100 DAYS OUT: A Look at Memorable Chicago Moments as NHRA Returns to Route 66 Raceway

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – February, 10, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – For the first time since 2019, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series will be racing at Route 66 Raceway, with the 23rd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance set to take place May 19-21.

With 100 days remaining before the NHRA stars return to deliver non-stop, 330-mph excitement at the fan-favorite facility, here’s a look at some of the record-breaking runs, historical performances and memorable moments that have taken place at Route 66 Raceway since the track opened in 1998.

FORCE MAKES HISTORY: It was 2000 and John Force was on the cusp of history. He rolled into Chicago tied with Bob Glidden for career victories (85) and in the midst of his dominant Funny Car championship run. He thrilled the Chicago fans that day, knocking off Jerry Toliver in a great side-by-side race in the final round, giving the legendary Force his 86th win. He’s now at 155 victories and 16 world titles and when the iconic driver returns to Chicago in 2023, he’ll be seeking his fourth victory at his sponsor’s race.

BERNSTEIN CRUSHES RECORDS: A year later, another legend made a strong impression on the Chicago faithful, as Kenny Bernstein swept both events at Route 66 Raceway. Along the way, he made the quickest run in Top Fuel history with a blast of 4.477-seconds at 330.88 mph. That led to a win at the May race and he followed with another Chicago victory later in the year, setting a record-breaking theme at Route 66 Raceway.

The quickest side-by-side run in Funny Car history also happened that year and Whit Bazemore set both ends of the Funny Car record in 2001. Records continued to fall over the next several years in the nitro classes, including Doug Kalitta going 333.00 in 2003, Brandon Bernstein topping it a year later with a run of 333.41 in 2004. The 2004 race in Funny Car also marked the quickest qualifying bump in class history at the time.

ERICA BREAKS THROUGH: In a magical weekend, Erica Enders made her own history at Chicago in 2012. It will remain one of the lasting moments in Chicago history, with Enders racing to her first career victory – becoming the first female to ever win in Pro Stock – by defeating Greg Anderson in the final round with a run of 6.627 at 207.40. That it came against class standout Anderson made it that much sweeter for Enders, whose career took off in a major way following that victory. She’s since won five world titles and 42…