Rockingham Spring Nationals pre-race notes

WHAT: 35th Annual IHRA Spring Nationals presented by Advance Auto Parts and Castrol

WHERE: Rockingham Dragway. Track is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Highway 177. The track is ten miles north of Hamlet and Rockingham, 75 miles south of Raleigh, and 80 miles east of Charlotte. From Rockingham, take U.S. Highway 1 to 177.

WHEN: Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2005

WHO: The stars of the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series, including 4 time (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) World Champion Clay Millican, Bruce Litton, and Doug Foley

Defending World Champion Mike Janis, Al Billes, and Harold Martin in nitrous vs. supercharged Torco Race Fuels Pro Modified

Two time defending World Champion Rob Atchison, 5-time World Champion Mark Thomas, and Amalie Oil sponsored Terry McMillen in Funny Car

"The World's Fastest and Quickest Pro Stock Cars," featuring IHRA's version of NASCAR, the 215 mile per hour factory hot rods of World Champion John Nobile (Ford ZX2), former World Champion Brian Gahm (Ford Mustang), John Montecalvo (Chevy Cobalt), and Robert Patrick (Ford Mustang) in Torco Race Fuels Pro Stock

Champions will also be crowned in seven Mr. Gasket sportsman classes: Erson Cams Top Sportsman, Mallory Top Dragster, ACCEL DFI Super Stock, Hays Stock, ACCEL Quick Rod, Lakewood Super Rod, and Hurst Hot Rod

Two "Nights of Fire," presented by Castrol, Friday and Saturday features the professional categories running under the lights, Pepe Urban's "Extreme Jet Machine" and Ken Nelson's "Cool Bus" wheel stander, and a giant fireworks display. This "show" within the show kicks off at 7:00pm on Friday and 7:00pm on Saturday

SCHEDULE:

Friday, April 22:
Gates open at 8:00am
Sportsman qualifying at 8:30am.
Pro qualifying at 1:00pm followed by Sportsman qualifying

Saturday, April 23:
Gates open at 8:00am
Sportsman eliminations at 9:00am
Pro qualifying at 1:00pm
Sportsman eliminations follow Pro round
Pro qualifying at 7:00pm

Sunday, April 24:
Gates open at 8:00am
Sportsman eliminations (to complete round 2 if necessary) at 9:00am.
Pro eliminations (Rd 1) at 11:00am
Sportsman eliminations after pro round,
Pro eliminations Rd 2 at 1:00pm
Pro Semi-finals at 3:00 pm, Finals at 4:30 pm

TICKETS:

Friday, April 22: Early Bird General Admission $30, Adult General Admission: $35, Juniors 6-12 only $5

Saturday, April 23: Early Bird General Admission $35, Adult General Admission: $40, Juniors 6-12 $5

Sunday, April 24: Early Bird General Admission $30, Adult General Admission $35, Juniors 6-12 only $5

-ihra-