FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three racers win back-to-back events

YAKIMA, Wash. - A late night of racing Saturday at Renegade Raceways concluded with three racers from last week's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, finding the winner's circle again to win back-to-back races. Brandon Johnson in Top Alcohol Dragster, Roger Bateman in Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Terry Anderson in Super Stock were the racers to earn the honor.

Johnson ran the top three quickest runs of the event this weekend. Despite posting his third quickest time with a 5.668-second, 251.53 mph pass in the final, the Shelton, Wash., resident's overall margin of victory was only .008-second over Michael Cofini of Spokane, Wash.

The runner-up put together his best run of the weekend in the final round, as he ran the fourth quickest pass of the event, 5.674 seconds, 249.67 mph, in a losing effort.

Bateman had the slower car, but earned the win on a holeshot as he reacted quicker off the starting line. The Calgary, Alta., resident made a 6.043-second, 240.94 mph run, compared to Bucky Austin of Fife, Wash., who ran a 6.014 second, 241.15 mph pass down the quarter-mile. The key statistic was reaction times where Bateman had a .461-second time, versus Austin's .492. This resulted in Bateman winning by .002-second at the finish line.

Winners in other categories are Adam Bowdish of West Linn, Ore., in Comp; Jody Lang of Puyallup, Wash., in Stock; Mike Henderson of Tacoma, Wash., in Super Comp; Steve Apted of Medford, Ore., in Super Gas; and Ryan Carlson of Seattle, in Super Street.

Richard Proebstel of Portland, Ore., also earned a win in Top Comp and Leeland King of Shelton, Wash., earned the win in NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series action. The win puts King back atop of the points in the Northwest Division competition in his respective class.

Northwest Division racing of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of the year in Medford, Oregon, at Southern Oregon Dragway, September 20-21. For more information, call NHRA Field Marketing at (626) 818-1896.

The following are final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Renegade Raceways:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.692 seconds, 244.25 mph def. 
8) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., no show 

7) Mike Austin, Phoenix, Ore., 8.467, 137.51 def. 
2) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 24.643, 61.10 

3) Michael Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.725, 249.30 def. 
6) Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 11.573, 66.83 

5) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.921, 227.50 def. 
4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 6.307, 161.07 

Semifinal 
Johnson, 5.604, 253.52 def. Myers, 5.749, 236.71 
Cofini, 5.775, 244.21 def. Austin, 6.534, 158.35 

Final 
Johnson, 5.668, 251.53 def. Cofini, 5.674, 249.67 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 6.076 seconds, 240.08 mph def. 
8) Forrest LeBlanc, Kent, Wash., '00 Daytona, 7.588, 148.69

2) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.009, 243.63 def. 
7) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Mustang, 6.361, 226.81

6) Matt Goss, Junction City, Ore., '00 Firebird, 6.399, 223.58 def. 
3) Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.065, 231.52 (red light)

4) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.301, 232.75 def.
 5) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alta., '01 Firebird, 6.446, 217.46
 
Semifinal 
Austin, 5.991, 243.06 def. Thompson, 7.653, 129.32 
Bateman, 6.030, 243.90 def. Goss, 6.761, 171.93 

Final 
Bateman, 6.043, 240.94 def. Austin, 6.014, 241.15 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Adam Bowdish, West Linn, Ore., '89 Trans Am, F/SM, 9.048 seconds, 149.60 mph def. 
Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 8.284, 157.80

SUPER STOCK 
Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, '67 Nova, SS/H, 10.326, 128.93 def. 
Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alta., '96 Camaro, GT/DA, 9.972, 131.61

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., '79 Malibu Wagon, M/SA, 12.826, 96.84 def. 
Al Steinmetz, Pocatello, Idaho, '72 Oldsmobile, F/SA, 11.623, 112.69

SUPER COMP 
Mike Henderson, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Mullis, 8.941, 168.94 def. 
Rodney Souza, Eugene, Ore., '98 Davis-Pontiac, 8.927, 167.59

SUPER GAS 
Steve Apted, Medford, Ore., '67 Corvette, 9.912, 156.72 def. 
Marty Peterson, W. Richland, Wash., '27 T-Ford, 9.886, 145.55

SUPER STREET 
Ryan Carlson, Seattle, '67 Camaro, 10.916, 126.27 def. 
Brett Waldron, Port Angeles, Wash., '67 Camaro, 10.920, 132.92 

TOP COMP 
Richard Proebstel, Portland, Ore., '01 S-10, 7.684, 175.94 def. 
Blu Hayball, Fort Hall, Idaho, '01 Cameron, 7.560, 174.48

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES 
Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., '90 Ninja, 8.637, 147.21 def. 
Steve Miller, Yakima, Wash., '89 Suzuki, 8.867, 149.50 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Johnson and Austin top qualifiers after two sessions

Yakima, Wash. - After the second session of qualifying at Renegade Raceways, Brandon Johnson in Top Alcohol Dragster and Bucky Austin in Top Alcohol Funny Car are leading their fields.

Fresh off a win last week in Calgary, Alta., Johnson will be looking to earn his first career event win outside of Canada this weekend. With the win last Sunday, the rookie Top Alcohol Dragster racer also elevated himself atop of the Top Alcohol Dragster points standings in the Northwest Division. He has competed in seven races this year and has won two events. Johnson's other win came on June 22 at Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C.

The Shelton, Wash., resident also entered eliminations last Sunday as the top qualifier for the first time in his short career. He is currently leading his field again after making a 5.737 second, 247.84 mph pass.

Austin of Fife, Wash., made a 5.975 second, 244.47 mph run to become the top qualifier in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class. Currently qualified number two is Roger Bateman of Calgary, Alta., who also earned a win last week in front of his hometown crowd at Race City Motorsport Park.

Top qualifiers in other categories are Tom Tucker of Bend, Ore., in Comp; Byron Setters of Red Deer, Alta., in Super Stock; and Don Wann of Modesto, Calif., in Stock.

Both Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled to run one more session before the end of the night. A second release, incorporating results from the third session will be distributed at the conclusion of Friday night's racing action. This release will also include first round pairings for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, as well as top ten qualifier results in Comp, Super Stock, and Stock. Friday's final results will be released at approximately 10:30 P.M.

The following are preliminary results in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Renegade Raceways:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.737 seconds, 247.84 mph 
2) Michael Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.772, 248.89 
3) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.774, 246.35 
4) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 6.043, 213.37 
5) Mike Austin, Phoenix, Ore., 6.097, 235.56 
6) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 6.148, 184.32 
7) Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 6.405, 223.58 
8) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 19.054, 58.03 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.975 seconds, 244.47 mph 
2) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '97 Firebird, 6.155, 240.08 
3) Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.241, 234.00 
4) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.266, 232.63 
5) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alta., '01 Firebird, 6.360, 226.81 
6) Matt Goss, Junction City, Ore., '00 Firebird, 6.399, 223.58 
7) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Mustang, 6.963, 181.91 
8) Forrest LeBlanc, Kent, Wash., '00 Daytona, 8.034, 130.15 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Northwest Division rolls into Renegade Raceways

YAKIMA, Wash. - Renegade Raceways will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Pepsi, Aug. 23 and 24. The event will feature more than 400 drivers in eight categories including 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars.

Heading into the sixth of seven races in the NHRA Northwest Division's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, there is a tough fight brewing in the Top Alcohol Dragster standings, while Top Alcohol Funny Car seems to be a one-man show.

Steve Federlin and defending division TAD champion Mark Hentges have been doing battle over first place all season. At the division's first race of the year, in Boise, Idaho, the two drivers faced off in the final. Federlin, of Oregon City, Ore., won that race. However, Hentges, who hails from Federal Way, Wash., scored runner-up points again at Pacific Raceways in Seattle.

If rookie TAD driver Joey Severance keeps his current pace, he'll have both Federlin and Hentges looking over their shoulders. The Spanaway, Wash., resident 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 started the season with an out-of-division event win in Tucson, Ariz. The Fife, Wash., resident then went on to win in Boise, Seattle, and at Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore. If he continues on his current tear, Austin could earn his fifth division championship.

Gates at Renegade Raceways open at 8 a.m. both days and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Friday. TAD and TAFC will have three qualifying sessions Friday, at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, qualifying and time trials continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Eliminations will begin at 2 p.m. and TAD and TAFC will run first round of eliminations at 5 p.m.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series are $15 Friday and $15 Saturday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Renegade Raceways is located south of Yakima on Interstate 82 at exit 40. For more information call the track, (509) 877-4621.

The event is part of a 45-race, $6.5 million series contested across the country. Drivers are competing for a part of a $561,000 champions' purse. They will earn points leading to national and division titles.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Pepsi, 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 sixth of seven in Northwest Division competition.

WHERE: Renegade Raceways, Yakima, Wash. Track is located south of Yakima on I-82 at exit 40.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Pepsi:
FRIDAY, Aug. 23 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, 24 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street are scheduled to run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 2 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled to run first round of eliminations at 5 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $15 Saturday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Renegade Raceways, (509) 877-4621.

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.

2001 EVENT WINNERS: Mark Hentges, Top Alcohol Dragster; Pat Austin, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Brian Hyerstay, Comp Eliminator; Stewart Everest, Super Stock; Jody Lang, Stock Eliminator; Ty Anderson, Super Comp; Todd Sims, Super Gas; Jim Buell, 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.

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.