Gainesville: Gatornationals pre-race notes

WHAT: 36th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2005 NHRA POWERade championships. ...

WHAT: 36th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2005 NHRA POWERade championships.

Sportsman competitors in six categories earn points leading to 2005 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championships.

WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. The track is located on 11211 North County Road 225 in Gainesville.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, March 17-20.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $2 million.

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, March 17
Sportsman qualifying and time trials 8:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, March 18
Sportsman qualifying, time trials and eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 19
Sportsman eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 20
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Sunday, March 20, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 12:30 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, March 20, ESPN2 will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, March 20, ESPN2 will televise two hours of final eliminations at 5 p.m. (ET).

TICKETS: For tickets call NHRA at (800) 884-6472, or call Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309. Tickets also available at nhra.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) -- Thursday: Adult, $14; Junior (6-12 years), free. Friday: Adult, $31; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $49, 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, $41; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years-under), $10. Saturday: Adult, $59; Junior (6-12 years), $22; Child (5 years and under), $12. Sunday: Adult, $55-$62; Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14. Call NHRA for four-day passes and Top Eliminator Club tickets.