FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Smith and Thacker win two in a row

BRISTOL, Tenn. -In the final results at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bristol Dragway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Marty Thacker and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Von Smith won in their respective categories.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Thacker, of Robinson, Ill., piloted his dragster into victory lane for the second time this season when he defeated Wayzata, Minn., racer John Haley. In the final Thacker ran a 5.590-second pass at 254.90 mph to take out Haley, who ran 5.728 at 244.34 mph. The two also battled last month at Silver Dollar Raceway, Reynolds, Ga., in a contest which Thacker also won. This was a significant win for Thacker who is currently battling with Jason Cannon and Michael Gunderson, both of Middleburg, Fla., for precious Southeast Division Championship points in the class.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Von Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., took home the win behind the wheel of his Jensen Audio-sponsored Firebird for the third time this season when he defeated the defending Southeast Division champion Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif. Reacting with a .412, Smith held off Payne, with an elapsed time of 5.869 seconds at 247.57 mph to Payne's 6.007-second pass at 247.34 mph. This is the fifth final round appearance for Smith this season and his third win within the Southeast Division.

Winners in other categories are Mike Farrell of Louisville, Ky., in Competition Eliminator and John Fogel of Norway, S.C., in Super Stock. In Stock Eliminator, Peter Biondo of Mt. Laurel, N.J., who currently leads Southeast Division points in the class, claimed his third divisional win of the year in Stock. In Super Comp it was Jim Perry of Orlando taking home the win. While in Super Gas, Orlando, Fla. racer Jay Davis got the win. After suffering some early round losses earlier in the season Greg Glenn, Cape Coral, Fla., racked up his first win when he took out Silver Dollar Raceway champ, Ernie Griggs.

In the debut of the Southeast Division's newest class, John Bleakley Motorhomes Top Sportsman, Billy Vaughn of Knoxville, Tenn., took out Glen Maine of Whitesboro, N.Y. The class, which features 7-second door-slammers, will compete in a five race series this season , including the final two Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events at Atlanta Dragway, Atlanta, Ga., and Darlington Int'l Raceway, Darlington, S.C.

The next stop on the NHRA's Southeast Division tour is Atlanta Dragway in Atlanta, Ga. The event, which will be held August 9-10, is the sixth of seven races in NHRA's Southeast Division.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Bristol Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1) John Haley, Wayzata, Minn., .499 reaction time, 5.646 seconds, 247.61 mph def. 
8) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., .542, 6.232, 190.54

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., .452 reaction time, 5.656 seconds, 251.63 mph def.  
7) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, .461, 5.833, 247.43

3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., .441 reaction time, 5.602 seconds, 255.34 mph def. 
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., .448, 5.848, 200.95

4) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., .498 reaction time, 5.713 seconds, 251.77 mph def. 
5) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., .524, 5.781, 245.14

Semifinals 
Thacker, .453 reaction time, 5.553 seconds, 255.58  def. Cannon, .455, 5.721, 24.81 
Haley, .549 reaction time, 5.564 seconds, 253.33 mph def. Kelly, .482, 5.709, 249.12 

Final 
Thacker, 471 reaction time, 5.590 seconds, 254.90 def. Haley, .464, 5.728, 244.34 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., .550 reaction time, 6.022, 246.30 mph def. 
4) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., BROKE

2) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., .486 reaction time, 5.893, 248.39 mph def. 
3) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, .522, 6.99, 150.85

Final 
Smith, .413 reaction time, 5.869 seconds, 247.57 mph def. Payne, .494, 6.007, 247.34 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., A/EA, '32 Bantam, .538 reaction time, 7.624 seconds, 174.28 mph def. 
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., A/SM, '98 Grand Am, .591, 8.181, 166.21  

SUPER STOCK 
John Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA, '67 Camaro, .522 reaction time, 10.196 seconds, 10.14 dial-in def. 
Len King, Langley, S.C., SS/IA, '67 Camaro, .568, 10.623, 10.58   

STOCK 
Peter Biondo, Mt. Laurel, N.J., E/SA, '95 Camaro, .512 reaction time, 11.401 seconds, 11.30 dial-in def. 
Sterling Simmons, Mislothian, Va., D/SA, '97 Camaro, .548, 11.089, 11.14

SUPER COMP 
Jim Perry, Orlando, Fla., Dragster, .412 reaction time, 8.901 seconds, 158.95 def. 
Steve Cohen, Trilby, Fla., Dragster, .460, 8.885, 152.38

SUPER GAS 
Jay Davis, Orlando, Fla., '34 Chevy, .411 reaction time, 9.917 seconds, 137.61 mph def. 
Sean Witherwax, North Lauderdale, Fla., '01 Firebird, .440, 9.844,
160.58

SUPER STREET 
Greg Glenn, Cape Coral, Fla., '93 S-10, .562 reaction time, 10.922 seconds, 123.97 mph def. 
Ernie Griggs, Ocala, Fla., '72 Camaro, .511, 10.888, 120.89

JOHN BLEAKLEY MOTORHOMES TOP SPORTSMAN 
Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '84 Beretta, .523 reaction time, .7.552 seconds, 7.54 dial-in def. 
Glen Maine, Whitesboro, N.Y., '67 Nova, .493 (red-light), 7.822, 7.85

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gunderson and Bartone both DNQ

BRISTOL, Tenn. -In the final rounds of qualifying at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series being held at Bristol Dragway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver John Haley and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jay Payne are leading their respective fields.

Haley of Wayzata, Minn., piloted his Top Alcohol Dragster to a 5.649-second pass at 250.97 mph to claim the top spot in the class. A surprising pair of non-qualifiers in the class are defending Southeast Division Top Alcohol Dragster Champion and current points leader in the class, Michael Gunderson, of Middleburg, Fla., and former national champion Tony Bartone, of Manhasset, N.Y. Typically strong runners in the class, both drivers were plagued by mechanical problems throughout the day qualifying and will not make the eight-car field.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Payne of Claremont, Calif., laid down a 5.772-second pass at 252.00 mph to take the lead in Funny Car. Qualified in the number two spot is Oak Ridge, Tenn., runner Von Smith. Smith, who currently leads the chase for Southeast Division points in the class ran a 5.952-second pass at 247.43 behind the wheel of his Jensen Audio-sponsored Firebird.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., in Competition Eliminator; Jeff Taylor of Lumberton, N.C., in Super Stock; and Richard Taylor of Byhalia, Miss., in Stock.

In the debut of the Southeast Division's newest class, John Bleakley Motorhomes Top Sportsman, Toney Russell of Ardmore, Ala., qualified his '55 Nomad in the top spot with a 7.132 pass at 187.70 mph. The class, which features 7-second doorslammers, will compete in a five-race series this season , including the final three Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events at Bristol Dragway, Atlanta Dragway, Atlanta, Ga., and Darlington Int'l Raceway, Darlington, S.C.

Gates at Bristol Dragway will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. with qualifying set to continue in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street and Top Sportsman at 9:00 a.m. Eliminations in those categories are set to begin at noon. The opening round of eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is schedule for 3 p.m. For more information please contact Bristol Dragway at (423) 764-6555.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bristol Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1. John Haley, Wayzata, Minn., 5.649 seconds, 250.97 mph 
2. Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.663, 250.83 
3. Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.664, 250.23 
4. Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.726, 243.63 
5. Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.749, 246.48 
6. Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.750, 249.86 
7. James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.762, 250.27 
8. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.831, 245.76 

  -------------------------Not Qualified ------------------------- 
9. Ben Marshall, New Carlisle, Ohio, 5.861, 245.32 
10. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 16.418, 47.14 
11. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., no time 

First-Round Pairings 
1) John Haley, Wayzata, Minn., vs. 8) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla. 
2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., vs.  7) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas 
3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., vs. 5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa. 
4) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., vs. 5) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind. 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1. Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Chevy Camaro, 5.772  seconds, 252.00 mph 
2. Von Smith, Oak Ridge Tenn., '01 Pontiac Firebird, 5.952, 247.43 
3. Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '98 Achieva, 6.068, 235.72 
4. Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.324, 222.99 

First-round Pairings 
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., vs. 4) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo. 
2) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., vs. 3) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., A/SM, '98 Grand Am,  8.143 seconds, -0.477 (under index) 
2. Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., A/ND, Dragster, 7.331, -0.459 
3. Mike Lawrence, Cincinnati, Ohio, B/SR, '34 Dodge, 8.216, -0.434 
4. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., C/A, '02 Grand Am, 7.648, -0.432 
5. Jerry Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., B/A, '02 Cavalier, 7.393, -0.407 
6. Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., A/EA, '32 Bantam, 7.628, -0.402 
7. Larry Carson, Morning View, Ky., A/D, Dragster, 6.745, -0.375 
8. Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., E/SMA, '98 Grand Am, 9.061, -0.359 
9. Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., F/A, '92 Cavalier, 8.515,  -0.355 
10. George Gallimore, Memphis, Tenn., A/P, '32 Bantam, 7.194, -0.336 

SUPER STOCK 
1. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., SS/BM, '01 Grand Am, 8.718 seconds, -0.982 (under index) 
2. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, SS/AX, '97 Cutlass, 9.136, -0.864 
3. Wes Leopold Jr., Bridgeville, Pa., SS/AS, '93 Daytona, 9.067, -0.833 
4. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., GT/KA, '88 Cutlass, 10.928, -0.822 
5. John Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA, '67 Camaro, 10.126, -0.774 
6. Dean Nicopolis, Northville, Mich., SS/AA, '68 Barracuda, 9.263, -0.737 
7. Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., SS/EA, '68 Corvette, 9.937, -0.713 
8. Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., GT/BA, '93 Achieva, 9.837, -0.713 
9. Jimmy Bridges, Nashville, Tenn., SS/C, '66 Corvette, 9.654, -0.696 
10. Rusty Perkins, Bowling Green, Ky., SS/EA, '70 Corvette,  9.973, -0.677 

STOCK 
1. Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., JT/SA, '01 S-10, 15.863 seconds, -0.937 (under index) 
2. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., L/S, '66 Malibu, 12.139, -0.861 
3. Danny Holder, Chapmansboro, Tenn., K/SA, '91 Camaro, 12.139, -0.811 
4. Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., O/SA, '83 Malibu, 12.719, -0.731 
5. Sterling Simmons Jr., Midlothian, Va., D/SA, '97 Camaro, 11.124, -0.726 
6. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mountain. Valley, Ga., D/SA, '94 Camaro, 11.191, -0.659 
7. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., G/SA, '72 Mustang, 11.653, -0.647 
8. Gale Pinkston, Shelbyville, Tenn., G/SA, '67 Camaro, 11.693, -0.607 
9. James Treola, Charleston, W. Va., E/SA, '68 Firebird, 11.402, -0.598 
10. Bill Howell, Aiken, S.C., B/SA, '70 Mustang, 10.973, -0.577 

JOHN BLEAKLEY MOTORHOMES TOP SPORTSMAN 
1. Toney Russell, Ardmore, Ala., '55 Nomad, 7.132 seconds, 187.70 mph 
2. Robert Sellers, Bunnell, Fla., '96 Avenger, 7.136,  193.46 
3. Ronnie Davis, Lilburn, Ga., '63 Corvette,  7.286, 191.59 
4. Will Roberson, Williston, S.C., '57 BelAir, 7.286, 187.57 
5. Dave Saul, Winter Park, Fla., '93 Beretta  7.343, 180.02 
6. Troy Cagle, Ranburne, Ala., '00 S-10, 7.446, 186.51 
7. Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '84 Beretta, 7.548, 18|1.74 
8. Joel Douglas, Statesville, N.C., '94 Cutlass, 7.561, 182.35 
9. Jeff Wilkerson, Athens, Ala., '01 Trans Am, 7.806, 177.18 
10. Glen Maine, Whitesboro, N.Y., '67 Nova, 7.834, 175.11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil competitors to run in Thunder Valley

BRISTOL, Tenn. - The Southeast Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Winnebago at Bristol Dragway July 19 and 20 is the fifth of seven races in the division schedule. It will feature more than 400 drivers in eight racing categories including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC). It is also the first time the division will run its newest class, Top Sportsman.

Defending TAD division champion Michael Gunderson has a slim 16-point lead over Jason Cannon. Both drivers, who are residents of Middleburg, Fla., have won the only final-round appearances they have made. Cannon won at the Southeast Division race in Orlando, Fla., while Gunderson took the honors out-of-division in Memphis, Tenn.

Early in the season, it looked like former TAFC driver Tony Bartone would be in the hunt for the championship. However, despite a win at Montgomery Motorsports Park in Alabama, the Manhasset, N.Y., resident has had a series of first-round losses, halting his momentum. On the other hand, because no driver is running away with the points, it is not unrealistic to think that strong finishes in the division's final three events could put Bartone back in the running.

In TAFC, the battle is between defending division champion Jay Payne and former IHRA national champion Von Smith. Currently, Smith is leading the points by virtue of his four final-round appearances to Payne's three. Smith, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., has two wins on the season. He won in Orlando and at the division's last event in Reynolds, Ga. Claremont, Calif., resident Payne won the division opener in Gainesville, Fla., and an out-of-division race in Brainerd, Minn.

Defending TAD division champion Michael Gunderson has a slim 16-point lead over Jason Cannon. Both drivers, who are residents of Middleburg, Fla., have won the only final-round appearances they have made. Cannon won at the Southeast Division race in Orlando, Fla., while Gunderson took the honors out-of-division in Memphis, Tenn.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open at 8 a.m. both days. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon on Friday. TAD and TAFC qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Qualifying and time trials continue from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Eliminations begin at 1 p.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round of eliminations at 3 p.m., and Top Sportsman will run first round at 4:30 p.m.

General admission, including pit pass, is $15 Friday and $25 Saturday. Children under 13 are admitted free with a paid adult.

The event is part of a 45-race, $6.5 million series contested across the country. Drivers are competing for a part of a $561,000 champions' purse. They will earn points leading to national and division titles as well as a berth on the team that will represent the Southeast division at the Jeg's Allstar event in September.

The other classes competing in the event are Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.

The track is located in Bristol at 151 Speedway Road, off Highway 394. For more information, call Bristol Dragway, (423) 764-6555, or visit www.BRISTOLDRAGWAY.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Southeast Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Winnebago, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the fifth of seven in Southeast Division competition.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn. Track is located in Bristol at 151 Speedway Rd., off Hwy. 394. From the south, take I-81 to I-181. Go to exit 11E and take Hwy. 394 east to Bristol Dragway entrance.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Southeast Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Winnebago:
FRIDAY, July 19 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Southeast will introduce a Top Sportsman class, qualifying at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, July 20 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Eliminations begin at 1 p.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is scheduled at 3 p.m. First round for Top Sportsman is at 4:30 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $25 Saturday. Children under 13 admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Bristol Dragway, (423) 764-6555.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,700, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2001 EVENT WINNERS: Billy Bybee, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jay Payne, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Brian Browell, Comp Eliminator; Woody Adcock, Super Stock; Bill Howell, Stock Eliminator; Gary Trumble, Super Comp; John Michaels, Super Gas; Mike Giuliano, Super Street

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2002 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

< b>SEALED POWER LOW QUALIFIER BONUS -- a $220,500 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at each of the 45 Lucas Oil events and the 23 NHRA national events: $1,250 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $400 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $200 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 16 of 23 national events.)

JEG'S ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jeg's High Performance. The 2002 Jeg's Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2002 Jeg's Allstars, held in conjunction with the NHRA Nationals in Chicago, Sept. 26-29, 2002. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event. FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.