St. Louis: Pre-event notes, schedule

AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the seventh of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The event also features competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series.

WHERE: Gateway International Raceway, Madison, Ill. Gateway International Raceway is located five minutes from downtown St. Louis at the intersection of Interstates 55/70 and Ill. Route 203 (Exit 4).

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 30 - May 2

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, April 30 - LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 9 a.m.

GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.

FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 1

LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m.

GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1:30 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 4 p.m.

FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 2

Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FULL THROTTLE SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES eliminations continue at approximately 2 p.m.

TELEVISION: Saturday, May 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, May 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 10 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, May 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 7 p.m. (ET).

2009 EVENT

WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock; Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TICKETS: For tickets call Gateway International Raceway, (866) 35-SPEED (357-7333). Tickets also available at gatewayraceway.com

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $32; Youth (12 years & under), $10. Saturday: Adult, $42; Youth (12 years & under), $10. Sunday: Adult, $50; Youth (12 years & under), $15.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $42; Youth (12 years & under), $15. Saturday: Adult, $52; Youth (12 years & under), $20. Sunday: Adult, $60; Youth (12 years & under), $25.

-source: nhra