Brainerd: Pre-race notes, schedule

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 27th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the 16th of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Brainerd International Raceway and Resort, Brainerd, Minn. Track is located a few miles north of the Brainerd area off Highway 371. The track is located on the east side of the highway.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 7-10.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.2 million.

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, Aug. 7
Sportsman qualifying begins at 9:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, Aug. 8 - Sportsman qualifying begins at 9:15 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2:45 and 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 9
Sportsman eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 10
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION: Saturday, Aug. 9, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8:30 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Aug. 10, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Aug. 10, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

WINNERS: Brandon Bernstein, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TICKETS: Order tickets by phone at (866) 444-4455. Tickets also are available online at brainerdraceway.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) -- Thursday: Adult, $15; Child (6-12 years), $10. Friday: Adult, $40; Child (6-12 years), $15; Saturday: Adult, $55; Child (6-12 years), $15. Sunday: Adult, $55; Child (6-12 years), $15.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) --Thursday: Adult, $40; Child (6-12 years), $35. Friday: Adult, $65; Child (6-12 years), $40. Saturday: Adult, $80; Child (6-12 years), $40. Sunday: Adult, $80; Child (6-12 years), $40.

-credit: nhra