EVENT PREVIEW: RACE 20 OF 24

AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS ST. LOUIS * SEPT. 25-27

Multipurpose Gateway Motorsports Park, in the shadow of the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch, returned to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule in 2012 after a one-year hiatus with a new event in the Countdown to the Championship. The track previously held events in the summer beginning in 1997 that were known for surprise winners.

2014 Recap: Jerry Savoie received a big ovation for scoring his first Pro Stock Motorcycle win and became the oldest winner in class history at 55. Following two straight first-round losses in Top Fuel, Antron Brown scored his sixth win of the season with his third straight and fourth overall win in St. Louis. Courtney Force won Funny Car for the second straight race at crew chief Ron Douglas' home track. Dave Connolly won his second straight Pro Stock event.

Maple Grove Raceway has a long history of record performances, including the first side-by-side quarter-mile four-second and 300-mph Top Fuel passes, and the cool October climates continue to offer more of the same. The event is the third in three weeks and marks the end of the first half of the Countdown to the Championship.

2014 Recap: Tony Schumacher turned down his closest title contenders one by one as he earned his third Top Fuel win of the Countdown. Matt Hagan's Funny Car win vaulted him into a points lead that he would not relinquish. Rodger Brogdon notched a surprise win in Pro Stock. Eddie Krawiec won Pro Stock Motorcycle, denying Scotty Pollacheck, who went 0-5 in finals.

GRAND MARSHAL, HONORARY STARTER

Anwar M. Othman is the grand marshal of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.

Othman became vice president, sales with AAA Missouri in July 2013. Previously, he was regional manager with the Auto Club of Southern California, which is headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif.

A 23-year AAA veteran, Othman began his AAA career as a sales agent in September 1991. While at Auto Club of Southern California, he also served as insurance business manager and business development manager as well as regional manager. In those positions, Othman had membership and insurance sales and service responsibilities.

MARIE TO PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM

Brittany Marie will sing the national anthem during the pre-race ceremony Sunday at the NHRA Keystone Nationals.

Marie got her start in the same way as many emerging country artists, singing at churches, fairs, showcases, and festivals. She made the commitment to pursue music as a career in 2013. Now, two years later, she has opened for national touring acts such as Chris Young, The Band Perry, Chase Rice, Brett Eldredge, Aaron Tippin, and Clint Black and has sung the national anthem at many events, including a NASCAR race in April 2015 at Richmond Int'l Raceway.

The release of her single "Changed" has sparked industry attention and features a music video that was accepted and released through Vevo in June 2014. Marie is looking forward to the release of her debut self-titled EP in 2015, which will have a country rock sound and feature a cover of the song "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones.