Tue, 10 May 2016, 14:01 PM NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Returns to New England Dragway

Courtesy of NHRA Communications During Historic Track's 50th Anniversary Celebration

EPPING, N.H. -- The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to New Hampshire for the fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals, the ninth of 24 races in the 2016 season. Historic New England Dragway, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016, sits about an hour north of metro Boston and will play host to the kind of adrenaline pumping excitement only NHRA drag racing can deliver.

Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will pilot their machines in fierce competition for a chance to stand in the winner's circle and hoist Wally trophies at New England Dragway, the only quarter-mile dragstrip in the New England region. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were last year's winners of the event.

In Top Fuel, eight-time world champion Schumacher raced his U.S. Army dragster to the No. 1 qualifying position and rode the momentum to the race victory defeating three-time world champ Larry Dixon in the finals. Schumacher, who finished second in points last season, is off to a bumpy start in 2016 with four quarterfinal finishes in Phoenix, Gainesville, Charlotte and Houston, and two first round exits at the Winternationals and in Las Vegas. However, Schumacher has a history of success in Epping and will be looking for his third consecutive win at New England Dragway and a turn around to his season.

Current points leader Brittany Force claimed her first Top Fuel victory at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. and raced her Monster Energy dragster to her second victory at the unique Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, N.C. Her victory at the Four-Wide was the first by a woman and marks the first nitro victory by a woman at zMAX Dragway.

Force is trailed in the points standings by Doug Kalitta. Kalitta won in Houston to move just one point behind Force. He has a runner-up finish at the season-opening Winternationals and two semifinal finishes in Phoenix and Charlotte.

Anderson, Force and Schumacher celebrate win. Photo copyright 2016 NHRA/National Dragster

Other top contenders for the victory include two-time season finalist Steve Torrence who has claimed four No. 1 qualifiers this season, defending world champ Antron Brown, Clay Millican who has three semifinal finishes in pursuit of his first Top Fuel victory, J.R. Todd and Terry McMillen who is looking for his first Top Fuel victory after finishing runner-up at the Gatornationals.

In Funny Car, 16-time world champion John Force piloted his PEAK Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro to the 2015 New England Nationals victory over Tommy Johnson Jr. for his second win of the season. The 2015 New England Nationals is Force's most recent victory. He has started the 2016 season off with a runner-up finish in Phoenix and two semifinal appearances in Pomona, and Las Vegas. Force is currently sixth in the points standings after making a first round exit in Houston. His daughter Courtney Force, who won in Houston, shares the points lead with two-time season winner Tim Wilkerson.

Several other pre-race favorites in Funny Car are Gatornationals winner Robert Hight, Ron Capps, who opened the season with a win at the Winternationals and finished runner-up to Hight at the Gatornationals, defending world champion Del Worsham, Las Vegas event winner Alexis DeJoria, and national record holder Jack Beckman.

Four-time Pro Stock world champion Anderson raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to his third victory of season at the 2015 New England Nationals defeating 2012 world champion Allen Johnson. Anderson has opened the 2016 season with three victories and looks to be in championship winning form once again.

Greg Anderson vs. Jason Line Photo copyright 2016 Auto Imagery, Inc.

Anderson's teammate, two-time world champion and current points leader Jason Line, has been setting the pace for the category. He has appeared in the first six final rounds and hasn't qualified outside of second with victories in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Charlotte. Line will be racing for his first New England victory.

Others to watch in the 200 mph factory hot rod category are two time and defending world champion Erica Enders, two-time season runner-up Bo Butner, Phoenix runner-up Chris McGaha, 2014 top rookie Drew Skillman, 2012 world champ and 2013 New England winner Allen Johnson, five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray and Gas Monkey Garage driver Alex Laughlin.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand how the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

As part of NHRA's ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Funny Car class, one legendary Funny Car driver will be honored during pre-race ceremonies.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA's popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 21, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 22.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.

Before heading to New England Dragway, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will make stops at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, May 12-15, and Heartland Park Topeka in Kansas for the NHRA Kansas Nationals, May 20-22. Keep up with all the NHRA action on FOX Sports 1.