RISING SUN, Md. - Cecil County Dragway will host the 2002 NHRA Northeast Division Summit Racing Series Finals Sept. 26-28. Top drivers from NHRA-member tracks across the Northeast will compete in five classes for individual and team honors. Individual champions in Super Pro, Heavy E.T., Street and Bike/Sled will advance to a run-off against the winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November.

Participants in the top classes will compete for cash awards of $53,680. Drivers who advance to the run-off will each receive $3,500 and the champions in each class will earn $5,000. Competitors in the High School class will earn trophies.

The team from Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., won last year's event at U.S. 13 Dragway in Delmar, Del. Individual winners were Brian Crump from Maple Grove Raceway in Super Pro; Mike LaRose from ESTA Safety Park in Heavy E.T., Dennis Parisan from Maple Grove Raceway in Street, Jack Podkowka from Lebanon Valley Dragway in Motorcycle, and Joe Santangelo II from Lebanon Valley Dragway in High School.

Gates at Cecil County Dragway open at 7 a.m. each day and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. Friday. Final eliminations begin Saturday at 8:30 a.m. For more information contact Cecil County Dragway, (410) 287-6280.

SUMMIT RACING SERIES NORTHEAST DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Summit Racing Series, where top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the Northeast division compete in five classes for individual and team honors. Individual champions will advance to a national run-off at the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona Raceway in California.

WHERE: Cecil County Dragway, Rising Sun, Md. Track is located 2.5 miles off Interstate 95, exit 100. Follow signs to Cecil County Dragway on Theodore Road.

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 26-28, 2002.

SCHEDULE: Time trials schedule for the Summit Racing Series Northeast Division Finals:
THURSDAY, Sept. 26 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m.
FRIDAY, Sept. 27 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final time trials begin at 8:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 28 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m.

PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super E.T., Heavy E.T., Bikes/Sleds and Street will compete for cash awards of $53,680. The winners in each category will advance to compete against winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. They will each receive $3,500 for advancing to the Finals and the winner in each class will receive an additional $5,000.

Participants in the High School and Junior categories compete for trophies.

2001 EVENT WINNERS: Maple Grove Raceway, team champion; Brian Crump (Maple Grove Raceway), Super Pro; Mike LaRose (ESTA Safety Park), Heavy; Dennis Parisan (Maple Grove Raceway), Street; Jack Podkowka (Lebanon Valley Dragway), Motorcycle; Joe Santangelo II (Lebanon Valley Dragway), High School

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in five racing categories: Super E.T. (cars running 7.00 seconds to 12.99 seconds), Heavy E.T. (10.00-19.99), Street (12.00-19.99), Motorcycle (7.50-16.99), High School (11.00 and slower)