Courtesy of the NHRA

LAS VEGAS — The popular NHRA FanFest, Las Vegas style, will return to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on Thursday, March 31, in advance of the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The two-hour event, which begins at 6 p.m. on the hotel’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, will be highlighted by a driver Q&A and autograph session from 7-8 p.m. featuring many of the stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

The following NHRA drivers are scheduled to attend the FanFest: Antron Brown, Del Worsham, Erica Enders, Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, Shawn Langdon, Tommy Johnson Jr., Jeg Coughlin Jr., Chad Head, Allen Johnson, Bo Butner, Terry McMillen and Chris McGaha.

The DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, April 1-3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will showcase competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock as NHRA teams will battle for coveted NHRA Wally trophies and important world championship points. Fans can expect to witness record-breaking performances as teams push the 330 mph barrier. Since every ticket is a pit pass, spectators can get up close and personal with their favorite drivers to get autographs and watch the teams service their hot rods. The race also will feature the lucrative K&N Horsepower Challenge Pro Stock all-star race. Defending winners of the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals are Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Enders (Pro Stock and K&N Horsepower Challenge).

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats for the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, log on to www.LVMS.com or call 800-644-4444.

DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 17th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, the fourth 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. The race also will feature competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series.

WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas off Interstate 15.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 1-3

SCHEDULE:        

FRIDAY, April 1 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 2- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:10 and 4:05 p.m.

K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE at 1, 4 and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 3 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11:15 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at noon

TELEVISION:      

SATURDAY, April 2, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 11 p.m.  (ET)

SUNDAY, April 3, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m.  (ET)

SUNDAY, April 3, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 5 p.m. (ET)

2015 EVENT WINNERS: Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock; Enders, K&N Horsepower Challenge.

MOST VICTORIES: Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Robert Hight, 3, FC; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 3, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 2, TF; John Force, 2, FC; Cruz Pedregon, 2, FC; Mike Edwards, 2, PS; Erica Enders, 2, PS; Allen Johnson, 2, PS.

MOST K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE VICTORIES: Greg Anderson, 4; Kurt Johnson, 4; Jeg Coughlin, 3; Bob Glidden, 3; Warren Johnson, 3; Larry Morgan, 3; Bruce Allen, 2; Erica Enders, 2; Allen Johnson, 2; Jim Yates, 2;

TRACK RECORDS:            

Top Fuel – 3.722 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ’15 and 332.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’15.

Funny Car – 3.931 sec. by Tommy Johnson Jr., Oct. ’15 and 325.92 mph by Del Worsham, Oct. ’15.

Pro Stock – 6.559 sec. and 210.28 mph by Erica Enders, Oct. ’15.

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. and 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. ’15, Pomona, Calif.

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

TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 644-4444. Tickets also available online at www.lvms.com/tickets.