NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING Returns to Gateway International

MADISON, Ill. – The thrilling excitement and heart-pounding action of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to Gateway International Raceway, April 30-May 2, for the 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the seventh of 23 events in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

Thousands of fans were in attendance last year to witness Top Fuel sensation Antron Brown race his Matco Tools dragster to his second win of the season when he defeated St. Louis favorite Brandon Bernstein and his Budweiser dragster in the final round. Del Worsham raced to his first win of the season and second at Gateway International Raceway when he beat three-time St. Louis winner Ron Capps. Pro Stock’s defending world champion Jeg Coughlin held of Jason Line for his second win at Gateway, while Pro Stock Motorcycle defending world champion Eddie Krawiec defeated Craig Treble to earn his second win of the season.

Many of the biggest names in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will blast their way toward the finish line and keep the fans on the edge of their seats. Stars like fan-favorite and current Funny Car points leader John Force and his teammate, 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight. Top Fuel points leader Larry Dixon will battle rivals Cory McClenathan and Tony Schumacher for supremacy in the 7,000-horsepower category. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet.

• SCHEDULE: Full Throttle Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Friday, April 30 and will continue at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. Final professional eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 2.

• TICKETS: Tickets are available by calling (866) 35-SPEED (357-7333) or by visiting gatewayraceway.com.

• TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 9 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 1. On Sunday, May 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will feature NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 10 a.m. (ET), and three of eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).

• LUCAS OIL SERIES: The AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals also will feature competition in four categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, where the future stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series earn their racing stripes. Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 9 a.m. on April 30. Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m. on May 1.

• GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES: NHRA’s newest touring series will make its third start of the season at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. The series features some of the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars, with an eclectic mix of vintage and late-model body styles, in quarter-mile competition.

• ON THE WEB: Get instant results, access to photos, video and audio clips and the latest news updates from every NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event on the Internet at www.nhra.com.