WHAT: 23rd annual NHRA Summer Nationals, the seventh of 22 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011 and will pay tribute to the evolution of the hot rod and honor its legendary racers as well as the sport’s current stars.
WHERE: Heartland Park Topeka. From Kansas City, take the Kansas Turnpike (I-70) to the Topeka Boulevard exit and travel south to the track. From Wichita, take the Kansas Turnpike (I-335) to the Topeka Boulevard exit and travel south to the track.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 20-22
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, May 20 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 8 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, May 21 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, May 22 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, May 21, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 5:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD Feed):
Friday, May 20, 10:30 – 11 p.m. (ET), AMC 3 / Transponder 22C (4140 MHz, vertical)
Saturday, May 21, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 3 / Transponder 22C (4140 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, May 22, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 3 / Transponder 22C (4140 MHz, vertical)
(Downlink: 4140 MHz, vertical; Transmission: MPEG-2; HD: 720p; Data Rate: 40.461470554 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.