The traditional East Coast opener and the season’s first of 16 races for Pro Stock Motorcycle, this event, one of the sport’s most revered, has entertained fans for decades with such notables as the first 260-mph Top Fuel and Funny Car runs in 1984 and the first 270-mph and 300-mph Top Fuel passes, in 1986 and 1992, respectively.

How to Get There: The track is on County Road 225, eight miles north of Gainesville Regional Airport. If traveling north on I-75, use Exit 382, Williston Road (CR 331), and turn left (east). Williston Road will become Waldo Road (State Route 24) after it crosses U.S. 441. Continue on Waldo Road to NE 53rd Avenue, turn left, then immediately right onto CR 225 and ­continue 3.5 miles to the track. From I-75 north or south, use Exit 390, 39th Avenue (SR 222), go east to Waldo Road (SR 24), turn left, go to NE 53rd Avenue, turn left, then immediately right onto CR 225 and continue 3.5 miles to the track.

Visitor Information: Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau, 352-374-5231 or 866-778-5002, www.visitgainesville.com; Gainesville Area ­Chamber of Commerce, 352-334-7100, www.gainesvillechamber.com