Gatornationals

The Gatornationals is an annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) national drag racing event held each March at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida. The event was held for the first time in 1970. The traditional East Coast opener and the season’s first of 16 events for Pro Stock Motorcycle riders and first of 10 for NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series racers moves back to the second spot on the calendar. The event is one of the sport’s most revered with a rich tradition of history-making performances. This hallowed ground has entertained spring-break-loving fans for decades with such notable occasions 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. Its 675-foot ­concrete launchpad is one of the longest on the tour.

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.

Winners

Year Top Fuel Funny Car Pro Stock Pro Stock Motorcycle
2010 Tony Schumacher Tim Wilkerson Jason Line Eddie Krawiec
2009 Larry Dixon Bob Tasca III Jason Line Hector Arana
2008 Tony Schumacher[1] Tony Pedregon Jeg Coughlin Matt Guidera
2007 Tony Schumacher[2] Ron Capps Greg Anderson Karen Stoffer
2006 David Grubnic Ron Capps Tom Martino Angelle Sampey
2005 Doug Kalitta Whit Bazemore Jason Line Steve Johnson
2004 Tony Schumacher Del Worsham Greg Anderson Andrew Hines
2003 Brandon Bernstein Gary Densham Kurt Johnson Angelle Sampey
2002 Larry Dixon Tony Pedregon Darrell Alderman Craig Treble
2001 Larry Dixon John Force Jeg Coughlin Matt Hines
2000 Doug Kalitta Jerry Toliver Warren Johnson David Schultz
1999 Mike Dunn John Force Warren Johnson Angelle Sampey
1998 Kenny Bernstein Cruz Pedregon Warren Johnson Matt Hines
1997 Joe Amato Al Hoffman Jim Yates David Schultz

References

  1. ^ NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals results; USA Today, March 16, 2008, Retrieved April 6, 2008
  2. ^ Schumacher, Capps team up for Gatornationals win; USA Today, 2007, Retrieved April 6, 2008

External links