Route 66 Nationals question

luckydog · 05-20-2008, 09:40 PM

I will be attending my first NHRA national event in Chicago and was wondering when I should arrive at the track. I would like to work on Wednesday but I think I remember someone telling me I need to tech Weds. Also, what is the run schedule like? Any tricks or shortcuts to getting to the track? Any other info?? Thanks

MUSTANG3637 · 05-20-2008, 09:56 PM

GATES OPEN AT 9am WED AND I THINK THEY TECH TILL 6pm. S/ST IS ALWAYS THE FIRST OUT ON THURSDAY AT 9 OR 10am. WHERE IN OHIO ARE YOU COMING FROM.

JEFF D.
37

luckydog · 05-20-2008, 10:08 PM

Findlay area

MUSTANG3637 · 05-20-2008, 10:12 PM

Ok
, Not Sure Where That Is. What Interstate Will You Use?

Jeff D.

Nitro Joe Jackson · 05-21-2008, 01:35 AM

run the turnpike all the way there, its the best way there for sure.

luckydog · 05-21-2008, 05:22 AM

Thanks Joe, I am planning on running the turnpike all the way there, just was wondering if there was a shortcut. Findlay is in NW OH, about 25 miles south of Toledo.

Tim Irwin · 05-21-2008, 07:55 AM

look at the Chicagoland Speedway web site, they have good directions and maps.

Jason Oldfield · 05-21-2008, 09:42 AM

Damien,

You really SHOULD try to get there Wednesday if at all possible. They don't park overnight, and if I remember correctly don't start parking until around 8am. Even though there won't be a lot of people waiting to get parked Thursday morning, I think it's safe to say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get parked, go through credentials, and get teched, all in time to make the first time shot for S/St on Thursday morning. The only time I was in Chicago I missed the first session because I didn't pull on to the track property until about 4 am Thursday morning.

Now that said, I think I did still end up with 2 time shots, but you know how that goes. A little rain and you could be the unlucky guy that missed the first session and is now running first round Friday with NO time trials.

They might not have this problem this year since car counts are generally down, but again, by the time I got parked Thursday morning, I had to park on the opposite side of the track (at the very end obviously) than the rest of the sportsman racers. There was a place to cross over at the end of the track (I just had to wait in between pairs of racing cars coming down the shutdown area), but this created a bit of an inconvenience because the ET shack was again located on the opposite side. Thus, when I ran, I actually had to turn off to the wrong side of the track, get my time ticket, and then turn around and drive back to my pit area on the opposite side of the track. I ended up relocating my pit area after first round, but it was an inconvenience that I would have rather avoided altogether.

So again, my recommendation is to get there Wednesday to get yourself a decent pit spot, and to give yourself plenty of time to get through credentials and tech. This way you'll be ready to go when they call S/St to the lanes first thing Thursday morning.

Good luck, and have fun!

CBS · 05-21-2008, 10:00 AM

there really are no bad pit spots @ Joliet.....except when its really full and they stick you on the other side....(Jason probably talked Red's arm off and he put him over there on purpose.....) try not to park under the wires...if possible....it kind of electrifies your trailer.....but not the end of the world....if the stick you there....

if you can get in the track on Wednesday...I think they park till 11 central....you could tech on Thursday morning....but it might be tight....its the all stars weekend and this one will probably be crowded.....Lee may be able to post a good plan for Super Street....

CBS

CBS · 05-21-2008, 10:01 AM

I better be careful.....that post was pretty long.....

05-20-2008, 09:40 PM	#1
luckydog Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa, OH Posts: 274 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Route 66 Nationals question I will be attending my first NHRA national event in Chicago and was wondering when I should arrive at the track. I would like to work on Wednesday but I think I remember someone telling me I need to tech Weds. Also, what is the run schedule like? Any tricks or shortcuts to getting to the track? Any other info?? Thanks __________________ Damien Hazelton Lucky Dog Racing

05-20-2008, 09:56 PM	#2
MUSTANG3637 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 52 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question GATES OPEN AT 9am WED AND I THINK THEY TECH TILL 6pm. S/ST IS ALWAYS THE FIRST OUT ON THURSDAY AT 9 OR 10am. WHERE IN OHIO ARE YOU COMING FROM. JEFF D. 37

05-20-2008, 10:08 PM	#3
luckydog Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa, OH Posts: 274 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question Findlay area __________________ Damien Hazelton Lucky Dog Racing

05-20-2008, 10:12 PM	#4
MUSTANG3637 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 52 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question Ok , Not Sure Where That Is. What Interstate Will You Use? Jeff D.

05-21-2008, 01:35 AM	#5
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,292 Likes: 43 Liked 66 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question run the turnpike all the way there, its the best way there for sure. __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

05-21-2008, 05:22 AM	#6
luckydog Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa, OH Posts: 274 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question Thanks Joe, I am planning on running the turnpike all the way there, just was wondering if there was a shortcut. Findlay is in NW OH, about 25 miles south of Toledo. __________________ Damien Hazelton Lucky Dog Racing

05-21-2008, 07:55 AM	#7
Tim Irwin Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portland IN Posts: 31 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question look at the Chicagoland Speedway web site, they have good directions and maps.

05-21-2008, 09:42 AM	#8
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question Damien, You really SHOULD try to get there Wednesday if at all possible. They don't park overnight, and if I remember correctly don't start parking until around 8am. Even though there won't be a lot of people waiting to get parked Thursday morning, I think it's safe to say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get parked, go through credentials, and get teched, all in time to make the first time shot for S/St on Thursday morning. The only time I was in Chicago I missed the first session because I didn't pull on to the track property until about 4 am Thursday morning. Now that said, I think I did still end up with 2 time shots, but you know how that goes. A little rain and you could be the unlucky guy that missed the first session and is now running first round Friday with NO time trials. They might not have this problem this year since car counts are generally down, but again, by the time I got parked Thursday morning, I had to park on the opposite side of the track (at the very end obviously) than the rest of the sportsman racers. There was a place to cross over at the end of the track (I just had to wait in between pairs of racing cars coming down the shutdown area), but this created a bit of an inconvenience because the ET shack was again located on the opposite side. Thus, when I ran, I actually had to turn off to the wrong side of the track, get my time ticket, and then turn around and drive back to my pit area on the opposite side of the track. I ended up relocating my pit area after first round, but it was an inconvenience that I would have rather avoided altogether. So again, my recommendation is to get there Wednesday to get yourself a decent pit spot, and to give yourself plenty of time to get through credentials and tech. This way you'll be ready to go when they call S/St to the lanes first thing Thursday morning. Good luck, and have fun! __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

05-21-2008, 10:00 AM	#9
CBS VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Commerce, Mi Posts: 1,387 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question there really are no bad pit spots @ Joliet.....except when its really full and they stick you on the other side....(Jason probably talked Red's arm off and he put him over there on purpose.....) try not to park under the wires...if possible....it kind of electrifies your trailer.....but not the end of the world....if the stick you there.... if you can get in the track on Wednesday...I think they park till 11 central....you could tech on Thursday morning....but it might be tight....its the all stars weekend and this one will probably be crowded.....Lee may be able to post a good plan for Super Street.... CBS

05-21-2008, 10:01 AM	#10
CBS VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Commerce, Mi Posts: 1,387 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Route 66 Nationals question I better be careful.....that post was pretty long.....