<B>GREAT WEATHER = GREAT PERFORMANCES; GREAT WEATHER IS FORECAST FOR GATEWAY THIS WEEKEND AND FOR THE SEARS CRAFTSMAN NHRA NATIONALS</b>
MADISON, Ill. (June 24) – More than any other form of motorsports, drag racing
– especially nitro cars – are susceptible to weather. The better the weather, the more
power these 6,000-horsepower machines can produce.
If that’s the case, and if the weekend forecast for the St. Louis area and Gateway
International Raceway is close to correct, then this year’s Sears Craftsman NHRA
Nationals will be spectacular.
With the move to a Friday-Saturday-Sunday late-afternoon and evening format for the
pros, crew chiefs were already looking at more aggressive setups to take advantage of
less sun, and somewhat cooler temperatures.
But the weekend forecast calls for daily highs between 79-85 degrees, and evening
temperatures in the 60-70 degree range. Those kinds of temperatures are music to a Top
Fuel or Funny Car driver’s ears.
“I’d love to see that kind of weather, because it would let us really show the fans at
Gateway what we can do,” said Tim Wilkerson of Springfield, Ill., who owns and drives
the Levi Ray & Shoup Pontiac. “Those kinds of temperatures at this time of year are an
absolute dream. Now we have to work to take advantage of it.”
When the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals were run as a night event in 1999 and 2000,
track records were lowered nearly every qualifying session in all pro categories. This year
could be even better.
“You could see 4.80s in our division, and the Top Fuel guys will be looking at 4.50s. It’ll
be a kickin’ deal,” said Wilkerson, a former No. 1 qualifier in this event. “It certainly will
be more comfortable for the fans – and for those of us wearing the fire suits.”
(more)
Gateway/Great Weather forecast for NHRA weekend/Page 2
The Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals bring the best drag racers in the world to Gateway
each year. Along with Wilkerson fans can see John Force, Kenny Bernstein, Larry Dixon,
Jeg Coughlin, Warren Johnson, Angelle Savoie and all the stars of the NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday for Sportsman Qualifying and Eliminations.
Pro qualifying sessions are at 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
On Sunday, gates open at 10 with first round of Pro Eliminations at 4:30 p.m.
Spectacular laser light shows will be a part of each day’s activity.
Great seats are still available for this event, and all of Gateway’s remaining 2003 major
events, by calling (866) 35-SPEED.
7th annual Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals
Gateway International Raceway
June 27 – 29, 2003
(Schedule subject to change)
Friday, June 27th
8:30 a.m. Will Call - Credentials Open
9:00 a.m. Pit and Spectator Gates Open
10:00 a.m. Sportsman Qualifying
4:00 p.m. Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session 1
4:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 1
5:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 1
6:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 1
7:00 p.m. Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session 2
7:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 2
8:00 p.m. Will Call - Credentials Close
8:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 2
9:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 2
10:00 p.m. Secure Track
Saturday, June 28th
8:30 a.m. Will Call - Credentials Open
9:00 a.m. Pit and Spectator Gates Open
10:00 a.m. Sportsman Qualifying
4:15 p.m. Comp Eliminator Round 1
4:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 3
5:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 3
6:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 3
7:00 p.m. Comp Eliminator Round 2
7:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 4
8:00 p.m. Will Call - Credentials Close
8:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 4
9:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 4
10:00 p.m. Secure Track
Sunday, June 29th
9:00 a.m. Will Call - Credentials Open
10:00 a.m. Pit and Spectator Gates Open
11:00 a.m. Sportsman Eliminations
3:30 p.m. Pre-Race Ceremonies
4:30 p.m. Final Eliminations
5:30 p.m. Will Call – Credentials Close
10:00 p.m. Secure Track
Contact: Pete Wickham, (618) 482-2495
FANS HAVE TWO CHANCES TO MEET TOP NHRA DRIVERS
AT CASINO QUEEN THURSDAY, SEARS STORE ON WEDNESDAY
MADISON, Ill. (June 24) – Fans will have two chances to meet their favorite
NHRA drivers before the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals, including the big Night of
Champions at the Casino Queen.
The NHRA Night of Champions will be held Thursday night from 5-8 p.m. at Club 7s in
the Casino Queen.
Defending event and NHRA champions Jeg Coughlin, Kenny Bernstein and John Force
will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs – Coughlin from 5:15-6 p.m., Bernstein
from 6-6:45 p.m. and Force from 7-7:45 p.m. The next round of the Miss Gateway
Survivor Search will also be held. The event is co-sponsored by Gateway, the Casino
Queen and KSHE radio.
On Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., the Sears Motorsports Interactive display, with simulators
and show cars, will be on hand at the Sears store at Westfield-South County, 250 South
County Centerway.
>From 5-6 p.m., Sears Craftsman drivers Geno Scali, Dale Creasy, John Smith and
Rhonda Hartman-Smith will be at the display to sign autographs.
Fans will have three days to see these top drivers in action, and then meet them up close
and personal at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals – where every ticket is a pit pass.
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday for Sportsman Qualifying and Eliminations.
Pro qualifying sessions are at 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
On Sunday, gates open at 10 with first round of Pro Eliminations at 4:30 p.m.
Spectacular laser light shows will be a part of each day’s activity.
Great seats are still available for this event, and all of Gateway’s remaining 2003 major
events, by calling (866) 35-SPEED
MADISON, Ill. (June 24) – More than any other form of motorsports, drag racing
– especially nitro cars – are susceptible to weather. The better the weather, the more
power these 6,000-horsepower machines can produce.
If that’s the case, and if the weekend forecast for the St. Louis area and Gateway
International Raceway is close to correct, then this year’s Sears Craftsman NHRA
Nationals will be spectacular.
With the move to a Friday-Saturday-Sunday late-afternoon and evening format for the
pros, crew chiefs were already looking at more aggressive setups to take advantage of
less sun, and somewhat cooler temperatures.
But the weekend forecast calls for daily highs between 79-85 degrees, and evening
temperatures in the 60-70 degree range. Those kinds of temperatures are music to a Top
Fuel or Funny Car driver’s ears.
“I’d love to see that kind of weather, because it would let us really show the fans at
Gateway what we can do,” said Tim Wilkerson of Springfield, Ill., who owns and drives
the Levi Ray & Shoup Pontiac. “Those kinds of temperatures at this time of year are an
absolute dream. Now we have to work to take advantage of it.”
When the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals were run as a night event in 1999 and 2000,
track records were lowered nearly every qualifying session in all pro categories. This year
could be even better.
“You could see 4.80s in our division, and the Top Fuel guys will be looking at 4.50s. It’ll
be a kickin’ deal,” said Wilkerson, a former No. 1 qualifier in this event. “It certainly will
be more comfortable for the fans – and for those of us wearing the fire suits.”
(more)
Gateway/Great Weather forecast for NHRA weekend/Page 2
The Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals bring the best drag racers in the world to Gateway
each year. Along with Wilkerson fans can see John Force, Kenny Bernstein, Larry Dixon,
Jeg Coughlin, Warren Johnson, Angelle Savoie and all the stars of the NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday for Sportsman Qualifying and Eliminations.
Pro qualifying sessions are at 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
On Sunday, gates open at 10 with first round of Pro Eliminations at 4:30 p.m.
Spectacular laser light shows will be a part of each day’s activity.
Great seats are still available for this event, and all of Gateway’s remaining 2003 major
events, by calling (866) 35-SPEED.
7th annual Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals
Gateway International Raceway
June 27 – 29, 2003
(Schedule subject to change)
Friday, June 27th
8:30 a.m. Will Call - Credentials Open
9:00 a.m. Pit and Spectator Gates Open
10:00 a.m. Sportsman Qualifying
4:00 p.m. Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session 1
4:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 1
5:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 1
6:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 1
7:00 p.m. Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session 2
7:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 2
8:00 p.m. Will Call - Credentials Close
8:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 2
9:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 2
10:00 p.m. Secure Track
Saturday, June 28th
8:30 a.m. Will Call - Credentials Open
9:00 a.m. Pit and Spectator Gates Open
10:00 a.m. Sportsman Qualifying
4:15 p.m. Comp Eliminator Round 1
4:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 3
5:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 3
6:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 3
7:00 p.m. Comp Eliminator Round 2
7:45 p.m. Pro Mod Qualifying Session 4
8:00 p.m. Will Call - Credentials Close
8:15 p.m. Pro Stock Qualifying Session 4
9:00 p.m. Nitro Qualifying Session 4
10:00 p.m. Secure Track
Sunday, June 29th
9:00 a.m. Will Call - Credentials Open
10:00 a.m. Pit and Spectator Gates Open
11:00 a.m. Sportsman Eliminations
3:30 p.m. Pre-Race Ceremonies
4:30 p.m. Final Eliminations
5:30 p.m. Will Call – Credentials Close
10:00 p.m. Secure Track
Contact: Pete Wickham, (618) 482-2495
FANS HAVE TWO CHANCES TO MEET TOP NHRA DRIVERS
AT CASINO QUEEN THURSDAY, SEARS STORE ON WEDNESDAY
MADISON, Ill. (June 24) – Fans will have two chances to meet their favorite
NHRA drivers before the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals, including the big Night of
Champions at the Casino Queen.
The NHRA Night of Champions will be held Thursday night from 5-8 p.m. at Club 7s in
the Casino Queen.
Defending event and NHRA champions Jeg Coughlin, Kenny Bernstein and John Force
will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs – Coughlin from 5:15-6 p.m., Bernstein
from 6-6:45 p.m. and Force from 7-7:45 p.m. The next round of the Miss Gateway
Survivor Search will also be held. The event is co-sponsored by Gateway, the Casino
Queen and KSHE radio.
On Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., the Sears Motorsports Interactive display, with simulators
and show cars, will be on hand at the Sears store at Westfield-South County, 250 South
County Centerway.
>From 5-6 p.m., Sears Craftsman drivers Geno Scali, Dale Creasy, John Smith and
Rhonda Hartman-Smith will be at the display to sign autographs.
Fans will have three days to see these top drivers in action, and then meet them up close
and personal at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals – where every ticket is a pit pass.
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday for Sportsman Qualifying and Eliminations.
Pro qualifying sessions are at 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
On Sunday, gates open at 10 with first round of Pro Eliminations at 4:30 p.m.
Spectacular laser light shows will be a part of each day’s activity.
Great seats are still available for this event, and all of Gateway’s remaining 2003 major
events, by calling (866) 35-SPEED
