Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK loaded with Special Events, Including Drag and Drive Exhibition

JOLIET, IL – May 3, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – From callouts to specialty races to exhibition races to 330-mph nitro action, the NHRA’s return to Chicago is loaded with excitement and something for every racing fan. With three full days of action, the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance on May 19-21 also ensures the NHRA’s first visit to Route 66 Raceway since 2019 will be a big one.

Along with the starts of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle racing for the coveted Wally trophy at the early-season event, the race Pro Stock All-Star Callout, as well as the #2Fast2Tasty Mission NHRA Challenge in both nitro classes and Pro Stock Motorcycle offer something memorable on Saturday.

Plus, the NHRA will host a special “Drag and Drive” eight-car exhibition as part of the race, featuring standout names like Alex Taylor, Tom Bailey, Steve Morris, Bryant Goldstone, Clark Rosenstengel, Clint Sodowsky, Rick Trunkett and Bob Hess Jr. These must-see street cars run in the 6-second range and quicker at more than 200 mph, offering something else unique and thrilling for Chicago race fans.

Bailey owns Sick Seconds 2.0, a ’69 Camaro that has gone as quick as 5.77-seconds, making the only five-second pass in drag and drive competition.

“Our goal is to have as many fast street cars as we can gather,” Bailey said. “We might even have an all six-second field but at this point we’re probably looking at a couple of seven-second cars, but it should still be a great show for the fans. I think the plan is to have every car run and then have a Shootout at the end. I’m looking forward to showing (NHRA fans) what the whole Drag and Drive scene is all about. I hope they understand that we can drive these cars to the track, make just a few adjustments, and go out and run in the sixes or even quicker. It will be a great show.”

Taylor is a huge star in the sport, co-hosting MotorTrend’s “Hot Rod Garage” and making 6-second runs at more than 200 mph in her full-chassis ’55 Chevy 210. She’s eager to make her NHRA debut as part of the massive weekend in Chicago.

“I’m really excited about coming to Chicago and making some runs along with the other (Drag and Drive racers). I’ve never had the opportunity to race in front of an NHRA crowd before, so this is another big thing that I get to do,” Taylor said. “We’ve done a lot of…