SONOMA, Calif. (July 22, 2008) — Infineon Raceway will host the 21st annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in the Sonoma Valley this weekend. Below are points of interest regarding previous NHRA drag races at Infineon Raceway:
* Doug Kalitta is one of two NHRA drivers to three-peat at Infineon Raceway. Kalitta did it from 1998-2000 in Top Fuel, and John Force, from 1990-92, in Funny Car. Kalitta has five total victories at Infineon Raceway, most recently in 2005.
* Doug Kalitta will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame on Sunday, July 27, joining fellow NHRA drag racers Warren Johnson (2005), John Force (2006) and Gary Scelzi (2007).
* John Force holds the record for most NHRA career victories at Infineon Raceway, with seven in the Funny Car class (1990-92, 1994, 2000, 2002 and 2007).
* Four of eight professional track records were reset in 2007. Mike Ashley reset the Funny Car speed record at 326.79 mph.
* Since Pro Stock Motorcycles were added to the Sonoma event in 2002,
there have been six different winners in as many years (Craig Treble ’02,
Geno Scali ’03, Angelle Sampey ’04, Andrew Hines ’05, Chip Ellis ’06
and Matt Smith ’07).
* Greg Anderson became just the sixth professional and the 10th driver in history to win 50 NHRA races at the 2007 FRAM Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.
* 2007 marked the 20th anniversary of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series FRAM Autolite Nationals. Joe Amato won the first-ever NHRA Top Fuel final at Infineon Raceway in 1988. Other winners in the first year were Mark Oswald (Funny Car) and Harry Scribner (Pro Stock).
* Warren Johnson was the first Pro Stock driver to eclipse the 200 mph barrier at Infineon Raceway, turning the quarter-mile at 201.16 mph in 2000.
* Don Prudhomme is the only driver to win at Infineon Raceway in two different professional divisions - Funny Car in 1989 and Top Fuel in 1992.
* Jim Yates (1995, ‘97, and ‘99), Warren Johnson (1992, ‘96, and ‘98), Darrell Alderman (1990-91, ‘94) and Greg Anderson (2004-’05, 2007) have combined to win 12 of 20 Pro Stock titles at Infineon Raceway.
* Gary Scelzi has claimed wins in Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car categories at Infineon Raceway.
* Tony Schumacher looks to become the sixth professional drag racer to sweep the Western Swing and the fourth in Top Fuel. He has won the last two races in Denver and Seattle.
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FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
WHAT: FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
WHEN: July 25-27
CIRCUIT: Drag strip
2007 TOP QUALIFIERS: Doug Herbert (Top Fuel); Mike Ashley (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle)
2007 WINNERS: Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle)
TICKETS: $50-$60 single day/$135 weekend; parking is FREE
Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts
May 16-18
Wine Country Classic vintage car races
May 31-June 1
Toyota/Save Mart 350
NASCAR Weekend
June 20-22
FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
July 25-27
NHRA Division 7 drag races, presented by Korbel
Aug. 1-3
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County
Aug. 22-24
PINKS All Out drag racing
Sept. 5-6
