Gainesville: Pre-event notes, schedule

ACDELCO NHRA GATORNATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 40th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series (first of 17 for Pro Stock Motorcycle). Drivers in four categories--Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle--earn points leading to 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.

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

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, March 12-15

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

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, March 12
Sportsman qualifying begins at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, March 13
Sportsman eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m.

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

SATURDAY, March 14
Sportsman eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m.

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

SUNDAY, March 15
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 2 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying highlights at 10 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET)

Sunday, March 15, ESPN and ESPN HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 3 p.m. (ET).

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

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - FULL EVENT: $140. DAILY: Thursday: Adult, $16; Junior (6-12 years), N/C; Friday: Adult, $36; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $58; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $58; Junior (6-12 years) $10. Children (5 years-under), free with paying adult in general admission and pit access areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years-under), $10. Saturday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $24; Child (5 years and under), $14. Sunday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $24; Child (5 years and under), $14.

-credit: nhra