Mon, 2 Jun 2008, 02:52 PM Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals Fact Sheet

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

JOLIET, Ill. -- The 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals, the 10th of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Ill. The track is located 30 miles southwest of Chicago on Route 53 (historic Route 66), approximately three miles south of the I-80 in Joliet. Take I-80 to exit #132A (Route 53 south) to the track.

TRACK ELEVATION: 635 feet

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.8 million.

SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, June 5 - Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, June 6 - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 7 - Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 3:00 p.m.
JEG'S ALLSTARS ELIMINATION ROUNDS at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 8 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10:30 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, June 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5 p.m. (ET).

Sunday June 8, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 8, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of eliminations at 5 p.m. (ET).

2007 EVENT WINNERS: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Gary Scelzi, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.420 seconds by Doug Kalitta, May '04; 333.58 mph by David Grubnic, Oct. '04
Funny Car - 4.665 seconds, 333.58 mph by John Force, Oct. '04
Pro Stock - 6.617 Seconds, 208.94 mph by Greg Anderson, June '07
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.921 Seconds, 193.65 mph by Andrew Hines, June '07

NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.428 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Nov. '06, Pomona, Calif.; 336.15 mph by Schumacher, May '05, Columbus, Ohio
Funny Car - 4.659 sec. by Tony Pedregon, Feb. '07, Chandler, Ariz.; 333.66 mph by Jack Beckman, Nov. '06, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock - 6.536 sec. by Greg Anderson, March '07, Gainesville, Fla.; 211.69 mph by Jason Line, March '07, Gainesville, Fla.
PS Motorcycle - 6.871 sec. by A. Sampey, June '07, Englishtown, N.J.; 197.45 mph by A. Hines, March '05, Gainesville, Fla.

TICKETS: For tickets, call (815) 727-RACE. Tickets also available at Ticketmaster and ticketmaster.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Thursday: Adult, $13; Junior (12 years and under), free. Friday: Adult, $41; Junior (12 years and under), $11. Saturday: Adult, $48; Junior (12 years and under), $11. Sunday: Adult, $56; Junior (12 years and under), $11

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $51; Junior (12 years and under), $16. Saturday: Adult, $58; Junior (12 years and under), $16. Sunday: Adult, $66; Junior (12 years and under), $16.