St. Louis: Pre-race notes, schedule

O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS

WHAT: 12th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Castrol, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories -- Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle -- earn points leading to 2008 NHRA POWERade Series world championships

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, May 2-4.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.3 million.

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, May 2
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, begin at 9 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3 p.m. and 5:30p.m.

SATURDAY, May 3
Sportsman eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 4
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11a.m.

TELEVISION: Saturday, May 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 9 p.m. (ET).

Sunday May 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, May 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final round eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

2007 EVENT
WINNERS: Melanie Troxel, Top Fuel; Ron Capps, Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Matt Smith, 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. Call Gateway International Raceway for three-day passes.

-credit: nhra