ENNIS, Texas — It’s been said that everything is bigger in Texas.
To confirm that notion, NHRA is serving up Texas Motorplex fans a double-portion of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Texas race fans will get to enjoy a rare doubleheader of action as the stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series rumble into the Texas Motorplex, Sept. 18-21, for the continuation of eliminations from round one of the Countdown playoffs, the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals, and Countdown round two, the 29th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.
The Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals was postponed due to weather last weekend in Charlotte, N.C. Elimination rounds for that event will be run simultaneously during AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals qualifying. Top Fuel and Funny Car have three rounds of Charlotte racing to complete while Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle need to complete all four rounds of the Carolina Nationals.
Charlotte eliminations for the continuation of Pro Stock’s first round and the first round of Pro Stock Motorcycle will begin on Friday during the day’s second qualifying session, scheduled for 5:15 p.m.
NHRA Carolina Nationals eliminations for all categories will finish on Saturday, as quarterfinal rounds for all categories will be held during the day’s first qualifying session (11:15 a.m.) and the semifinals will be run during the final qualifying session (2:15 p.m.). Those drivers who advance to the Charlotte final rounds will get an extra run on Saturday that is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. It is the second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the second of a stretch that includes four straight race weekends to kick off the NHRA playoffs.
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 the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
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 will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19, with sessions at 2:15 and 5:15 p.m. (also Charlotte eliminations). The final two qualifying sessions, which will both include Charlotte eliminations, will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The Charlotte final rounds will be held Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations for the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Texas Motorplex at (800) MOTORPLEX (668-6775) or visit www.texasmotorplex.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 29th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the second of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The race also will feature the continuation of eliminations from the rain-delayed Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals from Sept. 14 at Charlotte, N.C.
WHERE: Texas Motorplex- Track is located at 7500 W. Highway 287 in Ennis, Texas.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 18-21
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Sept. 18- LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, Sept. 19 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying and eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:15 and 5:15 p.m.
*The continuation of first-round eliminations for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle from the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals will be completed during the 5:15 p.m. qualifying session.
SATURDAY, Sept. 20 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
*Eliminations for all pro categories from the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals will be completed during scheduled qualifying rounds; Quarterfinals at 11:15 a.m., semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and finals at 4:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 21 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 21, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying highlights at 3:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 21, ESPN2 will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 21, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Friday, Sept. 19, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
Saturday, Sept. 20, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
Sunday, Sept. 21, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
(3760 MHz, horizontal; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2013 EVENT WINNERS: Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock; Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: John Force, FC, 7; Tony Schumacher, TF, 5; Warren Johnson, PS, 5; Cruz Pedregon, FC, 4; Greg Anderson, PS, 4.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.767 sec. and 325.53 mph by Shawn Langdon, Sept. ’13
Funny Car – 4.052 sec. and 313.37 mph by Robert Hight, Sept. ’13
Pro Stock – 6.550 sec. and 211.99 mph by Allen Johnson, Sept. ’12
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.828 sec. by Hector Arana Jr., Sept. ’11; 197.22 mph by Michael Phillips, Sept. ’11
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) MOTORPLEX (668-6775). Tickets also are available at www.texasmotorplex.com.
