NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to historic Gainesville Raceway

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The thrilling excitement and heart-pounding action of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to historic Gainesville Raceway for the 42nd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, March 10-13. The event is the second stop on the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and 60th anniversary year of NHRA. It is also the traditional opening race for the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. The event will also feature NASCAR Champion Kurt Busch as he makes his NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series debut in the Pro Stock category.

Thousands of fans were in attendance last year to witness seven-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher race his U.S. Army dragster to his first win of the season and fourth at the Gatornationals when he defeated runner-up and DSR teammate Antron Brown in the final round. Tim Wilkerson raced to his first win of the season and at Gainesville Raceway as he powered his Levi Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang past close friend and 2009 Gatornationals winner Bob Tasca III. Former Pro Stock world champion Jason Line drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP past defending world champion Mike Edwards to earn his second consecutive win at Gainesville Raceway, while 2008 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Eddie Krawiec began opened the season for the class with a win over Shawn Gann.

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 defending Funny Car world champion and seven-time Gainesville Raceway winner, John Force and his teammate, 2009 Full Throttle world champion Robert Hight. Top Fuel world champion and four-time Gatornationals winner Larry Dixon will be defending his crown in the Al-Anabi Racing dragster. Dixon will have some added competition with 2009 Auto Club Road to the Future award winner Spencer Massey returning to the class driving the Prestone/Fram dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. 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: Pro qualifying will run at noon and 2:45 p.m. on Friday, March 11 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Final professional eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 13.

TICKETS: Tickets are available by calling the NHRA Ticket Office at (800) 884-NHRA begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 884-NHRA end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or visit NHRATIX.com.

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.