 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 14 - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 8:15 a.m.
NEW Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 15 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 15, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise two and a half hours of race highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 12:30 p.m. (ET).

2000 EVENT WINNERS: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock.

TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.494 seconds by Gary Scelzi, April 1999; 321.12 mph by Scelzi, April 1999
Funny Car - 4.887 seconds by John Force, April 1998; 310.66 mph by Force, April 1998
Pro Stock - 6.840 seconds by Kurt Johnson, April 1999; 202.24 mph by Warren Johnson, April 1999

NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.437 sec. (Sept. '05, Joliet, Ill.) and 336.15 mph (May '05, Columbus, Ohio) by Tony Schumacher.
Funny Car - 4.665 sec. (Oct. '04, Joliet, Ill.) and 333.58 mph (Oct. '04, Joliet, Ill.) by John Force.
Pro Stock - 6.609 sec. (Sept. '06, Reading, Pa.) by Jason Line and 208. 91 mph (Sept. '06, Reading, Pa.) by Greg Anderson.

TICKETS: For tickets call Virginia Motorsports Park, (804) 862-3174. Tickets also available at ticketmaster.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $30; 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 with paying adult in general admission and pit areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $40; Junior (6-12), $18; Child (5 years and younger), $8. Saturday: Adult, $50; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years and under), $10. Sunday: Adult, $55; Junior (6-12 years), $25; Child (5 years and under), $15.

NHRA RAIN POLICY: The value of all tickets purchased for last weekend's rain-delayed event will be honored at this weekend's race, or next season's event.