Commerce: Pre-race nots, schedule

WHAT: 26th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Presented by Pontiac, the seventh of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2006 NHRA POWERade Series world championships.

Sportsman competitors in six categories earn points leading to 2006 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. I-85 to Exit 149 (Hwy 441). After exiting the freeway, go north on Highway 441 to Steven Tanger Blvd. Take left on Tanger and then go right on Ridgeway Road.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, May 4-7.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.4 million.

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, May 4
Sportsman time trials and qualifying begin at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, May 5
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 6
Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 7
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, May 6, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m. (ET).

Sunday May 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

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

TICKETS: For tickets call NHRA, (800) 884-6472 or Ticketmaster at (404) 249-6400. Tickets also available at nhra.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) -- Thursday: Adult, $10; Junior (6-12 years), free. Friday: Adult, $31; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $44; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $44; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Child (5 years-under), admitted free with paying adult in general admission and pit access areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) -- Friday: Adult, $37; Junior (6-12 years), $18; Child (5 years-under), $8. Saturday: Adult, $54; Junior (6-12 years), $22; Child (5 years and under), $12. Sunday: Adult, $54; Junior (6-12 years), $22; Child (5 years and under), $12. Call NHRA for four-day passes and campground information.

-nhra-