SEMA Show organizers have been working with major air carriers to secure discounted airfare for the 2011 SEMA Show. American, Continental, Delta and United are among the first airlines to offer up to 10% off of round-trip airfare to Las Vegas.

Listed below are the details and valid travel dates for the available discounts through each of the four airlines. The 2011 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011. Complete information on the SEMA Show is available online at www.SEMAShow.com.

American Airlines: 2011 SEMA Show travelers using American Airlines can save 5% off published fares during valid travel dates of October 29–November 6, 2011. Make your reservation at www.aa.com, choose your flight times and access your meeting discounts by inserting "48H1BN" in the Promotion Code box. Or, call a travel professional at the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk at 800/433-1790 for reservations. Refer to Promotion Code "48H1BN." Some restrictions apply.

Continental Airlines: Continental Airlines offers discounts ranging between 2%–10% off published fares or Zone fares. Valid travel dates run from October 29–November 7, 2011. Call a travel professional or Continental MeetingWorks at 800/468-7022 for reservations.  You can save an additional 3% off by booking your own reservations at www.continental.com; choose flight times and access meeting discounts by inserting "ZKGF432414" in the Offer Code box. By booking online, you'll also save the $25 service fee normally applied to phone reservations. Some restrictions apply. Contact Continental for complete details.

Delta Airlines: Delta Airlines is offering discounted airfares ranging from 2%–10% on full/unrestricted airfares to 2011 SEMA Show travelers. Valid travel dates run from October 28–November 7, 2011. Discounts are applicable to United States- and Canada-originating passengers only. Individuals and meeting planners, call 800/328-1111 for reservations and ticketing assistance. Use Account Code "NM7MF" when purchasing your tickets to receive the discount. Some restrictions apply. Contact Delta for complete details.

United Airlines: Receive discounts of 5% or more with United Airlines. Valid travel dates run from October 24–November 11, 2011. Book online at www.united.com or call United toll-free at 800/521-4041. Refer to Promotion Code "590GT." Some restrictions apply. Contact United for complete details.

SEMA Show organizers have been working with major air carriers to secure discounted airfare for the 2011 SEMA Show. American, Continental, Delta and United are among the first airlines to offer up to 10% off of round-trip airfare to Las Vegas.

Listed below are the details and valid travel dates for the available discounts through each of the four airlines. The 2011 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, 2011. Complete information on the SEMA Show is available online at www.SEMAShow.com.

American Airlines: 2011 SEMA Show travelers using American Airlines can save 5% off published fares during valid travel dates of October 29–November 6, 2011. Make your reservation at www.aa.com, choose your flight times and access your meeting discounts by inserting "48H1BN" in the Promotion Code box. Or, call a travel professional at the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk at 800/433-1790 for reservations. Refer to Promotion Code "48H1BN." Some restrictions apply.

Continental Airlines: Continental Airlines offers discounts ranging between 2%–10% off published fares or Zone fares. Valid travel dates run from October 29–November 7, 2011. Call a travel professional or Continental MeetingWorks at 800/468-7022 for reservations.  You can save an additional 3% off by booking your own reservations at www.continental.com; choose flight times and access meeting discounts by inserting "ZKGF432414" in the Offer Code box. By booking online, you'll also save the $25 service fee normally applied to phone reservations. Some restrictions apply. Contact Continental for complete details.

Delta Airlines: Delta Airlines is offering discounted airfares ranging from 2%–10% on full/unrestricted airfares to 2011 SEMA Show travelers. Valid travel dates run from October 28–November 7, 2011. Discounts are applicable to United States- and Canada-originating passengers only. Individuals and meeting planners, call 800/328-1111 for reservations and ticketing assistance. Use Account Code "NM7MF" when purchasing your tickets to receive the discount. Some restrictions apply. Contact Delta for complete details.

United Airlines: Receive discounts of 5% or more with United Airlines. Valid travel dates run from October 24–November 11, 2011. Book online at www.united.com or call United toll-free at 800/521-4041. Refer to Promotion Code "590GT." Some restrictions apply. Contact United for complete details.

Toyo Tire USA Corp. Names Amy Coleman Senior Director of Marketing
Toyo Tire USA Corp. hired Amy Coleman as senior director of marketing. She is responsible for leading all aspects of the company’s marketing and will focus on business growth while enhancing brand awareness. The department includes advertising, sales promotions, communications, web initiatives, dealer support, sponsorships and events. According to Toyo, Coleman has an extensive marketing background and recently served as the director of marketing for Fleetwood RV Inc. for more than 15 years.

General Tires Announces Winners of Fast Five Sweepstakes
In April, General Tire announced that it was the official tire of Fast Five and to celebrate, the company launched the Fast Five Sweepstakes where five lucky winners would win several prizes. The winners are: Daniel Luscomb of Garland, Texas, who won the grand prize of a trip for two to Brazil; Jennifer Brown of Cortland, Ohio, who took home a world-famous custom Fast Five Gibson guitar; and Christa Lewis of Clayton, North Carolina, Loc Do of Garden Grove, California and Theodore Becker of Dixon, Illinois were all recipients of four brand-new General tires.

Venchurs Inc. unveiled the newest XPLORE Adventure Series vehicle, the XPLORE Grand Cherokee—a hand-built, special-edition Jeep for enthusiasts that want a premium SUV that's at home on a dirt trail. The vehicle is finished in a matte clear titanium gray paint with a charcoal leather interior by Katzkin. Underneath it features a modified suspension package and some very serious hardware from Mopar, BFGoodrich and Method Racing. XPLORE Grand Cherokees will initially be available only as built-to-order custom vehicles from Venchurs. A donation will be made to the National Park Foundation for every XPLORE Jeep sold.

EngineQuest Launches "Head to Vegas" Promotion
EngineQuest launched its "Head to Vegas" promotion through which the grand prize winner will receive a seven-day, six-night trip for two to attend IMCA's Duel in the Desert event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in November. The first-place prize winner will receive a set of high-performance EQ Cylinder Heads. There are also multiple second- and third-place prizes of IMCA- and EQ-branded wearables, including jackets, hats, sweatshirts and tees. More information and complete contest rules are available at www.enginequest.com/headtovegas. The promotion ends September 30, 2011.

Suzuki Starts Kizashi Kicks Road Tour
Suzuki launched its Kizashi Kicks Road Tour, July 1, at the Meadowlands State Fair in New Jersey. The tour features a variety of activities for the public, which include a ride on the motorized sofa from the Kizashi Kicks television commercial; a teen safety driving clinic; mini-Suzuki remote-control race cars; and the chance to participate in a head-to-head comparison drive against some of the vehicle's competitors: the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata and the Audi A4. Participants will also have the unique opportunity to experience micro-cars and concept vehicles available only in Japan. Visit www.kizashikicksroadshow.com to register and for more information.

More than 2,000 vehicles were on display at the 2010 SEMA Show, and those pictures are available for download through the vehicle photo gallery on www.enjoythedrive.com. SEMA eNews highlights a specific vehicle, category or make each week. This week's gallery is all of the Ram trucks that were on display.

More than 2,000 vehicles were on display at the 2010 SEMA Show, and those pictures are available for download through the vehicle photo gallery on www.enjoythedrive.com. SEMA eNews highlights a specific vehicle, category or make each week. This week's gallery is all of the Ram trucks that were on display.

The Tesla Model S is having a long road to production, but the team of photographers at Brenda Priddy & Co. bring us some signs of progress in the form of a production-intent, Model S prototype spied in Michigan on its way to a test facility.

Compared to the Tesla Model S concept the team saw back in 2009, the production model has several differences. In front, the main grille opening has been almost totally closed off, likely in favor of aerodynamics, according to Brenda Priddy & Co., and the lower grille openings have been redesigned and a pair of intakes have been added at either corner of the bumper. The headlights also appear to be modestly toned down from the concept and there are production-ready side mirrors.

At the rear, clear-lens taillights and some moderate changes to the lower fascia are visible.

Due to start production in the middle of 2012, the Tesla Model S will draw its power solely from a lithium-ion battery pack, according to Priddy's team, and they expect a few different trims of the Model S with varying ranges. While the lower-end model should be able to travel about 150 miles, the more expensive car should have a range closer to 300 miles.

Priddy says to watch for the official debut at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show or the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company

The Tesla Model S is having a long road to production, but the team of photographers at Brenda Priddy & Co. bring us some signs of progress in the form of a production-intent, Model S prototype spied in Michigan on its way to a test facility.

Compared to the Tesla Model S concept the team saw back in 2009, the production model has several differences. In front, the main grille opening has been almost totally closed off, likely in favor of aerodynamics, according to Brenda Priddy & Co., and the lower grille openings have been redesigned and a pair of intakes have been added at either corner of the bumper. The headlights also appear to be modestly toned down from the concept and there are production-ready side mirrors.

At the rear, clear-lens taillights and some moderate changes to the lower fascia are visible.

Due to start production in the middle of 2012, the Tesla Model S will draw its power solely from a lithium-ion battery pack, according to Priddy's team, and they expect a few different trims of the Model S with varying ranges. While the lower-end model should be able to travel about 150 miles, the more expensive car should have a range closer to 300 miles.

Priddy says to watch for the official debut at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show or the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company

NEWS NUGGETS

DEFENDING EVENT WINNERS HOPING FOR ADDITIONAL SEASON WINS WHILE ONE LOOKS FOR FIRST AS NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES HEADS TO CHICAGO: For Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon, Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider LE Tonglet, the path down the 2011 season hasn’t been what they had hoped. As the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to its 11th stop of the season, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago, these defending event winners hope that a return to a track that brought them so much success just one year ago might be the push they need in the point standings with just five races left until the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. After all, it was here that the road to success for two of those drivers began last year; Dixon and Tonglet went on to win world championships at season’s end.

While Dixon and Tonglet look for their second wins of the season and Edwards hopes for his third, another defending event winner, Funny Car driver Matt Hagan, hopes that familiar territory will bring him the one thing he’s been craving all year—a win. Hagan’s 2010 win at Route 66 Raceway was the second of his career, and he scored it in the hometown of his title sponsor, DieHard, in front of a crowd of executives and employees who were excited to see their DieHard Dodge Charger race to the victory. The win also helped Hagan finish the season second in the point standings. But with a fifth-place standing entering the race, Hagan knows that the Chicago event is a do-or-die situation to find success in the Countdown playoffs.

“We want to win some races and get on a roll going into the Countdown,” Hagan said. “We did that last year, winning in Chicago, and then made a good run for the championship. We want to put the DieHard car back into that position as this season moves into its later stages.”

For tickets to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, call 815/727-RACE or log on to route66raceway.com.

FORCE, ANDERSON NOMINATED FOR BEST DRIVER ESPY AWARD: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series champs John Force and Greg Anderson earned two of the four coveted spots in the ESPY award voting for Best Driver. Force, who won his 15th NHRA Funny Car championship last season, and Anderson, who won his fourth NHRA Pro Stock championship, have both been nominated for the award but have not won. Also included in the nominations this year are NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and IndyCar competitor Dario Franchitti. Previous NHRA drivers nominated include Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, Ashley Force Hood, Melanie Troxel and Tony Pedregon. To vote, log on to www.espn.com/espys. Voting ends July 9 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, July 7–10: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Chicago and the Windy City for its 11th stop of the season. Defending event winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 815/727-RACE or log on to route66raceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, July 22–24: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to the Rocky Mountains of Denver and the first of three stops in the historic Western Swing. Defending event winners are Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/664-UWIN (8946) or log on to ticketreturn.com. For media credentials, please contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS, INFINEON RACEWAY, July 29–31: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Sonoma and the second of three stops in the historic Western Swing. Defending event winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/870-RACE (6223) or log on to infineonraceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HOMETOWN TRACK EQUALS HOMETOWN FEEL: Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher on what it means to race this weekend at his hometown track, Route 66 Raceway, where he has three wins: “It’s the race that is located right in my backyard. I love staying at home. I get to have all my family and friends come out. When you have that many people cheering you on, you naturally want to do everything in your power to bring home the winner’s trophy.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

1976, ‘SNAKE’S’ NEAR-PERFECT SEASON: After winning six of eight events in 1975 en route to his first of four straight NHRA Funny Car championships, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme raced to seven wins in eight races the very next season, and he made a final-round appearance at the race he didn’t win, the U.S. Nationals. His second world-championship season is not only one of the most successful seasons he ever had, but also one of the most amazing seasons in NHRA history.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Ford Funny Car drivers Mike Neff, Robert Hight, John Force, Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .

199: With his recent victory at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Funny Car driver Mike Neff notched the 199th Funny Car win for Ford Racing. At this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Ford Racing will be looking for one more in its race to the 200 mark.

DID YOU KNOW…

Mike Edwards defeated Jason Line in the final round of the 2010 O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

…that in the past three years, there have been three different Pro Stock winners at Route 66 Raceway (2010: Mike Edwards, 2009: Jeg Coughlin, 2008: Kurt Johnson)? Will this weekend’s race bring a different winner as well?

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

NEWS NUGGETS

DEFENDING EVENT WINNERS HOPING FOR ADDITIONAL SEASON WINS WHILE ONE LOOKS FOR FIRST AS NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES HEADS TO CHICAGO: For Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon, Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider LE Tonglet, the path down the 2011 season hasn’t been what they had hoped. As the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to its 11th stop of the season, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago, these defending event winners hope that a return to a track that brought them so much success just one year ago might be the push they need in the point standings with just five races left until the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. After all, it was here that the road to success for two of those drivers began last year; Dixon and Tonglet went on to win world championships at season’s end.

While Dixon and Tonglet look for their second wins of the season and Edwards hopes for his third, another defending event winner, Funny Car driver Matt Hagan, hopes that familiar territory will bring him the one thing he’s been craving all year—a win. Hagan’s 2010 win at Route 66 Raceway was the second of his career, and he scored it in the hometown of his title sponsor, DieHard, in front of a crowd of executives and employees who were excited to see their DieHard Dodge Charger race to the victory. The win also helped Hagan finish the season second in the point standings. But with a fifth-place standing entering the race, Hagan knows that the Chicago event is a do-or-die situation to find success in the Countdown playoffs.

“We want to win some races and get on a roll going into the Countdown,” Hagan said. “We did that last year, winning in Chicago, and then made a good run for the championship. We want to put the DieHard car back into that position as this season moves into its later stages.”

For tickets to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, call 815/727-RACE or log on to route66raceway.com.

FORCE, ANDERSON NOMINATED FOR BEST DRIVER ESPY AWARD: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series champs John Force and Greg Anderson earned two of the four coveted spots in the ESPY award voting for Best Driver. Force, who won his 15th NHRA Funny Car championship last season, and Anderson, who won his fourth NHRA Pro Stock championship, have both been nominated for the award but have not won. Also included in the nominations this year are NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and IndyCar competitor Dario Franchitti. Previous NHRA drivers nominated include Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, Ashley Force Hood, Melanie Troxel and Tony Pedregon. To vote, log on to www.espn.com/espys. Voting ends July 9 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, July 7–10: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Chicago and the Windy City for its 11th stop of the season. Defending event winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 815/727-RACE or log on to route66raceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, July 22–24: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to the Rocky Mountains of Denver and the first of three stops in the historic Western Swing. Defending event winners are Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/664-UWIN (8946) or log on to ticketreturn.com. For media credentials, please contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS, INFINEON RACEWAY, July 29–31: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Sonoma and the second of three stops in the historic Western Swing. Defending event winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/870-RACE (6223) or log on to infineonraceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HOMETOWN TRACK EQUALS HOMETOWN FEEL: Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher on what it means to race this weekend at his hometown track, Route 66 Raceway, where he has three wins: “It’s the race that is located right in my backyard. I love staying at home. I get to have all my family and friends come out. When you have that many people cheering you on, you naturally want to do everything in your power to bring home the winner’s trophy.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

1976, ‘SNAKE’S’ NEAR-PERFECT SEASON: After winning six of eight events in 1975 en route to his first of four straight NHRA Funny Car championships, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme raced to seven wins in eight races the very next season, and he made a final-round appearance at the race he didn’t win, the U.S. Nationals. His second world-championship season is not only one of the most successful seasons he ever had, but also one of the most amazing seasons in NHRA history.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Ford Funny Car drivers Mike Neff, Robert Hight, John Force, Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .

199: With his recent victory at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Funny Car driver Mike Neff notched the 199th Funny Car win for Ford Racing. At this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Ford Racing will be looking for one more in its race to the 200 mark.

DID YOU KNOW…

Mike Edwards defeated Jason Line in the final round of the 2010 O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

…that in the past three years, there have been three different Pro Stock winners at Route 66 Raceway (2010: Mike Edwards, 2009: Jeg Coughlin, 2008: Kurt Johnson)? Will this weekend’s race bring a different winner as well?

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

NEWS NUGGETS

DEFENDING EVENT WINNERS HOPING FOR ADDITIONAL SEASON WINS WHILE ONE LOOKS FOR FIRST AS NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES HEADS TO CHICAGO: For Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon, Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider LE Tonglet, the path down the 2011 season hasn’t been what they had hoped. As the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to its 11th stop of the season, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago, these defending event winners hope that a return to a track that brought them so much success just one year ago might be the push they need in the point standings with just five races left until the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. After all, it was here that the road to success for two of those drivers began last year; Dixon and Tonglet went on to win world championships at season’s end.

While Dixon and Tonglet look for their second wins of the season and Edwards hopes for his third, another defending event winner, Funny Car driver Matt Hagan, hopes that familiar territory will bring him the one thing he’s been craving all year—a win. Hagan’s 2010 win at Route 66 Raceway was the second of his career, and he scored it in the hometown of his title sponsor, DieHard, in front of a crowd of executives and employees who were excited to see their DieHard Dodge Charger race to the victory. The win also helped Hagan finish the season second in the point standings. But with a fifth-place standing entering the race, Hagan knows that the Chicago event is a do-or-die situation to find success in the Countdown playoffs.

“We want to win some races and get on a roll going into the Countdown,” Hagan said. “We did that last year, winning in Chicago, and then made a good run for the championship. We want to put the DieHard car back into that position as this season moves into its later stages.”

For tickets to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, call 815/727-RACE or log on to route66raceway.com.

FORCE, ANDERSON NOMINATED FOR BEST DRIVER ESPY AWARD: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series champs John Force and Greg Anderson earned two of the four coveted spots in the ESPY award voting for Best Driver. Force, who won his 15th NHRA Funny Car championship last season, and Anderson, who won his fourth NHRA Pro Stock championship, have both been nominated for the award but have not won. Also included in the nominations this year are NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and IndyCar competitor Dario Franchitti. Previous NHRA drivers nominated include Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, Ashley Force Hood, Melanie Troxel and Tony Pedregon. To vote, log on to www.espn.com/espys. Voting ends July 9 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, July 7–10: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Chicago and the Windy City for its 11th stop of the season. Defending event winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 815/727-RACE or log on to route66raceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, July 22–24: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to the Rocky Mountains of Denver and the first of three stops in the historic Western Swing. Defending event winners are Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/664-UWIN (8946) or log on to ticketreturn.com. For media credentials, please contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS, INFINEON RACEWAY, July 29–31: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Sonoma and the second of three stops in the historic Western Swing. Defending event winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Michael Phillips (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/870-RACE (6223) or log on to infineonraceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HOMETOWN TRACK EQUALS HOMETOWN FEEL: Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher on what it means to race this weekend at his hometown track, Route 66 Raceway, where he has three wins: “It’s the race that is located right in my backyard. I love staying at home. I get to have all my family and friends come out. When you have that many people cheering you on, you naturally want to do everything in your power to bring home the winner’s trophy.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

1976, ‘SNAKE’S’ NEAR-PERFECT SEASON: After winning six of eight events in 1975 en route to his first of four straight NHRA Funny Car championships, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme raced to seven wins in eight races the very next season, and he made a final-round appearance at the race he didn’t win, the U.S. Nationals. His second world-championship season is not only one of the most successful seasons he ever had, but also one of the most amazing seasons in NHRA history.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Ford Funny Car drivers Mike Neff, Robert Hight, John Force, Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .

199: With his recent victory at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Funny Car driver Mike Neff notched the 199th Funny Car win for Ford Racing. At this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Ford Racing will be looking for one more in its race to the 200 mark.

DID YOU KNOW…

Mike Edwards defeated Jason Line in the final round of the 2010 O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

…that in the past three years, there have been three different Pro Stock winners at Route 66 Raceway (2010: Mike Edwards, 2009: Jeg Coughlin, 2008: Kurt Johnson)? Will this weekend’s race bring a different winner as well?

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.