Chicago Natl's a Night race?

[Toejam]

I knew they moved it to July, but will they have 2 nights of qualifying? I think I heard T. Smith mention that, but they haven't released any Info.

 

[Dave]

Here's the schedule from NHRA.com

http://www.nhra.com/UserFiles/file/EventSchedules/NHRA_2011_CIschedule.pdf

Looks like friday AND saturday night qualifying, but sundays race starts at 11am as usual. Should make for an interesting raceday with all the runs contested in cooler evening conditions. Pro sessions at 4PM each day. Summertime around here you can expect the sun to hang around til 8:45-9pm though.

Thanks for bringing it up.. now I can't wait until July! Love the JEGS All-Star race too!

 

[Paul]

The weather should be better (less rain) in July vs. early June. I have been going to the NASCAR race the last 6 years which was previously held on this weekend and not once has it been canceled or postponed due to rain (knock on wood). Pretty cool there will be 2 night sessions, should be a good time.

 

[Just Paul]

I'd have to imagine it's pretty warm there in July??

I'll be there. Last year was a disaster with all the rain.

 

[Dave]

The weather should be better (less rain) in July vs. early June. I have been going to the NASCAR race the last 6 years which was previously held on this weekend and not once has it been canceled or postponed due to rain (knock on wood). Pretty cool there will be 2 night sessions, should be a good time.

You must not remember when pole day was cancelled because of the monsoon/tornado in 08. They've had some monster storms on the days leading up to the races - Thurs and Fri - when the race was on Sunday. The saturday night race has never been affected by rain.. but it was moved to saturday night because sunday was always a scorcher.

 

[Shaggy]

I'd have to imagine it's pretty warm there in July??

I'll be there. Last year was a disaster with all the rain.

If you like 100+ degree heat and no shade but under the stands, sure it will be great!

 

[Toejam]

I'd have to imagine it's pretty warm there in July??

I'll be there. Last year was a disaster with all the rain.

You can say that about 4 out of the last 5 years there!

 

[Paul]

You must not remember when pole day was cancelled because of the monsoon/tornado in 08. They've had some monster storms on the days leading up to the races - Thurs and Fri - when the race was on Sunday. The saturday night race has never been affected by rain.. but it was moved to saturday night because sunday was always a scorcher.

That was when the had the ceremony for the track lights, it was a Thursday evening and it rained a ton. For the most part, when it rains in the summer it is sunny an hour later. I can only remember two years (2005 and 2006) when it was smoking hot (memory isn't quite what it used to be). The other years the temps were in the low to mid 80's during the day.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

2 days of nitro - at night - on the quickest track in the world...whats not to like???

 

[jm]

What year was it that it was like 45% at 11pm and Manzo rips off a 5.58 or
something? TS you were standing with us @ the top of the stands! John

 

[Gutter Brain]

What year was it that it was like 45% at 11pm and Manzo rips off a 5.58 or
something? TS you were standing with us @ the top of the stands! John

Was that the maybe 2004 or something? My dad flew out here and we stayed around after all the wind and everything to see some big runs.
I have been at the track for tornados, well over 100 degrees and heavy rain fall. Like Paul said, often times it is sunny not too long after the rain.

 

[Dave]

What year was it that it was like 45% at 11pm and Manzo rips off a 5.58 or
something? TS you were standing with us @ the top of the stands! John

Probably back when it was in May/June or late September. You won't see those temps in July! Atleast I hope not!

 

[T.Smith]

I looked back at some of the weather history for this date and most of it is high 70's to mid 80's. Some of the heat records are 97 to 102 degrees. So I'm not sure why some think it will be 100 degree heat on Sunday.

As I told a track official at RT66. Most of my time spent at US30 Dragstrip and Greatlakes Dragaway were on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

 

[Huge]

I looked back at some of the weather history for this date and most of it is high 70's to mid 80's. Some of the heat records are 97 to 102 degrees. So I'm not sure why some think it will be 100 degree heat on Sunday.

As I told a track official at RT66. Most of my time spent at US30 Dragstrip and Greatlakes Dragaway were on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Thank's for the info Tony. Some of these other posts had me ready to take some sick days during that race, and stay home.

 

[nitronoise]

Even with it being moved to july, it is in the heart of the Illinois Tornado Alley, where warm moist air from down south ( Gulf ) meets cooled air from Lake Michigan, we have just as much a chance for storms in july as in june , I am thinking that it being right after the july 4th holiday are folks going to be traveling for vacations or will it be a packed house for the new " STAYCATION" ???
Just my thoughts ,

 

[Dave]

With all the talk about heat.. people forget some of the downright cold races too! June 2001 was a high of 54 degrees. We also got to see Kenny Bernstein run the then quickest time ever of 4.47 though. Bruce Sarver had an amazing funny car run thrown out. John Force set the record at 4.76, but on Bruce's pass he crossed the center line and I believe 4.72 lit up the scoreboards. That run obviously got thrown out, but it could have been even quicker. His half track time was a 3.206 at 259.81mph and Force's was only 3.246 on his record run. When John ran a 4.69 three years later, the first run in the 60's, his half track time was 3.231 but a faster 264.86mph. The incredible air and track conditions allowed Alan Johnson to lower the rear wing height, and it stuck! But it also allowed it to skate around too much and took out the cones. Such great memories from this place!

 

[FC138fan]

So me and a friend are going to plan on a two day trip out to the race, now that both Fri and Sat are at night theres some flexibility with weather. We will be buying tickets at the gate instead of the traditional way.

The question I have is whats the attendance like out there? Will there be any seats available (same day) on the top row in a reasonable area? (I cant stand to get stuck in the middle trying to watch while people stand up in front of you during a run)

 

[Toejam]

So me and a friend are going to plan on a two day trip out to the race, now that both Fri and Sat are at night theres some flexibility with weather. We will be buying tickets at the gate instead of the traditional way.

The question I have is whats the attendance like out there? Will there be any seats available (same day) on the top row in a reasonable area? (I cant stand to get stuck in the middle trying to watch while people stand up in front of you during a run)

Nick, Chi-Town is one of the least attended races of the Tour. Chicago is a great sports town, but it's terrible where Motorsports is concerned IMO! I bet you won't have any problems finding good seats!

 

[Dave]

So me and a friend are going to plan on a two day trip out to the race, now that both Fri and Sat are at night theres some flexibility with weather. We will be buying tickets at the gate instead of the traditional way.

The question I have is whats the attendance like out there? Will there be any seats available (same day) on the top row in a reasonable area? (I cant stand to get stuck in the middle trying to watch while people stand up in front of you during a run)

I'd recommend buying a general admission ticket at the gate then. The GA section is the north side grandstands. You'll be at the parking lot, but have to walk around to the pits and walk back to sit down. The south side horseshoe is the pit side, but it is pick a seat and that's what you get. GA you can sit anywhere you want. Move up to the curve of the horseshoe to get some shade, then as the sun goes down move further down to the starting line or the 330ft mark.

Gen Admission bonuses - can sit anywhere you want, close to parking lot for easy exit at the mad rush out, $10 cheaper than a reserved seat.

Reserved seat bonuses - pits right behind you, ... That's the only bonus.


Edit - Actually it looks like they've changed some of their layout this year.

Seating and Maps - Route 66

There is the seating map. The north side by the starting line has 3 reserved sections, and the south side way at the end has GA sections. Those will likely fill up with people not wanting to make the walk back.

 

[FC138fan]

Thats interesting they have that much gen admin. The "general admin" at BIR is way down at half track, you can't even get close to the start. Looks like with GA at Chicago you can move to any end of the track, high or low.

I am curious about the stadium style wrap to the tower, Id imagine you would have a clear view full down track (no need to stand or lean).

Only weariness I have about GA is the fact that if it gets packed you might not get good seats. I have memories from Columbus getting a seat at the top row at the start in GA at 9am and not being able to move all day because your spot would be gone in a heartbeat

I recall that Chicago (on tv anyway) lots of empty space to move around in the stands - especially on a Fri or Sat. Does everyone agree with the above post (and my observations) that purchasing a GA seat the day we arrive is a good way to go?

Looking forward to this trip, me and by BIR buddy driving there from MN, watching a full day of racing !Pro Mod and a NIGHT session... something that we dont see at BIR!, and driving back all in 2 days.

EDIT - looks like no pro mod in Chicago - I thought they had it there for some reason