Route 66 Raceway expands 2010 drag racing schedule
JOLIET - The 2010 schedule for Route 66 Raceway will feature annual stops by the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Lucas Oil amateur NHRA Series and Junior Drag Racing League, and include new stops for SpeedTV's PINKS All Out and a season-long Rockett Brand Race Fuel ET Bracket Series presented for local racers.
"We received amazing support from our racers and fans in 2009, and that, in part, allowed us to expand the number of races we offer for our local drivers, as well as welcome PINKS All Out to Route 66 Raceway," said John Knechtges, drag strip supervisor.
"The big show at the drag strip has always been the NHRA Full Throttle Series event in June, and we are already looking forward to plenty of nitro-powered action when the United Association NHRA Nationals comes to town. We're excited with the mix of old and new events on the schedule next season."
PINKS All Out is a drag racing TV series entering its fourth season produced by SpeedTV that features two qualifying rounds and a 16-car shootout with competitors putting their car on the line. Full-length episodes can be seen at Speedtv.com.
The 2010 Route 66 schedule again includes events that span the drag racing spectrum: from the professional to the amateur; national and local. Included in this is the Rockett Brand Race Fuel ET Bracket Series, in which local drivers vie for track titles and the chance to compete for Route 66 Raceway at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment North Central Division Finals and the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona, Calif. Last year's Route 66 Raceway team earned a top-ten finish.
The popular Tournament of Destruction Demo Derby program also returns to Route 66 Raceway's oval dirt track this season.
2010 Route 66 Raceway schedule
Tickets: Available by phone (815-727-RACE); through the box office at 500 Speedway Blvd. in Joliet; by fax (815-727-7895) or online at ticketmaster.com.
March 27: Tech Inspection (ET Bracket Series competitors)
March 28: Tech Inspection (ET Bracket Series competitors)
April 17: Test and Tune #1 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
April 18: ET Bracket Series #1
April 24: Test and Tune #2 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
April 25: ET Bracket Series #2
May 1: Test and Tune #3 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection); also Midwest Super Comp
May 2: ET Bracket Series #3; also Midwest Super Comp and Midwest Top Sportsman
May 8: ET Bracket Series #4; also Midwest Top Sportsman
May 14: Test and Tune #4 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
May 15: ET Bracket Series #5; also Midwest Super Comp and Midwest Top Sportsman
May 29: NHRA Junior Drag Racing League #1; Demo Derby (Dirt Oval)
June 3-6: United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals (NHRA Full Throttle Pro Series)
June 11-13: NHRA Lucas Oil Series (National tour for NHRA amateurs)
June 18: Test and Tune #5 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
June 19: ET Bracket Series #6 (National Dragster Challenge with winners earning 'Wally' trophy); also Midwest Top Sportsman
June 25-27: PINKS All Out (SPEED)
July 3: NHRA Junior Drag Racing League #2; Demo Derby (Dirt Oval)
July 16-18: NMRA/NMCA Ford specialty car show/race
July 23: Test and Tune #6 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
July 24: NHRA Junior Drag Racing League #3; Demo Derby (Dirt Oval)
July 31: Test and Tune #7 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection); also Midwest Super Comp
Aug. 1: ET Bracket Series #7 ("King of the Track" award); also Midwest Top Sportsman
Aug. 7: NHRA Junior Drag Racing League #4 (NHRA Junior Drag Racing Challenge); Test and Tune #8 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
Aug. 8: ET Bracket Series #8
Aug. 13-15: Super Chevy Show
Aug. 20: Test and Tune #9 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
Aug. 21: NHRA Junior Drag Racing League #5; Demo Derby (Dirt Oval)
Sept. 11: Test and Tune #10 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
Sept. 18: Demo Derby (Dirt Oval)
Sept. 24: Test and Tune #11 (Open to all street-legal cars that pass tech inspection)
Sept. 25: Monster Money Event
Note: Schedule subject to change