FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Johnson sweeps Canadian Lucas Oil Events

Calgary, Alta. - Racing concluded at the NHRA Canadian Nationals with Brandon Johnson in Top Alcohol Dragster and Roger Bateman in Top Alcohol Funny Car taking wins at Race City Motorsport Park.

The Top Alcohol Dragster final featured a battle of the top two qualifiers, Johnson of Shelton, Wash., and Mitch Myers of Hermiston, Ore.

"It's awesome, ain't that the way its supposed to be," stated Johnson. In the final, the Shelton, Wash., resident earned the win lights on a 5.718 second, 248.07 mph run to earn his second career event win. The rookie Top Alcohol Dragster pilot earned wins at both NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events held in Canada this year. His other win was at Mission Raceway Park on June 22.

"I was a little nervous heading into the final because Myers had beaten me in Seattle," said Johnson. "Overall, Canada has treated us well."

An all-Canadian Top Alcohol Funny Car final featured Bateman of Calgary, Alta., waging battle against John Evanchuk of Edmonton, Alta.. Unfortunately, the blower drive on Evanchuk's Top Alcohol Funny Car broke after his burnout, giving Bateman the easy win.

Despite being qualified fourth heading into today's eliminations, Bateman posted two of the three best elapsed times for the event with his runs on Sunday. In the first round, Bateman set low e.t. in his class with a 6.140 second run.

"We just made some small adjustments," said the Top Alcohol Funny Car racer. "It was just a small clutch adjustment and a small fuel change."

Winners in other categories are Richard Dingle of Olympia, Wash., in Comp; Terry Anderson of Meridian, Idaho, in Super Stock; Ed Matlejewski of Sherwood Park, Alta., in Stock; John Schmidt of Sherwood Park, Alta., in Super Gas; and Randy Modersohn of St. Albert, Alta., in Super Street.

Rob Murphy of Hope, B.C., also took the win in Top Comp and Brian Hudson of Kennewich, Wash., earned the win in NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series competition.

Northwest Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will head next to Renegade Raceways in Yakima, Wash., August 23-25, for race six of seven in divisional competition. For more information, call Renegade Raceways at (509) 877-4621.

The following are final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Race City Motorsport Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.712, 248.00 def. 
8) Nathan Sitko, Edmonton, Alta., 6.519, 205.76 

2) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.704, 240.32 def. 
7) William Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 5.889, 232.07 

3) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.798, 245.43 def. 
6) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 6.058, 231.95 

4) Michael Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.835, 244.76 def. 
5) Paul Julien, Mission, B.C., 5.921, 235.47 

Semifinals 
Johnson, 5.671, 250.27 def. Cofini, 5.749, 245.49 
Myers, 5.735, 233.22 def. Severance, 5.831, 241.74 

Final 
Johnson, 5.718, 248.07 def. Myers, 5.844, 229.35 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
8) Danny Fillion, Sherwood Park, Alta., '95 Probe, 6.618, 198.10 def. 
1) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 7.287, 139.86

2) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.359, 227.38 def. 
7) Kevin Therres, Humboldt, Sask., '98 Achieva, 11.444, 77.00

3) Ken Kraus, Great Falls, Mont., '01 Trans Am, 6.425, 223.93 def. 
6) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Mustang, 6.408, 222.44

4) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.140, 237.59 def. 
5) Tim Nemeth, Surrey, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.564, 221.83

Semifinals 
Bateman, 6.240, 235.60 def. Fillion, 6.816, 204.22 
Evanchuk, 6.245, 230.12 def. Kraus, 6.425, 223.93 

Final 
Bateman, 6.202, 235.78 def. Evanchuk, did not run 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Richard Dingle, Olympia, Wash., '90 Swindahl, C/ED, 7.938 seconds, 167.16 mph def. 
Rob Harrison, N. Vancouver, B.C., '91 Beretta, J/A, 8.429, 156.41

SUPER STOCK 
Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, '67 Nova, SS/H, 10.689, 116.62 def. 
Rod Hanner, Calgary, Alta., '70 Cuda, SS/EA, 10.671, 102.88

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Ed Matlejewski, Sherwood Park, Alta., '71 Chevy, I/SA, 12.764, 103.18 def. 
James Quan, Sherwood Park, Alta., '68 GT Shelby, B/SA, 11.411, 116.58

SUPER COMP 
Garth Giroux, Canyon Creek, Alta., '98 AE, 9.226, 160.65 def. 
Howard Johnson, Graham, Wash., '00 Undercover, 9.047, 161.46

SUPER GAS 
John Schmidt, Sherwood Park, Alta., '71 Demon, 10.317, 125.89 def.
Brian Bond, Calgary, Alta., 10.155, 94.94 

SUPER STREET 
Randy Modersohn, St. Albert, Alta., '67 Chevy, 11.270, 124.51 def. 
Ron Cross, Springfield, Oregon, '67 Camaro, 11.277, 123.57

TOP COMP 
Rob Murphy, Hope, B.C., '90 Daytona, 7.940, 178.74 def. 
Ken Neibauer, Billings, Mont., '95 Firebird, 8.044, 169.71 

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES 
Brian Hudson, Kennewich, Wash., '80 Suzuki, 9.435, 134.50 def. 
Steve Cross, Calgary, Alta., '82 Suzuki, 9.650, 129.21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Johnson and Coolidge earn top qualifiers for first time

Calgary, Alta. - The final day of qualifying at the NHRA Canadian Nationals at Race City Motorsport Park witnessed Brandon Johnson and Hank Coolidge hold onto the top qualifier position and head into tomorrow's eliminations in the top spot for the first time in their career.

Warmer track conditions during Saturday afternoon's qualifying session prevented both classes from matching numbers similar to last night, but the racers who set low e.t. in the afternoon session ended up qualifying number two. Competitors anxiously awaited Saturday evening's session as cooler temperatures were forecasted, but weather conditions ended racing early.

"We've been a little bit off on our tune-up," said Top Alcohol Dragster racer Joey Severance. "This run was going to be used to try to improve our position."

Johnson of Shelton, Wash., will enter tomorrow's eliminations as the top qualifier, while Mitch Myers of Hermiston, Ore., will be qualified number two after making a 5.657 second, 232.43 mph pass today.

"We're tickled to death that we can run in this heat and this altitude," said Myers. "I have no complaints. We'll just take it one round at a time."

John Evanchuk of Edmonton, Alta., ran low e.t. on Saturday with a 6.307, 225.73 mph pass, but fell short of Coolidge's run of 6.189-second, 226.87 mph pass on Friday. This is the fourth race that Evanchuk is in the driver's seat for the Grotek team, taking over for former driver Rod Clough.

"We're really close to the right set-up," said Evanchuk. "I'm starting to get really comfortable in it. Its starting to feel like home."

Top qualifiers in other categories are Rob Harrison of N. Vancouver, B.C., in Comp; Allyn Lee of Red Deer, Alta., in Super Stock; and Randy Hutchings of Calgary, Alta., in Stock.

Northwest National Open Super Pro points leader David Leslie was cleared by Rockyview Hospital medical officials this afternoon. Mechanical failure caused the Calgary, Alta., resident's '71 Maverick to lose control approximately 1000 feet down the track, causing the vehicle to barrel roll six times before coming to a halt. Except for a few bruises, the Super Pro racer was in good spirits when he returned to the track.

"The NHRA and Race City officials were professional and terrific, they really took care of me," said Leslie. "I will be thanking each one of them personally."

Gates open for the final day of racing at the NHRA Canadian Nationals at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. and round one of Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is scheduled for 1 p.m. For more information, call Race City Motorsport at (403) 275-1704 or visit www.racecity.com.

The following are final qualifying results and first round pairings in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Race City Motorsport Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.651 seconds, 251.11 mph 
2) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.657, 232.43 
3) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.762, 247.52 
4) Michael Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.894, 242.91 
5) Paul Julien, Mission, B.C., 5.963, 235.66 
6) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 6.051, 236.40 
7) Serge Dion, Edmonton, Alta., 6.261, 206.51 
8) Nathan Sitko, Edmonton, Alta., 6.559, 203.48 

Not Qualified 
9) William Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 7.421, 115.00 

Round 1 
1) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.651, 251.11 vs. 
8) Nathan Sitko, Edmonton, Alta., 6.559, 203.48 

2) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.657, 232.43 vs. 
7) Serge Dion, Edmonton, Alta., 6.261, 206.51 

3) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.762, 247.52 vs. 
6) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 6.051, 236.40 

4) Michael Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.894, 242.91 vs. 
5) Paul Julien, Mission, B.C., 5.963, 235.66 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.189 seconds, 226.87 mph 
2) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.307, 225.73 
3) Ken Kraus, Great Falls, Mont., '01 Trans Am, 6.360, 228.02 
4) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.424, 227.50 
5) Tim Nemeth, Surrey, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.491, 201.83 
6) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Mustang, 6.669, 202.97 
7) Kevin Therres, Humboldt, Sask., '98 Achieva, 6.711, 227.84 
8) Danny Fillion, Sherwood Park, Alta., '95 Probe, 6.726, 209.98 

Not Qualified 
9) Robert Hurley, Ledger, Mont., '95 Mustang, 6.736, 211.36 

Round 1 
1) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.189, 226.87 vs. 
8) Danny Fillion, Sherwood Park, Alta., '95 Probe, 6.726, 209.98

2) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.307, 225.73 vs. 
7) Kevin Therres, Humboldt, Sask., '98 Achieva, 6.711, 227.84

3) Ken Kraus, Great Falls, Mont., '01 Trans Am, 6.360, 228.02 vs. 
6) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Mustang, 6.669, 202.97

4) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.424, 227.50 vs. 
5) Tim Nemeth, Surrey, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.491, 201.83

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Rob Harrison, N. Vancouver, B.C., '91 Beretta, J/A, 8.277 seconds, -0.573 under index 
2) Adam Bowdish, West Linn, Ore., '89 Trans Am, F/SM, 9.317, -0.563 
3) Richard Dingle, Olympia, Wash., '90 Swindahl, C/ED, 7.796, -0.484 
4) David From, Pilot Butte, Sask., '23 Ford, K/AA, 8.503, -0.437 
5) Bruce Schmiedl, Regina, Sask., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.901, -0.399 
6) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alta., '23 Chevy, AA/AM, 6.949, -0.321 
7) Ross Hogenson, Lethbridge, Alta., '91 Camaro, A/PM, 7.081, -0.229 
8) Howie Stevens, N. Vancouver, B.C., '90 Probe, BB/AM, 8.160, -0.200 
9) Wayne Hofer, Lethbridge, Alta., '63 Nova, A/PM, 7.159, -0.159 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Allyn Lee, Red Deer, Alta., '68 Cuda, SS/A, 9.107 seconds, -1.283 under index 
2) Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alta., '96 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.283, -0.997 
3) Bill Stewart, Marysville, Wash., '74 Cuda, SS/LA, 11.314, -0.956 
4) Thomas Nolan, Lacombe, Alta., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.433, -0.947 
5) Art Congdon, Calgary, Alta., '91 Calais, GT/CA, 10.261, -0.919 
6) Dan Barton, Coeud Alene, Idaho, '84 Oldsmobile, GT/BA, 10.122, -0.898 
7) Zenon Kotelko, Saskatoon, Sask., '87 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.642, -0.798 
8) Michael Semeniuk, Sherwood Park, Alta., '81 Malibu, GT/JA, 11.408, -0.762 
9) Tom Albritton, West Jordon, Utah, '89 Pontiac, SS/AS, 9.607, -0.733 
10) Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, '67 Nova, SS/H, 10.547, -0.733 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1) Randy Hutchings, Calgary, Alta., '81 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.457 seconds, -1.803 under index 
2) Pete Boshovitch, Winnipeg, Man., '80 Malibu, L/SA, 12.343, -1.237 
3) Shawn Kvaas, Pitt Meadows, B.C., '78 Trans Am, K/SA, 12.290, -1.230 
4) John Sien, Winnipeg, Man., '71 Camaro, G/SA, 11.693, -1.157 
5) Barry Pollard, Regina, Sask., '79 Aspen, K/SA, 12.425, -1.095 
6) Mick Alley, Eagle, Idaho, '71 Camaro, F/SA, 11.625, -1.065 
7) Tom Skjonsberg, Ft. McMurray, Alta., '70 Hemi, A/SA, 10.782, -1.018 
8) Glenn Person, Regina, Sask., '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.855, -0.995 
9) Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, '69 Chevy, F/SA, 11.700, -0.990 
10) Charlene Gullett, Calgary, Alta., '80 Malibu, M/SA, 12.806, -0.924

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Johnson and Coolidge top qualifiers

Calgary, Alta. - Brandon Johnson in Top Alcohol Dragster and Henry Coolidge in Top Alcohol Funny Car are leading their respective fields after the first day of qualifying at the Canadian Nationals, race five of seven in Northwest Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Cool weather provided ideal racing conditions, as the track e.t. record in Top Alcohol Dragster was broken twice, first by Mitch Myers of Hermiston, Ore., on a 5.657-second, 232.43 mph run. The record was then broken by Johnson of Shelton, Wash., on his pass of 5.651 seconds, 251.11 mph, setting a new track e.t. and mph record.

"It's tough that we got the record pick-pocketed from us so quickly," said Myers, of Hermiston, Ore. "We'll keep making adjustments this weekend and maybe we'll get lucky and get the track record back."

Johnson will be looking to regain the winning form he had at Mission Raceway Park earlier this year. Since earning his first career event win at Mission, the rookie racer has been unable to make it past the quarterfinals in his last three events.

"We've been experiencing some bad luck," lamented Johnson. "I set my first track record today and hopefully, we can continue to perform like this throughout the weekend."

Coolidge of Sunburst, Mont., is the top qualifier in Top Alcohol Funny Car after a 6.189-second, 226.87 mph run. Top qualifiers in other categories are Rob Harrison of N. Vancouver, B.C., in Comp; Allyn Lee of Red Deer, Alta., in Super Stock; and Randy Hutchings of Calgary, Alta., in Stock.

Gates open tomorrow at 7 a.m., with time trials and qualifying scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will be qualifying at 3 and 8 p.m. For more information, call (403) 272-RACE or visit www.racecity.com.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.651 seconds, 251.11 mph 
2) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.657, 232.43 
3) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.907, 215.20 
4) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 6.051, 236.40 
5) Nathan Sitko, Edmonton, Alta., 6.585, 203.57 
6) Paul Julien, Mission, B.C., 7.824, 115.90 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.189 seconds, 226.87 mph 
2) Ken Kraus, Great Falls, Mont., '01 Trans Am, 6.360, 228.02 
3) Tim Nemeth, Surrey, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.962, 218.92 
4) Danny Fillion, Sherwood Park, Alta., '95 Probe, 6.971, 199.33 
5) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Mustang, 7.192, 207.03 
6) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alta., '97 Firebird, 7.790, 134.20 
7) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '97 Firebird, DQ 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Rob Harrison, N. Vancouver, B.C., '91 Beretta, J/A, 8.277 seconds, -0.573 under index 
2) Adam Bowdish, West Linn, Ore., '89 Trans Am, F/SM, 9.376, -0.504 
3) David From, Pilot Butte, Sask., '23 Ford, K/AA, 8.503, -0.437 
4) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alta., '23 Chevy, AA/AM, 6.949, -0.421 
5) Bruce Schmiedl, Regina, Sask., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.901, -0.399 
6) Ross Hogenson, Lethbridge, Alta., '91 Camaro, A/PM, 7.158, -0.032 
7) Howie Stevens, N. Vancouver, B.C., '90 Probe, BB/AM, 8.160, -0.020 
8) Richard Dingle, Olympia, Wash., '90 Swindahl, C/ED, 8.824, +0.544 
9) Wayne Hofer, Lethbridge, Alta., '63 Nova, A/PM, 26.095, +18.905 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Allyn Lee, Red Deer, Alta., '68 Cuda, SS/A, 9.107 seconds, -1.283 under index 
2) Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alta., '96 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.283, -0.997 
3) Bill Stewart, Marysville, Wash., '74 Cuda, SS/LA, 11.314, -0.956 
4) Thomas Nolan, Lacombe, Alta., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.433, -0.947 
5) Art Congdon, Calgary, Alta., '91 Calais, GT/CA, 10.261, -0.919 
6) Dan Barton, Coeud Alene, Idaho, '84 Oldsmobile, GT/BA, 10.122, -0.898 
7) Zenon Kotelko, Saskatoon, Sask., GT/JA, '87 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.642, -0.798 
8) Michael Semeniuk, Sherwood Park, Alta., '81 Malibu, GT/JA, 11.408, -0.762 
9) Tom Albritton, West Jordon, Utah, '89 Pontiac, SS/AS, 9.607, -0.733 
10) Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, '67 Nova, SS/H, 10.547, -0.733 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1) Randy Hutchings, Calgary, Alta., '81 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.457 seconds, -1.803 under index 
2) Pete Boshovitch, Winnipeg, Man., '80 Malibu, L/SA, 12.343, -1.237 
3) John Sien, Winnipeg, Man., '71 Camaro, G/SA, 11.693, -1.157 
4) Shawn Kvaas, Pitt Meadows, B.C., '78 Trans Am, K/SA, 12.434, -1.086 
5) Barry Pollard, Regina, Sask., '79 Aspen, K/SA, 12.442, -1.078 
6) Mick Alley, Eagle, Idaho, '71 Camaro, F/SA, 11.625, -1.065 
7) Tom Skjonsberg, Ft. McMurray, Alta., '70 Hemi, A/SA, 10.782, -1.018 
8) Glenn Person, Regina, Sask., '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.855, -0.995 
9) Charlene Gullett, Calgary, Alta., '80 Malibu, M/SA, 12.806, -0.924 
10) Bob Gullett, Calgary, Alta., '68 Nova, H/SA, 12.087, -0.913

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Race City Motorsport Park debuts NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing

CALGARY, Alta. - Race City Motorsport Park will host its first NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Aug. 16-18. The NHRA Canadian Nationals will feature more than 400 drivers in eight categories including 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC). It is the fifth of seven races in NHRA Northwest Division competition.

Heading into the race, there is a tough fight brewing in the Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) standings. Steve Federlin and defending division champion Mark Hentges have been doing battle over first place all season. At the division's first race of the season, in Boise, Idaho, the two drivers faced off in the final. Federlin, of Oregon City, Ore., won that race and is currently leading the points. However, Hentges, who hails from Federal Way, Wash., is only 18 points behind Federlin. After Boise, Hentges also scored runner-up points at Pacific Raceways in Seattle.

If rookie driver Joey Severance keeps his current pace, he'll have both Federlin and Hentges looking over their shoulders. Currently in third place, 40 points behind Federlin, the Spanaway, Wash., driver is averaging 64 points per event this season. He beat Hentges in the final round in Seattle and was runner-up at the rain-delayed event at Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C.

TAFC pilot Bucky Austin is the only Northwest Division driver who as been a repeat winner this season. In fact, the Fife, Wash., resident has won three divisional contests, starting with an out-of-division event in Tucson, Ariz. Austin then went on to win in Boise, Seattle, and at Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore. He has also been to the final round of every Northwest divisional event this season. The competitor closest to Autstin in points is Rod Clough of Abbotsford, B.C., who is 186 points behind after scoring a win at his home track in Mission.

Gates at Race City Motorsport Park open at noon on Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin on Friday, and TAD and TAFC will have one qualifying session at 7 p.m. Qualifying and time trials continue Saturday at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC will make qualifying passes at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round of eliminations at 1 p.m.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, and $25 Sunday. Senior tickets are $13 Friday, $18 Saturday, $23 Sunday. Youth tickets, for kids 13-17, are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children, 5-12, are $2 each day and kids 4 and under are admitted free. Group discounts are also available.

The event is part of a 45-race, $6.5 million series contested across the U.S. and Canada. Drivers 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 Northwest division at the Jeg's Allstar event in September.

Race City Motorsport Park is located at 114th Ave. and 68th Street, S.E., in Calgary. For more information please call Race City Motorsport Park, (403) 272-RACE.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Canadian Nationals, 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 fifth of seven in Northwest Division competition.

WHERE: Race City Motorsport Park, Calgary, Alta. Track is located at 114th Ave. & 68th Street, S.E. in Calgary.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 16-18, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
FRIDAY, Aug. 16 -- Gates open noon. Qualifying and time trials begin immediately. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, Aug. 17 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, Aug. 18 -- Gates open at 9 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, $20 Saturday, $25 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $45. Senior tickets are $13 Friday, $18 Saturday, $23 Sunday. Youth tickets, for kids 13-17, are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children, 5-12, are $2 each day and kids 4 and under are admitted free. Group discounts are also available. For more information please call Race City Motorsport Park, (403) 272-RACE.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $143,700, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

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.

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $7,400 champions' purse posted by Kerker will be paid to first, second and third place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

The top four riders from each division in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will be invited to compete in the NHRA Kerker King of the Coast competition. In 2002, the All-Star invitational will be run during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in November. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $1,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

Currently, Sportsman Motorcycles are run in NHRA's South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific divisions.

FEATURES: More than 400 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.