FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jones, Stidham make first trip to winner's circle

TOPEKA, Kan. - Top Alcohol Dragster driver Paul Jones and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Jackie Stidham both visited the winner's circle for the first time this season at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka.

Before this event, Jones, a resident of Stockton, Calif., had made it to one final round in five races. Jones was the No. 1 qualifier and defeated Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla., and David Wells of LeMars, Iowa, on his way to victory. In the final against Wells, who broke on the burnout, Jones made a 5.634-second, 257.73-mph pass.

Chickasha, Okla., resident Stidham made his season debut this weekend. He qualified third and defeated No. 1 qualifier Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa, in the final. In that round, Chesterman had the advantage at the start but Stidham was able to drive around him with a 5.920-second, 241.20-mph run.

Joining Jones and Stidham in the winner's circle were Robert Freeman in Comp Eliminator; Bill Rowe Jr. in Super Stock; Dan Jaska in Stock; Chad Sandlin in Super Comp; Jerry Aragon in Super Gas; Tim Walker in Super Street; and Jeff Lanoue in Sportsman Motorcycle.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.466 seconds, 264.70 mph def. 
8) ChrisRicketts, N. Kansas City, Mo., 5.560, 247.38

alternate) Ed Schmeekle, Gothernburg, Utah, 5.889, 229.24 def. 
2) Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 14.197, 45.58     
  
3) David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.585, 252.61 def. 
6) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, 5.778, 246.66

4) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 6.657, 144.12 def. 
5) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., broke, no time recorded

Semi-Finals
Wells, 5.719, 248.16 def. Schmeekle, broke, no time recorded
Jones, 5.684, 256.94 def. Howard, 5.779, 246.03

Final Round
Jones, 5.634, 257.73 def. Wells, broke, no time recorded

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.989, 239.19 def. 
8) Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 12.545, 63.38

2) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Pontiac, 5.863, 246.03 def. 
7) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 6.261, 216.31

3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.809, 240.98 def. 
6) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.084, 235.97 

4) Tom Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.1880, 223.95 def. 
5) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.304, 233.16

Semi-Finals
Chesterman, 5.991, 238.81 def. Frickenschmidt, no time recorded
Stidham, 5.860, 242.23 def. Moats, 6.060, 242.02

Final Round
Stidham, 5.920, 241.20 def. Chesterman, 6.015, 241.15

COMP ELIMINATOR
Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.689 e.t., 178.00 mph
def. Jeff Perella, Hibbing, Minn., roadster, A/EA, 7.611, 171.73

SUPER STOCK
Bill Rowe Jr., Eureka, Mo., '67 Nova, SS/GA, 10.186, 126.85 def. Rick Ryan,
Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.608, 112.42

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Dan Jaska, Eagan, Minn., '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.736, (no speed available)
def. Kevin Borgstrom, Oakdale, Minn., '69 Chevelle, B/SA, 11.079, (no speed
available)

SUPER COMP
Chad Sandlin, Burleson, Texas, '02 dragster, 8.922, 167.68 def. Brian
Johnson, Ramsey, Minn., '99 dragster, 8.871, 160.04

SUPER GAS
Jerry Aragon, Denver, '99 Firebird, 9.927, 148.28 def. Mike Burkhart, Dodge
City, Kan., '34 roadster, 9.851, 142.51

SUPER STREET
Tim Walker, Salida, Colo., '62 Chevy II, 11.040, 107.90 def. Robert
Huffman, Rossville, Kan., '69 Camaro, 14.635, 103.19

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Jeff Lanoue, Zimmerman, Minn., '88 Kawasaki, 8.672, 133.09 def. Donnie
Durenberger, Dayton, Minn., '93 Shorewood, 10.151, 123.98

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Qualifying complete, fields set at Heartland Park Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. - In the final rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka Paul Jones in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), and Cy Chesterman in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) held onto the No. 1 qualifying positions heading into Sunday's eliminations.

Jones' initial effort of 5.460 seconds at 260.46 mph held up throughout the day. Tomorrow, the Stockton, Calif., resident will face off against No. 8 qualifier Chris Ricketts of N. Kansas City, Mo., in the first round of eliminations.

Chesterman, of Sioux City, Iowa, did not improve on Friday's run either, but the 5.786-second, 249.16-mph pass withstood the competition. In the first round of eliminations, the defending division TAFC champion will face Muskogee, Okla., resident, Bob Alberty.

In Comp Eliminator qualifying, Hibbing, Minn., resident Jeff Perella, who came into the day qualified No. 5, improved enough to take the No. 1 spot from Paul Anderson. Super Stock competitor Rick Ryan of Aberdeen, S.D., overtook the No. 1 qualifying spot while in Stock, Robert Shaw of Sedalia, Mo., maintained his pole position.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues Sunday. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m., when the gates open at Heartland Park Topeka. Tickets, including pit pass, are $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information call the track, (800) 43-RACES, or visit the web site, www.HTP.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results, including tomorrow's first-round pairings in TAD and TAFC, from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.460 seconds, 260.46 mph
2. Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 5.605, 222.29
3. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.610, 254.57
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.649, 253.61
5. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.655, 250.97
6. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.676, 249.16
7. Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.702, 245.00
8. Chris Ricketts, N. Kansas City, Mo., 5.716, 245.99                      
Not Qualified
9. Ed Schmeekle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.929, 210.21
10. Ziggy Zivkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.179, 241.07
11. Brian Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 6.398, 204.94
12. Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 6.413, 239.27
13. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.947, 112.81

Sunday's TAD pairings
1) Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.460 seconds, 260.46 mph vs. 
8) Chris Ricketts, N. Kansas City, Mo., 5.716, 245.99

2) Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 5.605, 222.29 vs. 
7) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.702, 245.00  

3) David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.610, 254.57 vs. 
6) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.676, 249.16

4) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.649, 253.61 vs. 
5) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.655, 250.97

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.786 seconds, 249.16 mph
2. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Pontiac, 5.818, 247.84
3. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.883, 244.12
4. Tom Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.077, 223.69
5. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.091, 240.34
6. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.098, 230.25
7. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 6.629, 176.07
8. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 8.331, 110.56               
Not Qualified
9. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Pontiac, 12.075, 85.05               

Sunday's TAFC pairings
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.786, 249.16 vs. 
8) Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 8.331, 110.56

2) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Pontiac, 5.818, 247.84 vs. 
7) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 6.629, 176.07

3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.883, 244.12 vs. 
6) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.098, 230.25

4) Tom Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.077, 223.69 vs. 
5) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.091, 240.34


COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Jeff Perella, Hibbing, Minn., '32 roadster, A/EA, 7.478 seconds, -0.522 under index
2. Paul Anderson, Erie, Colo., dragster, E/ED, 7.459, -0.551 
3. Nathan Martin, Ft. Worth, Texas, '63 Corvette, A/PM, 6.525, -0545
4. Bob Yonke, Grandbury, Texas, '01 S-10, PST, 7.580, -0.540
5. Doug Engels, Watertown, SD, dragster D/ED, 7.476, -0.534
6. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '23 roadster, A/A, 6.802, -0.528
7. Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.578, -0.512
8. Lou Ficco, Wheatridge, Colo., '00 Chevy, PST, 7.612, -0.508
9. Bill Riemenapp, Lacrosse, Wis., '97 Firebird, C/EA, 8.430, -0.500
10. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., dragster, A/ED, 6.868, -0.482

SUPER STOCK
1. Rick Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.328 seconds, -1.122 under index
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.415, -1.035 
3. Michael Tueffel, Englewood, Colo., '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.737, -0.963
4. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.589, -0.961
5. Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '02 S-10, GT/TC, 10.493, -0.957
6. Ernie Penner, Osborne, Neb., '99 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.696, -0.949
7. Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., '90 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.701, -0.915
8. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.245, -0.905
9. Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.397, -0.903
10. Chad Guilford, Highlands Rch., Colo., '84 CamaroXX, GT/EA, 10.061,
-0.889 

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Robert Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., '85 El Camino, V/SA, 14.400 seconds, -1.400 under index
2. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, D/SA, 10.630, -1.220
3. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., '88 Mustang, M/S, 12.013, -1.137
4. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '86 Camaro, I/S, 11.386, -1.114
5. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, K/S, 11.741, -1.109
6. Mike Cotton, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, H/SA, 11.447, -1.003
7. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.548, -1.002
8. Jeff Johnson, Englewood, Colo., '71 Mustang, E/SA, 11.003, -0.997
9. Jim Parsons, Kearney, Mo., '66 Nova, G/S, 11.247, -0.953
10. Paula Cotton, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.363, -0.937

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying under way at Heartland Park Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. - In the first rounds of qualifying in NHRA's West Central Division's season opener at Heartland Park Topeka, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver Paul Jones and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) pilot Cy Chesterman took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Jones, of Stockton, Calif., outran the field with a pass of 5.460 seconds at 260.46 mph. And Sioux City, Iowa, resident Chesterman made a 5.786-second, 249.16-mph run to take the pole.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Paul Anderson of Erie, Colo., in Comp Eliminator; Randall Klein of Lincoln, Neb., in Super Stock; and Robert Shaw of Sedalia, Mo., in Stock.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues Saturday at Heartland Park Topeka at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information call Heartland Park Topeka, (800) 43-RACES.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.460 seconds, 260.46 mph
2. Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Calif., 5.605, 222.29
3. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.652, 253.33
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.700, 251.02
5. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.720, 244.25
6. Ed Schmeekle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.929, 210.21 
7. Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 6.163, 225.56
8. Ziggy Zigkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.179, 241.07                       
Not Qualified
9. Chris Ricketts, N. Kansas City, Mo., 6.392, 249.26
10. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 15.653, 46.05
11. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., DQ

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.786 seconds, 249.16 mph
2. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Pontiac, 5.818, 247.84
3. Tom Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '00 Firebird, 6.077, 223.69
4. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.098, 230.25
5. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 6.629, 176.07
6. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 9.187, 90.61
7. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 10.890, 81.32
8. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Pontiac, 12.075, 85.05               
Not Qualified
9. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 12.779, 56.70

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Paul Anderson, Erie, Colo., dragster, E/ED, 7.459 seconds, -0.551 under index
2. Bob Yonke, Grandbury, Texas, '01 S-10, PST, 7.580, -0.540
3. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '23 roadster, A/A, 6.802, -0.528
4. Lou Ficco, Wheatridge, Colo., '00 Chevy, PST, 7.612, -0.508
5. Jeff Perella, Hibbing, Minn., '32 roadster, A/EA, 7.524, -0.506
6. Bill Riemenapp, Lacrosse, Wis., '97 Firebird, C/EA, 8.430, -0.500
7. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., dragster, A/ED, 6.868, -0.482
8. Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '00 Firebird, B/A, 7.319, -0.481
9. Lucky Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '62 Alpine, F/A, 8.392, -0.478
10. Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.615, -0.475

SUPER STOCK
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.415 seconds, -1.035 under index
2. Rick Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.424, -1.026
3. Michael Tueffel, Englewood, Colo., '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.737, -0.963
4. Ernie Penner, Osborne, Neb., '99 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.696, -0.954
5. Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '02 S-10, GT/TC, 10.514, -0.936
6. Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., '90 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.735, -0.915
7. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.245, -0.905
8. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.645, -0.905
9. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.414, -0.886
10. Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.459, -0.841

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Robert Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., '85 El Camino, V/SA, 14.429 seconds, -1.371 under index
2. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '86 Camaro, I/S, 11.386, -1.114
3. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, K/S, 11.741, -1.109
4. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., '88 Mustang, M/S, 12.043, -1.107
5. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, D/SA, 10.748, -1.102
6. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.548, -1.002
7. Jeff Johnson, Englewood, Colo., '71 Mustang, E/SA, 11.003, -0.997
8. Jim Parsons, Kearney, Mo., '66 Nova, G/S, 11.247, -0.953
9. Steven Hall, Sweeney, Texas, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.679, -0.871
10. Jon Wacholtz, Austin, Minn., '72 Lemans, F/SA, 11.299, -0.851