Mon, 22 Sep 2008, 06:24 PM O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals Fact Sheet

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- The 21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil, the 21st of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series the third of six races in the Countdown to 1. The top 10 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: Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, Tenn. Track is located off Fite Road between Raleigh-Millington and Highway 51, seven miles north of I-240. Take Interstate 240 to the Warford Road Exit (Exit 6). Go north on Warford Road six miles to Raleigh Millington Road. Turn left onto Raleigh Millington Road and continue to Fite Road. Turn left onto Fite Road at MMP Billboard and continue on Fite Road for 0.4 miles.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26-28.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.3 million.

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept. 26 - Sportsman qualifying begins at 8:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 27 - Sportsman qualifying begin at 8:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 28 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10:30 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 28, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 28, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

2007 EVENT WINNERS: Melanie Troxel, Top Fuel; Gary Scelzi Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.533 sec. by David Baca, Sept. 2003; 327.90 mph by Doug Kalitta, Sept. 2003
Funny Car - 4.762 sec. by Robert Hight, Sept. 2007; 322.42 mph by Gary Scelzi, Sept. 2003
Pro Stock - 6.594 sec. by Max Naylor, Sept. 2007; 209.17 mph by Greg Anderson, Sept. 2007
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.892 sec. by Chip Ellis, Sept. 2007; 193.21 mph by Ellis, Sept. 2007

(*performance records will not be officially recorded in Top Fuel and Funny Car at this event)

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.

(*performance records will not be officially recorded in Top Fuel and Funny Car at this event)

TICKETS: Order tickets by phone at (866) 444-4455. Tickets also are available online at www.memphismotorsportspark.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Friday Only: Adult, $31; Youth (12 years and under) Free.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $41; Youth (12 years and under), $20. Saturday: Adult, $41-51; Youth (12 years and under), $10-20. Sunday: Adult, $41-51; Youth (12 years and under), $10-20.