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The weekend of July 25 to 27, at Infineon Raceway is reserved for the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals and the racing fans who follow it. This will be the 15th stop of a 24-race schedule and the professional categories that will participate are Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Starting immediately, the timing lights for Top Fuel and Funny Car will activate at the end of 1,000 feet instead of the normal 1,320 feet, as the investigation continues into the tragic accident that recently took the life of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta. This is an interim step that is being taken while the NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long-standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.

Runoff room is more essential than ever, and has been for a number of years, since the nitro-powered cars have reached the 325-mph mark, with the elapsed time being under five seconds. "First of all, on the 1,000-foot thing, that was a bold and great move by NHRA. They took a big stance to do this. I haven't heard much from the fans yet, but the drivers are for it. It's not something we want to stay with, but it's something we'll stay with until the end of the year," Funny Car driver Gary Selzi said about the lessening of the quarter-mile track.

"What I realized is that until this last accident, we've had a track record that's impeccable to all other motorsports, but over the last couple of years we've lost two drivers and NHRA is not going to stand for that. They're bringing experts from engineering, NASCAR, F1 and crash experts to analyze the things that are happening - the heavier Funny Cars we introduced this year, the parachutes, the downforce.

"I'm proud to be part of NHRA and see what they're doing to try to make things safer. I know 320 feet doesn't sound like a lot, but we're covering so much ground so quickly. I mean, we're going 0-60 feet at over 100 mph in less than a second and the last half of the track in less than a second. I went off the end of Pomona at the winter nationals two years ago, and if I'd had an extra 50 feet, I would've made it. That extra 320 feet will be a big plus for us right now until we can come up with a solution in terms of the parachutes, the braking and the what to do in terms of a catch net. "They've done some research already and I've heard the old-fashioned tire barriers might be coming back to slow us down. I'm proud of NHRA for doing this, and I think the fans, once they get there, are going to realize that 320 feet doesn't make that much of a difference. You're still going to have side-by-side drag racing, the eight-foot flames are still coming out of the headers, you can still get an autograph and all the things that make this sport great are the same. They just need to bear with us and get through this time right now. Keep the drivers safe, that's the most important. The racing will still be excellent."

RACE FANS ARE invited to a party on Wednesday, July 23, at the legendary Fior d'Italia Restaurant in San Francisco, where they will get the opportunity to meet top NHRA drivers Cory McClenathan, Jack Beckman and J.R. Todd at the second annual Burnout Bash Party.

Burnout Bash is the official fan kickoff party for the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, July 25 to 27, and drivers will be on-hand for a four-course Italian dinner, as well as a driver question-and-answer session, autograph session and more.

Cost is $57 per person or $107 per couple - each ticket to Burnout Bash also includes a free weekend pass to the NHRA Division 7 Drag Races (presented by Korbel) at Infineon Raceway from Aug. 1 to 3.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS for NHRA, the Burnout Bash at Fior d'Italia, other 2008 major events at Infineon Raceway or for more information, call (800) 870-RACE (7223), or visit www.infineonraceway.com, or www.ticketmaster.com.

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