WHAT:
Infineon Raceway will host the top drag racers in the world at the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals. The weekend will feature professional drag racing in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle divisions.
WHEN:
July 24-26. This is the 15th stop on the 24-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule.
TRACK:
NHRA dragsters will compete on the world-famous drag strip that features a 660-foot concrete launch pad and is located just 15 feet above sea level. This combination has helped the Infineon Raceway drag strip become one of the quickest and fastest in the country.
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES:
Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle
2008 CHAMPIONS:
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Matt Guidera (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Three professional track records were re-set in 2008. In Pro Stock, Jason Line smashed the track record with a low ET of 6.590 seconds, while Warren Johnson cracked the top-speed record with a run of 209.33 mph. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Matt Smith re-set the low ET record at 6.885…In addition to on-track records, Funny Car driver Ashley Force Hood and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Karen Stoffer qualified in the top spots in their respective divisions, becoming just the second pair of female competitors to qualify No. 1 in professional classes at the same event…John Force Racing has won the last three Funny Car titles in Sonoma (Eric Medlen, 2006; John Force, 2007; Robert Hight, 2008)… Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) has won five of the last 11 Top Fuel championships at Infineon Raceway (1998-2000, 2004-‘05)…Three-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson has won three of the past five Pro Stock championships at Infineon Raceway (2004-’05, 2007)…. Top Fuel ace Tony Schumacher looks to three-peat at Infineon Raceway in 2009…. The weekend will also feature several Northern California racers, including Matt Guidera (Loomis, Pro Stock Motorcycle), Katie Sullivan (Corning, Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Robert Hight (Alturas, Funny Car) …. Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown could sweep the Western Swing with a victory in Sonoma after winning in Denver and Seattle. Brown would become just the fifth Top Fuel driver and the eighth racer in NHRA history to accomplish the feat…. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Ed Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) enter the weekend leading the points in their respective classes.
SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):
Friday, July 24: Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, begin at 8:15 a.m.; Professional qualifying sessions at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: Sportsman eliminations begin at 8:15 a.m.; Professional qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.; Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):
Saturday, July 25: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD, 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD, NHRA Race Day, 8 a.m.
Sunday, July 26: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD, 6 p.m
