SONOMA, Calif. (July 18, 2018) - Drag racing fans can join NHRA drag racing legends Ed "The Ace" McCulloch, Jeb Allen, Kenny Youngblood and Jack Clark at a special pre-race Starting Line Party at the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, July 29.
The legendary racers will be featured as part of the Starting Line Party ticket package, which includes a Sunday reserved ticket, all-day entry to Thunder Alley, front-row access for driver introductions and access to the special Q&A with McCulloch, Allen, Youngblood and Clark prior to final eliminations on Sunday, July 29. The Q&A will be followed by the Sealmaster Track Walk down the drag strip.
Sonoma Raceway joins the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series' "NHRA Legends Tour" program to bring fans close to these racing veterans with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet the biggest names in drag racing.
McCulloch, who scored 22 wins in his driving career (18 in Funny Car and four in Top Fuel), traded his fire suit for wrenches in 1995 and began a second career as a winning crew chief, racking up 27 more wins, including 22 with Ron Capps. McCulloch also boasts a runner-up Funny Car finish to John Force in Sonoma in 1991.
Allen became the youngest Top Fuel dragster event winner in NHRA history in 1972, at just 18 years, 2 months of age. He returns to the NHRA for the 31st annual Sonoma Nationals as a primary sponsor for Leah Pritchett's Top Fuel entry for Don Schumacher Racing. Allen, a resident of Redding, has longtime ties with the NHRA team owner and shared his first winner's circle, the 1972 NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown, New Jersey, with Schumacher.
Joining McCulloch and Allen at the Starting Line Party will be legendary drag racing artist Youngblood, as well as four-time Major League Baseball All-Star and former drag racer and team owner Jack Clark, who owned the last winning car of Tom McEwen.
The Starting Line Party ticket package runs from $80-$85, depending on seat location, or just $20 as an upgrade to your reserved-seat purchase.
These elements and many more round out a jam-packed weekend of racing at the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals. This marks the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series' only stop in Northern California, and the only chance to witness 10,000-horsepower dragsters rocketing down the drag strip. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sonomaraceway.com/nhra or call 800-870-7223.
