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Joliet, Illinois – Event Preview

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One month after the swing event on the points tour, the NMRA rolls into Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, over the weekend of July 12-15, 2012. The 7th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street legal Drag Racing Presented by Miller Welders is one of the crown jewels in ProMedia organization's family of events. By combining all of the classes across both racing sanctions, selecting an outstanding venue like Route 66 Raceway that is centrally located to much of the country, and bringing the baddest street-legal style cars in the country together in one place, the stage is set for ground-breaking, record-setting events to take place. John Kolivas crushed the ProCharger Super Street Outlaw record in qualifying while John Leslie Jr. cranked off a 10.88 in BFGoodrich Tires Factory Stock. That's not all, folks. That was just during Friday's sessions! Notable on Saturday was Sean Lyon's performance, as he unleashed a 7.53 at over 188 mph in AFCO Drag Radial in the first round of eliminations. The action was insane at last year's event, and this year will be even more exciting!

Over the last several years, the Route 66 surface has been home to many record-setting passes - from John Kolivas' 7.321 in SSO a few years ago while running on a tiny 275/60/15 drag radial tire to last year's efforts from Lyon, Leslie, Jr. and more. It's called the Super Bowl of Street legal Drag Racing for a reason, and the racing action reflects that title. Over 30 race classes filled with all kinds of awesome Detroit iron, walkin' and talkin' down the track - this event is an absolute must! Last year, in the Super Bowl portion of the event, the NMRA came out on top over the NMCA for the fourth time in six years - will the NMCA's class winners be able to close the gap this year? You'll only know if you show up, so make your plans now!

How do I get to race in this awesome event?
You have a variety of options if you'd like to race with the NMRA. First and foremost, you could build a car for one of the heads-up classes, if that's your flavor. The NMRA also has a multitude of entry-level-style classes like Trick Flow Open Comp or Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle - if you've got a Ford-powered, Ford-bodied vehicle, we've got a place for you. For class rules information visit: www.nmradigital.com/rules, pick a class, make sure your car fits the rules and you have the proper safety gear, and come race with the NMRA!

In addition, the NMRA and NMCA will be running their world-famous TREMEC True Street class at this event. Last year's race was populated by 44 cars, led by Bethalto, Illinois' Tim Gehrs and his '82 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Tim was able to crack off an awesome 9.52 three-run average after making the thirty-mile tour, an outstanding feat when you take into account the temperatures his car must have seen due to the Midwest's intense July heat.

There's more than just racing action!
Have a '64 1/2 100-point classic Mustang convertible? How about an under-construction '32 Ford that's only half-complete? Regardless of what type of machine you own, there's a place for you in the car show and a shot at the UPR Products Car Show's grand prize. In addition to all of the action that will take place on the quarter-mile, the NMRA's car show features over fifty different awards that are presented each day of the show. The Show and Shine in Illinois is populated with all sorts of awesome machines since it's combined with the efforts of the NMCA series, making it one of the largest shows of the year. This stop on the NMRA tour also brings in one of the largest Manufacturer's Midways of the year, where you can see and purchase parts from the hottest aftermarket manufacturers and experts from all of the major manufacturers on hand to answer your questions about how to make your Ford car or truck perform to your expectations. Last year this was the largest Street-Legal-style event in the country - don't you think you should be here in 2012?

Huge Manufacturers' Midway & Swap Meet
Looking to buy parts for your Ford? Want a chance to meet face-to-face with experts from your favorite performance companies? This event will feature an awesome manufacturers' midway where you can find great deals on the performance parts you need for your muscle car or hot rod.

If you're looking for that hard to find part or a great bargain, be sure to check out the swap meet.

Jet Car Shooting for 300+ mph!
Get ready to be blown away by the Jet Car ripping down the 1320! Be one of the first to witness the Jet Car make a blazing 300+mph pass.

World Famous Burnout Contest!
The World Famous Burnout Contest is always the crowd favorite! Sign up to participate for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights, or sit back and cheer as contestants smoke their tires.