WHAT: 18th annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals, the 13th 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 2015 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.
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 632 feet above sea level; Track direction is west to east.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, July 9-12
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, July 9 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 9 a.m.
FRIDAY, July 10 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 7:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, July 11 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations. MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. JEGS ALL-STARS ELIMINATION ROUNDS at 12:45, 3, and 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, July 12 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, July 11, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 10 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 12, ESPN2 will televise three hours of live eliminations coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, Funny Car; Vincent Nobile, Pro Stock, Hector Arana Jr., 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; Matt Hagan, 3, FC; Del Worsham, 3, FC; Kurt Johnson, 3, PS; Jason Line, 3, PS.