FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Delayed finish worth the wait

CLEVES, Ohio - NHRA North Central Division racers returned to Edgewater Sports Park today to complete the event that was postponed last week after timing equipment was damaged by a lightning strike. The final round featured another battle between Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) veterans Chuck Cheeseman and Marc White, while in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Ken Perry and Russ Lindert each made their second final-round appearance of the season.

Cheeseman, of Galena, Ohio, won his third event of the year, beating White in an extremely close race. Cheeseman's 6.015-second, 243.11 mph run was enough to get around White's 6.063-second, 240.77 mph effort. White still leads Cheeseman in the divisional point standings, but the win put Cheeseman on the team that will represent the North Central Division at the Jeg's Allstar race at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., in September.

TAD pilot Lindert, who hails from Manteno, Ill., won his first race of the year with a 5.653-second, 251.39 mph lap. He beat out Toronto, Ont., resident Ken Perry, who ran 5.675 seconds at 247.93 mph. Lindert was the runner-up at Lucas Oil event at Route 66 Raceway, while Perry won the race at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana.

Joining Cheeseman and Lindert in the winner's circle were Jack Slagle of Reynoldsburg, Ohio in Comp Eliminator; Michael Beachy of Kokomo, Ind., in Super Stock; Tim Garrison of Benton Harbor, Mich., in Super Gas; and Don Trebel of Sunman, Ind., in Super Street. In Super Comp, Anderson, Ind., resident Mitch Smith beat Jeff Strickland of Red Bay, Ala., who took the win in Stock.

NHRA North Central Division racers head to Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Aug. 23-25.

The following are the first round results for TAD and TAFC from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park:

 
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
First Round (from Aug. 4, 2002)
1) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.705 seconds, 248.82 mph def. 
8) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 7.086, 140.86

2) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.963, 202.47 def.
7) Ben Marshall, Tipp City, Ohio, 6.048, 240.19

6) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.729, 250.83 def. 
3) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.792, 243.90 

5) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.764, 242.52 def. 
4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.378, 196.59

Semifinal Round
Perry, 5.755, 238.66 def. Hirata, 5.956, 243.24
Lindert, 5.687, 251.95 def. Ward, 12.614, 64.70

Final Round
Lindert, 5.653, 251.39 def. Perry, 5.675, 247.93

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
First Round (from Aug. 4, 2002)
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 6.100 seconds, 239.42 mph def. 8) BYE

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.061, 235.17 def. 
7) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.636, 208.81 

3) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.111, 236.40 def. 
6) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.492, 212.81 

5) James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.628, 203.20 def. 
4) John Reikas, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.732, 208.18 

Semifinal Round
White, 5.963, 244.83 def. Fritts, 7.705, 107.19
Cheeseman, 5.897, 246.64 def. Spencer, 6.858, 175.69

Final Round
Cheeseman, 6.015, 243.11 def. White, 6.063, 240.77

COMP ELIMINATOR
Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.874, 152.69 def.
Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 roadster, A/EA, 7.599, 175.06

SUPER STOCK
Michael Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/CA, 9.820, 132.13 def. 
J.R. Lambert, Louisville, Ky., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.927, 131.50

STOCK
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '95 Camaro, F/SA, 11.546, 108.74 def. 
Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '95 Ram 150, GT/SA, 12.731, 99.87

SUPER COMP
Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '00 dragster, 8.936, 176.40 def. 
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '02 dragster, 9.141, 127.49

SUPER GAS
Tim Garrison, Benton Harbor, Mich., '86 Dodge, 9.906, 144.18 def. 
Marlin Snyder, Avon, Ind., '27 roadster, 9.902, 149.32

SUPER STREET
Don Trabel, Sunman, Ind., '71 Vega, 10.958, 129.18 def. 
Randy Jones, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, '79 Omni, 10.962, 123.74

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mother Nature deals NHRA North Central Division another blow

CLEVES, Ohio - Eliminations in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park were postponed Sunday after an electrical storm knocked out the timing system. The event will resume Saturday, Aug. 10. According to NHRA North Central Division Director Jay Hullinger, competitors who are still in competition will get one time trial next week before going back into eliminations.

"A wild storm moved through here earlier in the afternoon, complete with rain, wind and lightning. After we had the track dried and ready to go, we discovered the timing system had been damaged," said Hullinger. "We tried everything we could think of to getting going again and even brought in some parts but, unfortunately, we couldn't fix it today."

Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car had run first round of eliminations while racers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, and Super Gas had completed two rounds. Super Street running the second round of eliminations when the storm hit.

This is the third North Central Division event to be affected by the weather. The first two races, at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., and at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, had to be postponed earlier in the season. When the race at Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich., finished on schedule, it seemed that things were looking up for the division.

The following are the first round results for TAD and TAFC from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
First Rounds
1) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.705 seconds, 248.82 mph def. 
8) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 7.086, 140.86

2) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.963, 202.47 def. 
7) Ben Marshall, Tipp City, Ohio, 6.048, 240.19

6) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.729, 250.83 def. 
3) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.792, 243.90 

5) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.764, 242.52 def. 
4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.378, 196.59
 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
First Round
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 6.100 seconds, 239.42 mph def. 8) BYE

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.061, 235.17 def. 
7) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.636, 208.81 

3) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.111, 236.40 def. 
6) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.492, 212.81 

5) James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.628, 203.20 def. 
4) John Reikas, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.732, 208.18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fields set, eliminations to begin at Edgewater Sports Park

CLEVES, Ohio - In the final rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park, Russ Lindert in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), and Chuck Cheeseman in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) qualified in the No. 1 spots in their respective classes.

Lindert, of Manteno, Ill., made a 5.687-second, 248.96 mph pass to take the pole away from yesterday's top finisher, Ken Perry of Toronto, Ont. This is Lindert's second No. 1 qualifying effort this season.

Galena, Ohio, resident Cheeseman beat out division rival Marc White of Glendale Hts., Ill., for the No. 1 qualifying position. Cheeseman's 5.974-second, 244.16 mph run was enough to catapult him out of yesterday's last place position.

Top qualifiers in other classes include: Mike Lund of Bettendorf, Iowa, in Comp Eliminator; Tim Cole of Collierville, Tenn., in Super Stock; and John Lovins from Riverside, Ohio, in Stock.

Racing continues tomorrow with eliminations at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round of eliminations at 1 p.m. General admission tickets are $20. Children 6 to 12 are $5 and children 5 and under are free. For more information, call Edgewater Sports Park, (513) 353-4666.

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 Edgewater Sports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.687 seconds, 248.96 mph
2. Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.755, 238.66 
3. Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.779, 244.76
4. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.793, 245.96
5. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.803, 239.55
6. Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.810, 249.30
7. Ben Marshall, Tipp City, Ohio, 5.815, 244.43
8. Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.887, 206.70
Not Qualified
9. Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.962, 232.01
10. Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 6.004, 231.77
11. Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 6.147, 185.41
12. Brian Badgett, Maryland Hts., Md., 6.375, 223.99
13. Bill Reichert, Owasso, Mich., 6.604, 216.65
14. Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 8.450, 108.10
15. Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 17.551, 38.38

FIRST-ROUND PAIRINGS
1) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.687 seconds, 248.96 mph vs. 
8) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.887, 206.70

2) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.755, 238.66 vs. 
7) Ben Marshall, Tipp City, Ohio, 5.815, 244.43

3) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.779, 244.76 vs. 
6) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.810, 249.30

4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.793, 245.96 vs. 
5) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.803, 239.55

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 5.974 seconds, 244.16 mph
2. Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.010, 241.22
3. Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.197, 237.71
4. John Reikas, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.240, 226.87
5. James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.513, 211.11
6. Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.555, 212.26
7. Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.689, 200.57 

FIRST-ROUND PAIRINGS
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 5.974 seconds, 244.16 mph vs. 8) BYE

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.010, 241.22 vs. 
7) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, 6.689, 200.57 

3) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.197, 237.71 vs. 
6) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.555, 212.26 

4) John Reikas, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.240, 226.87 vs. 
5) James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.513, 211.11

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Mike Lund, Bettendorf, Iowa, '34 roadster, 8.193 seconds, -0.537 under index
2. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.957, -0.523 
3. Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., dragster, A/ND, 7.282. -0.508
4. David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, C/AA, 7.602, -0.498
5. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., dragster, E/ED, 8.601, -0.489
6. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.448, -0.482
7. Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 roadster, A/EA, 7.565, -0.465
8. Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.936, -0.464
9. Ton Haueter, Charndon, Ohio, dragster, D/ED, 7.559, -0.451
10. David Dupps, Germantown, Ohio, '23 roadster, K/A, 8.177, -0.443

SUPER STOCK
1. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.915 seconds, -1.085 under index
2. Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '64 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.301, -0.999
3. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio. '00 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.508, -0.992
4. Brent Voges, Defiance, Mo., '91 Calais, GT/GA, 10.242, -0.958
5. Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.357, -0.943
6. Gary Russell, Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.607, -0.943
7. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '97 Cutlass, SS/AX, 9.067, -0.933
8. Wayne Hansen, Wabash, Ind., '02 S-10, GT/TC, 10.525, -0.925
9. Michael Volkman, Moon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.586, -0.914
10. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.944, -0.906
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, '96 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.182 seconds, -1.468 under index
2. Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '92 Ram, GT/SA, 12.646, -1.304
3. Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.662, -1.288
4. Tom Russell, E. Sparta, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/S, 10.659, -1.141
5. David Edwards, Washington Ct. Hts., Ohio, '78 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.811, -1.139
6. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '01 Firebird, C/SA, 10.651, -1.139
7. Bruce Parsons, Lewisburg, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/SA, 11.477, -1.123
8. Jonathan Tarrance, Bremen, Ky., '84 Chevy, V/SA, 14.693, -1.107
9. Bill Sempsrott, Middletown, Ohio, '66 Nova, K/S, 11.761, -1.089
10. Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro, N/S, 12.185, -1.065

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First rounds of qualifying complete at Edgewater Sports Park

CLEVES, Ohio - In the first rounds of qualifying at Edgewater Sports Park, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver Ken Perry and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) pilot Marc White took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Perry, of Toronto, Ont., outran the field with a pass of 5.755 seconds at 238.66 mph. Perry is currently leading the division point standings with a win at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park in July and two semifinal-round appearances.

Galena Hts., Ill., resident White made a 6.045-second, 234.07-mph run to take the pole. White is leading the division's TAFC points by virtue of three final-round appearances including a win at Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich.

Today's No. 1 qualifiers in other classes are: Steve Ambrose of Woodhaven, Mich., in Comp Eliminator; Tim Cole of Collierville, Tenn., in Super Stock; and John Lovins of Riverside, Ohio, in Stock.

Qualifying for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event continues tomorrow. Gates at Edgewater Sports Park open at 8 a.m. and racing gets under way at 9:30 a.m. TAD and TAFC will have two qualifying sessions, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.755 seconds, 238.66 mph
2. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.793, 245.96
3. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.803, 239.55
4. Ben Marshall, Tipp City, Ohio, 5.815, 244.43 
5. Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., 5.819, 241.80
6. Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 6.004, 231.77
7. Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 6.147, 185.41
8. Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 6.236, 193.88
Not Qualified
9. Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 8.450, 108.10
10. Bill Reichert, Owasso, Mich., 19.941, 35.19 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1. Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.045 seconds, 234.07 mph
2. John Reikas, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.240, 226.87
3. Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.453, 227.44
4. James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.513, 211.11
5. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '01 Firebird, 9.196, 93.87

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.982 seconds, -0.498 under index
2. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., dragster, E/ED, 8.613, -0.477
3. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.474, -0.456
4. David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, C/AA, 7.659, -0.441
5. Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., dragster, A/ND, 7.359. -0.431
6. William Lawrence, Cincinnati, '34 roadster, B/SR, 8.226, -0.424
7. Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 roadster, A/EA, 7.607, -0.423
8. Jimmy Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '01 Dakota, PSTA, 7.947, -0.373
9. David Dupps, Germantown, Ohio, '23 roadster, K/A, 8.260, -0.360
10. Steve Johnson, Milwaukee, Wis., '99 Firebird, F/A, 8.514, -0.356

SUPER STOCK
1. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.915 seconds, -1.085 under index
2. Brent Voges, Defiance, Mo., '91 Calais, GT/GA, 10.260, -0.940
3. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '97 Cutlass, SS/AX, 9.073, -0.927
4. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio. '00 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.585, -0.915
5. Gary Russell, Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.642, -0.908
6. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.944, -0.906
7. Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '64 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.399, -0.901
8. Richard Feldman, E. Liverpool, Ohio, '66 Impala, SS/O, 11.603,   -0.897
9. Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.206, -0.894
10. Amber Voges Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '97 Camaro, SS/JA, 10.141, -0.886

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, '96 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.226 seconds, -1.424 under index
2. Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '92 Ram, GT/SA, 12.760, -1.190
3. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '01 Firebird, C/SA, 10.650, -1.050
4. Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro, N/S, 12.222, -1.028
5. Harry Doolittle, Hillsdale, Mich., '00 Firebird, Q/SA, 13.151,   -0.949
6. John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.603, -0.947
7. Bill Sempsrott, Middletown, Ohio, '66 Nova, K/S, 11.912, -0.938
8. Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 14.228, -0.922
9. Josh Edwards, Trenton, Ohio, '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.380, -0.920
10. Bruce Witherspoon, Lansing, Mich., '90 Corvette, I/SA, 11.686, -0.914

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cincinnati experiences Summer Thunder at Edgwater Sports Park

CINCINNATI - Summer Thunder at Edgewater Sports Park Aug. 2-4 is the fourth of six events in the NHRA North Central division's 2002 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The race will feature more than 500 drivers in eight racing categories including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC).

With two races finally under their belts, competitors in NHRA's North Central Division will head to Edgewater Sports Park to see if they can stay ahead of Mother Nature. The Division's first two NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events, at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., and at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana, were postponed due to bad weather. After completing the third event on the schedule, at Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich., without delay, racers headed back to IRP on Independence Day to finish that race.

By the end of the race at IRP, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Ken Perry found himself atop the point standings. The Gormley, Ohio, resident made it to the semifinals at Mid-Michigan and then helped himself with a win at IRP. That win put him just two points ahead of Winfield, Mo., resident Jeff Wilson who won at Mid-Michigan, but did not make the eight-car field at IRP and suffered a first-round loss at an out-of-division race in Topeka, Kan.

Many of the division's "big hitters" in TAD have yet to make any significant moves this season. Both defending division champion Bill Reichert of Owasso, Mich., and Shawn Bowen of Grand Blanc, Mich., failed to make the field at Mid-Michigan Motorplex. Then, Reichert lost in the first round at IRP while Bowen made it to the second round at the make-up event. Dave Hirata, a second-generation driver from Lowell, Ind., fared slightly better, making it to the second round at Mid-Michigan and taking a first-round loss at IRP.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Glendale Heights, Ill., resident Marc White is leading the points after scoring a win at Mid-Michigan and placing second to arch rival Chuck Cheeseman at IRP. White was also the runner-up at an out-of-division race in Dallas. Besides the win at IRP, Cheeseman, who resides in Galena, Ohio, went to the semifinals at Mid-Michigan. However, the veteran racer finds himself in third place in the point standings behind Todd Veney of Indianapolis. Although Veney hasn't gone any further than the second round at either of the division's events, he did help himself early in the season with an out-of-division runner-up in Orlando, Fla.

In other news, Super Gas competitor David Connolly and Super Street driver Robert Richardson each scored back-to-back wins in the division. The wins have given Connolly, of Elyria, Ind., the lead in the Super Gas points. Richardson, who resides in Fort Wayne, Ind., is currently second in the point standings, but has not lost a round of racing this season.

Gates at Edgewater Sports Park open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to qualify Friday at 5 p.m., and Saturday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. First round of eliminations for TAD and TAFC are scheduled at 1 p.m.

Adult tickets, including pit pass, are $15 Friday, $25 Saturday, and $20 Sunday. A two-day pass is $30 and a three-day pass is $40. Children 6-12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

The event is part of a 45-race, $6.5 million series contested across the country. Drivers in all classes, including Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street, 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 North Central division at the Jeg's Allstar race which will be held in conjunction with the NHRA national event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., in September.

Edgewater Sports Park is located off Interstate 75 at 4819 E. Miami River Road in Cleves, Ohio. For more information call the track, (518) 794-7130, or visit www.EdgewaterRace.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Summer Thunder, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, 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 fourth of six in North Central Division competition.

WHERE: Edgewater Sports Park, Cincinnati. Track is located off Interstate 75. Take Interstate 75 to Cleves-Miamitown exit. Continue through Miamitown, right to SR 128 and U.S. 52. Turn right on East Miami Road to racetrack entrance.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, August 2-4, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
FRIDAY, Aug. 2 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is scheduled at 5 p.m.
SATURDAY, Aug. 3 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, Aug. 4 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $25 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and a three-day ticket is $40. Children 6-12 are $5 each day and children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Edgewater Sports Park, (513) 353-4666.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $164,500, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2001 EVENT WINNERS: Bill Reichert, Top Alcohol Dragster; Marc White, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Jerry Arnold, Comp Eliminator; Brent Voges, Super Stock; Bill Sempsrott, Stock Eliminator; Ron Erks, Super Comp; Rusty Cook, Super Gas; Jeff Goodman, 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.

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 500 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.