FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cheeseman grabs fifth tafc win in six races; Nicholson logs second TAD victory

HEBRON, Ohio - In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway, out-of-division competitor Darren Nicholson took the win in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Chuck Cheeseman added another Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) trophy to his collection.

With the win today, Cheeseman has won five out of the division's six Lucas Oil events, giving him a solid points lead for the season. The Galena, Ohio, resident's 5.911-second, 242.19-mph pass was enough to get him to the finish line ahead of Steve Harker of Queensland, Aust. Harker made it a side-by-side race with a 5.962-second, 247.34-mph effort. Nicholson, of Mission Viejo, Calif., had a free pass in the final round when Plymouth, Mich., resident Jeff Bohr broke on the burnout. The win helped Nicholson in his bid for a Pacific Division championship but he will remain in second place in the point standings.

Winners in other categories were Steve Ambrose of Woodhaven, Mich., in Comp Eliminator; Delaware, Ohio, resident John Coughlin in Super Stock; defending division champion Clint Blezien of Bensenville, Ill., in Stock; David Connolly of Elyria, Ohio, in Super Comp; Ron Erks of Clinton, Ohio, who is also a defending division champion, in Super Gas; and Columbus, Ohio, resident Tim Gary in Super Street.

This was the last NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of the season for North Central Division competitors. They can still earn points in races out of the division if they choose.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
8) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.587 seconds, 257.04 mph def. 
1) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 7.181, 130.87 

7) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.668, 232.87 def. 
2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.852, 232.67

6) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.786, 211.36 def. 
3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield,  Mo., 10.299, 78.41

5) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.551, 255.87 def. 
4) Bill  Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.729, 248.20

Semifinals 
Bohr, 5.640, 250.69 def. Rudy, 5.578, 250.55 
Nicholson, 5.521, 253.99 def. Kosky, 7.140, 128.04

Final Round 
Nicholson, 15.596, 83.97 def. Bohr, broke (shut off by starter)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 5.794 seconds, 238.68 mph def. 
8) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.484, 165.03

2) Steve Harker, '99 Avenger, Brisbane, Queensland, Aust., 6.000, 238.43 def. 
7) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.359, 208.30

6) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.778, 244.34 def. 
3) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.801, 247.29

5) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 Dodge, 5.822, 246.71 def.
4) Kim Fritts,  Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 11.465, 69.17
Semifinals 

Cheeseman, 5.828, 242.19 def. Craig, 5.835, 246.62 
Harker, 10.989, 73.73 def. White, broke (shut off by starter)

Final Round 
Cheeseman, 5.911, 242.19 def. Harker, 5.962, 247.34

COMP ELIMINATOR* 
Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, 7.903 seconds, -0.577 under index def. 
Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, 8.820, -0.530

SUPER STOCK* 
John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, 8.946, -1.004 def. 
Jimbo  Fields, Gallatin, Ind., '63 Corvette, 10.225, -0.775

STOCK ELIMINATOR* 
Clint Blezien, Bensenville, Ill., '91 Camaro, 12.548, -0.752 def. 
Larry  Hill, Hickory, Ky., '70 Cuda, 10.443, -0.857

SUPER COMP* 
David Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, dragster, 9.043, +0.143 def. 
Steve Eckard,  Pataskala, Ohio, dragster, 8.967, +0.067

SUPER GAS* 
Ron Erks, Clinton, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 9.912, +0.012 def. 
Jeff Gerber,  Massillon, Ohio, '27 roadster, 9.923, +0.023

SUPER STREET* 
Tim Gary, Columbus, Ohio, '67 Barracuda, 10.923, +0.023 def. 
Robert  Ruderick, Centerburg, Ohio, '85 Thunderbird, 10.954, +0.054

*Speeds were not available for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super 
Comp, Super Gas or Super Street.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Record-setting TAD field heads the action

HEBRON, Ohio - In the final rounds of qualifying at National Trail Raceway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, there were few surprises in the Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) class as Chuck Cheeseman was the No. 1 qualifier. But the Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) category boasted the quickest eight-car field in division competition history. The last TAD to make the field ran 5.590 seconds. The other surprise was that Russ Lindert and Ken Perry, first and second, respectively, in the point standings, failed to qualify, leaving the door open for Winfield, Mo., resident Jeff Wilson to overtake Perry for second place. Wilson cannot improve enough to move into first place.

Danville, Ill., resident Keith Stark, who ran 5.376 seconds at 265.06 mph, led the TAD field. Mike Kosky of Cuddy, Pa., was the eighth qualifier. In TAFC, defending division champion Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio, was the best qualifier after yesterday's action. But after the first run today, he found himself in the No. 5 spot. However, in his final qualifying attempt, the veteran racer jumped back to No. 1 with a 5.763-second, 248.02 mph pass.

The No. 1 qualifiers in other classes are Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., in Comp Eliminator; Dave Layer in Super Stock; and John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, in Stock.

Racing continues Sunday 9 a.m. at National Trail Raceway. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $15. Children 6 to 12 are $5 and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.376 seconds, 265.06 mph
2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.394, 265.22
3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.485, 252.99 
4) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.522, 257.73
5) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.532, 253.90
6) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.551, 255.73
7) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.572, 244.74
8) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.590, 248.84
Not Qualified
9) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.603, 252.00
10) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.618, 236.09
11) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.703, 246.17
12) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.716, 247.70
13) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.855, 250.55
14) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 7.951, 108.22
15) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 28.000, 245.09
16) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., DQ

Sunday's TAD first-round pairings
1) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.376 seconds, 265.06 mph vs. 
8) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.590, 248.84

2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.394, 265.22 vs. 
7) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.572, 244.74

3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.485, 252.99 vs. 
6) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.551, 255.73

4) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.522, 257.73 vs. 
5) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.532, 253.90
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 5.763 seconds, 248.02 mph
2) Steve Harker, '99 Avenger, Brisbane, Queensland, Aust., 5.794, 247.93
3) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.795, 247.97
4) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 5.800, 247.29
5) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 Dodge, 5.802, 246.66
6) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.837, 241.54
7) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.411, 216.06
8) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.428, 206.23
Not Qualified
9) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., '98 Mustang, 8.022, 112.60

Sunday's TAFC first-round pairings
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 5.763 seconds, 248.02 mph vs. 
8) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.428, 206.23

2) Steve Harker, '99 Avenger, Brisbane, Queensland, Aust., 5.794, 247.93 vs. 
7) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.411, 216.06

3) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.795, 247.97 vs. 
6) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.837, 241.54

4) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 5.800, 247.29 vs. 
5) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 Dodge, 5.802, 246.66

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '98 dragster, 8.471 seconds, -0.619 under index
2) David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Olds, 7.504, -0.596
3) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, 7.903, -0.577    
4) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, 8.820, -0.530
5) Doug Engels, Watertown, S.D., '98 dragster 7.484, -0.526
6) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., '99 dragster, 6.779, -0.521
7) Terry Smith, Williamstown, '32 roadster, 8.513, -0.507
8) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 roadster, 7.524, -0.506
9) John Frech, Warren, Ohio, '88 dragster, 8.305, -0.495
10) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, 8.375, -0.495

SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Layer, Daytona, Ohio, '90 Cavalier, GT/HA, 10.206 seconds, -1.144 under index
2) Gary Russell, Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.419, -1.131  
3) Chuck Gallagher, Holly, Mich., '94 Sunbird, SS/AM, 8.491, -1.059
4) Ernest Price, Naverrie, Ohio, '69 Camaro, SS/FM, 9.743, -1.057
5) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.597, -1.053
6) Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '97 Cutlass, SS/AX, 8.979, -1.021
7) Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, Ind., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.989, -1.011
8) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.946, -1.004
9) Wayne Hansen, Wabash, Ind., '02 S-10, ST/TC, 10.463, -0.987
10) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ind., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.887, -0.963

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Lovin, Riverside, Ohio, '00 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.231 seconds, -1.419 under index
2) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Pontiac, K/SA, 11.662, -1.288
3) David Edwards, Washington, Ct. Hts., Ohio, '78 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.668, -1.282 
4) Steve Haulman, Navarre, Fla., '85 Z-28, J/S, 11.422, -1.228
5) Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '92 Ram Truck, GT/SA, 12.737,  -1.213
6) John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.466, -1.084
7) Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Camaro, C/SA, 10.640, -1.060
8) James Kight, Dayton, Ohio, '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.293, -1.007
9) Scott Welborn, W. Columbia, S.C., '68 Chevelle, H/SA, 11.455, -0.996
10) Ben Wenzel Sr., Freeland, Mich., '67 Camaro, E/S, 10.958, -0.992 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying underway at National Trail

HEBRON, Ohio - In the first rounds of qualifying at National Trail Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jeff Wilson and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Chuck Cheeseman took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Wilson, of Winfield, Mo., outran the field with a pass of 5.578 seconds at 256.11 mph while Galena, Ohio, resident Cheeseman made a 5.863-second; 244.83 mph run to take the pole. During the TAD qualifying session Valparaiso, Ind., resident Tim Bowgren went out of control just past the finish line, hitting the centerline cones. He was checked out by medical personnel on the scene and released.

Top qualifiers in other classes were Steve Ambrose of Woodhaven, Mich., in Comp Eliminator; Dave Layer of Daytona, Ohio, in Super Stock; and Donald Holmes of Dayton, Ohio, in Stock.

Racing continues Saturday at National Trail Raceway. Gates open at 8 a.m. and qualifying begins at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $15. Children 6-12 are $5 and children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706 or visit www.NationalTrailRaceway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.578 seconds, 256.11 mph
2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.653, 255.05
3) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.810, 235.47
4) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.813, 245.58
5) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.816, 240.89
6) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.837, 205.85
7) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.947, 250.37
8) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 7.019, 132.84
Not Qualified
9) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 7.951, 108.22
10) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 9.233, 95.23
11) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 10.343, 75.56
12) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., DQ

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 5.863 seconds, 244.83 mph
2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.984, 236.55
3) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 6.116, 234.78
4) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.124, 239.10
5) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.428, 206.23
6) Steve Harker, '99 Avenger, Brisbane, Queensland, Aust., 11.566, 71.22

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, 7.956 seconds, -0.524 under index
2) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '98 dragster, 8.574, -0.516
3) Doug Engels, Watertown, S.D., '98 dragster 7.523, -0.487
4) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 roadster, 7.574, -0.456
5) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, 8.896, -0.454
6) Terry Smith, Williamstown, '32 roadster, 8.595, -0.425
7) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, 8.496, -0.374
8) Herbert Raymond, Johnstown, Ohio, '93 Berretta, 7.757, -0.323
9) Ronnie Bohn, Benton Harbor, Mich., '94 Berretta, 8.902, -0.318
10) Bill Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '92 Camaro, 9.245, -0.305

SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Layer, Daytona, Ohio, '90 Cavalier, GT/HA, 10.338 seconds, -1.012 under index
2) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.658, -0.992
3) Gary Russell, Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.578, -0.972
4) Wayne Hansen, Wabash, Ind., '02 S-10, ST/TC, 10.527, -0.923
5) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, SS/CM, 9.039, -0.911
6) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.955, -0.895
7) Wes Leopold Sr., McDonald, Pa., '87 Daytona, GT/HA, 10.481, -0.869
8) Richard Feldman, E. Liverpool, Ohio, '66 Impala, SS/O, 11.638, -0.862
9) Mike Pustelny, Almont, Mich., '01 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.248, -0.852
10) Brian Olson, Peru, Ind., '67 Nova, SS/HA, 10.059, -0.841

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Donald Holmes, Daytona, Ohio, '78 Pontiac, K/SA, 11.726 seconds, -1.224 under index
2) Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '92 Ram Truck, GT/SA, 12.775, -1.175
3) Steve Haulman, Navarre, Fla., '85 Z-28, J/S, 11.574, -1.076
4) Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Camaro, C/SA, 10.666, -1.034
5) David Morgan, Charleston, Ill., '89 Trans Am, M/SA, 12.153, -0.997
6) John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.566, -0.984
7) Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro, N/S, 12.266, -0.984
8) Ben Wenzel Sr., Freeland, Mich., '67 Camaro, E/S, 10.973, -0.977
9) Scott Welborn, W. Columbia, S.C., '68 Chevelle, H/SA, 11.488, -0.962
10) James Knight, Dayton, Ohio, '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.373, -0.927