Indianapolis: Schedule, pre-event notes

WHAT: 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2004 NHRA POWERade championships.

Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points leading to 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championships.

WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, Ind. From I-465, exit Crawfordsville Road (Hwy. 136). Head west for approximately four miles through the town of Clermont. The main entrance to the facility is on the left-hand side, one-half mile past Raceway Road.

WHEN: Wednesday through Monday, Sept. 1-6.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $2.6 million.

SCHEDULE:

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 1
Sportsman qualifying and time trials, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, Sept. 2
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, Sept. 3
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 4 - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 1:15 and 6:15 p.m.
K&N FILTERS PRO BIKE KLASH ELIMINATIONS at 1, 2:50, and 6:10 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 5
Sportsman eliminations, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
SKOAL SHOWDOWN ELIMINATIONS at 12:30, 2:15, and 4 p.m.

MONDAY, Sept. 6
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, Sept. 4, ESPN2 will televise one hour of early qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 5, ESPN2 will televise NHRA 2Day, a half-hour event preview show at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 5, ESPN will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 1 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 5, ESPN2 will televise three hours of qualifying highlights and the Skoal Showdown at 5 p.m. (ET).

Monday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 will televise a special edition of NHRA 2Day celebrating 50 years of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at 11 a.m. (ET).

Monday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of early round eliminations at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

Monday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also are available at ticketmaster.com, nhra.com, and irponline.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Wednesday: Adult, $5, Junior (6-17 years), free; Thursday: Adult, $10, Junior (6-17 years), free; Friday: Adult, $30; Junior (6-17 years), $10; Child (5 years and under), free in general admission and pit areas each day. Saturday: Adult, $38; Junior (6-17 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-17 years), $10. Monday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-17 years), $10.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $40; Junior (6-17 years), $20; Child (5 years and younger), $10. Saturday: Adult, $46-$50; Junior (6-17 years), $18-$22; Child (5 years and under), $8-$12. Sunday: Adult, $56-$60; Junior (6-17 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14. Monday: Adult, $56-$60; Junior (6-17 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14.

-nhra-