October 16, 2020, St. Louis Region – World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, today announced the venue will become the home for NHRA sportsman racing in the Midwest for the 2021 season. WWTR’s drag strip will host two Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events, two National Opens and two stops on the JEGS Super Quick Series. In addition, the track will present sportsman racing in conjunction with the September 24-26 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series national event.
“We hosted a tremendous Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series doubleheader three weeks ago and it was well-received by the entire sportsman community,” said WWTR Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Blair. “Our location makes it easy for racers from four of the NHRA’s geographical regions to drive here in just a few hours and serves as the perfect central location during the divisional, regional and national points chases.”
The first stop of the 2021 NHRA North Central Division schedule will feature the JEGS Super Quick Series in conjunction with the opening weekend of WWTR’s E.T. Championship program, as well as the first race of the E.T. Midwest All-Star Series. The April 17-18, 2021, meet will feature qualifying for the JEGS series on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday. Participants will be eligible to compete in the April 17 $5,000-to-win All-Star event in addition to their points series.
One week later, on Thursday, April 22, the track will host the National Open event – its first in more than seven seasons – as a lead-in to that weekend’s LODRS event. LODRS racers will begin qualifying and time trials on Friday, April 23, and will continue until Sunday, April 25.
The JEGS Super Quick Series will make its second stop at WWTR on Saturday, August 14, 2021, as part of the ninth annual Summer Speed Spectacular. In addition to the JEGS series, the Spectacular also will feature Pro Mods, the Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL) and special exhibition classes.
Following the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ Midwest Nationals on September 24-26, race teams will be invited to remain at the track to participate in a second National Open event on September 30, and the LODRS on October 1-3.
“We know that racers want to race as many times as possible, so offering additional opportunities for them to participate with one trip to the track makes sense to almost everyone,” Blair added. “The biggest expense in racing is getting to and from the track and the preparation for race day. By offering multiple-day approaches to events, and getting the word out early so working racers can plan accordingly, we expect to see participation grow when we open the gates for the 2021 season.”
2021 schedule of NHRA events at WWTR:
April 17-18 – JEGS Super Quick Series.
April 22 – Spring Sportsman National Open Challenge (new).
April 23-25 – LODRS Division 3 Icebreaker (new).
August 14 – JEGS Super Quick Series (new).
September 24-26 – NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals.
September 30 – Fall Sportsman National Open Challenge (new).
October 1-2 – LODRS Hot Rod Showdown.
For more information on WWTR, please call (618) 215-8888 or visit www.WWTRaceway.com. Follow WWTR on Facebook, Parler, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
About World Wide Technology Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway is the home of INDYCAR, NASCAR and NHRA racing in the St. Louis region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 600 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, recently-expanded 2.0-mile road course, a state-of-the-art karting facility, a 14-acre, multi-purpose dirt off-road venue and the Gateway Drive-In Theater at World Wide Technology Raceway (a drive-in entertainment venue able to accommodate 3,000 cars). WWTR acquired Gateway National Golf Links, adjacent to the speedway property, in 2019. WWTR was the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. In 2018, owner and CEO Curtis Francois received the Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission in recognition of his work for restoring World Wide Technology Raceway (known then as Gateway Motorsports Park) to prominence.
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