FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Branch, Gunderson score Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series wins

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The final rounds of the Spring Sportsman Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park, had nine drivers putting a mark in the win column for the first time this season. In both the Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) and in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) finals, the No. 1 qualifiers were defeated. TAFC pilot Tate Branch beat Von Smith and in TAD, Michael Gunderson took the win over Keith Stark.

The only driver in the final rounds of the alcohol classes to claim the South Central Division as his home is Branch, who hails from Artesia, N.M. Branch drove his 2001 Avenger to victory with 5.905-second, 247.25-mph pass. Oak Ridge, Tenn., resident Smith shut his 2001 Firebird off after nosing over the centerline just past the 200-foot mark.

Reigning Southeast Division TAD champion Gunderson from Middleburg, Fla., picked up his first victory with a 5.790-second, 255.87-mph pass to Stark's 6.166-second, 200.80-mph effort. Stark is from Danville, Ill.

Winners in other categories were Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., in Comp Eliminator; Larry Stewart of Clinton, Miss., in Super Stock; Al Corda of Elk Mound, Wis., in Stock; Dan Phelps of Labadle, Mo., in Super Comp; Jesse Glenn of Memphis, Tenn., in Super Gas; Bryan Sandlin of Baytown, Texas, in Super Street; and Wiliam Keeler of San Antonio, Texas, in Sportsman Motorcycle.

South Central Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will have their next opportunity to earn points toward national and divisional championships April 19-21 at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas.

Following are final round results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Memphis Motorsports Park, including round-by-round information for TAD and TAFC:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
First Round
1) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.389 seconds, 252.76 mph def. 
8) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.794, 251.49

7) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.506, 262.59 def. 
2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 8.177, 105.27 

3) Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 6.143, 175.43 vs. 
6) Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 13.297, 55.69

5) Lee Calaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.755, 133.68 def. 
4) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 10.292, 72.72

Semifinals
Gunderson, 6.837, 152.12 def. Ormsby, BROKE
Stark, 5.703, 224.92 def. Callaway, 6.837, 152.12

Finals
Gunderson, 5.790, 255.87 def. Stark, 6.166, 200.80

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
First round
1) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Firebird, 5.906 seconds, 214.79 mph
def. BYE

7) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '01 Avenger, 6.027, 242.71 def. 
2) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 6.927, 127.98

3) Marc White, Glendale, Ill., '01 Pontiac, 5.880, 240.29 def. 
6) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Pontiac, 6.566, 213.10

5) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 14.435, 53.32 def.
4) Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '98 Pontiac, BROKE

Semifinals
Branch, 5.894, 248.75 (.441 rt) def. White, 5.855, 250.41 (.491 rt)
Smith, 6.101, 243.19 def. Frickenschmidt, 6.459, 225.82

Finals
Branch, 5.905, 247.25 def. Smith, 14.668, 52.15

COMP ELIMINATOR
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac, D/SM, 8.875, 129.69 mph def. 
Michael Johnson, Lowell, Ark., '95 dragster, C/ED, 7.685,
141.02

SUPER STOCK
Larry Stewart, Clinton, Miss., '67 Chevy, SS/GA, 9.897, 128.09 def. 
Mike Cates, Milan, Tenn., '68 Camaro, SS/E, 9.685, 138.36

STOCK
Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, C/SA, 10.509, 123.64 def. 
Chris Jackson, Epps, La., '69 Chevy, H/SA, 11.606, 108.16

SUPER COMP
Dan Phelps, Labadle, Mo., '01 dragster, 8.962, 166.15 def. 
Carl Cochran, Bossier City, La., '00 dragster, 8.896, 171.12

SUPER GAS
Jesse Glenn, Memphis, Tenn., '91 Beretta, 9.885, 150.36 def. 
Don Holcomb, Crosby, Texas, '97 Monte Carlo, 9.873, 150.15

SUPER STREET
Bryan Sandlin, Baytown, Texas, '78 Camaro, 10.906, 137.27 def. 
G.S. Abbott, Strawn, Texas, '76 Vega, 10.909, 138.03

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
William Keeler, San Antonio, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, 9.271, 139.65 def. 
Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, 8.064, 159.82

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Qualifying wraps up; eliminations set for Sunday

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Qualifying has concluded at the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge at Memphis Motorsports Park. In Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Keith Stark bumped Shelly Howard from the top spot while in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) Von Smith led all day.

In the first round of TAD qualifying, Howard, a registered nurse from Tulsa, Okla., made a 5.416-second pass right out of the gate. At the end of that session Stark was on the outside looking in at the eight-car field. But by the end of the final qualifying round, the Danville, Ill., resident had jumped past all 12 other competitors with a 5.363-second, 260.51-mph effort.

Former IHRA national champion Von Smith, who is in his second year of NHRA competition, took the No. 1 qualifying spot in the first session and never looked back. Smith, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., qualified with a 5.772-second, 245.05-mph pass.

Comp Eliminator veteran Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., took the No. 1 qualifying spot away from La Grange, Texas' Scott Benham. In Super Stock, Shorter, Ala., resident Bob Dennis maintained the lead he had yesterday. And, finally, in Stock, Elk Mound, Wis., resident Al Corda bumped Charlie Ingram of Humble, Texas, from the top berth.

Racing continues tomorrow at Memphis Motorsports Park as this round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series moves into eliminations. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the action on the track starts at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to begin eliminations at noon.

Sunday tickets are $20. Children under 12 are admitted free with at paid adult. For more information call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223, or visit the web site, www.memphismotorsports.com.

Following is Saturday's final qualifying for the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, including first round pairings for TAD and TAFC:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.363 seconds, 260.51 mph vs. 
8) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.677, 255.87

2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.416, 257.24 vs. 
7) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.671, 255.58

3) Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 5.612, 237.09 vs. 
6) Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.650, 248.98

4) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.617, 250.60 vs. 
5) Lee Calaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.642, 251.86   
    
Not Qualified
9) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.690, 247.57
10) Ben Marshall, Tipp City, Ohio, 5.798, 247.93
11) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 6.002, 196.64
12) Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 9.623, 90.19
13) Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 14.879, 57.31

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Firebird, 5.772 seconds, 245.05 mph vs. BYE

2) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 5.911, 244.92 vs. 
7) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '01 Avenger, 8.195, 104.28

3) Marc White, Glendale, Ill., '01 Pontiac, 5.918, 233.16 vs. 
6) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Pontiac, 7.893, 147.31

4) Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '98 Pontiac, 6.419, 234.53 vs. 
5) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 7.504, 126.80

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac, B/SM, 8.487 seconds, -0.723 under index
2. Roger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SM, 8.312, -0.678
3. Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '96 Lumina, G/A, 8.584, -0.656
4. Scott Benham, LaGrange, Texas, '02 S-10, B/T, 8.215, -0.655
5. Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, dragster, C/D, 6.983, -0.647
6. Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., '91 Cavalier, F/A, 8.223, -0.647
7. Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., dragster, C/D, 6.991,  -0.639
8. Joe Swearengin, Overland Park, Kan., '97 Cutlass, D/EA, 8.388,  -0.632
9. Bob Haynes, Pilot Pt., Texas, dragster, C/ED, 7.410, -0.600
10. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., dragster, C/ED, 7.415, -0.595

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala.,'97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.818 seconds,  -1.232 under index
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb.,'56 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.238, -1.212
3. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn.,'96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.823, -1.177
4. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas,'96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.126, -1.174
5. Buz Post, Arlington, Texas,'98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.530, -1.170
6. Red LeBlanc, Bartlett Tenn.,'69 Mustang, SS/G, 9.586, -1.164
7. Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn.,'67 Chevy, SS/G, 9.592, -1.158
8. Ken Vaughn, Columbia, Tenn.,'68 Camaro, SS/D, 9.452, -1.048
9. Blair Patrick, Jasper, Tenn., '68 Mustang, SS/EA, 9.559, -1.091
10. Sid Bonnecarre, Gray, La., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.920, -1.080 

STOCK
1. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis.,'01 Firebird, C/SA, 10.332 seconds, 1.368 under index
2. Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky.,'79 Aspen, I/SA, 11.267, -1.333
3. Charlie Ingram, Santa Fe, Tenn., '91 Corvette, J/SA, 11.438, -1.312
4. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, K/S, 11.574, -1.276
5. Martin Burke, Flowermound, Texas,'69 Mustang, C/SA, 10.425, -1.275
6. George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn.,'78 Plymouth, J/SA, 11.482, -1.268
7. Stefan Bourg, Houma, La., '97 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.396, -1.254
8. Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., '97 Dodge Ram, ET/SA, 11.997, -1.253
9. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La.,'90 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.720, -1.230
10. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.327,  -1.223

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying cut short at Memphis Motorsports Park

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Cold temperatures forced officials to pull Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) and Comp Eliminator qualifying from the schedule of the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Super Stock and Stock competitors made qualifying laps and the Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street and Sportsman Motorcycle classes ran time trials. However, NHRA and track officials felt the track was too cold to run the higher horsepower vehicles.

"While we had sun on the track the surface heated up enough to run cars," said NHRA Division Director Craig Hutchinson. "But the temperature was expected to drop again in the late afternoon about the time the alcohol cars were scheduled to run so we felt it was safest to cancel them altogether. The weather looks good for the rest of the weekend so we decided to play it safe."

Bob Dennis of Shorter, Ala., is currently leading the Super Stock qualifying. Dennis drove his 1997 Firehawk GT/MA to a 10.818-second run, on a 12.05-second index. In Stock, Santa Fe, Tenn., resident Charles Ingram is No. 1. Ingram made an 11.438-second pass in his 1991 Corvette J/SA on a 12.75-second index.

Qualifying in the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates at Memphis Motorsports Park open at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

General admission tickets for the event are $20 each Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, contact Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223, or visit the web site, www.memphismotorsports.com.

Following is Friday's qualifying for the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., 1997 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.818 seconds, -1.232 under index
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., 1956 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.253, -1.197
3. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, 1996 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.126,  -1.174
4. Red LeBlanc, Bartlett Tenn., 1969 Mustang, SS/G, 9.594, -1.156
5. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., 1996 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.870, -1.130
6. Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., 1967 Chevy, SS/G, 9.627, -1.123
7. Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, 1998 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.603, -1.097
8. Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., 2001 S-10, GT/TC, 10.381, -1.069
9. Gilbert Johnson Jr., Arabi, La., 1991 Calais, GT/JA, 10.95, -1.055
10. Kenneth Vaughn, Columbia, Tenn., 1968 Camaro, SS/D, 9.452, -1.048

STOCK
1. Charles Ingram, Santa Fe, Tenn., 1991 Covette, J/SA, 11.438 seconds, -1.312 under index
2. Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., 1979 Aspen, I/SA, 11.345, -1.255
3. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., 1990 Pontiac, K/SA, 11.270, -1.230
4. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., 2001 Firebird, C/SA, 10.484, -1.216
5. George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn., 1978 Plymouth, J/SA, 11.544, -1.206
6. Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Texas, 1993 Mustang, I/S, 11.321, -1.179
7. Bob Gipson, Bettendorf, Iowa, 1965 Biscayne, P/S, 12.520, -1.130
8. Nathan Davis, Hernando, Miss., 2001 Camaro, F/SA, 11.025, -1.125
9. Gary Duncan, Olive Branch, Miss., 1985 Camaro, K/SA, 11.859,  -1.091
10. Martin Burke, Flowermound, Texas, 1969 Mustang, C/SA, 10.628,  -1.072