This weekend, the NHRA gets back down to business after a three-week layoff. The Gatornationals at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway represents the season's first stop at one of the schedules bonafide "supertracks," where an all-concrete surface, ample shut-off area and below sea-level conditions have historically resulted in record-shattering elapsed times and speeds.

With two races completed and 21 to go, the Gatornationals has always been an event where teams off to a hot start look to keep their momentum in motion -- and teams which have stumbled in Pomona, Calif., and Phoenix hope to reverse their fortunes.

Here's a peek ahead at how the four pro categories shape up, including Pro Stock Motorcycle's 2003 debut:

Top Fuel

	Dixon

Larry Dixon comes in the defending event champion and could become the first Top Fuel driver in history to win three straight Gatornationals. Doug Kalitta is in position to become the third driver in history to open the season with three straight top qualifying positions. And Brandon Bernstein is gearing up for a second straight win at a track where his father, Kenny, was first to go 260 mph in a Funny Car in 1984 and, of course, the first to go 300 mph in 1992 in Top Fuel.

Barring the improbable, Dixon will be tough here. But Kalitta won here in 2000 and his recent qualifying successes make him a serious threat to break through for his first win of the year. Bernstein should be on his game, knowing his crew chief Tim Richards has years of tuning experience at this race. Tony Schumacher, with tuner Wes Cerny, has lost to Dixon and Bernstein in the two previous races, but has avoided costly first-round defeats -- Schumacher's Achilles Heel last season. Meanwhile, Pomona runner-up Cory McClenathan wants to atone for a disappointing loss to Jim Head in Round 1 in Phoenix.

Over the years, it has usually been the big-power, championship-caliber teams which have won this race. Darkhorses rarely play a role in the outcome. This year should be no different.

Funny Car

	Force

John Force has one round win in two races. He is 10th in the points and coming off a dismal performance in Phoenix two weeks ago. Can he be a favorite this weekend?

Yes.

Force has dominated at Gainesville throughout his 12 championship seasons, despite past campaigns in which he has faltered in the first two events. He has seven Gatornationals titles, won five in a row between 1992 and '96 and only twice since 1990 has he not gone to a Gainesville semifinal. This weekend would also give him 303 consecutive qualifying fields, tying Warren Johnson for the all-time lead.

In short, Force should be up to his old tricks this weekend, while teammate Tony Pedregon will be seeking to defend his 2002 event title and rebound from a second-round loss in Phoenix.

Plus, after gall bladder surgery, Force is feeling renewed and points leader Ron Capps will have to keep going rounds if he hopes to neutralize an expected strong showing by Team Castrol.

Pro Stock
This week, roughly 20 Pro Stock teams tested in Bradenton, Fla., in pursuit of the right setups for this year's Gatornationals. The class continues to be the NHRA's most competitive and teams know nothing can be taken for granted if they hope to be included in the championship picture.

Warren Johnson has owned this race in the same magnitude Force has ruled it in Funny Car. Johnson won in Pomona, got beaten on a holeshot in Phoenix by Jim Yates in Round 1 and now comes to an event he's won nine times out of 10 finals. How can you bet against him?

If he advances to the final, he would have 750 career round wins, a tremendous achievement, and a victory would surely serve notice to the rest of the class to be prepared for the Johnson of old.

Who else could steal the spotlight? Team Mopar, which has gotten off to a strong start with Darrell Alderman coming in as defending champ. Jeg Coughlin Jr., who won here in 2001 and was runner-up last year, is always a threat. Greg Anderson seems to have hit his stride after an impressive Phoenix win while the driver he beat in the CSK final, Troy Coughlin, has a Cavalier which appears to be the equal of his brother's 2002 championship ride.

As we have come to expect, Pro Stock remains the class which specializes in the unexpected.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

	Savoie

This category's look will be as dramatically different as any class ever has entering a new season. Of the class's top five finishers in 2002, only Craig Treble and Shawn Gann return with the same personnel. Plus, last year's No. 6 finisher, Geno Scali, will be switching from a Kawasaki to a Suzuki. Also, No. 7 finisher Reggie Showers will be teamed with George Bryce, who is no longer racing with defending champ Angelle Savoie.

This new lineup makes the PSB class one huge question mark. Past history means little since there's little of what we're familiar with pointing the way. However, Treble will be a major player, especially without Matt Hines in the mix and Savoie adjusting to life with Antron Brown's Team 23. Showers has already shown his potential with what he's accomplished, but having Bryce on the roster is a huge boost in experience, while Gann brings another year's worth of maturity to his team in '03.

The bikes could offer more surprises, dollar-for-dollar, than any other in the sport. Our first look at PSB this weekend will be the most fascinating two-wheeled season-opener in a long time. It could also go a long way in answering the many questions hanging over the category.