FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Winners finally crowned for Pomona Raceway

Las Vegas - The remaining portion of Pomona Raceway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event concluded at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as eight racers earned belated wins.

Competitors finding the winner's circle Thursday included Gary Carter of Glendale, Ariz., in Comp; Jimmy DeFrank of Tarzana, Calif., in Super Stock; Gene Buell of Hesperia, Calif., in Stock; Jim Hughes of Cave Creek, Ariz., in Super Comp; Dean Hall of Guerneville, Calif., in Super Gas, Travis Theobald of Saint George, Utah, in Super Street; and Denny Hills of Gilbert, Ariz., in Super Eliminator. In NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series competition, Scott Hewitt of Bakersfield, Calif., also took home a win, the first of his career.

Originally scheduled for August 9-11 at Pomona Raceway, the only racing categories that finished on schedule that weekend were Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, won respectively by Lucas Oil Products, Inc., team members Morgan Lucas and Jason Rupert.

Held in conjunction with Pomona's eliminations Thursday was a test and tune session for racers planning on competing this weekend at the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout presented by Short Line Express Market, the final divisional event of the year in NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition. With this race being the last opportunity for racers across the country to earn points towards divisional championships, more than 800 racers are expected to be competing at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during this three-day event.

Day one of racing begins tomorrow with time trials and qualifying at 7:30 a.m. Spectator gates open at noon and general admission for Friday is $15, children ages 6-12 are $5. For more information, call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.

The following are final results from Pomona Raceway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.633 seconds, 257.65 mph. def. 
Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 6.882, 139.81 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '02 Camaro, 7.487, 145.67 def. 
Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.790, 148.24

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Gary Carter, Glendale, Ariz., '02 E.T., 7.393, 172.19 def. 
Michael De Palma Jr., Glendale, Ariz., '92 Lumina, 7.636, 174.55

SUPER STOCK 
Jimmy De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro, 10.801, 108.41 def. 
John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., '91 Cutlass, 11.765, 79.87

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Gene Buell, Hesperia, Calif., '70 Challenger, 11.355, 114.76 def. 
Gary Kestler, Las Vegas, '71 Challenger, 10.791, 120.90

SUPER COMP 
Jim Hughes, Cave Creek, Ariz., '01 Yancer, 9.059, 158.76 def. 
Tom Yancer, Chandler, Ariz., '00 Yancer, 9.020, 164.99 

SUPER GAS 
Dean Hall, Guerneville, Calif., '97 Sarmento, 10.075, 151.48 def. 
Brian Seligmiller, Glendale, Ariz., '55 Bel Air, 10.059, 138.50

SUPER STREET 
Travis Theobald, Saint George, Utah, '72 Vega, 11.100, 124.03 def. 
Stephanie Warn, Danville, Calif., '98 Firebird, 11.109, 134.70

SUPER ELIMINATOR 
Denny Hills, Gilbert, Ariz., '95 Yancer, 8.032, 177.23 def. 
Darin Dolezal, Chandler, Ariz., '90 Firebird, 8.044, 169.34 

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES 
Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, 12.605, 58.62 def. 
Eddy Palmer, Salinas, Calif., '91 Suzuki, 27.10, 109.91

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lucas, Rupert double up for Lucas Oil team

POMONA, Calif. - Morgan Lucas and Jason Rupert made it an all Lucas Oil winners' circle as they both took home wins from this weekend's Budweiser Summer Nights of Fire presented by Big-O Tires at Pomona Raceway.

Lucas picked up his second win in as many weeks in Top Alcohol Dragster with a 5.633-second pass at 257.65 mph in defeating Darren Nicholson. Nicholson ran 5.60's all weekend but suffered problems in the finals and slowed to a 6.882 at 139.81 mph.

"I've wanted to get these two boys in the winner's circle together for a long time," said Forrest Lucas, Morgan's father. "We've sponsored Jason for 8 years and he and Morgan have become great friends.

"The last three weekends have been unbelievable," expressed Morgan. "The team has worked so hard. It's just incredible."

Lucas recorded runs of 5.659 and 5.745 seconds on his way to the finals.

Rupert qualified number two in Top Alcohol Funny Car and ran 5.90's in taking out Pacific Division Champion Steve Gasparrelli in round one and Ed Marx in round two before facing Mert Littlefield in the final. Rupert took the early lead but lost traction and could see Littlefield slipping by before crossing the centerline disqualifying himself and giving the win to Rupert.

"I saw Mert go by but knew he was having problems and I wasn't giving up," said Rupert. "Then I saw him hit the cones (timing cones) and couldn't believe it was happening. We finally got the win we've been working so hard for."

With a little over 100 cars left in competition and a 6 p.m. noise curfew, race officials were forced to postpone the remainder of eliminations for the remaining classes in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Super Eliminator and the Kerker Motorcycle series will finish their eliminations in Las Vegas on Thursday, October 31. Eliminations will run in conjunction with a test and tune the day prior to the start of the final event in the NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A schedule for the postponement is expected to be released in the next week.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.617, 253.95 def. 
8. Matt Seltzer, Brea, Calif., 6.806, 146.77

2. Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.659, 251.11 def. 
7. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.065, 23.52

3. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.812, 244.56 def. 
6. Larry Miersch, Orange, Calif., 7.745, 123.89

4. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.702, 242.19 def. 
5. Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., no time recorded

Semifinals
Nicholson, 5.664, 250.83 def. Niver, 5.939, 234.31 
Lucas, 5.745, 250.41 def. Meredyk, 6.079, 226.47

Finals
Lucas, 5.633, 257.65 def. Nicholson 6.882 139.81

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.914, 243.63 def. 
8. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.385, 197.23

2. Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.955, 239.04 def. 
7. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '00 Firebird, 6.020, 240.44

3. Ed Marx, Discovefry Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.999, 241.87 def. 
6. Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 10.878, 76.07

4. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.965, 228.77 def.
5. Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 6.004, 239.48

Semifinals
Littlefield, 5.957, 234.55 def. Miner, 6.062, 239.17
Rupert, 5.955, 239.04 def. Marx, 11.908, 54.63

Finals
Rupert, 7.487, 145.67 def. Miner, 6.790, 148.24 DQ-crossed center line

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nicholson, Miner on top under the lights

POMONA, Calif. - Qualifying concluded under the lights at Pomona Raceway with over 700 race cars doing battle at the Budweiser Summer Nights of Fire presented by Big-O Tires.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Darren Nicholson sits on top with a 5.617-second pass at 253.30 mph. Morgan Lucas follows the Mission Viejo driver with a 5.628-second, 253.52-mph pass. Lucas is coming off his first win of his young career in the alcohol class, taking home the win last weekend in Sonoma at the Fram Autolite Nationals

"That second qualifying pass impressed me," voiced Nicholoson. "A 5.617 (second pass) in this heat gives us exactly what we need for tomorrow. If we can duplicate that pass, we'll be hard to beat."

Joining Nicholson as number one qualifier is Larry Miner who led Top Alcohol Funny Car with a 5.891-second pass at 235.91 mph. Jason Rupert sits in the number two spot with his '02 Lucas Oil Camaro Funny Car with a lap of 5.899, 241.22.

"The track is good," commented Minor, "everyone should be running better but I'm not complaining. We're number one going into eliminations and that's where we want to be. Three nice, straight, mid 5.90 runs and we should be in the winner's circle."

Andy Manna Jr. qualified his '33 Ford on top in the Comp Eliminator class with a run 8.838 seconds while Orange, Calif. resident Don Studley is number one in Super Stock with a pass of 10.460 seconds in his '99 Dakota. Sarah Norsworthy is number one in Stock at 12.469.

Eliminations continue Sunday at 11 a.m. for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Gates at Pomona Raceway open at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car round one is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. For more information call the track, (909) 593-7010.

The following are final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pomona Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.617 seconds, 253.30 mph
2. Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.628, 253.52
3. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.760, 245.83
4. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.822, 241.80
5. Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.902, 250.41
6. Larry Miersch, Orange, Calif., 5.963, 231.00
7. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.126, 240.64
8. Matt Seltzer, Brea, Calif., 6.286, 205.19
Did not qualify
9. Steve Cantrell, Willmington, Del., 6.465, 159.57
10. Ed Vickroy, Fontana, Calif., 8.405, 128.36
11. Marshall Toping, Costa Mesa, Calif., 9.455, 95.10
12. James Day, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., 30.357, 21.88
13. Charles Marcum, Bellflower, Calif., DQ

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1. Larry Minor, Woodbridge, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.891, 235.91
2. Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.899, 241.22
3. Ed Marx, Discovefry Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.901, 245.43
4. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.910, 239.93
5. Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.935, 236.28
6. Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.949, 242.84
7. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '00 Firebird, 5.951, 244.03
8. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 5.959, 242.06
Did not qualify
9. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '01 Camaro, 6.008, 245.03
10. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.018, 240.57
11. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Firebird, 6.039, 240.64
12. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.125, 236.77
13. Tom Bristow, Chino Hills, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.620, 165.34
14. Bill Gallio, Placentia, Calif., '02 Camaro, DQ

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Andy Manna Jr. Laguna Niguel, Calif., '33 Ford C/SR, 8.838 seconds, 0.512 under the index
2. Gary Carter, Glendale, Ariz., '02 dragster A/ND, 7.287, -0.503
3. Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '98 Firebird G/A, 8.741, -0.499
4. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '01 Firebird C/EA, 8.395, -0.485
5. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Ford C/SR, 8.869, -0.481
6. Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '95 Camaro C/SM, 8.474, -0.466
7. Michael De Palma Jr., Glendale, Ariz., '92 Lumina C/A, 7.622, -0.458
8. John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., '00 dragster B/D, 6.945, -0.455
9. Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, '95 Oldsmobile D/SMA, 8.949, -0.451
10. Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '02 Grand Am B/A, 7.351, -0.449

SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dakota GT/TC, 10.460 seconds, 0.990 under the index
2. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta SS/AM, 8.620, -0.930
3. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '01 Grand Am GT/BA, 9.642, -0.908
4. Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Cuda SS/AA, 9.119, -0.881
5. Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Cuda SS/AA, 9.140, -0.860
6. Kip Martin, Phoenix, Ariz., '64 Mustang SS/L, 10.720, -0.830
7. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., '91 Cutlass GT/AA, 9.580, -0.820
8. Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Achieva GT/JA, 10.832, -0.818
9. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am GT/FA, 10.286, -0.814
10. Fred Moreno, LaVerne, Calif., '69 Mustang SS/GA, 10.051, -0.799

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 Dodge FT/SA, 12.469, -1.181
2. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dakota DT/SA, 11.969, -1.031
3. Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., '68 Nova B/SA, 10.538, -1.012
4. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane A/S, 1-.243, -1.007
5. Paul Wong, Las Vegas, Nev., '76 Volare U/SA, 14.146, -1.004
6. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Aspen J/SA, 11.758, -0.992
7. Dave Bridgewater, Dvore, Calif., '97 Firebird F/SA, 11.165, -0.985
8. Don Durham, Vacaville, Calif., '73 Duster G/SA, 11.321, -0.979
9. Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '76 Volare I/SA, 11.635, -0.965
10. Charles Norton, Covina, Calif., '94 Camaro D/SA, 10.885, -0.965

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Racing kicks off at Pomona

POMONA, Calif. - In the first rounds of qualifying of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Budweiser Summer Nights of Fire presented by Big-O Tire, it was Andy Manna Jr. taking the top spot in Comp Eliminator in his '33 Ford roadster. The former national champion clocked in at 8.838 seconds, 0.512 seconds under his index. Manna is followed by Gary Carter of Glendale, Ariz., and Rick Braun of Redlands, Calif., in the second and third qualifying spots, respectively.

Bob Lambeck took a wild ride when the Comp Eliminator driver got out of the groove in round one of qualifying, flipped over, and came to a stop on the roof of his car. The Northridge, Calif., resident was checked out by safety officials and released with no injuries.

Orange, Calif., resident Don Studley is number one in Super Stock in his '99 Dakota with a 10.460-second pass and is followed by Frank Grossi of Upland, Calif., with a 9.642, 0.908 under the index.

Sarah Norsworthy took the top spot in Stock Eliminator with a pass of 12.469 seconds -1.181 under the index. Norsworthy is followed by Darren Smith in the number two spot and Clark Holroyd of Chino in third.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 10 a.m. Gates at Pomona Raceway open at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car take their first shot at the famed quarter mile at 1:30 p.m. with additional qualifying runs at 5 and 8 p.m. For more information call the track, (909) 593-7010.

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

 COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Andy Manna Jr. Laguna Niguel, Calif., '33 Ford C/SR, 8.838 seconds, 0.512 under the index
2. Gary Carter, Glendale, Ariz., '02 dragster A/ND, 7.287, -0.503
3. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '01 Firebird C/EA, 8.395, -0.485
4. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Ford C/SR, 8.869, -0.481
5. Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '95 Camaro C/SM, 8.474, -0.466
6. Michael De Palma Jr., Glendale, Ariz., '92 Lumina C/A, 7.622, -0.458
7. Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, '95 Oldsmobile D/SMA, 8.949, -0.415
8. Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '02 Grand Am B/A, 7.351, -0.449
9. Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '02 dragster D/ED, 7.571, -0.439
10. John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., '96 Avenger C/EA, 8.450, -0.430

SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dakota GT/TC, 10.460, -0.990
2. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '01 Grand Am GT/BA, 9.642, -0.908
3. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta SS/AM, 8.654, -0.896
4. Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Cuda SS/AA, 9.140, -0.860
5. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., '91 Cutlass GT/AA, 9.580, -0.820
6. Kip Martin, Phoenix, Ariz., '64 Mustang SS/L, 10.730, -0.820
7. Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Achieva GT/JA, 10.832, -0.818
8. Fred Moreno, LaVerne, Calif., '69 Mustang SS/GA, 10.051, -0.799
9. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro GT/HA, 10.552, -0.798
10. Jim Grossi Jr., Gustine, Calif., '96 Achieva GT/B, 9.620, -0.780

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 Dodge FT/SA, 12.469, -1.181
2. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dakota DT/SA, 11.969, -1.031
3. Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., '68 Nova B/SA, 10.538, -1.012
4. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane A/S, 1-.243, -1.007
5. Paul Wong, Las Vegas, Nev., '76 Volare U/SA, 14.154, -0.996
6. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Aspen J/SA, 11.758, -0.992
7. Dave Bridgewater, Dvore, Calif., '97 Firebird F/SA, 11.165, -0.985
8. Don Durham, Vacaville, Calif., '73 Duster G/SA, 11.321, -0.979
9. Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '76 Volare I/SA, 11.635, -0.965
10. Robert Mulry, Hollister, Calif., '74 Firebird K/SA, 11.993, -0.957

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summer Nights of Fire heat up Pomona Raceway

Pomona Raceway will host its first-ever NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event Aug. 9-11, 2002. The Budweiser Nights of Fire presented by Big O Tires will feature night racing Friday and Saturday and eliminations on Sunday. More than 700 cars, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC), are expected to run down the famed quarter-mile.

On the downside of the Pacific Division's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season, defending division Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion (TAFC) Steve Gasparrelli has opened a big points lead over his competitors, and Darren Nicholson leads in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) by a slim margin. Racers will try their luck at Pomona Raceway Aug. 9-11 at the fifth of six Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events.

To date, West Covina, Calif., resident Gasparrelli is three-for-three in divisional event competition. He won the events at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, Sacramento Raceway in Sacramento, Calif., and the division's most recent race at Infineon Raceway (formerly Sears Point Raceway) in Sonoma, Calif. The second-generation driver has more than 100 points on Mert Littlefield of Garden Grove, Calif., who is in second place in the point standings. Littlefield made his best showing this year at Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Ariz., where he was runner-up to Bucky Austin of Fife, Wash.

In TAD, things are still up in the air. Las Vegas' Duane Shields has made three final round appearances, winning in Phoenix and Sonoma, but he is currently trailing Nicholson, of Mission Viejo, Calif., by 20 points. Nicholson took the win in Tucson and was runner-up in Phoenix and at an out-of-division race in Woodburn, Ore. Both teams have been very strong all year and this is a fight that is likely to come down to the final rounds of the season.

Gates at Pomona Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day and qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday's action will feature Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Those classes will run Saturday along with TAD and TAFC. The alcohol classes will have three qualifying sessions Saturday, at 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. TAD and TAFC run first round at 12:30 p.m.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, for the Budweiser Summer Nights of Fire are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, and $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50 and children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

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 divisional titles as well as a berth on the team that will represent the Pacific Division at the Jeg's Allstar event held at the NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago in September.

Pomona Raceway is located at the Fairplex in Pomona. From I-10, exit Fairplex Drive or White Avenue. Go north and follow the signs to the Fairplex. For more information call (800) 884-6472 or visit www.NHRA.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Budweiser Summer Nights of Fire presented by Big O Tires, 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 six in Pacific Division competition.

WHERE: Pomona Raceway, Pomona, Calif. Track is located at the Fairplex in Pomona. From I-10, exit Fairplex Drive or White Ave. Go north and follow the signs to the Fairplex.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 9-11, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Budweiser Summer Nights of Fire:
FRIDAY, Aug. 9 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, Aug. 10 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have three qualifying sessions, at 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, Aug. 11 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 11 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 12:30 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call (800) 884-6472.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $148,700, 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 700 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.