FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shields, Gasparrelli take home wins at Firebird

PHOENIX, Ariz.- Duane Shields and Steve Gasparrelli took home wins in their respective categories at the season opener for the NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Shields, of Las Vegas, took out Larry Miersch and Paul Jones before beating Darren Nicholson on a holeshot in the final of Top Alcohol Dragster. Shields' 5.444-second pass at 264.60 mph was enough to hold off Nicholson's quicker 5.436, 254.29 for the win.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, it was Gasparrelli taking out defending event champion Pat Austin in the final with a 5.845-second 236.05 mph pass to Austin's 5.847, 249.95. Gasparrelli, the 2001 NHRA Pacific Division Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion, defeated Mert Littlefield and Bucky Austin to advance to the finals.

The Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Ariz., March 29-30.

*Complete results from all categories to follow

The following are final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird International Raceway.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.351 seconds, 265.43 miles per hour def. 
8) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.843, 230.41

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif. 5.493, 260.41 def. 
7) Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.692, 233.68

3) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 11.707, 62.53 def. 
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., no time recorded

5) Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.491, 252.61 def. 
4) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 9.219, 101.06

Semifinals
Shields, 9.175, 107.49 def. Jones, no time recorded
Nicholson, 5.476, 260.71 def. Demke, no time recorded

Finals
Shields, 5.444, 264.60 def. Nicholson, 5.436, 254.29

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 8.369 seconds, 118.81 miles per hour def. 
8) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '01 Chevy, 9.518, 89.68

2) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.753, 243.99 def. 
7) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Pontiac, 9.238, 82.72

6) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '01 Firebird, 5.777, 244.61 def. 
3) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.773, 242.98

7) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '00 , 5.790, 243.55 def. 
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.785, 247.79

Semifinals
Gasparrelli, 5.803, 242.36 def. Austin (Austin), 6.109, 176.95
Austin (Pat), 5.793, 252.38 def. Waever, 5.871, 244.65

Finals
Gasparrelli, 5.845, 236.05 def. Austin, 5.847, 249.95

COMPETITION
Edword Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, F/ED, '96 dragster, 12.841, 59.99 def.
Brad Wagner, Henderson, Nev., '00 Monte Carlo, C/EA, 8.386, 159.82

SUPER STOCK
Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA, '98 Grand Am, 10.192, 128.13 def.
Gary Faul, Spanaway, Wash., SS/MA, '66 El Comino, 11.881, 105.12

STOCK
Sante Grossi, Fontana, Calif., '71 Challenger, 11.040, 118.50 def. 
Toby Lang, Auburn, Wash., '69 Chevelle, 11.339, 114.96

SUPER COMP
Rod Fuller, Rogers, Ark., '01 dragster, 8.909, 169.70 def. 
Mike Ferderer, Buckley, Wash., '00 dragster, 8.903, 173.21, red light

SUPER GAS
Ken Harkema, Scottsdale, Ariz., '27 Ford, 9.902, 140.97 def. 
Ted Seipel, San Leandro, Calif., '71 Ferrari, 9.895, 129.90, broke out

SUPER STREET
Henry Sliwinski, Littleton, Colo., 10.918, 118.80 def. 
Don Haigler, Lompoc, Calif., 10.939, 119.42

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Darryl Mitchell, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 8.000, 169.08 def. 
Steve White, Anaheim, Calif., 8.008, 169.13

MOTORCYCLE
Greg Liskey, Alinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, 9.291 seconds, 135.70 miles per hour def. 
Kahea Woods, Las Vegas, Nev., '95 Suzuki, 8.556, 154.47

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shields, Austin lead qualifying at Firebird

PHOENIX, Ariz.- In the final rounds of qualifying for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Firebird International Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Duane Shields and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Bucky Austin took the top qualifier honors.

Shields of Las Vegas made the quarter-mile run in 5.406 seconds at 265.59 mph to put him in the pole position. Shields is followed by Darren Nicholson in the number two spot with a pass of 5.446 at 260.71. Local driver Mark Niver of Scottsdale, Ariz., is qualified fourth with a 5.501 at 263.31 mph.

Fife, Wash., resident Austin made a 5.643-second 256.31 mph pass to lead the Funny Car field. Austin is followed by his nephew, Pat Austin, who qualified second with a 5.659 at 255.19. Austin (Pat) is coming off his 75th NHRA national event win which he picked up three weeks ago at the season opening K & N Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

Number one qualifiers in other categories, and sharing in the Sealed Power $3500 Low Qualifier Bonus, are Maureen Jondahl in Comp. Eliminator with a 8.879-second pass, Gary Russell of Sparta, Ohio, in Super Stock, who tripped the clocks at 10.489 seconds, and Chris Whitney and his '67 Fairlane with a run of 10.799 in the Stock class.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 8 a.m. Gates at Firebird International Raceway open at 7:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car eliminations begin at noon. For more information call the track, (602) 268-0200.

The following are Sunday's pairings and final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird International Raceway.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.406 seconds, 265.59 miles per hour vs.
8) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.777, 234.00

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif. 5.446, 260.71 vs. 
7) Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.680, 231.66

3) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.456, 262.13 vs. 
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.606, 252.61

4) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.501, 263.31 vs. 
5) Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.517, 248.89
____________________________________________________________________
Failed to Qualify
9) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 6.032, 231.32
10) Fred Notzka, Ventura, Calif., 6.063, 234.33

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.643 seconds, 256.31 miles per hour vs. 
8) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '01 Chevy, 5.816, 248.61

2) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.659, 255.19 vs. 
7) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Pontiac, 5.815, 247.43

3) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.733, 242.58 vs. 
6) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '01 Firebird, 5.811, 239.31

4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '00 , 5.735, 242.71 vs. 
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.756, 247.57
____________________________________________________________________
Failed to Qualify

9) Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '00 Firebird, 5.954, 220.19
10) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Chevy, 5.955, 241.80
11) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.062, 239.14
12) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.103, 246.39
13) Bill Gallio, Placentia, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.339, 210.41
14) Pete Rivera, Mesa, Ariz., '97 Firebird, 17.309, 44.91

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Maureen Jondahl, Battle Ground, Wash., H/AA, '92 Firebird, 8.879seconds, -0.711 under the index
2. Andy Manna Jr., Laguna Niguel, Calif., C/SR, '33 Ford, 8.686, -0.664
3. Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., G/A, '98 Firebird, 8.613, -0.647
4. Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., C/SM, '95 Camaro, 8.358, -0.632
5. Jimmy De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., C/EA, /89 Cutlass, 8.298, -0.632
6. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., D/SMA, '98 Oldsmobile, 8.770, -0.630
7. Darren Davis, Upland, Calif., D/SMA, '95 Achieva, 8.770, -0.630
8. Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, C/D, '00 dragster, 7.047, -0.583
9. Dean Howerto, Lake Havasu, Nev., C/D, '00 dragster, 7.052, -0.578
10. Brett Brown, Anaheim Hill, Calif., E/EA, '32 roadster, 8.556, -0.574

SUPER STOCK
1. Gary Russell, Sparta, Ohio, SS/KA, '98 Camaro, 10.489 seconds, -1.061 under the index
2. Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., GT/JA, "95 Achieva, 10.632, -1.018
3. Tony De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA, '98 Grand Am, 10.195, -1.005
4. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA, '01 Grand Am, 9.557 -0.993
5. Doug Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., SS/BS, '92 Camaro, 9.019, -0.981
6. Jim Grossi, Gustine, Calif., GT/B, '95 Achieva, 9.420, -0.980
7. Matthew Thompson, Wildomar, Calif., GT/EA, '95 Mustang, 9.993, -0.957
8. John Schiess, Sepulveda, Calif., GT/AA, '91 Cutlass, 9.444, -0.956
9. Jimmy De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA, '89 Camaro, 10.398, -0.952
10. Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., SS/GA, '69 Mustang, 9.912, -0.938

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Chris Whitney, Sun Valley, Calif., F/S, '67 Fairlane, 10.799 seconds, -1.301 under the index
2. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., E/SA, '01 Firebird, 10.702, -1.298
3. Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., J/SA, '76 Volare, 11.510, -1.240
4. Harry Doolittle, Grosse Ile, Mich., P/SA, '01 Firebird, 12.523, -1.227
5. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., DT/SA, '00 Dakota, 11.883, -1.217
6. Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., B/SA, '68 Nova, 10.384, -1.166
7. Paul Wong, Las Vegas, Nev., U/SA, '65 Belvedere, 13.993, -1.157
8. Don Durham, Vacaville, Calif., H/SA, '73 Duster, 11.340, -1.110
9. Gary Kestler, Las Vegas, Nev., B/SA, '70 Challenger, 10.454, -1.096
10. Charles Norton, Covina, Calif., D/SA, '68 Camaro, 10.770, -1.080

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lucas Oil Series kicks off at Firebird

PHOENIX, Ariz.- Qualifying kicked off today for the NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Firebird International Raceway. Fred Gross leads qualifying in the Comp Eliminator class with a pass of 8.672 seconds and is followed by defending event champion Bill Kent of Midland Texas. Joe Mozeris of Phoenix Ariz., currently sits in the 24th qualifying spot.

Gary Russell took the number one spot in Super Stock, covering the quarter-mile in 10.541 seconds in his '98 Camaro. Local drivers Eric Bell of Chandler, Ariz., and Don Kennedy of Phoenix are qualified 12th and 15th, respectively. Chris Whitney leads the field in Stock with a run of 10.826 seconds in his '67 Fairlane. Whitney is followed by Al Corda with a 10.754-second pass.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 8 a.m. Gates at Firebird International Raceway open at 7:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car run at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. For more information call the track, (602) 268-0200.

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

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., G/A, '98 Firebird, 8.672 seconds, -0.588 under the index
2. Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, C/D, '00 dragster, 7.047, -0.583
3. Dean Howerto, Lake Havasu, Nev., C/D, '00 dragster, 7.052, -0.578
4. Mike De Palma Jr., Glendale, Ariz., C/A, '92 Lumina, 7.545, -0.565
5. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., D/SMA, '98 Oldsmobile, 8.842, -0.558
6. Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., C/SM, '95 Camaro, 8.484, -0.506
7. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., C/SR, '34 Chevy, 8.858, -0.492
8. Brad Wagnew, Henderson, Nev., C/EA, '00 Monte Carlo, 8.460, -0.470
9. Maureen Jondahl, Battleground, Wash., H/AA, '92 Firebird, 9.135, -0.455
10. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., C/EA, '89 Cutlass, 8.492, -0.438
 
SUPER STOCK
1. Gary Russell, Sparta, Ohio, SS/KA, '98 Camaro, 10.541 seconds, -1.009 under the index
2. Tony De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA, '98 Grand Am, 10.260, -0.940
3. Jim Grossi, Gustine, Calif., GT/B, '95 Achieva, 9.489, -0.911
4. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA, '01 Grand Am, 9.642, -0.908
5. Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., SS/GA, '69 Mustang, 9.964, -0.886
6. John Schiess, Sepulveda, Calif., GT/AA, '91 Cutlass, 9.519, -0.881
7. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., SS/HA, '69 Camaro, 10.037, -0.863
8. Jimmy De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA, '89 Camaro, 10.490, -0.860
9. Abe Loewen, Regina, SK CAN, SS/DM, '98 Grand Am, 9.377, -0.823
10. Kevin Nicks, Golden, Colo., SS/FA, '70 Barracuda, 9.949, -0.801

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Chris Whitney, Sun Valley, Calif., F/S, '67 Fairlane, 10.826 seconds, -1.274 under the index	
2. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., L/SA, '01 Firebird, 10.754, -1.246
3. Harry Doolittle, Grosse Ile, Mich., P/SA, '01 Firebird, 12.537, -1.213
4. Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., B/SA, '68 Nova, 10.384, -1.166
5. Paul Wong, Las Vegas, Nev., U/SA, '65 Belvedere, 14.024, -1.126
6. Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., J/SA, '76 Volare, 11.637, -1.113
7. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., DT/SA, '00 Dakota, 12.027, -1.073
8. Gary Kestler, Las Vegas, Nev., B/SA, '70 Challenger, 10.519, -1.031
9. Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., G/SA, '72 Firebird, 11.271, -1.029
10. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., D/SA, '70 Plymouth, 10.832, -1.018