Topeka: Pre-race notes, schedule

WHAT: 19th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX, the eighth of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in three categories earn points leading to 2007 NHRA POWERade Series world ...

WHAT: 19th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX, the eighth of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in three categories earn points leading to 2007 NHRA POWERade Series world championships.

Drivers in the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series will also be competing at this event.

Sportsman competitors in six categories earn points leading to 2007 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Heartland Park Topeka. From Kansas City, take the Kansas Turnpike (I-70) to the Topeka Boulevard exit and travel south to the track. From Wichita, take the Kansas Turnpike (I-335) to the Topeka Boulevard exit and travel south to the track.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 1-3.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.7 million.

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, June 1
Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 8 a.m.

Sport Compact Qualifying Session begins at 6 p.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 2
Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.

Sport Compact Qualifying sessions at 1:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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

SUNDAY, June 3
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, June 2 ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5:30 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 3 ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 3 ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).

TICKETS: For tickets call NHRA at (800) 43-RACES. Tickets also available at ticketmaster.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) --Friday: Adult, $31; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $43; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-12 years), $10.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) -- Friday: Adult, $39-44; Junior (6-12), $18-23; Child (5 years and younger), $8-13. Saturday: Adult, $53-58; Junior (6-12 years), $20-25; Child (5 years and under), $10-15. Sunday: Adult, $56-61; Junior (6-12 years), $20-25; Child (5 years and under), $10-15.