Courtesy of the NHRA

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 25, 2016) – This one is for the ladies.

In honor of all the great performances showcased on the track by female drivers throughout NHRA history – including memorable early season victories this year by first-time Top Fuel winners Brittany Force and Leah Pritchett – Royal Purple Raceway is offering a special promotion during its NHRA SpringNationals Friday night qualifying session on April 29 where all female spectators will receive free admission with a reserved seat on the spectator side of the track. This offer is available for walk-up ticket purchases only.

A very special qualifying session is scheduled for that Friday night, and Force and Pritchett will be among the racers looking to grab the No. 1 qualifying position under the lights.

Royal Purple Raceway recently installed a state of the art Musco lighting system that will provide plenty of illumination for the Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars that will be competing to earn a starting spot for Sunday’s finals in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

The tradition-rich race near Houston will be held April 29-May 1 and is the sixth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Last year’s winners were Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), and local favorite Erica Enders (Pro Stock).

The Friday night action will get underway at 6:30 p.m. when a special driver introductions program will take place near the starting line area. The Mello Yello big stage will roll out just like it does on race day Sunday mornings, and each driver, from Top Fuel’s Antron Brown to Funny Car’s Courtney Force, will wave to the crowd in a high-energy introduction. An NHRA tradition, fans will be allowed to come down to the starting line apron and enjoy the pre-qualifying ceremony up close and personal.

Once the intros are complete, fans will return to their seats in the grandstands where they will be treated to an incredible evening of high-horsepower racing action that will feature 200 mph excitement from the sleek new-look Pro Stock cars and ground-shaking side-by-side runs at more than 320 mph from the Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars.

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. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The first round of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday followed by the night session that will begin at 7 p.m. The final two rounds of qualifying will take place Saturday, April 30 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 1.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (281) 383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com. For more information about the NHRA visitwww.NHRA.com.

NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT:  29th annual NHRA SpringNationals, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.  Competition also will be featured in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series.

WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas. From Interstate 10 take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 565. Take a right on FM 565 and Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, April 29-May 1

SCHEDULE:        

FRIDAY, April 29 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 30 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:30 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1 and 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 1 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:      

Friday, April 29, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET).

Saturday, April 30, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at Midnight (ET).

Sunday, May 1, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).

2015 EVENT WINNERS: Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Ron Capps, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock.

MOST WINS: John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 6, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Ron Capps, 3, FC; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC.

TRACK RECORDS:            

Top Fuel – 3.726 seconds by Tony Schumacher, April ’15; 330.07 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’15.

Funny Car – 3.988 seconds by Jack Beckman, April ’15; 320.81 mph by Matt Hagan, April ’15.

Pro Stock – 6.519 seconds by Jason Line, April ’15; 212.66 mph by Mike Edwards, April ’13.

NATIONAL RECORDS:    

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.879 sec. by Jack Beckman, March ‘16, Gainesville, Fla.; 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. ’15, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

TICKETS: For tickets call (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets also available online at www.royalpurpleraceway.com.