What:
The NHRA Division 7 Drag Races, presented by Korbel, return to the Sonoma Valley, July 20-22. The weekend will feature racing action from the NHRA Lucas Oil Division 7 Drag Racing Series.
When:
July 20-22. Gates open at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday and at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Qualifying and time trials are slated for Friday and Saturday, with final eliminations set for Saturday and Sunday.
Track:
Quarter-mile drag strip
CATEGORIES:
Competition will be featured in 11 NHRA categories, including the return of Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Sportsman Motorcycle, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. The weekend will also feature the six-second door slammers of the West Coast Outlaw Pro Modified Series.
What to expect:
The NHRA Division 7 Drag Races, presented by Korbel, kick off two weekends of drag racing in the Sonoma Valley…The weekend will also feature the return of the West Coast Outlaw Pro Mod Series, including Mike Maggio, who ran 260 miles per hour at the last race in Canada. … Rod Burbage (Redding) is the defending Pro Mod national champion.… The husband-wife team of Jim Whiteley (Top Alcohol Dragster) and Ann Marie Whiteley (Top Alcohol Funny Car) top this year’s field. … Last year’s event featured five Northern California winners, including Concord’s Justin Morgan (Super Comp); Benicia’s Jason Brink (Super Gas); Livermore’s David Adams (Super Street); Tracy’s Will Harrison (Top Dragster) and Garberville’s Pete Miclette (Sportsman Motorcycle)…. Multi-time winners in Sonoma include Morgan Lucas (TAD, 2003, ‘06-‘07), Rick Santos (TAD, 1998-2000); Rick Braun (Comp, 1998-‘99); Jimmy DeFrank (Super Stock, 2001, ‘03, Super Comp ‘09); Greg Luneack (Super Stock, 2005, ‘08); Steve Wann (Stock, 1997, 2003); Jody Lang (Stock Eliminator, 1998, 2008-‘09, ‘11); Ted Kellner (Super Street, 1999, 2007) and Scott Rollins (Super Street, 2004-‘05).
NOTABLE:
Division 7 is comprised of the western United States (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah), but drag racers from all over the country will venture to Sonoma for a chance to compete on the world-class drag strip. The drag strip received an overhaul in 2002, complete with a 660-foot concrete launch pad and separation from the road course. That, combined with the fact that the raceway is 15 feet above sea level, makes the track one of the fastest in the country.
2011 EVENT WINNERS:
Justin Morgan (Concord, Super Comp); David Adams (Livermore, Super Street); Scott McClay (Tehachapi, Comp); Mark Faul (Tacoma, Wash., Super Stock); Jody Lang (Puyallup, Wash., Stock Eliminator); Jason Brink (Benicia, Super Gas); Dave Slatten (Ft. Collins, Colo., Top Sportsman); Will Harrison (Tracy, Top Dragster); Pete Miclette (Garberville, Sportsman Motorcycle); and Mike Maggio (San Dimas, West Coast Outlaw Pro Mods).
SCHEDULE (All times Pacific):
Friday, July 20: Qualifying and time trials begin, 8:15 a.m.; Top Dragster, Comp and Top Sportsman qualifying, noon and 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 21: Time trials and qualifying begin, 8 a.m.; Top Dragster, Comp and Top Sportsman qualifying, 11 a.m.; Eliminations, 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 22: Eliminations continue, 9 a.m.
TICKET PRICES (Includes pit pass):
General Admission: Friday: $5; Saturday and Sunday: $20 per day; Weekend: $45. Children 12 and under are admitted FREE and parking is FREE.
INFORMATION/TICKETS:
Call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit racesonoma.com.