FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brounkowski and Branch earn victories in Dallas

DALLAS, Texas. -In the final results of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Texas Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Karl Brounkowski. and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Tate Branch earned victories in their respective fields.

Brounkowski, of Magnolia, Texas, earned the win in Top Alcohol Dragster, when he defeated, Darryl Hitchman, of Hanover, Calif. In the opening round Brounkowski took out current South Central points leader Lee Callaway and James Thompson in the semifinals, before meeting Hitchman in the final. In the final round, Brounkowsi ran a 6.026-second pass at 196.80 to defeat Hitchman, who ran a 6.260 at 241.48 mph.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M., laid down a 5.882-second pass at 249.48 mph to take the win over Glendale Heights, Ill. driver Marc White, who ran a quicker 5.863 second pass at 241.61. This win helps Branch, a former South Central Division Champion, maintain his current points lead. This is Branch's second South Central Division win in 2002.

Winners in other categories are Rodger Brogdon of Tomball, Texas, in Competition Eliminator, Toby Torres of El Paso, Texas, in Super Stock; James Paul of Fort Worth, Texas in Stock Eliminator; Mike Thomas of Burnet, Texas, in Super Comp; defending South Central Division Champion Clark Mundt of Longview Texas, in Super Gas; and Chucky Weir of Helton City, Texas, in Super Street. The NHRA Kerker E.T. Motorcycle Champion was Larry Eperjesi of Lake Dallas, Texas.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1:
James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.653 seconds, 248.89 mph def. 
Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 6.483, 160.61

Daryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.524 seconds, 239.61 mph def. 
Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 11.50, 82.75  

Troy, Buff, Spring, Texas (No Show) def.
James Copeland, Red Oak, Texas, (Broke)

Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.567 seconds, 260.94 mph def.  
Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 9.909, 82.78 

Semifinals
Brounkowsi, 5.703 seconds, 150.34 mph def. Thompson, 5.783, 245.23
Hitchman, 9.058 seconds, 86.80 mph def. (BYE)

Final
Brounkowski, 6.026 seconds, 196.80 mph def. Hitchman, 6.260, 241.48

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1: 
Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.811 seconds, 247.93 mph def. 
Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '98 Oldsmobile, 6.729, 158.22

Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Pontiac, 5.816 seconds, 245.16 mph def. 
Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 8.426, 108.10

Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, 5.834 seconds, 240.77 mph def. 
Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 7.158, 127.38

Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '00 Pontiac, 6.008 seconds, 239.29 mph def. 
Jimmy Jones, Cleburn, Texas, '98 Camaro, 6.254 197.28

Semifinals
Branch, 5.779 seconds, 249.23 mph def. Dauzat (BROKE)
White, 5.836, 246.10 def. Simpson, 5.885, 241. 61

Final
Branch, 5.882 seconds, 248.13 mph, def. White, 5.863, 247.18

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
 Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, B/SM, '02 Cavalier, .534 reaction time, 8.334 seconds, 162.30 mph def. 
Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, A/ED, Dragster, .550, 6.912, 193.25   

SUPER STOCK
Toby Torres, El Paso, Texas, SS/CA, '88 Mustang, .519 reaction time, 9.205 seconds, 143.12 mph def. 
Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., GT/JA, '90 Camaro, .498 (foul), 10.721, 123.94  

STOCK
James Paul, Fort Worth, Texas, G/SA, '73 Duster, .506 reaction time, 11.581 seconds, 110.72 mph def. 
Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, B/S, '69 Camaro, .551, 10.695, 123.93

SUPER COMP
Mike Thomas, Burnet, Texas, .406 reaction time, 8.904 seconds def. 
Tommy Phillips, Fourney, Texas, '01 Camaro, .404, 8.911

SUPER GAS
Clark Mundt, Longview, Texas, '92 Pontiac, .424 reaction time, 9.841 seconds def. 
Frank Kohutek, Mesquite, Texas, '92 Grand Prix, .383 (foul), 9.905

SUPER STREET
Chucky Wier, Haltom City, Texas, '70 Camaro, .527 reaction time, 10.870 seconds def. 
Deborah Ridenhour, Fort Worth, Texas, '41 Willys, .487 (foul), 11.388

KERKER E.T. MOTORCYCLE 
Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, .527 reaction time, 8.176 seconds, 157.26 mph def. 
Chris Oravecz, Arlington, Texas, '81 Suzuki, .476 (foul), 9.821, 130.98 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ormsby, Branch tops in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car

DALLAS, Texas. -In the final rounds of qualifying at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series being held at Texas Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Gary Ormsby Jr. and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Tate Branch are leading their respective fields.

After an absence of more than a year, Ormsby Jr. of Auburn, Calif., seems to be making his return behind the wheel of a Top Alcohol Dragster known. He piloted his Top Alcohol Dragster to a 5.459-second pass at 239.48 mph to claim the top spot in the class. A surprise non-qualifier in the class is defending South Central Division Top Alcohol Dragster Champion Shelly Howard, of Tulsa, Okla. Typically a strong runner in the class, Howard ran an off-pace 5.750 at 249.51 which was not quick enough to qualify for the eight-car dragster field.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car Branch of Artesia, N.M., laid down a 5.808-second pass at 249.44 mph to take the lead in Funny Car. Branch, who already has one South Central Division win this year, will face Kebin Kinsley of Kennedale, Texas, in the opening round of funny car competition.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Davis Rampy of Piedmont, Ala., in Competition Eliminator; Randall Klein of Lincoln, Neb., in Super Stock; and Martin Burke of Flowermound, Texas in Stock. Each of the five low qualifiers earns a piece of the $2500 Sealed Power Low Qualifier Bonus.

Gates at Texas Motorplex will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. with eliminations set to begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled to begin at noon. For more information please contact Texas Motorplex at (972) 878-2641 or on the web at www.texasmotorplex.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Texas Motorplex and first round pairings in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1.  Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calf., 5.459 seconds,  239.48 mph 
2.  Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.503, 259.59 
3.  Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.524, 258.84 
4.  Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.556, 263.08
5.  Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.563, 255.17
6.  James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.588, 257.51
7.  Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.612, 242.52
8.  James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.648, 251.81 
    ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 
9.  Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.727, 251.81 
10.     Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.750, 249.51 
11.     Michael Bowers, Plano, Texas, 5.933, 232.49
12.     Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 6.177, 239.74 
13.     Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.469, 222.11 
14.     Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, Texas, 8.303, 163.45 
15.     David Christy, Carthage, Texas, 9.081, 154.40 
16.     Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 9.388, 82.63 
17.     Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, (DQ)

First Round Pairings:
1)  Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif. vs. 8) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas 
2)  Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif. vs. 7) Daryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif.
3)  Troy Buff, Spring, Texas vs. 6) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas
4)  Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas vs. 5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas


TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1.  Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Dodge Avenger, 5.808 seconds, 249.44 mph 
2.  Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Pontiac, 5.861, 247.18 mph 
3.  Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.967, 243.57 
4.  Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '00 Pontiac, 6.045, 240.44 
5.  Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Chevy Camaro, 6.074, 235.66
6.  Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.096, 233.34
7.  Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, Daytona, 6.222, 228.07
8.  Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '98 Oldsmobile, 6.247, 237.15
------------Not Qualified------------
9.   Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Dodge, 6.509, 218.87

First Round Pairings: 
1)  Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M. vs. 8) Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas
2)  Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill. vs. 7) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas
3)  Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas vs. 6) Thomas Frickenschmidt
4)  Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La. vs. 5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburn, Texas

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1.  David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., B/AA, '32 Bantam, 7.246 seconds, -0.574 (under index)
2.  Brian Self, Spring, Texas, B/T, '02 S-10, 8.280, -0.560 
3.  Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, Okla., C/A, '02 Chevy, 7.547, -0.543 
4.  Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, B/SM, '02 Cavalier, 8.329, -0.521 
5.  Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, D/AA, '02 S-10, 7.926, -0.494 
6.  James Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., PSTA, '02 Dakota, 7.826, -0.494 
7.  Bob Haynes, Pilot Point, Texas, C/ED, Dragster, 7.524, -0.486
8.  Mike Trumble Jr., Pasadena, Texas, A/SM, '01 Grand Am, 8.166, -0.484 
9.  Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., C/D, Dragster, 7.145, -0.465 
10. Joe Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, F/ED, Dragster, 8.526, -0.464

SUPER STOCK
1.  Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA, '56 Nomad, 11.341 seconds, -1.109 (under index) 
2.  Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, SS/BM, '98 Grand Am, 8.601, -1.099 
3.  Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, GT/MA, '86 Monte Carlo, 11.038, -1.012
4.  Dan Larson, St Paul Minn., SS/KA, '85 Camaro, 10.555, -0.995
5.  Red LeBlanc, Bartlett Tenn., SS/G, '69 Mustang, 9.768, -0.982
6.  Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., GT/JA, '90 Camaro, 10.684, -0.966 
7.  Sid Bonnecarrere, Gray, La., SS/AA, '68 Dart, 9.047, -0.953
8.  Shaun LeBlanc, Bartlett, Tenn., GT/A, '88 Mustang, 9.388, -0.912
9.  Larry Stewart Jr., Clinton, Miss., SS/GA, '66 Nova, 9.950, -0.900
10. Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., GT/JA, '91 Calais, 10.759, -0.891 
 
STOCK
1.  Martin Burke, Flowermound, Texas, C/SA, '69 Mustang, 10.575 seconds,  -1.125 (under index) 
2.  Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '90 Trans Am, 11.873, -1.077 
3.  Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., I/S, '86 Chevy, 11.438, -1.062 
4.  Robert Murray, Onalaska, Texas, CT/SA, '00 Dakota, 12.000, -1.050 
5.  Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '90 Firebird, 11.906, -1.044
6.  Matt Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., D/SA, '69 Torino, 10.831, -1.019
7.  Justin Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '85 Camaro, 11.948, -1.002
8.  Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Tenn., I/S, '93 Mustang, 11.526, -0.974 
9.  Jeffrey Johnson, Englewood, Colo., '67 Mustang, E/SA, 11.040, -0.960 
10. Greg Hill, Tyler, Texas, '71 Camaro, F/SA, 11.213, -0.937

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ormsby and White lead Top Alcohol fields after first day of qualifying

DALLAS, Texas. -In the opening rounds of qualifying at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series being held at Texas Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Gary Ormsby Jr. and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Marc White are leading their respective fields.

Ormsby Jr. of Auburn, Calif., piloted his Top Alcohol Dragster to a 5.459-second pass at 239.48 mph to claim the top spot in the class while in Top Alcohol Funny Car Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill., laid down a 5.861-second pass at 247.18 mph to take the lead in Funny Car.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Robert Freeman of Oklahoma City, Okla., in Competition Eliminator; Randall Klein of Lincoln, Neb., in Super Stock; and Martin Burke of Flower Mound, Texas, in Stock.

Gates at Texas Motorplex will open tomorrow at 8 a.m. with qualifying set to continue at 9 a.m. Final qualifying sessions for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. For more information please contact Texas Motorplex at (972) 878-2641 or on the web at www.texasmotorplex.com.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1.  Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calf., 5.459 seconds,  239.48 mph 
2.  Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.503, 259.59 
3.  Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.524, 258.84 
4.  Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.612, 240.44 
5.  Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.616, 258.47 
6.  Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.634, 253.66 
7.  James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.648, 251.81 
8.  Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.750, 249.51 
    ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 
9.   James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.809, 246.98 
10.  Michael Bowers, Plano, Texas, 5.998, 232.49 
11.  Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 6.177, 239.74 
12.  Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.571, 213.52  
13.  Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, Texas, 8.340,  128.60 
14.  Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 13.380, 78.47 
15.  Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas ( DQ)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1.  Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Pontiac, 5.861 seconds, 247.18 mph 
2.  Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Dodge Avenger, 5.965, 248.48 
3.  Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Dodge Avenger, 6.033, 238.72 
4.  Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '00 Pontiac, 6.138, 235.72 
5.  Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Chevy Camaro, 6.269, 228.42 
6.  Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.554, 163.10 
7.  Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '98 Oldsmobile, 6.851, 217.23 
------------Not Qualified------------
8. Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, Daytona (DQ) 

COMP ELIMINATOR
1.  Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, Okla., C/A, '02 Chevy, 7.547 seconds, -0.543 (under index) 
2.  David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., B/AA, '32 Bantam, 7.304, -0.516 
3.  Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, D/AA, '02 S-10, 7.926, -0.494 
4.  James Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., PST/A, '02 Dakota, 7.826, -0.494 
5.  Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., C/D, Dragster, 7.145, -0.465 
6.  Joe Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, F/ED, Dragster, 8.526, -0.464 
7.  Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, A/ED, Dragster, 6.910, -0.440 
8.  Mike Trumble Jr., Pasadena, Texas, A/SM, '01 Grand Am, 8.223, -0.427 
9.  Brian Self, Spring, Texas, B/T,  '02 S-10, 8.420, -0.420 
10. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ariz.., C/ED, Dragster, 7.598, -0.412 

SUPER STOCK
1.  Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA, '56 Nomad, 11.341 seconds, -1.109 (under index) 
2.  Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, SS/BM, '98 Grand Am, 8.617, -1.083 
3.  Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, GT/MA, '86 Monte Carlo, 11.038, -1.012 
4.  Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., GT/JA, '90 Camaro, 10.684, -0.966 
5.  Dan Larson, St Paul, Minn., SS/KA, '85 Camaro, 10.599, -0.951 
6.  Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., GT/JA, '91 Calais, 10.759, -0.891 
7.  Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., GT/IA, '91 Calais, 10.644, -0.856
8.  Elisha Boyd, Sumrall, Miss., GT/CA, '99 S-10, 9.866, -0.834 
9.  Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas,, SS/JA, '96 Firebird, 10.472, -0.828 
10. Kandra Weber, Dacono, Colo., SS/MA, '88 Cutlass, 11.342, -0.808 

STOCK
1.  Martin Burke, Flowermound, Texas, C/SA, '69 Mustang, 10.575 seconds,  -1.125 (under index) 
2.  Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '90 Trans Am, 11.873, -1.077 
3.  Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., I/S, '86 Chevy, 11.438, -1.062 
4.  Robert Murray, Onalaska, Texas, CT/SA, '00 Dakota, 12.000, -1.050 
5.  Bub Miller, Edwardsville, Kan., E/S, '94 Camaro, 10.933, -1.017 
6.  Matt Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., D/SA, '69 Torino, 10.837, -1.013 
7.  Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '90 Firebird, 11.949, -1.001 
8.  Martin Wilkes, Derby, Kan., '69 Fairlane, 10.849, -1.001
9.  Justin Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '85 Camaro, 11.965, -0.985 
10. Jeffrey Johnson, Englewood, Co., E/SA, '67 Mustang, 11.040,  -0.960