NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

BUY TICKETS
Mar 16 - 19
2017

Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

Event Info

Fans in the Sunshine State will be in for a treat at Gainesville Raceway as the world’s best drag racers power their 10,000 horsepower, fire-breathing machines down the strip in pursuit of championship points and early-season momentum.

The traditional East Coast opener and the season’s first of 16 races for Pro Stock Motorcycle, this event, one of the sport’s most revered, has entertained fans for decades with such notables as the first 260-mph Top Fuel and Funny Car runs in 1984 and the first 270-mph and 300-mph Top Fuel passes, in 1986 and 1992, respectively.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers, as Every Ticket's a Pit Pass® at the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet! Get direct access to the teams, see firsthand as the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from your favorite NHRA drivers.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking the TICKETS button above or by calling 800-884-NHRA (6472). Purchase early and save! 


How to Get There: The track is on County Road 225, eight miles north of Gainesville Regional Airport. If traveling north on I-75, use Exit 382, Williston Road (CR 331), and turn left (east). Williston Road will become Waldo Road (State Route 24) after it crosses U.S. 441. Continue on Waldo Road to NE 53rd Avenue, turn left, then immediately right onto CR 225 and ­continue 3.5 miles to the track. From I-75 north or south, use Exit 390, 39th Avenue (SR 222), go east to Waldo Road (SR 24), turn left, go to NE 53rd Avenue, turn left, then immediately right onto CR 225 and continue 3.5 miles to the track.

Visitor Information: Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau, 352-374-5231 or 866-778-5002, www.visitgainesville.com; Gainesville Area ­Chamber of Commerce, 352-334-7100, www.gainesvillechamber.com

Schedule
 

Full Racing Schedule

THURSDAY - March 16, 2017

 

Sportsman Qualifying

8:30 AM

 

 

FRIDAY - March 17, 2017

 

Midway Opens

10:00 AM

Top Alcohol Qualifying Session

10:45 AM

Pro Mod Qualifying Session

12:00 PM

Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)

12:45 PM

Nitro Qualifying Session (FC-TF)

1:30 PM

Top Alcohol Qualifying Session

2:30 PM

Pro Mod Qualifying Session

3:30 PM

Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)

4:15 PM

Nitro Qualifying Session (FC-TF)

5:00 PM

Jet Dragsters

6:00 PM

Secure Track

6:10 PM

 

 

SATURDAY, March 18, 2017

 

Midway Opens

8:15 AM

Top Alcohol Qualifying Session

10:30 AM

Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)

12:00 PM

Nitro Qualifying Session (TF-FC)

12:45 PM

Pro Mod Qualifying Session

1:45 PM

Factory Stock Showdown - Round 1

2:55 PM

Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PSM-PSC)

2:30 PM

Nitro Qualifying Session (TF-FC)

3:15 PM

Pro Mod Eliminations - Round 1

4:15 PM

Top Alcohol Eliminations - Round 1

4:45 PM

Secure Track

6:30 PM

 

 

SUNDAY - March 19, 2017

 

Midway Opens

9:00 AM

Top Alcohol Eliminations - Round 2

9:30 AM

Pre-Race Ceremonies

10:00 AM

Nitro Eliminations - Round 1

11:00 AM

Pro Stock Eliminations - Round 1

12:00 PM

Pro Mod Eliminations - Round 2

12:30 PM

Nitro Eliminations - Round 2

12:45 PM

Pro Stock Eliminations - Round 2

1:15 PM

Top Alcohol Eliminations - Semi-Finals

1:25 PM

Pro Mod Eliminations - Semi-Finals

1:35 PM

Factory Stock Showdown - Round 2

1:55 PM

Nitro Eliminations - Semi-Finals

2:15 PM

Pro Stock Eliminations - Semi-Finals

2:33 PM

Pro Mod Eliminations - Finals

2:40 PM

Top Alcohol Eliminations - Finals

2:45 PM

Factory Stock Showdown - Finals

1:55 PM

Pro Stock Eliminations - Finals

3:30 PM

Nitro Eliminations - Finals

3:37 PM

Secure Event

3:45 PM

*All times are local and subject to change

 

Fan Events

Friday, March 17th:
Manufacturers Midway - Come check out your favorite displays in Nitro Alley from 10:00 A.M. until the beginning of the second Nitro qualifying session.
Nitro Qualifying- Catch the action of two sessions of 300 MPH Nitro qualifying - 1:30 PM & 5:00 PM
First Round Follow Up – Meet announcer Brian Lohnes in the Pits after first round to get the scoop on the hottest story from Round 1.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Autograph Session - At the NHRA Midway Display Jerry Savoie, Angie Smith, Scotty Pollacheck, Hector Arana and Andie Rawlings - 10:30 AM
Toyota Autograph Session - At the Toyota Midway Display - 11:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Jet Cars - After Nitro qualifying, stick around to see the spectacular Larsen Motorsports jet dragsters sponsored by Florida Tech and Matrix System. Known for their exciting pre-run flame shows and after burner pops, jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines.

 

Saturday, March 18th:
Manufacturers Midway - Come check out your favorite displays in Nitro Alley from 8:15 A.M. until the beginning of the fourth Nitro qualifying session.                      
Nitro Qualifying - Catch the action of two sessions of 10,000 horsepower Nitro qualifying, the pro drivers last chance to make it into the top 16 for Race Day - 12:45 PM & 3:15 PM
Harley Davidson Autograph Session - At the Harley Davidson Midway Display with Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec - 9:30 AM
Pro Stock Motorcycle Fan Appreciation - Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers will be outside their pit area for a meet and greet, take pictures and sign autographs - 10:00-10:45 AM
Nitro School – Come join Alan Reinhart and Rob Wendland at the NHRA Midway Display and get schooled on all your Nitro knowledge - 10:00 AM
Mello Yello Autograph Session - At the Mello Yello display featuring Del Worsham, Clay Millican, Vincent Nobile and Jerry Savoie - 10:30 A.M.
Mopar Autograph Session - At the Mopar Midway Display - 10:45 AM
Meet and Greet - Come meet Leah Pritchett and Papa John at the NHRA Midway display - 2:15 PM
Go Army Experience Challenge - Come join us at the Go Army Experience display in Nitro Alley for a chance to go head-to-head with the driver of the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster and with-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, Tony Schumacher. - Following the third Nitro qualifying session.                                                                                                                                                                   Jet Cars - After Nitro qualifying, stick around to see the spectacular Larsen Motorsports jet dragsters sponsored by Florida Tech and Matrix System. Known for their exciting pre-run flame shows and after burner pops, jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines.

Sunday, March 19th:
Manufacturers Midway - Come check out your favorite displays in Nitro Alley from 9:00 A.M. until the beginning of the third round of Nitro eliminations.
Darrell Gwynn Sealmaster Trackwalk - Join us in walking the track at Gainesville Raceway with our guests from the Darrel Gwynn Foundation. Proceeds from the track walk go to benefitting the Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter at The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis - 9:45 AM
Race Day Review - Get the inside scoop with Alan Reinhart as he runs down the top stories of the weekend before Pre-Race Ceremonies - 10:00 AM
Pre-Race Ceremonies - Make sure you stick around the Mello Yello FanZone after the trackwalk for our driver introductions.
Race Day - The top 16 qualifiers in each class battle it out head to head for the Wally.
Winners Circle - Stick around after racing is completed as we crown our Mello Yello event champions. Winners Circle will be held at the starting line or in the staging lanes.

Gator Lane Ticket Upgrade - Saturday and Sunday
The closest thing to the locker room in racing...the STAGING LANES. Get a front row spot in the staging lanes to watch your favorite drivers get geared up before the race.
*Passes are extremely limited*

FanVision Rental - Advance price $24.95 for a weekend rental                                                                                                                                                                                                                              New for 2017! FanVision's handheld screen allows fans the freedom to shape their race-day experience with custom content such as: Live broadcast, Video replays, Live audio communications, Live stats & analysis, Competition ladder for all divisions, Season standings and more! 

Stop by the Amalie Motor Oil display to take a photo with a live alligator!

ALL WEEKEND - Come by our NEW NHRA Midway Display for your chance to win prizes, receive event information and renew your NHRA Membership. If you are already an NHRA Member come hang out in our NEW NHRA Member Hospitality Area.

TV Schedule
DateRoundTimeChannelAiring
Friday, March 17, 2017QUALIFYING12:00 AMFS1ORIGINAL
Saturday, March 18, 2017QUALIFYING3:30 AMFS1RE-AIR
Saturday, March 18, 2017QUALIFYING11:00 PMFS1ORIGINAL
Sunday, March 19, 2017NHRA FINAL1:00 PMFS1LIVE
Monday, March 20, 2017QUALIFYING7:00 PMFS2RE-AIR
Monday, March 20, 2017QUALIFYING8:00 PMFS2RE-AIR
Monday, March 20, 2017NHRA FINAL10:00 PMFS2RE-AIR
Wednesday, March 22, 2017NHRA FINAL6:30 AMFS1RE-AIR
Thursday, March 23, 2017NHRA FINAL8:00 PMFS2RE-AIR
Thursday, March 23, 2017NHRA IN 3011:00 PMFS2ORIGINAL
Wednesday, March 29, 2017NHRA IN 306:00 AMFS1RE-AIR
Thursday, April 13, 2017NHRA IN 306:00 AMFS2RE-AIR
Entry List

First Responders

NHRA Salutes First Responders logoThroughout the 2017 season, the NHRA will pay tribute to the legion of first responders, the heroes who are among the first people to arrive and assist at the scene of an emergency.

NHRA Salutes First Responders will honor medical professionals, law-enforcement officers, firefighters, members of the armed forces, and a number of other professions charged with the safety and well-being of the public, much like the Safety Safari is charged with the safety and well-being of the racing community.

As part of the tribute, first responders will be eligible for discounted tickets to the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals through GovX. Click here to purchase. GovX Logo

GROUPS & HOSPITALITY

Group Ticket Sales

Looking to host a company outing, entertain clients or just get together with friends? Groups of 25 or more receive discounts starting at $10 off a reserved seat.  Bringing your group out to the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will get you discounts off daily ticket prices and no per ticket fees.

 

VIP Skybox Suite

The ultimate race day experience is in the VIP Skybox Suite, which sits above the Pit Side grandstands giving fans a start to finish view of the track. You will enjoy:

  • Full weekend or single day suite access
  • Indoor and outdoor seating
  • Catered lunch and unlimited Coca-Cola, Dasani and Powerade
  • Special event issue of National Dragster
  • Souvenir race program
  • Elevator access and ADA accessible
  • Preferred suite parking passes
  • Air conditioned suite
  • Closed-circuit televisions
  • Skybox level restrooms
  • Don’t forget Every Ticket's a Pit Pass®!

Or, book a private VIP Skybox Suite for the full weekend or for a single-day for up to 40 guests!

For more information on Group Ticket Sales and VIP Skybox Suites, call KYLE ROBERTS at 352-337-0046 or kroberts@nhra.com


TOP ELIMINATOR CLUB

Want to feel the races? The Top Eliminator Club will get you up-close to all the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway! If you’ve never experienced the TEC, now is the time to upgrade!

TEC members enjoy:

  • Prime starting line seating
  • Access to the TEC hospitality center with a closed-circuit television broadcast of the race
  • Continental breakfast and buffet style lunch on Saturday & Sunday
  • Unlimited non-alcoholic refreshments all weekend long
  • Exclusive autograph and Q&A sessions with some of drag racing’s biggest stars
  • TEC store with exclusive merchandise
  • Private TEC restrooms
  • Exclusive gift bag with the purchase of a full-event ticket package
  • TEC parking pass with minimum purchase

TEC tickets can be purchased by clicking the TICKETS button above.