WHAT: 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the last race in the NHRA Mello Yello Series regular season. At the conclusion of this event, the top 10 drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – will be locked in to begin the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs, leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Brownsburg, Ind. From I-465, exit Crawfordsville Road (Hwy. 136). Head west for four miles past downtown Clermont. The facility’s main entrance is on the left, one-half mile past Raceway Road. From I-74 go south on Ronald Reagan Parkway, exit 68 and turn south. Turn east on U.S. 136 and entrance on the track will be on the right.
COURSE: Championship dragstrip; Track elevation is 700 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.
POINTS: A special world championship points system is in effect at this event, where drivers in the Mello Yello Series categories will earn points based on a point-and-a-half system (150 points to win). A single racer in each category can earn a maximum of 208 points at this event. All other NHRA Mello Yello Series events offer 100 points to win. Teams also will get 15 points instead of 10 for making a qualifying attempt. Qualifying bonus points will remain at 3-2-1 for the five qualifying sessions and the standard 1-8 points will be given for qualifying positions. Drivers who set a national E.T. record will earn 20 points.
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 7.
SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
THURSDAY, Sept. 3 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying and eliminations
FRIDAY, Sept. 4 – LUCAS OIL SERIES (featuring Mopar HEMI Challenge). J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 6 p.m. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 5 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying and eliminations. PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2 and 5:30 p.m. TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT (Top Fuel) rounds at 4, 5:25 and 7:45 p.m. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 6 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying and eliminations. J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 10:30 a.m.; first round of eliminations at 2 p.m. TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT (Funny Car) rounds at 12:30, 1:55 and 4:15 p.m. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
MONDAY, Sept. 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 9:45 a.m. MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN will televise two hours and 30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 will televise two hours and 30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11 p.m. (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).