FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Branch, Hentges earn wins in final divisional event

Las Vegas - Nearly a thousand competitors attended the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout presented by Short Line Express Market in what was the largest and final NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional event of the year.

Every competitor racing down The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend felt the pressure, as this event provided the last opportunity of the year for drivers to earn divisional points. These points are used to calculate both divisional and national championships.

"This race felt tougher than a national event with all the quality racers here this weekend," said Top Alcohol Funny Car event winner, Tate Branch.

Branch had no easy path to the winner's circle as two of his three round wins required the Artesia, N.M., resident to defeat 2001 division champions. In the semifinals, Branch defeated West Central Division champion Cy Chesterman and Steve Gasparrelli of the Pacific Division in the final.

"I had never beaten Gasparrelli before," said Branch. "I guess this was payback for Noble where I lost to him in the final after I had mechanical problems."

Top Alcohol Dragster featured a competition between number one and two qualifiers as Morgan Lucas and Mark Hentges waged battle in the final. Although Lucas had been dominant throughout qualifying and eliminations, his dragster fell short against Hentges, giving him the win.

"I just wanted to take it one round at a time and try to run consistent," said Hentges. "I just tried to stick to my game plan"

Winners in other categories were Michael De Palma Jr., of Glendale, Ariz., in Comp; John Ancona of Covina, Calif., in Super Stock; Frank Kohutek of Mesquite, Texas, in Super Comp; Todd Stewart of Turlock, Calif., in Super Gas; Roger Benne of Scribner, Neb., in Super Street; Patrick Maher of Aurora, Colo., in Super Eliminator; and Kenny Teer of Torrance, Calif., in Top Comp. Sean Conner also earned the win in NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series competition.

Kevin Helms of Mineola, Texas, almost found the winner's circle twice this weekend. The 2001 Stock Eliminator National Champion was runner-up to Ancona in Super Stock and earned the event win in Stock by defeating Tom Roberts of Mira Loma, Calif. Initial reports have stated that with the win, Helms will repeat as national champion in the category. This claim is currently being reviewed by NHRA.

For more information, call NHRA at (626) 914-4761 or visit www.nhra.com.

The following are final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.370, 264.23 def. 
8) Alan Bradshaw, 5.473, 257.73 

2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.472, 252.19 def. 
7) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.595, 254.95 

6) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.618, 253.18 def. 
3) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.627, 254.04 

4) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.538, 253.33 def. 
5) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 6.300, 158.78 

Semifinals 
Lucas, 5.401, 265.17 def. Bozzelli, 5.497, 255.87 
Hentges, 5.486, 257.97 def. Demke, 5.682, 248.98 

Final 
Mark Hentges, 5.490, 258.47 def. Morgan Lucas, 9.605, 90.82 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
8) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.836, 249.39 def. 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.850, 250.88

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.678, 250.60 def. 
7) Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 17.108, 55.68

3) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.776, 244.34 def. 
6) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.832, 246.53

4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.770, 245.27 def. 
5) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 9.611, 95.67

Semifinals 
Branch, 5.747, 249.26 def. Chesterman, 5.776, 245.40 
Gasparrelli, 5.748, 248.71 def. Marx, 6.466, 170.51 

Final 
Branch, 5.741, 249.67 def. Gasparrelli, 5.750, 249.95 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Michael De Palma Jr., Glendale, Ariz., '92 Lumina, C/A, 8.141 seconds, 124.52 mph def. 
Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 9.101, 106.87

SUPER STOCK 
John Ancona, Covina, Calif., '82 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.935, 119.01 def. 
Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '68 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.579, 122.83

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, B/S, 10.780, 121.46 def. 
Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Aspen, J/SA, 11.911, 109.73

SUPER COMP 
Frank Kohutek, Mesquite, Texas, '02 Cameron, 9.026, 166.44 def. 
Vince Roberts, Mesquite, Texas, '00 Undercover, 9.031, 158.30

SUPER GAS 
Todd Stewart, Turlock, Calif., '00 Corvette, 10.075, 138.13 def. 
Gerald Turczyn Jr., Phoenix, Ariz., '88 Beretta, 10.057, 144.38

SUPER STREET 
Roger Benne, Scribner, Neb., '70 Pontiac, 11.115, 124.16 def. 
Dennis Paz, Stockton, Calif., '41 Willys, 11.131, 125.17 

SUPER ELIMINATOR 
Patrick Maher, Aurora, Colo., '00 Fritz, 8.032, 172.96 def. 
Chuck Swift, Henderson, Nev., '96 Frameworks, 8.034, 167.57 

TOP COMP 
Kenny Teer, Torrance, Calif., '00 Cameron, 7.976, 158.02 def. 
Rick Smyth, North Bend, Ore., '96 Undercover, 7.935, 160.12

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES 
Sean Conner, Boulder City, Nev., '98 Koenig, 8.396, 151.61 def. 
Jerry Stinson, Medford, Ore., '84 Ninja, 9.345, 139.82 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Quickest qualifying field run in dragster and Funny Car

Las Vegas -Time trials and qualifying concluded at the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout, presented by Short Line Express Market with Morgan Lucas and Bucky Austin earning low qualifier positions in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Ideal racing conditions provided those in attendance Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway an opportunity to witness one of the quickest qualifying fields in recent history in both categories. Competitors needed to run quicker than 5.472-second in Top Alcohol Dragster and 5.801-second in Top Alcohol Funny Car to qualifying for Sunday's eliminations.

"Hats off to the people who run this facility," said Austin. "This is a world class facility and they did a great job in preparing the track for this event."

Between both classes, 43 alcohol cars made passes down the quarter-mile during Saturday's qualifying sessions as competitors came from as far away as New York, in efforts to accumulate points towards divisional and national championships. Five of the top ten in the national points standings in each category were also part of the field.

"Our number goal today was just to qualify," said Top Alcohol Dragster racer Mark Hentges. "To qualify in such a stellar field is an accomplish in itself."

Low qualifiers in other categories are Jeff Taylor of Lumberton, N.C., in Comp; John Gallina of Las Vegas, in Super Stock; and Marka Gallina of Henderson, Nev., in Stock. All three racers as well as both Top Alcohol low qualifiers will receive a bonus from Sealed Power for their accomplishment.

Rod Langley of Boise, Idaho, also earned a low qualifier bonus in Top Comp from Black Diamond Motorsports and Leeland King of Shelton, Wash., earned bonus money from Motorsports Unlimited for low qualifier honors in NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series competition.

Spectator gates open tomorrow at 7 a.m. and eliminations begin tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. Round one of Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is scheduled for noon. General admission for the final day of competition for the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout, presented by Short Line Express Market is $20. Children ages 6-12 are $5 and 5 and younger are free. For more information, call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.

The following are final qualifying results and Sunday's first round pairings in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.341, 261.98 
2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.437, 259.46 
3) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.438, 260.01 
4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.455, 263.77 
5) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.459, 257.78 
6) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.465, 258.81 
7) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.466, 258.02 
8) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.472, 258.81 
Did not qualify 
9) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.490, 259.91 
10) Eric Medlen, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.506, 247.02 
11) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.509, 260.06 
12) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.527, 246.48 
13) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.532, 258.62 
14) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.550, 252.19 
15) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.558, 254.57 
16) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.572, 254.42 
17) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.637, 249.49 
18) Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.684, 229.27 
19) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.729, 228.96 
20) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.817, 241.89 
21) Jack Beckman, Las Vegas, 5.923, 246.48 
22) Mark Foster, Santa Cruz, Calif., 6.600, 211.13 
23) Scott Dominguez, Garden City, Colo., 9.790, 89.74 
24) Ed Vickroy, Fontana, Calif., 12.079, 98.46 

Round 1 
1) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.341, 261.98 v. 8
) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.472, 258.81 

2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.437, 259.46 v. 
7) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.466, 258.02 

3) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.438, 260.01 v. 
6) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.465, 258.81 

4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.455, 263.77 v. 
5) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.459, 257.78 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.649, 257.19 
2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.651, 253.18 
3) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.675, 252.71 
4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.686, 251.72 
5) Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.755, 247.61 
6) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.772, 250.78 
7) Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.782, 246.30 
8) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.801, 250.51 
Did not qualify 
9) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 5.808, 246.35 
10) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.824, 243.72 
11) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.828, 247.75 
12) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Firebird, 5.845, 247.11 
13) Hank Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '96 Firebird, 5.878, 247.70 
14) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Firebird, 5.899, 244.83 
15) Bill Gallio, Placentia, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.040, 240.25 
16) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.062, 239.78 
17) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.085, 239.57 
18) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '00 Firebird, 6.196, 235.27 
19) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 7.449, 125.46 

Round 1 
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.649, 257.19 v. 
8) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.801, 250.51

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.651, 253.18 v. 
7) Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.782, 246.30

3) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.675, 252.71 v. 
6) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.772, 250.78

4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.686, 251.72 v. 
5) Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.755, 247.61

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '02 Chevy, C/SMA, 8.484 seconds, -0.786 under index 
2) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alta., '27 Ford, AA/AM, 6.511, -0.769 
3) Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.774, -0.736 
4) Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '95 Camaro, B/SM, 8.291, -0.699 
5) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '99 Camaro, D/AA, 7.835, -0.695 
6) Buddy Nickens, Spring, Texas, '00 Chevy, B/TA, 8.610, -0.690 
7 Bob Yonke, Granbury, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.524, -0.686 
8) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '00 Pontiac, PST/A, 7.760, -0.680 
9) Scott Tidwell, Pinson, Ala., '01 S-10, D/AA, 7.855, -0.675 
10) Roger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '90 Firebird, A/SM, 8.036, -0.674 

SUPER STOCK 
1) John Gallina, Las Vegas, '87 Regal, SS/DX, 8.277, -1.463 
2) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.618, -1.322 
3) Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.008, -1.242 
4) Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.031, -1.219 
5) Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '84 Cougar, GT/EA, 10.069, -1.151 
6) Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '85 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.079, -1.141 
7) Gregory Gay, Westminster, Vt., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 10.048, -1.122 
8) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.075, -1.095 
9) Billy Leber, Tonawanda, N.Y., '00 S-10, SS/TB, 9.424, -1.086 
10) Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dakota, GT/TC, 10.656, -1.084 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1) Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '89 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.398, -1.512 
2) Robert Mulry, Hollister, Calif., '74 Firebird, K/SA, 11.768, -1.502 
3) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '76 Volare, K/SA, 11.876, -1.394 
4) Tim Imhoff, Pagosa Springs, Colo., '86 Thunderbird, T/SA, 13.705, -1.365 
5) Christopher Sniesak, Wales Township, Mich., '99 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.012, -1.358 
6) Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.744, -1.326 
7) Chad Loge, Livermore, Calif., '79 Plymouth, J/SA, 11.814, -1.256 
8) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, B/SA, 10.584, -1.256 
9) Duane Dickens, San Clemente, Calif., '98 Firebird, D/SA, 10.896, -1.254 
10) Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.743, -1.247 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Husband and wife number one qualifiers

Las Vegas - After two rounds of qualifying at the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout presented by Short Line Express Market, husband and wife John and Marka Gallina will head into eliminations as the top qualifiers in Super Stock and Stock.

With one more round of time trials and qualifying for Comp, Motorcycle, and Super Gas still remaining tonight, a second release with Friday's final qualifying results will be released as soon as it is available.

Initial estimates have stated that over 900 racers are competing here this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the final divisional race of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. With this event being the final race of the season in which competitors across the country have the opportunity to earn division points that can be credited towards both divisional and national championships, the pressure will be heightened at this three-day race.

Tomorrow's racing action will feature three qualifying sessions for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, as they are scheduled for noon, 3:30, and 6 p.m. The NHRA Kerker King of the Coast, a competition between the top four motorcyclists from each of the four divisions that run the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will also be held tomorrow. Round one of this all-star competition will run at 11 a.m.

Spectator gates open tomorrow at 11 a.m. and admission for Saturday is $20. Children ages 6-12 are $5 and 5 and younger are free. For more information, call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.

The following are Friday's initial qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '02 Chevy, C/SMA, 8.484 seconds, -0.786 under index 
2) Buddy Nickens, Spring, Texas, '00 Chevy, B/TA, 8.610, -0.690 
3) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alta., '27 Ford, AA/AM, 6.608, -0.672 
4) Scott Tidwell, Pinson, Ala., '01 S-10, D/AA, 7.867, -0.653 
5) Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.864, -0.646 
6) Fred Gross, Glendale, Calif., '97 Firebird, G/A, 8.715, -0.635 
7) Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '95 Camaro, B/SM, 8.358, -0.632 
8) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '99 Camaro, D/AA, 7.890, -0.630 
9) Bob Yonke, Granbury, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.591, -0.619 
10) Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.186, -0.614 

SUPER STOCK 
1) John Gallina, Las Vegas, '87 Regal, SS/DX, 8.277, -1.463 
2) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.618, -1.322 
3) Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.008, -1.242 
4) Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.031, -1.219 
5) Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '84 Cougar, GT/EA, 10.069, -1.151 
6) Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '85 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.079, -1.141 
7) Gregory Gay, Westminster, Vt., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 10.048, -1.122 
8) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.075, -1.095 
9) Billy Leber, Tonawanda, N.Y., '00 S-10, SS/TB, 9.424, -1.086 
10) Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dakota, GT/TC, 10.656, -1.084 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1) Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '89 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.398, -1.512 
2) Robert Mulry, Hollister, Calif., '74 Firebird, K/SA, 11.768, -1.502 
3) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '76 Volare, K/SA, 11.876, -1.394 
4) Tim Imhoff, Pagosa Springs, Colo., '86 Thunderbird, T/SA, 13.705, -1.365 
5) Christopher Sniesak, Wales Township, Mich., '99 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.012, -1.358 
6) Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.744, -1.326 
7) Chad Loge, Livermore, Calif., '79 Plymouth, J/SA, 11.814, -1.256 
8) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, B/SA, 10.584, -1.256 
9) Duane Dickens, San Clemente, Calif., '98 Firebird, D/SA, 10.896, -1.254 
10) Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.743, -1.247 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Las Vegas hosts season's final Lucas Oil event

LAS VEGAS - The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout presented by Short Line Express, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Nov. 1-3. More than 800 cars from across the United States, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC), are expected to run down The Strip.

The only Pacific Division championship that has been decided is in Top Alcohol Funny Car. West Covina, Calif., resident Steve Gasparrelli scored four wins in the five divisional races he has attended. The second-generation competitor earned wins at the season-opener in Phoenix as well as in Sacramento, Calif.; Sonoma, Calif.; and an out-of-division race in Noble, Okla.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, local favorite Duane Shields has a slim 21-point lead over Darren Nicholson of Mission Viejo, Calif. The championship will be settled this weekend. Nicholson will need to win the race in order to pass Shields. However, even if Nicholson wins and Shields is the runner-up the drivers would be tied in points and the championship would be determined through a series of tiebreakers.

A number of national championships could also be decided here. Although the TAD and TAFC national champions have been clinched, each of the other five classes are still up in the air. Drivers will be trying to either earn enough points to pass their opponents or block them from earning additional points. National championships that are not decided in Las Vegas will move on to the last race of the season at Pomona Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

Spectator gates at The Strip open at noon Friday and Saturday and at 7 a.m. Sunday. 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 noon, 3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 7:30 a.m. TAD and TAFC run first round at noon.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, for the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, and $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50. Children 6-12 are $5 each day and children 5 and under are admitted free. A $10 discount is available for Seniors, military personnel and students with valid I.D.

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 2003.

This weekend's activities will also include the Kerker King of the Coast competition. The top four riders from each division in the Kerker Motorcycle Series, run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in the South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific divisions, are invited to participate in the all-star event. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $1,000 and the runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located on Speedway Blvd., exit 54 off Interstate 15. For more information call (702) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Las Vegas Gambler Shootout presented by Short Line Express, 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 last of six in Pacific Division competition.

WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located on Speedway Blvd, exit 54 off of Interstate 15.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, November 1-3, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Las Vegas Gambler Shootout presented by Short Line Express:

FRIDAY, Nov. 1 - Spectator gates open at noon.

SATURDAY, Nov. 2 - Spectator gates open at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at noon, 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, Nov. 3 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50. Children 6-12 are $5 each day and children 5 and under are admitted free. Seniors, 65 and older, Military personnel and Students save $10 on admission with valid I.D. For more information please call Las Vegas Motor Speedway, (702) 644-4444.

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.

2001 EVENT WINNERS: Steve Federlin, Top Alcohol Dragster; Steve Harker, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Jeff Taylor, Comp Eliminator; Jeff Miller, Super Stock; Gary Emmons, Stock Eliminator; Mike Ferderer, Super Comp; Craig Anderson, Super Gas; Kurt Gross, 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 2003 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 2003 Jeg's Allstars. 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 800 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. The Kerker King of the Coast competition will also be run this weekend.