FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Biondo and Robinson double up at Bristol Dragway

BRISTOL, Tenn. - In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Bristol Dragway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver John Haley and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jay Payne both claimed victory in their respective categories.

In his first trip back to the Southeast Division since his February crash at Gainesville, Raceway, Haley of St. Louis, Minn., claimed victory over Lexington, Ky., driver Bill McCornack in the class final. In the opening round, Haley eliminated Northeast Division racer Mike Kosky of Cuddy, Pa., before then taking out Plymouth, Mich., driver Jeff Bohr in the semifinals. In the final Haley used a 5.584 second pass at 254.33 mph to take out McCornack, who ran 5.707 seconds at 248.75 mph.

After a pair of runner-up finishes this year to Jim Sickles, Payne emerged victorious against the Caledonia, N.Y., driver in the class final to claim his second divisional win of the year. En route to his win, Payne defeated Chesterfield, Va., driver Phil Hooper in the opening round and No. 2 qualifier Paul Lee of Gaithersburg, Md., in the semifinals. In the final, Payne ran 5.831 seconds at 247.70 mph to the 5.821 second pass at 246.12 mph of Sickles. This is Payne's second divisional win of the year and fifth final round appearance.

In Competition Eliminator, Glen Treadwell of Sorrento, Fla., defeated Chardon, Ohio racer Ian Landies, Jr. In the final, Treadwell ran a 8.672 second pass to defeat Landies, the No. 1 qualifier in the class, and get his first win of the year.

In Super Stock and Stock Eliminator it was no surprise to once again find Mt. Laurel, N.J., driver Peter Biondo in the winner's circle. Biondo who has down right assaulted both classes all year long, claimed victory in both classes. This was Biondo's fourth NHRA Southeast Division win of the year in Super Stock and second in Stock Eliminator. It was also his second win in a row in Super Stock. The win in Super Stock will aid Biondo in his bid for the National Championship in the class. The win also has allowed Biondo to regain the points lead, which prior to today's win was shared with North Bend, Wash., driver Jeff Lane.

Not to be out done, Bryan Robinson of Iuka, Miss., scored a pair of wins in Super Comp and Super Gas to claim his second NHRA Southeast Division win in a row in Super Gas and third overall in the class. Much like Biondo, Robinson's win helps the Mississippi native in the chase for the Super Comp National Championship and gives him the points lead in the class.

In Super Street, 2001 Summit Racing Series National Champion Michael Ruff of Orlando, Fla., won behind the wheel of his '92 Camaro. In the final Ruff defeated the '67 Nova of Jeff Goodman of Hendersonville, Tenn.

In the John Bleakley Top Sportsman Series, Jerry Barker of Byron, Ga., defeated Anderson, Ind., racer Mitch Smith in the class final to claim his first victory of the year.

The next stop on the NHRA Southeast Division tour is Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., August 8-9. The event will be the sixth of seven events in the Division. For more information about the event log on to www.atlantadragway.com or www.nhradiv2.com.

The following are Saturday's results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Bristol Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
ROUND ONE
4) John Haley, St. Louis, Minn., 5.620, 253.80 def. 
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.716, 247.70;

7) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.720, 248.57 def. 
2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 8.238, 112.83;

8) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.808, 247.47 def. 
1) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.794, 245.54;

6) Mike Bowers, Plano, Texas, 6.945, 132.31 def. 
3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., broke;

SEMIFINALS
McCornack, 5.730, 246.53 def. Bowers, 5.777, 233.16;
Haley, 5.661, 252.52 def. Bohr, 5.810, 246.89;

FINALS
Haley, 5.584, 254.33 def. McCornack, 5.707, 248.75.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., Dodge Avenger, 5.838, 248.16 def. 
8) Brian Greer, Warner Robins, Ga., Olds Achieva, broke;

2) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., Pontiac Firebird, 8.924, 99.29 def. 
7) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., Dodge Daytona, broke;

3) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.893, 248.20 def. 
6) Phil Hooper, Chesterfield, Va., Camaro, 6.388, 225.22;

9) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., Ford Mustang, 7.716, 124.71 def. 
4) Mick Snyder, DeMotte, Ind., Firebird, broke;

SEMIFINALS
Payne, 5.817, 249.76 def. Lee, 6.012, 240.21;
Sickles, 5.826, 247.97 def. Mudd, 6.866, 210.60;

FINALS
Payne, 5.831, 247.70 def. Sickles, 5.821, 246.12.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla.,  '23-T Ford, E/EA, 8.672, 148.71  def. 
Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.408, 160.90.

SUPER STOCK
Peter Biondo, Mt Laurel, N.J., '00 Firebird, GT/GA, 10.587, 127.51  def. 
Kent Hanley, Newtown, Conn., '94 Cavalier, GT/BA, 10.161, 130.04.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Peter Biondo, Mt Laurel, N.J., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 11.137, 114.49  def. 
Doug Frazier, Ringgold, Ga., '71 Duster, F/SA, 11.845, 112.27.

SUPER COMP
Bryan Robinson, Iuka, Miss., Dragster, 8.909, 158.35  def. 
David Tatum III, Palmetto, Ga., Dragster, 8.882, 152.54.

SUPER GAS
Bryan Robinson, Iuka, Miss., '63 Corvette, 9.928, 151.05  def. 
Edward Conner, Oviedo, Fla., '63 Corvette, 9.900, 148.36.

SUPER STREET
Michael Ruff, Orlando, Fla., '92 Camaro, 10.948, 123.35  def. 
Jeff Goodman, Hendersonville, Tenn., '67 Nova , 10.949, 124.67.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.413, 186.51  def. 
Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '97 Cutlass, 7.754, 168.87.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bartone and Sickles thunder to top spots at Bristol Dragway

BRISTOL, Tenn. - In the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Bristol Dragway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Tony Bartone and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jim Sickles are leading their respective fields

Bartone, who failed to qualify at this event last year, captured the No. 1 spot with a time of 5.468 seconds at 263.77 mph. Qualified second behind the Manhasset, N.Y., driver is Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Mo. Third is Jason Cannon of Middleburg, Fla.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Sickles of Caledonia, N.Y., continues to make his mark on the class behind the wheel of his Meyers RV Superstores Dodge Avenger. Sickles 5.826 second pass at 247.11 mph earns him his fourth Sealed Power Low Qualifier Bonus of the year. The second spot went to Paul Lee of Gaithersburg, Md. Former NHRA Southeast Division champ, Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., is qualified third.

Top qualifiers in other classes were Ian Landies, Jr. of Chardon, Ohio in Competition Eliminator, Bucky Hess of Bunker Hill, W.V., in Super Stock and Bobby Warren of Clinton, N.C., in Stock Eliminator. In the John Bleakley Motorhomes Top Sportsman Series, Robert Sellers of Bunnell, Fla., captured the top spot in the class.

Saturday's racing action will feature 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, as well as final qualifying in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street and the John Bleakley Motorhomes Top Sportsman Series. Final eliminations in all classes begin at 1 p.m.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open Saturday at 8 a.m. Final qualifying is set to begin at 9:30 a.m., with eliminations to follow at 1 p.m. Final eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled for 3, 6, and 8 p.m. For more information please contact Bristol Dragway at (423) 764-6555 or visit them on the web at www.BristolDragway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Bristol Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.468 seconds, 263.77 mph
2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.560, 253.71
3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.571, 256.11
4) John Haley, St. Louis, Minn., 5.584, 253.75
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.617, 252.24
6) Mike Bowers, Plano, Texas, 5.672, 237.84
7) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.673, 246.66
8) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.683, 249.39

Not Qualified
9) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.790, 243.41
10) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.824, 240.17
11) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.969, 232.27
12) Robert Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 6.914, 190.43

First-round TAD pairings
1) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.468 seconds, 263.77 mph vs. 
8) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.683, 249.39

2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.560, 253.71 vs. 
7) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.673, 246.66

3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.571, 256.11 vs. 
6) Mike Bowers, Plano, Texas, 5.672, 237.84

4) John Haley, St. Louis, Minn., 5.584, 253.75 vs. 
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.617, 252.24

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.826 seconds, 247.11 mph
2) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.875, 245.14
3) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.925, 242.63
4) Mick Snyder, DeMotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 6.004, 234.29
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 6.029, 239.10
6) Phil Hooper, Chesterfield, Va., '98 Camaro, 6.226, 228.50
7) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., '95 Daytona, 6.375, 221.16
8) Brian Greer, Warner Robins, Ga., '98 Achieva, 6.877, 222.80

Not Qualified
9) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., '98 Mustang, 7.191, 141.58

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.826 seconds, 247.11 mph vs. 
8) Brian Greer, Warner Robins, Ga., '98 Achieva, 6.877, 222.80

2) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.875, 245.14 vs. 
7) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., '95 Daytona, 6.375, 221.16

3) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.925, 242.63 vs. 
6) Phil Hooper, Chesterfield, Va., '98 Camaro, 6.226, 228.50

4) Mick Snyder, DeMotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 6.004, 234.29 vs. 
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 6.029, 239.10

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.403 seconds, -0.437 under index
2) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 7.096, -0.434
3) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.665, -0.415
4) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '03 Sunfire, A/SM, 8.133, -0.407
5) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.827, -0.343
6) Jacklyn Gebhardt, Jacksonville, Ill., Gebhardt, A/ED, 6.956, -0.334
7) Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., '92 Cavalier, F/A, 8.511, -0.329
8) Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., Dragster, A/ND, 7.423, -0.317
9) Tony Stephenson, Willow Spring, N.C., '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.990, -0.310
10) Larry Carson, Morning View, Ky., Davis, A/D, 6.835, -0.275

SUPER STOCK
1) Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W.V., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.066 seconds, -0.934 under index
2) Mike Cates, Milan, Tenn., '64 Comet, SS/M, 10.988, -0.912
3) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 11.020, -0.880
4) Ron Terrell, Hebron, Ky., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.753, -0.797
5) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '01 Cavalier, SS/CM, 9.161, -0.789
6) Jim Smiley, Springfield, Tenn., '91 Calais, SS/BM, 8.915, -0.785
7) Blair Patrick, Jasper, Tenn., '68 Mustang, SS/FA, 9.973, -0.777
8) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.775, -0.775
9) Jimmy Bridges, Nashville, Tenn., '66 Corvette, SS/C, 9.585, -0.765
10) Merle Eschman III, Butler, Pa., '98 Grand Am, GT/EA, 10.187, -0.763

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '97 Firebird, B/FI, 10.581 seconds, -1.069 (under index)
2) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '95 Camaro, F/FIA, 12.076, -0.874
3) Amy Faulk, Collierville, Tenn., '99 Firebird, C/FIA, 11.127, -0.873
4) Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.940, -0.810
5) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, G/SA, 11.504, -0.796
6) Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '73 Nova, I/SA, 11.824, -0.776
7) Jennifer McCormack, Oxford, Mich., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.150, -0.750
8) Owen Birkett, Baker, La., '79 Buick, L/SA, 12.256, -0.744
9) George Tamasi Jr., Jupiter, Fla., '94 Trans Am, C/FIA, 11.256, -0.744
10) Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Formula, G/FIA, 12.409, -0.741

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Robert Sellers, Bunnell, Fla., '97 Avenger, 7.079 seconds, 193.96 mph
2) Jeffrey Lynn Rudisill, Rutherford College, N.C., '92 Trans Am, 7.232, 190.30
3) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.257, 191.51
4) Michael Allen Jr., Surgeonsville, Tenn., '97 Firebird, 7.262, 191.08
5) Larry Vickers, Rogersville, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.267, 195.14
6) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.348, 187.70
7) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.414, 186.28
8) Joe Baker, Milton, Fla., '99 Avenger, 7.432, 185.00
9) Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Camaro, 7.455, 181.67
10) Joel Douglas, Statesville, N.C., '94 Cutlass, 7.467, 182.82
>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Southeast Division racers thunder into Bristol Dragway

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Bristol Dragway will host the 2nd Annual Winnebago Industries Thunder Valley Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, July 18 and 19. The event is the fifth of seven in NHRA Southeast division competition and will feature more than 400 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national titles and a share of the more than $560,000 champions' purse.

Classes that will race include 260 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The division's John Bleakely Motor Homes Top Sportsman Series will also run in conjunction with the event.

In the division's season opener in Gainesville, Fla., Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) racer Tony Bartone beat Michael Gunderson in the final round. Bartone, a resident of Manhasett, N.Y., also made semifinal-round appearances at out-of-division races in Joliet, Ill., and Atco, N.J. Besides the runner-up finish in Gainesville, Gunderson, a former Southeast division TAD champion out of Middleburg, Fla., went to the semifinals in Montgomery, Ala., and, at an out-of-division event in Memphis, Tenn., he suffered a first-round loss.

Also in Gainesville, Jim Sickles of Caladonia, N.Y., made his first of two final-round appearances in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC). He took the win over Jay Payne, a Claremont, Calif., resident. Then, in Montgomery he was runner-up to Mark Billington of Apopka, Fla.

The Alcohol classes did not compete at the division's second Lucas Oil event, in Orlando, Fla.

Peter Biondo, who races in the division's Super Stock and Stock classes, has three wins in the division's first three events. The Mt. Laurel, N.J., racer drove his Super Stocker to the win in Gainesville and in Orlando. Then, in Montgomery, he won in Stock.

Jason Lynch double dipped in Montgomery when he drove his Super Comp dragster and his Super Gas Firebird to the winner's circle.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Qualifying and time trials start at noon Friday and continue Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. First round of eliminations will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday and on Saturday, they will get a final qualifying run at noon. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars will make all qualifying passes on Friday, at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, they will run eliminations at 3, 6 and 8 p.m.

General admission tickets are $15 Friday and $25 Saturday. A two-day ticket is $35. Children under 13 are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Bristol Dragway, (423) 764-DRAG, or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

The next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event on the Southeast division schedule is Aug. 7-9 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: 2nd Annual Winnebago Industries Thunder Valley Challenge, 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 seven in Southeast Division competition. The division's John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn. Track is located in Bristol at 151 Speedway Rd., off Hwy. 394. From the south, take I-81 to I-181. Go to exit 11E and take Hwy. 394 east to Bristol Dragway entrance.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the 2nd Annual Winnebago Industries Thunder Valley Challenge:

FRIDAY, July 18 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is at 6 and 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 19 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final time trials and qualifying begin at 9:30 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at noon. Eliminations start at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car eliminations are scheduled at 3, 6 and 8 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday and $25 Saturday. A two-day ticket is $35. Children under 13 are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Bristol Dragway, (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Marty Thacker, Top Alcohol Dragster; Von Smith, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Mike Farrell, Comp Eliminator; John Fogle, Super Stock; Peter Biondo, Stock Eliminator; Jim Perry, Super Comp; Jay Davis, Super Gas; Greg Glenn, 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 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.

JOHN BLEAKLEY MOTOR HOMES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central Divisions.

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.