Names like Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps immediately conjure up images of the lightning-quick, tire smoking, high-octane world of NHRA Drag Racing. 

That thought is about to make a few successive left-hand, dirt-slinging turns. 

This Thursday, May 1, at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, Scelzi (who drives the Mopar/Oakley Dodge in NHRA) and Capps (driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge in NHRA), along with several other NHRA drivers will be trading their straight track mentality for a more circular style of thinking when they strap themselves in for some Crate Late Model action.  For the first time ever, at least eight drag strip veterans will tackle the third-mile clay at Tri-City in the inaugural NHRA on Dirt event.  Scheduled to join Scelzi and Capps will be Cruz Pedregon, Allen Johnson, Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic, Antron Brown and Allen Bradshaw.

Names like Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps immediately conjure up images of the lightning-quick, tire smoking, high-octane world of NHRA Drag Racing. 

That thought is about to make a few successive left-hand, dirt-slinging turns. 

This Thursday, May 1, at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, Scelzi (who drives the Mopar/Oakley Dodge in NHRA) and Capps (driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge in NHRA), along with several other NHRA drivers will be trading their straight track mentality for a more circular style of thinking when they strap themselves in for some Crate Late Model action.  For the first time ever, at least eight drag strip veterans will tackle the third-mile clay at Tri-City in the inaugural NHRA on Dirt event.  Scheduled to join Scelzi and Capps will be Cruz Pedregon, Allen Johnson, Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic, Antron Brown and Allen Bradshaw.

These drivers, who have varying degrees of previous dirt track experience, will find a whole new meaning to the word elimination when they face off for a chance at bragging rights and a hefty trophy.

Along with the NHRA on Dirt event will be UMP Late Models and UMP Modifieds.

Gates for this event open at 4pm, pits at 5pm, with a driver autograph session from 5:30 to 6:00.  Hot laps are slated for 6:30 with racing at 7pm.  The NHRA on Dirt feature will start at 8:30.

All tickets are $18, with kids 12 and under free with a paid adult.  Pit passes are $25.  All tickets are general admission and will be sold at the track only.

The first annual Tri-City Speedway NHRA on Dirt event will kick off this weekend's NHRA racing in St. Louis.  The O'Reilly NHRA Nationals are Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, just across town at Gateway International Raceway.