As a prelude to the 21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil in Memphis, the third event in the NHRA POWERade Countdown to 1 playoffs, racers will kick off weekend with Fan Fest at Coyote Ugly on Beale Street Thursday, Sept. 25.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the NHRA Fan Fest will feature a free driver autograph session. Among those scheduled to appear are Jeff Arend, "Fast Jack" Beckman, Dave Connolly, Chip Ellis, "Hot Rod" Fuller, Johnny Gray, Justin Humphreys, Allen Johnson, Cory McClenathan, Clay Millican, Richie Stevens Jr., Karen Stoffer, Jerry Toliver, Craig Treble, Melanie Troxel, Tim Wilkerson, Hillary Will, and T.J. Zizzo.

As a prelude to the 21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil in Memphis, the third event in the NHRA POWERade Countdown to 1 playoffs, racers will kick off weekend with Fan Fest at Coyote Ugly on Beale Street Thursday, Sept. 25.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the NHRA Fan Fest will feature a free driver autograph session. Among those scheduled to appear are Jeff Arend, "Fast Jack" Beckman, Dave Connolly, Chip Ellis, "Hot Rod" Fuller, Johnny Gray, Justin Humphreys, Allen Johnson, Cory McClenathan, Clay Millican, Richie Stevens Jr., Karen Stoffer, Jerry Toliver, Craig Treble, Melanie Troxel, Tim Wilkerson, Hillary Will, and T.J. Zizzo.

The driver lineup is tentative and subject to change.

Racing begins Friday, Sept. 26, at Memphis Motorsports Park's championship quarter-mile dragstrip on the standard schedule format for the POWERade Drag Racing Series: Friday night under the lights, Saturday day racing, and Sunday final eliminations beginning at 11 a.m.

NHRA's annual visit to the Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock'n' Roll moves the series a race deeper into the Countdown to 1, and the cooler climes are expected to drastically improve the performance potential of a racetrack that has shined under all kinds of weather conditions this season.

For tickets or more information, call toll-free, 866-40-SPEED (77333), or log on to MemphisMotorsportsPark.com .