WHAT: 17th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the 12th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. 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.
WHERE: Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Ill. The track is located 30 miles southwest of Chicago on Route 53 (historic Route 66), approximately three miles south of the I-80 in Joliet. Take I-80 to exit #132A (Route 53 south) to the track.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, June 26-29
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, June 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, June 27 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 7:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 28 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. JEGS ALL-STARS ELIMINATION ROUNDS at 1, 3:15, and 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 30 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, June 28, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, June 29, ESPN2 will televise three hours of elimination coverage starting at 3 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Friday, June 27, 11 – 11:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C
Saturday, June 28, 10:30 – 11 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C
Sunday, June 29, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C
(3720 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: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock; Michael Ray, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Jeg Coughlin, 5, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 4, TF; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Doug Kalitta, 3, TF; Whit Bazemore, 3, FC; John Force, 3, FC; Del Worsham, 3, FC; Kurt Johnson, 3, PS; Jason Line, 3, PS.