Press Release | March 4, 2022
Season-opening race in Pro Stock Motorcycle takes place March 10-13 at historic Gainesville Raceway.
This is an excerpt from a press release from NHRA…
Ginesville, FL (March 4, 2022) – The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals is already regarded as one of the biggest events on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit, but the 2022 version of the legendary race, which takes place March 10-13 at historic Gainesville Raceway, promises to be one of the greatest in the event’s storied history.
Chocked full of action, including a highly-anticipated specialty race, the season debut of several classes, a pair of concerts during the event, and, of course, 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro racing, this year’s Gatornationals promises to be one of the most memorable in the 50-plus year history of the celebrated race.
The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, a thrilling specialty race where drivers will get the chance to call out their first-round opponent, is a major highlight of the weekend, along with the season-opening race in Pro Stock Motorcycle, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown, and concerts from country superstar Eddie Montgomery and BoomTown Saints.
All the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will also look to pick up a key early-season victory at a race that will be shown on the FOX broadcast network and Fox Sports 1 (FS1). The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout takes place live at 2 p.m. ET on FOX on Saturday, March 12 and eliminations will be shown at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 13 on FS1. Josh Hart (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the 2021 race.
Defending champ Matt Smith kicked off the 2021 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship with dual wins at Gainesville. Photos: Matt Polito
Pro Stock Motorcycle will open the 2022 campaign with plenty of excitement, as reigning world champ and event winner Smith will look to get a jump on trying to win his sixth world championship. He’s also after his third straight win at the Gatornationals, but the two-wheeled category is filled with talented riders. That includes six-time race winner Eddie Krawiec, Angelle Sampey, who has three Gainesville wins, Steve Johnson, Angie Smith, two-time event winner Karen Stoffer, Chris Bostick, Jerry Savoie, Ryan Oehler and Joey Gladstone.
Race fans will get to enjoy a pair of concerts during the weekend as part of the NHRA Concert Series presented by 8-Track Entertainment. Country music star Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will take the stage at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11. BoomTown Saints will also take to the stage at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for the concert are included with the price of admission to the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
As part of the pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, reigning world champs Torrence, Capps, Anderson and M. Smith will be receiving their championship rings as well. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners celebrating their Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals victories.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 11 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, and then eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.
For more information, visit NHRA.com
