Pro Stock Motorcycles make traditional start of 2010 NHRA Gatornationals

GAINESVILLE, Fla.– The thrilling excitement and heart-pounding action of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to historic Gainesville Raceway for the 41st annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, March 11-14. The event is the third stop in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and the traditional opening race for the Pro Stock Motorcycle category.

Thousands of fans were in attendance last year to witness two-time Top Fuel world champion Larry Dixon race his Alan Johnson/Al-Anabi Racing dragster to his first win of the season and fourth at the Gatornationals when he defeated runner-up Cory McClenathan in the final round. Bob Tasca raced to his first career win in the Funny Car class as he powered his Motorcraft Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang past close friend Tony Pedregon, who was making his third final round appearance at Gainesville. Former Pro Stock world champion Jason Line drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP past the Team Mopar Dodge Stratus of Allen Johnson to collect his second win of the season and second in Gainesville, while eventual Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Hector Arana began his charge for the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle world champion with his first victory at the tradition-rich Gatornationals and only the second win of his career.

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 seven-time Gainesville Raceway winner, John Force, and his teammate, 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight. Top Fuel sensation Antron Brown will be starting his third season in the Top Fuel ranks as driver of the Matco Tools dragster. Brown will be looking to dethrone current and seven-time world champion and newly named teammate, “The Sarge” Tony Schumacher. 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 12 and will continue the same times on Saturday, March 13. Final professional eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 14.

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

TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at Midnight (ET) on Sunday, March 13. On Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air three hours of eliminations coverage at 6 p.m. (ET). On Monday, March 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will feature NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 11 a.m. (ET).

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.