September 25, 2017, St. Louis Region — Leah Pritchett, driver of the Papa John’s Top Fuel Dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, will greet fans at the Papa John’s location on Belt Line Road in Collinsville, Illinois, from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday. Pritchett, one of the sport’s most popular drivers, then will be joined by the world’s biggest names in professional drag racing this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois, for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.
“We’ve got one of the best race cars in the cool weather so we’re looking forward to St. Louis,” Pritchett said. “Back in the winner’s circle is where we want to be and we feel good about St. Louis. We have our hot rod back. This past weekend (at Reading, Pennsylvania), even though it was an early exit, has boosted our confidence.”
Spectator gates will open at 7:30 a.m. each day. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult and every ticket is a pit pass. Friday’s Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster qualifying will take place under the lights.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
6:30 a.m. — Parking lots open.
7:30 a.m. — Spectator gates open.
8:30 a.m. — Sportsman class racing begins.
Noon — Midway opens.
3:30 p.m. — Pro Mod qualifying session.
4:15 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock qualifying session.
5 p.m. — Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster qualifying session.
6 p.m. — Pro Mod qualifying session.
6:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock qualifying session.
7:15 p.m. — Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster qualifying session.
8:15 p.m. — Jet Dragsters and fireworks.
8:20 p.m. — Track closed.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
6:30 a.m. — Parking lots open.
7:30 a.m. — Spectator gates open.
8:30 a.m. — Sportsman class racing begins.
9:30 a.m. — Midway opens.
Noon — Pro Mod qualifying session.
1:15 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock qualifying session.
2 p.m. — Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster qualifying session.
3 p.m. — First round of Pro Mod eliminations.
3:30 p.m. — First round of Factory Stock Showdown eliminations.
3:45 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock qualifying session.
4:30 p.m. — Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster qualifying session.
7 p.m. — Track closed.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
6:30 a.m. — Parking lots open.
7:30 a.m. — Spectator gates open.
9 a.m. — Midway opens.
10 a.m. — Pre-race ceremonies.
11 a.m. — First round of Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster eliminations.
Noon — First round of Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock eliminations.
12:20 p.m. — Second round of Pro Mod eliminations.
12:45 p.m. — Second round of Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster eliminations.
1:15 p.m. — Second round of Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock eliminations.
1:30 p.m. — Semi-final round of Pro Mod eliminations.
2 p.m. — Second round of Factory Stock Showdown.
2:15 p.m. — Semi-final round of Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster eliminations.
2:33 p.m. — Semi-final round of Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock eliminations.
2:40 p.m. — Final round of Pro Mod eliminations.
3 p.m. — Final round of Factory Stock Showdown eliminations.
3:30 p.m. — Final round of Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock eliminations.
3:37 p.m. — Final round of Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster eliminations.
3:45 p.m. — Track closed.
Schedule subject to change. Revised Sept. 17.
To purchase tickets or obtain additional information, please call (618) 215-8888 or visit www.gatewaymsp.com. Follow GMP on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
About Gateway Motorsports Park
Gateway Motorsports Park is the home of INDYCAR, NASCAR and NHRA racing in the St. Louis region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 340 acres, Gateway Motorsports Park is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. Gateway Motorsports Park’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, 1.6-mile road course, a state-of-the-art Karting facility and a 14-acre, multi-purpose dirt off-road venue.