Super Chevy Show begins today on Bristol drag   

from staff reports

  BRISTOL -- Roger Gustin has been bringing his AutoZone Super Chevy Show to Bristol Dragway since 1989, and when the action begins today, Gustin feels this will be one of the best ever, due in part to the Nitro Coupes, billed as the fastest door-slammers in the world.
  "It's midway through the season and the Nitro Coupe racers are as hot as the summer sun," he said. "Gary Irving, who is from Canada, is leading the points but there are a couple of other guys, Randy Adler and Dan Nickelson, who are closing in on him.
  "These cars are some of the most exciting in drag racing. They use a 526-cubic inch super-charged Chevrolet engine that burns $30 a gallon nitro methane fuel and the only place you'll get to see them around Bristol is at the Autozone Super Chevy Show."
  Also on the agenda is Flow Master bracket racing, a manufacturer's midway, a swap meet and car corral and a big fan favorite, the Jet Cars. Cannonball Express and Super Chief boast 13,000 horsepower jet engines and need 26 gallons of jet fuel for each quarter-mile pass but it's worth it as they rocket down the strip at speeds of nearly 300 mph.
  Airborne Express, a Chevy Astrovan with a 1,200 horsepower blown alcohol motor, will bring the crowd to its feet as the wheel-stander performs impressive runs on its back wheels only. Super Chief, Cannonball Express and Airborne Express will run at noon and 4:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
  Another big event is the TREMEC Transmissions Car Show, which features more than 30 catagories. Gustin is particularly happy that the show will now be held in a paved area.
  "No more dust and grass for the finest Chevy show cars in the country," he said.
  "This is our favorite track and I really appreciate the management of Bristol Dragway for their hard work in helping to make the AutoZone Super Chevy Show such a tremendous event."
  The legendary "Big Daddy" Don Garlits also will appear. Garlits, driver of the famed Swamp Rat, who accumulated 144 national event titles and 17 NHRA and IHRA championships during his four-decade career, will serve as commentator for ESPN 2's coverage of the event.
  Gates open at 10 a.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults on Friday and $22 on Saturday and on Sunday. A weekend ticket is $32. Junior tickets for ages 11 to 15 are $10 a day and a weekend pass is $15.