The NHRA South Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season will kick off at Texas Motorplex, April 3-5.  The race is the first of six in the region and will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships.  The division's Sunset RaceCraft Top Sportsman Series, TCI Comp Cams Top Dragster Series and NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also be run in conjunction with the event.

Reigning division champions in the eight Lucas Oil Series categories, as well as the division's additional classes, are expected to be on hand at the Motorplex to defend their titles.

Among those defending titlists is 20-year-old Rustin Mayse.  The Frost, Texas, college student earned his first division championship last year behind the wheel of the family's Super Gas entry.  His best showing in 2008 was a win at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Okla., and he went to the semis at the Motorplex.

Another defending champion, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Steve Harker of Gainesville, Ga., will be on hand to see if he can replicate his 2008 success.  It was a year in which Harker, a native of Australia whose twin daughters race in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, raced in nine divisional events and made it to the final round every time.  Harker scored five wins and was runner-up four times.   His first divisional win last year was at the Motorplex.  Harker earned his second consecutive division title and ended up in second place in the national point standings behind Top Alcohol Funny Car legend Frank Manzo.

Spectator Gates at Texas Motorplex open at noon on Friday and at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.  Racers in Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will qualify twice on Friday, at 1 and 3 p.m., and twice on Saturday, at noon and 3 p.m.  Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car have one qualifying session on Friday, at 4:30 p.m., and two on Saturday, at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.  Eliminations begin Sunday and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.