55th ANNUAL MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS – Event Info

WHAT:   55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points leading to 2009 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Clermont, Ind. From I-465, exit Crawfordsville Road (Hwy. 136). Head west for approximately four miles through the town of Clermont. The main entrance to the facility is on the left-hand side, one-half mile past Raceway Road.

COURSE: Quarter-mile drag strip, 1,320 feet (Top Fuel and Funny Car categories will compete to 1,000 ft. distance at this event); Track elevation is 700 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.

WHEN:   Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 7.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $2 million.

SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2  – Sportsman qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m.

THURSDAY, Sept. 3  – Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 8 a.m.

FRIDAY, Sept. 4  – Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 5  – Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at Noon and 5:45 p.m.
RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 6  – Sportsman eliminations, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

MONDAY, Sept. 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours and 30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a special one hour NHRA Race Day from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at noon (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise five hours of eliminations coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Analog feed):
Friday, Sept. 4, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET) – AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 – 10:30 p.m. (ET) – AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Sunday, Sept. 6, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET) – AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)
Monday, Sept. 7, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET) – AMC 15 / Transponder 6K (11820 MHz, horizontal)