Beech Bend Raceway Park (Bowling Green, Ky.) May 26-28
The JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals presented by Quick Fuel Technologies will return to scenic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. this weekend, May 26-28, 2017.
Last year, the SPORTSnationals returned to Bowling Green after a 30-year absence. The event champions were Craig Bourgeois (Comp), Brad Zaskowski (Super Stock), Houston Raikes (Stock), Tyler Bohannon (Super Comp), Craig Anderson (Super Gas), Michelle Furr (Super Street), Danny Nelson (Top Dragster presented by Racing RVs.com), and Jerry Albert (Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs.com).
Each of the defending event winners will be eligible to claim the coveted JEGS Crown trophy should they successfully defend their 2016 titles. The JEGS Crown is a unique handcrafted trophy created by Dan Dreisbach of Naked Sculpture. Since 2005, the trophy has been claimed just once, by Pro Mod racer Mike Ashley.
In addition to Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky., JEGS SPORTSnationals races have been held in Indianapolis, Houston, Belle Rose, La., Fontana, Calif. Las Vegas, and Hebron, Ohio.
Individual winners of this event will take home special edition copper-plated NHRA Wally trophies that are available only to JEGS SPORTSnationals winners.
The JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals boasts a guaranteed purse of more than $100,000 an all-time SPORTSnationals record. With contingency awards in excess of $275,000 and special bonus races, the total award posting approaches $380,000 – a dramatic increase over the $50,700 posted at the inaugural SPORTSnationals in 1974.
For the first time, video of the JEGS SPORTSnationals will be carried live on the internet via the popular NHRA All Access stream service (www.nhraallaccess.com). A weekend pass can be purchased for just $9.95 and current subscribers to NHRA All Access will receive the content at no additional charge. The weekend pass will go on sale Tuesday, May 23, and will include action from Bowling Green that will start with the first cars down the track at 8 a.m. each day beginning on Friday, May 26, and conclude with all the final round action on Sunday evening.
The JEGS SPORTSnationals will also include a very special event, the Tim Hebert/”Big Joe” Teuton Hemi “Chootout”. The race is open to competitors in the popular SS/AH class. The event is dedicated to the memory of Tim Hebert and “Big Joe” Teuton, two veteran Hemi racers from Louisiana, who have passed away. Event sponsors include Mopar Performance and BBR.
There will also be traditional class eliminations for Super Stock and Stock racers as well as the Lucas Oil / K&N Filters Super Shootouts for the Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street classes. Racing action will culminate on Saturday evening with the 200-mph Racing RV's Top Dragster / Top Sportsman Fast Four competition and the C-Tech Manufacturing Comp Fast Four two round shootout.
To kick off the event’s return to Kentucky with proper Southern hospitality, JEGS, NHRA, and the Dallas Jones-family will be hosting a huge Southern cookout for all racers and crews in the “Shady Grove” pavilion adjacent to the pit area following Friday’s racing. In addition, Beech Bend Amusement Park and Splash Lagoon Water Park will be open Friday evening for a special JEGS Family and Friends Night.
JEGS SPORTSnationals – By the Numbers
4 JEGS SPORTSnationals wins for Mike Coughlin
7 Facilities to host a JEGS SPORTSnationals event
8 Defending champions who will have a chance to win the coveted JEGS Crown trophy if they can win again in 2017
43 years since inaugural SPORTSnationals was held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in 1974