DON GARLITS TO HIGHLIGHT 25TH ANNIVERSARY O’REILLY SUPER START NHRA FALL NATIONALS AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX

14. Sep, 2010 0 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DON GARLITS TO HIGHLIGHT 25^TH ANNIVERSARY O’REILLY SUPER START NHRA FALL NATIONALS AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits won the first Top Fuel event at Texas Motorplex

ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 14, 2010) – “Big Daddy” Don Garlits will be a special guest of the 25^th anniversary O’Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals, Sept. 23-26.

Not only is the legendary icon of drag racing the first racer to win a Top Fuel event at Texas Motorplex, but he’s also an Eagle Scout.

That will come in handy when Texas Motorplex helps celebrate the Boy Scout’s 100^th anniversary of Scouting on Sept. 25. The Motorplex is offering the Boy Scouts of America exclusive activities, merit badge advancement opportunities and a discount on tickets for Saturday, Sept. 25.

Garlits will be on hand to help celebrate the 25^th anniversary of NHRA racing at Texas Motorplex and honor the Scouts who come out to the event.

“Garlits has meant so much to the sport and has been one of those bigger-than-life figures for some time,” Texas Motorplex General Manager Gabrielle Stevenson said. “When Billy Meyer (Texas Motorplex owner) called and asked him to join our celebration, Garlits didn’t hesitate. He is going to bring a car and help fans celebrate our anniversary as well as the Boy Scouts’ anniversary.

“Garlits has his Boy Scout uniform hanging in his museum, so it’s a special organization to him to this day. Texas Motorplex was lucky on that first NHRA race day in 1986. Garlits won Top Fuel, Kenny Bernstein earned the Funny Car win and Bob Glidden earned the Pro Stock title. That’s three incredible legends kicking off our racing history in style and we will have one of those cars back at the track during the 2010 event.”

Gates open for the 25^th anniversary O’Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 as sportsman qualifying runs between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Gates open at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 with sportsman qualifying starting at 8:30 a.m. and professional qualifying at 2:15 and 5:15 p.m.; Gates open at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 with sportsman eliminations starting at 8 a.m. and the final two professional qualifying sessions running at 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Gates open at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26 with pre-race ceremonies starting at 10 a.m. and final professional eliminations starting at 11 a.m.

Call (800) MOTORPLEX for tickets or go online at www.texasmotorplex.com.

The Texas Motorplex was the first all-concrete stadium-style drag racing facility ever constructed. Built in 1986, The Texas Motorplex has been the place of many drag racing milestones and world record performances. The Billy Meyer-owned facility hosts a number of racing and car show events between March and November each year and also features the Champions Club – an 11,000 square-foot facility – that serves fully catered events throughout the year.