FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monaghan scores first win of career

DELMAR, Del. - Fran Monaghan picked up the first win of his career at this weekend's Delaware 1st State Championships at US 13 Dragway. Monaghan recorded a 5.811-second pass at 244.96 mph in his Top Alcohol Dragster to defeat Doug Foley of Wapingersw, N.Y.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time," said a smiling Monaghan from the winner's circle. "I don't even know how many final rounds I've been in. I think it's 16, and this is my first win. Now we need a National (win)."

Foley tripped the clocks with a final-round pass of 5.699 seconds at 250.48 but he left the starting line early, giving him a red-light and handing the win to Monaghan.

Frank Manzo joined Monaghan in the winner's circle taking home his third win of the season and his first Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional win. Manzo has wins earlier this year from Atlanta Dragway and Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Manzo took out Bruce Mullins in the final of Top Alcohol Funny Car with a run of 5.952 seconds at 244.49 mph to Mullins 6.881, 149.37. Manzo also set a new track speed record in his semifinal win over Scott Woodington at 247.38 mph. He bettered his old record of 245.90 set at this event last year.

Mark McHugh was involved in an accident when his '68 Camaro went out of control and flipped over the guard wall about half track before coming to a stop in the grass area next to the track. McHugh, from Newark, Del., was competing in the Pro Mod exhibition class at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. He was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for additional tests and observations.

The Northeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Atco Raceway in Atco, N.J., June 20-22.

The following are round by round results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at US 13 Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Fran Monaghan Jr, Meadowbrook, Pa., 23.715 seconds, 39.56 mph def. 
8) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., no show

2) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 6.314, 184.80 def. 
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 8.695, 99.20

3) Douglas Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 13.135, 51.35 def. 
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., no-show

5) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 9.977, 80.02 def. 
4) Steve Lamplough, Severna Park, Md., no show
 
Semifinals
Monaghan def. De Angelis, Broke
Foley def. Horner, Broke
 
Final
Monaghan, 5.811, 244.96 def. Foley, 5.699, 25.48
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.945 seconds, 247.32 mph def. Bye 

2) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '03 Firebird, 6.269, 220.91 def. 
5) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '00 Firebird, 6.989, 139.94

4) Scott Woodington, Delran, N.J., '03 Camaro, 5.945, 247.32 def. 
3) Craig English, Mount Holly, N.J., '98 Mustang, no-show
 
Semifinals
Manzo, 5.926, 247.38 def. Woodington, 8.378, 98.67
Mullins, 7.168, 128.70 def. Bye
 
Final
Manzo, 5.549, 262.33 def. Mullins, 6.881, 149.37
 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, D/EA, 8.461, 157.48 def. 
Patrick Ross Sr, Avon Lake, Ohio, '03 Grand Am, F/A, 8.294, 161.55
 
SUPER STOCK
David Barton, Robesonia, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.997, 134.52 def. 
Steve Sweitzer, Jersey Shore, Pa., '92 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.861, 132.27
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Bill Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Nova, U/SA, 14.374, 89.74 def. 
Ed Fernandez, Old Bridge, N.J., '77 Gremlin, T/SA, 13.807, 90.27

SUPER GAS
Ray Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '02 Camaro, 9.925, 165.07 def. 
Douglas Marshall, Marshall, Va., '73 240-Z, 9.940, 144.62
 
SUPER COMP
John Martin, Columbus, N.J., Dragster, 22.960, 34.58 def. 
Bob Phillips, Oley, Pa., Dragster, foul

SUPER STREET
Martin Ganjoin Jr., Brick, N.J., '69 Camaro, 10.889, 133.80 def.
Michael Giuliano, Long Island, N.Y., '67 Camaro, 10.903, 132.62, foul
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Final qualifying and eliminations held over to Sunday

DELMAR, Del.- All racing activity for day two of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at US 13 Dragway has been postponed due to rain that moved in this morning and is expected to continue into this evening. Racing is scheduled to start back up on Sunday morning with gates opening at 7 a.m. Racers in Comp., Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp., Super Gas, and Super Street will receive a single time trial/qualifying pass Sunday morning beginning at 9 a.m.

The Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car classes each ran two qualifying rounds on Friday night and the fields are set and closed. Round one is scheduled for noon with Fran Monaghan and Frank Manzo sitting in the number one qualifying positions for dragster and funny car respectively.

NHRA and US 13 Dragway ran eliminations for a separate event on Friday in conjunction with the opening day of qualifying for this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The season opener for the NHRA Northeast Division National Open Series was originally scheduled in late March here at US 13 Dragway but was rescheduled to this weekend as a result of weather.

The following are final round results for the NHRA Northeast Division National Open which concluded on Friday at U.S. 13 Dragway.

SUPER STOCK
Jack Sepanek, Moosic, Pa., ''69 Camaro, 9.695 seconds, 138.01 mph def. 
Raymond Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '97 Probe, 10.077, 130.54
 
STOCK
Albert Vanis, Manalapan, N.J., '77 Lemans, 12.416, 93.96 def. 
Victor Guilmino III, Martinsburg, W.V., '00 Cyclone, 10.674, 122.98
 
SUPER COMP
Al Kenny, Glen Burnie, Ont. CAN, '01 dragster, 8.927, 160.05 def. 
Ken Moses, Colonia, N.J., '00 dragster, 8.955, 160.65
 
SUPER GAS
Jeff Szilagyi, Bethlehem, Pa., '27 roadster, 9.919, 143.49 def. 
Thomas Goldman, Allentown, Pa., '40 Willy, 12.367, 79.87

SUPER STREET
Michael Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '67 Camaro, 10.908, 140.40 def. 
Jeff Watkins, Wilkes-barre, Pa., '88 Camaro, 10.899, 127.84
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monaghan, Manzo on top at Delmar

DELMAR, Del.- Fran Monaghan and Frank Manzo grabbed the top spots and will lead their fields into Saturday's eliminations at US 13 Dragway for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Monaghan recorded a 5.624-second, 249.79-mph pass in qualifying number one in Top Alcohol Dragster and is followed by Bruce Horner in second with a 5.839, 233.94 mph pass. Wilmington, Del., residents Steven Cantrell and Ken Winword sit in the 6th and 7th spots respectively in the dragster class. Cantrell posted a 6.390 at 170.39 followed by Winword with a 7.143 at 127.96.

Manzo, who is looking for his eighth National Championship in Top Alcohol Funny Car, clocked in at 5.913 seconds, 245.76 mph to lead the funny car field. The Morganville, NJ resident is followed by Bruce Mullins in second with a 6.200 at 222.00.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Michele Costa of Freehold, N.J., in Comp; Bill Leber Jr. of Tonawanda, N.Y., in Super Stock; and Bobby Warren of Clinton, N.C, in Stock.

Racing continues for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series on Saturday at 2 p.m. Gates at US 13 Dragway open at noon with round one of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car scheduled for 6 p.m. For more information call the track, (302) 846-3968.

The following are Friday's qualifying results and first round pairings for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at US 13 Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Fran Monaghan Jr, Meadowbrook, Pa., 5.624 seconds, 249.79 mph
2) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.839, 233.94
3) Douglas Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.858, 233.64
4) Steve Lamplough, Severna Park, Md., 5.887, 237.21
5) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.893, 244.63
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 6.287, 172.18
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.390, 170.39
8) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 7.237, 112.44

Not Qualified
9) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 10.199, 78.66
 
First-round TAD pairings
1) Fran Monaghan Jr, Meadowbrook, Pa., 5.624 seconds, 249.79 mph vs. 
8) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 7.237, 112.44

2) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.839, 233.94 vs. 
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.390, 170.39

3) Douglas Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.858, 233.64 vs. 
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 6.287, 172.18

4) Steve Lamplough, Severna Park, Md., 5.887, 237.21 vs. 
5) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.893, 244.63
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.913 seconds, 246.98 mph
2) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '03 Firebird, 6.200, 222.00
3) Craig English, Mount Holly, N.J., '98 Mustang, 6.749, 168.76
4) Scott Woodington, Delran, N.J., '03 Camaro, 7.422, 147.01
5) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '00 Firebird, 9.571, 68.16
 
First-round TAFC pairings
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.913 seconds, 246.98 mph vs. Bye

2) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '03 Firebird, 6.200, 222.00 vs. 
5) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '00 Firebird, 9.571, 68.16

3) Craig English, Mount Holly, N.J., '98 Mustang, 6.749, 168.76 vs. 
4) Scott Woodington, Delran, N.J., '03 Camaro, 7.422, 147.01
 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., Dragster, G/D, 9.065 seconds, -0.665 (under index)
2) Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., Bantam, F/EA, 8.488, -0.592
3) Charlie Yannetti, Northvale, N.J., '32 Bantam, L/AA, 9.322, -0.558
4) Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, F/SM, 8.985, -0.515
5) Don Eckel, Piscataway, N.J., ProStart, C/D, 7.101, -0.509
6) Richard Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Firebird, I/SM, 9.241, -0.499
7) Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.530, -0.490
8) Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Trans Am, F/SM, 9.025, -0.475
9) Jonathan Aloisio, W Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, B/SM, 8.359, -0.471
10) Patrick Ross Sr, Avon Lake, Ohio, '03 Grand Am, F/A, 8.383, -0.457
 
SUPER STOCK
1) Frank Maiolo, Mt. Vernon, N.Y., '85 Camaro, GT/BA, 9.703 seconds, -1.247 (under index)
2) Steve Sweitzer, Jersey Shore, Pa., '92 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.813, -1.137
3) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.351, -1.099
4) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/JA, 10.522, -1.078
5) Bob Cupp, Alexandria, Va., '65 Chevelle, SS/KA, 10.508, -1.042
6) Ed Koziol, Montgomery, Mass., '66 Corvette, SS/C, 9.345, -1.005
7) Joseph Santangelo II, Marlborough, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.500, -1.000
8) Darrell Marvel, Big Rapids, Mich., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.020, -0.980
9) Tony Depillo, Dayton, Ohio, '64 Savoy, SS/B, 9.226, -0.974
10) Travis Chappel, Jersey Shore, Pa., '90 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.136, -0.964
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.510 seconds, -1.240 (under index)
2) Evan Smith, Matawan, N.J., '93 Mustang, E/FI, 11.275, -1.225
3) Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.229, -1.221
4) Cecil Frazier, Canton, Mass., '92 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.773, -1.177
5) Emory Stull Jr., Woodbine, Md., '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.838, -1.162
6) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '97 Camaro, B/FI, 10.498, -1.152
7) Dean Cook II, Coventry, R.I., '95 Cobra, F/FI, 11.725, -1.125
8) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.496, -1.104
9) Ed Horensky, Sugarloaf, Pa., '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.597, -1.103
10) Ken Kopecky, Edison, N.J., '71 Demon, F/SA, 11.050, -1.100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Northeast Division Lucas Oil racers meet at US 13 Dragway

DELMAR, Del. - US 13 Dragway will host the Delaware 1st State Championships, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, June 6-8. The race is the second of seven in NHRA Northeast division competition where drivers in eight categories earn points toward divisional and national titles and a share of the champions' purse, worth more than $560,000.

Classes that will run are Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. Friday's action will include an exhibition of Supercharged Warriors, while Pro-Mod cars will be featured Saturday and Sunday.

This year, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Frank Manzo is going for his 14th Northeast division championship and his eighth national title. In 2002, the Morganville, N.J., resident earned his sixth consecutive national championship and his eighth straight division crown.

Manzo dominated the Northeast last year winning six out of the seven events as well as four NHRA national events. However, this season it looks like the longtime rivalry between Manzo and Bob Newberry is heating up and Newberry could put the pressure on the champ.

Newberry, a Schenectady, N.Y., resident, has found some consistency and has fared well at the races he has attended.

The reigning Top Alcohol Dragster national champion is also from the Northeast division. Arthur Gallant won the title after a yearlong battle with Duane Shields of Las Vegas. The Boxboro, Mass., resident also claimed his first division title in 2002. En route to the championships, Gallant won four divisional races and two national events.

Gallant started 2003 with a first-round loss at an out-of-division race in Gainesville, Fla., but advanced to the semifinals at his next event. With a runner-up finish at his third race of the year, it seems that Gallant is back on track.

Typically, there are an abundance of quality TAD teams competing in the Northeast division but at this early date it remains to be seen who will challenge Gallant for the division title.

Gates at US 13 Dragway open at 8 a.m. Friday. Qualifying and time trials start at 11 a.m. with TAD and TAFC running at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Supercharged Warriors will make four runs, at 5, 6:30, 8:15, and 9:15 p.m.

Saturday, gates open at noon and qualifying and time trials will continue at 2 p.m. Pro-Mod cars will have two qualifying sessions, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to run all rounds of eliminations starting at 6 p.m.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Gates at US 13 Dragway open at 9 a.m. Pro-Mod cars will run first round of eliminations at 12:15 p.m.

General admission tickets at US 13 Dragway are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and $12 Sunday. Tickets with a pit pass included are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $18 Sunday. Children 13 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

US 13 Dragway is located on US Highway 13, just ½-mile north of the Delaware/Maryland state line. For more information call US 13 Dragway, (302) 846-3968.

The next Northeast division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is scheduled for Atco Raceway in Atco, N.J., June 20-22.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Delaware 1st State Championships, 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 second of seven in Northeast Division competition.

WHERE: US 13 Dragway, Delmar, Del. Track is located on U.S. Highway 13, just ½ mile north of the Delaware-Maryland state line.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 6-8, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Delaware 1st State Championships:

FRIDAY, June 6 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 11 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. A special exhibition of Supercharged Warriors will make four runs, at 5, 6:30, 8:15, and 9:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 7 -- Gates open at noon. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Pro-Mod cars will have two qualifying sessions, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled to run all rounds of eliminations starting at 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 8 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Eliminations begin at 11 a.m. Eliminations for Pro-Mod begin at 12:15 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION -- $10 Friday, $15 with a pit pass; $12 Saturday, $20 with a pit pass; $12 Sunday, $18 with a pit pass. Children 13 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call US 13 Dragway, (302) 846-3968.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $162,495, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Cliff Bozzelli, Top Alcohol Dragster; Frank Manzo, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Don Stratton, Comp Eliminator; Sal Biondo, Super Stock; Jerry MacNeish, Stock Eliminator; Dan Northrop, Super Comp; Thomas Stalba, Super Gas; Robert Silfies, 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 2003 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 $215,500 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 43 of 45 divisional events and 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.

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.