AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park September 21-23

TITLE HOPES ARRIVE AT GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK FOR NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP STOP

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series powers back to Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois for the seventh annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, Sept. 21-23. The highly-anticipated race just outside of St. Louis is also an important stop during the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, as contenders hope to move a step closer to a world title.

The second of six races in the NHRA playoffs will feature the incredible thrills of 10,000-horsepower nitro-burning machines at the fan-favorite stop on the NHRA circuit. Fans will be entertained under the lights during Friday qualifying and then get to experience the intense, high-stakes action on Sunday as the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle battle for critical championship points.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live final eliminations coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Steve Torrence has picked up right where he left off in 2017, turning last year’s second-place finish into the points lead in 2018. The talented Texan had eight victories a year ago and has five wins thus far as he hopes to clinch his first career world title. Doing so will be difficult against a standout Top Fuel lineup that features defending world champion Brittany Force, Clay Millican, who has two wins this season, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, a five-time St. Louis winner, two-time 2018 winner Leah Pritchett, Doug Kalitta, Terry McMillen and Scott Palmer.

Ron Capps’ 2017 season in Funny Car included eight wins, including his fourth at St. Louis, as he just missed out on a second straight world title. Capps has been consistent again in 2018, currently sitting second behind points leader Courtney Force in the loaded class. Force is looking for her first world championship against stars like defending world champ and John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight, Matt Hagan, who has three wins this season, two-time 2018 winner J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, Tommy Johnson Jr., John Force, class newcomer Shawn Langdon and Tim Wilkerson.

Greg Anderson is the current Pro Stock points leader, holding a slim lead over four-time 2018 winner Tanner Gray. Anderson has only one win in 2018, something he’ll look to change in the Countdown to the Championship against a talented group that includes two-time world champ Erica Enders, Deric Kramer, who has two wins this season, defending world champion Bo Butner, three-time 2018 winner Jeg Coughlin Jr., Drew Skillman, Vincent Nobile and Chris McGaha, who each have two wins this season and three-time world champ Jason Line.

LE Tonglet’s late-season victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle kept him in championship contention, but he ultimately couldn’t track down Eddie Krawiec, who rolled to his fourth world title with four playoff victories. Tonglet has two wins thus far in 2018 as he tries to keep pace with points leader Andrew Hines and Krawiec, who has four wins this year. Others to watch include two-time world champ Matt Smith, Angelle Sampey, Scotty Pollacheck, Jerry Savoie and Hector Arana Jr.

The AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, which will have its 10th of 12 races, as well as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where the future stars of the sport earn their racing stripes.

Those in attendance will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with a few of the most renowned names in drag racing during the NHRA Legends Tour. This will feature meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, and a variety of other activities. The legends scheduled to attend the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals include Shirley Muldowney and others.

Along with the exciting on-track action, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will honor first responders with NHRA’s “Salute to First Responders” celebration.

As always, fans can 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 gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, 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.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:00 and 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 2:15 and 5:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.