Indy ORP: Pre-race notes, schedule

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS FACT SHEET WHAT: 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The race is the final of 18 regular season races in the Countdown to 10. Professional competitors in ...

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The race is the final of 18 regular season races in the Countdown to 10. Professional competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2008 POWERade Series world championships. Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points leading to 2008 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 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.

COURSE: Quarter-mile drag strip, 1,320 feet (Top Fuel and Funny Car categories will compete to 1,000 ft. distance at this event); Track elevation is 700 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 27 through Monday, Sept. 1.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $2.5 million.

SCHEDULE:

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27
Sportsman qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m.

THURSDAY, Aug. 28
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 8 a.m.

FRIDAY, Aug. 29
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 5:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 30
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, 7:30 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at Noon and 5:05 p.m.

RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE at 1:15 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 31
Sportsman eliminations, 7:30 a.m.

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

U.S. SMOKELESS SHOWDOWN ELIMINATIONS at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.

MONDAY, Sept. 1
Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Sunday, Aug. 31, ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 12:30 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Aug. 31, ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Aug. 31, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours and 30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Aug. 31, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).

Monday, Sept. 1, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of early eliminations coverage at noon (ET).

Monday, Sept. 1, ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).

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

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) -- Wednesday: Adult, $10, Junior (6-12 years), free; Thursday: Adult, $14, Junior (6-12 years), free; Friday: Adult, $35; Junior (6-12 years), $10; Saturday: Adult, $45; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $48; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Monday: Adult, $48; Junior (6-12 years), $10; Child (5 years and under), free in general admission and pit areas each day.

RESERVED (includes pit pass) -- Friday: Adult, $45; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years and under), $10. Saturday: Adult, $53-$57; Junior (6-12 years), $18-$22; Child (5 years and under), $8-$12. Sunday: Adult, $56-$60; Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14. Monday: Adult, $56-$60; Junior (6-12 years), $20-$24; Child (5 years and under), $10-$14.