FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reichert, Cheeseman grab first wins of the season

INDIANAPOLIS - A division record 718 cars in the North Central division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park were whittled down to just nine winners Sunday, including Indianapolis racer Steve Dillman in Super Comp.

Competition in Top Alcohol Dragster saw Bill Reichert visit the winner's circle for the first time this season, while in Top Alcohol Funny Car, defending division champion Chuck Cheeseman earned his first win of the year.

Reichert's team only got harder to beat as the day wore on. In the first round of eliminations, Reichert, an Owasso, Mich., resident, defeated Robert Badgett of Maryland Hts., Mo., with a 5.420-second, 266.58 mph pass. In the semis, Reichert was even quicker, beating Danville, Ill., racer Keith Stark with a 5.356-second effort at 272.61 mph. In the final round of eliminations, Reichert faced Bill McCornack of Lexington, Ky. Reichert made his best pass of the weekend: 5.386 seconds at 266.90 mph. McCornack's 5.659-second, 249.95 mph run was not enough to catch Reichert.

The Top Alcohol Funny Car final was a familiar sight in the North Central division. Galena, Ohio's, Cheeseman faced Marc White of Glendale Hts., Ill., but Cheeseman's 5.703-second, 249.81 mph pass was enough to get him to the finish line first. Before he could get to the final, however, Cheeseman won the first round when Greg Elliott of Bebford, Ind., red-lighted, and in the semis he beat current division points leader, Jeff Craig. Cheeseman out ran the Muncie, Ind., racer with a pass of 5.710 seconds at 249.81 mph.

Winners in the other NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series classes were Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., in Comp Eliminator; Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., in Super Stock; Anatol Denysenko, Lyons, Ill., in Stock; Steve Dillman, Indianapolis, in Super Comp; Barry Crane, Stouffville, Ont., in Super Gas; and Linn Bebout of Gambier, Ohio, in Super Street.

In the division's Top Sportsman class, which is run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil series, Troy Cagle of Ranburne, Fla., took the win.

North Central Division racers head to Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, June 20-22.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round One
6) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 11.784, 77.29 def. 
3) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., foul

1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.441, 261.52 def. 
8) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, foul

2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.420, 266.58 def. 
7) Robert Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 15.635, 80.75

4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.564, 250.18 def. 
5) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 6.773, 145.61

Semifinals
McCornack, 5.603, 244.92 def. Thacker, 6.128, 178.00
Reichert, 5.356, 272.61 def. Stark, 5.489, 258.22

Finals
Reichert, 5.386, 266.90 def. McCornack, 5.659, 249.95

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round One
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, Pontiac Firebird, 5.725, 250.92 def. 
8) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., Firebird, foul

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., Firebird, 5.754, 218.19 def. 
7) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., Chevy Camaro, 6.635, 206.23

3) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., Firebird, 5.913, 244.29 def. 
10) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., Firebird, 6.160, 234.53

4) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., Dodge R/T, 5.842, 249.81 def. 
5) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, Firebird, 6.093, 245.94

Semifinals
Cheeseman, 5.710, 249.81 def. Craig, 7.665, 123.37
White, 5.795, 236.42 def. Addleman, 6.452, 209.04

Finals
Cheeseman, 5.703, 249.86 def. White, 5.742, 250.55

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.502, 175.66 def. Jerry
Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., Dragster,  E/ED, 8.504, 147.29

SUPER STOCK
Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '88 Camaro, GT/CA, 10.298, 107.44 def. Dan
Olding, Hartland, Mich., '99 Monte Carlo, GT/KA, 11.109, 116.69

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Anatol Denysenko, Lyons, Ill., '86 Capri, I/FIA, 12.888, 101.38 def. Bill
Beaudin, Sterling Hts, Mich., '71 Challenger, B/SA, foul

SUPER COMP
Steve Dillman, Indianapolis, Dragster, 8.909, 155.02 def. Jeffrey Klomps,
Bayfield, Ont., Dragster, 8.889, 156.73

SUPER GAS
Barry Crane, Stouffville, Ont., '81 Arrow, 9.880, 140.59 def. Bob Sandman,
Okeana, Ohio, '67 Camaro, 9.863, 135.85

SUPER STREET
Linn Bebout, Gambier, Ohio, '69 Oldsmobile , 10.887, 136.57 def. Tony Hall,
Columbus, Ohio, '85 S-10, 10.817, 121.32

TOP SPORTSMAN
Troy Cagle, Ranburne, Fla., '89 Chevy S-10, 7.793, 162.47 def. Ryan Koener,
Morton, Ill., '01 Pontiac Firebird, 7.753, 175.16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cars fly down IRP quarter-mile in record numbers

INDIANAPOLIS - When rain early in the day forced officials to cut today's qualifying and time trials to a single run for each of the classes at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Marty Thacker remained in the No. 1 position after a strong run yesterday, while Chuck Cheeseman piloted his Top Alcohol Funny Car to the top spot in his only qualifying pass of the weekend.

Thacker, a resident of Robinson, Ill., did not improve on Friday's 5.401-second, 262.08 mph effort but it was enough to keep him just ahead of the No. 2 qualifier, Bill Reichert. Owasso, Mich., resident Reichert ran 5.405 seconds at 267.32 mph.

On Friday, Galena, Ohio's, Cheeseman did a burnout but shut the motor off without making a run. However, he did run well enough in his one attempt to vault himself to the No. 1 position. He ran 5.659 seconds at 250.55 mph. Marc White of Glendale Hts., Ill., had the best time on Friday and he improved on Saturday but not enough to overtake Cheeseman.

In Comp Eliminator, Ian Landies Jr. of Chardon, Ohio, maintained his top qualifier status from Friday as did Alex Denysenko of Lyons, Ill., in Super Stock and Donald Holmes from Dayton, Ohio, in Stock. In the division's Top Sportsman class, Chris Ray of Louisville, Ky., took over the No. 1 position.

When 718 cars took a crack at the drag strip Saturday, it was a record for the division. The previous record was 704 cars, set here in 2000.

Eliminations start Sunday at 8 a.m. Gates at IRP open at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round of eliminations at 1 p.m. Tickets, including pit pass, are $15. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call IRP, (317) 291-4090.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results, including Sunday's first round pairings of TAD and TAFC, from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central Division event at Indianapolis Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.401 seconds, 262.08 mph
2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.405, 267.32
3) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.417, 255.97
4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.515, 254.66
5) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.551, 263.26
6) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.561, 260.36
7) Robert Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 5.579, 252.76
8) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.616, 246.39

Not Qualified
9) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.647, 253.90
10) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.663, 252.52
11) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.782, 238.34
12) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.791, 246.48
13) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.798, 241.76
14) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.807, 230.49
15) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 5.932, 237.75
16) Robert Ginther, Lansing, Mich., 6.512, 169.59
17) Bryan Weber, Vemillion, Ohio, (no time)

First round TAD pairings
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.401 seconds, 262.08 mph vs. 
8) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio,5.616, 246.39

2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.405, 267.32 vs. 
7) Robert Badgett, Maryland Hts, Mo., 5.579,252.76

3) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.417, 255.97 vs. 
6) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.561, 260.36

4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.515, 254.66 vs. 
5) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.551, 263.26

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.659 seconds, 250.55 mph
2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.755, 249.72
3) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.883, 242.89
4) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.915, 249.12
5) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 6.114, 244.52
6) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Trans Am, 6.235, 193.49
7) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.381, 227.08
8) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.474, 214.04

Not Qualified
9) Ryan Sheridan, Vienna, Ohio, '97 Camaro, 6.619, 212.29
10) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.650, 221.23
11) Don DeVault, Kenland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 6.795, 219.47
12) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., '98 Mustang, 7.811, 127.81

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.659 seconds, 250.55 mph vs. 
8) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.474, 214.04

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.755, 249.72 vs. 
7) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.381, 227.08

3) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.883, 242.89 vs. 
6) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Trans Am, 6.235, 193.49

4) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.915, 249.12 vs. 
5) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 6.114, 244.52

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.264 seconds, -0.606 (under index)
2) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.524, -0.566
3) Michael Hazlett, Indianapolis, Ind., '97 Cutlass, B/A, 7.241, -0.559
4) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.792, -0.558
5) Mike Lund, Bettendorf, Iowa, '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 8.158, -0.532
6) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Roadster, J/AA, 7.930, -0.530
7) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.501, -0.529
8) Ed Bennett, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.291, -0.509
9) Rob Kropfeld, Hamilton, Ohio, Dragster, A/D, 6.613, -0.497
10) Jesse Plant, Terre Haute, Ind., Dragster, D/ED, 7.547, -0.463

SUPER STOCK
1) Alex Denysenko, Lyons, Ill., '65 Mustang, SS/MA, 11.020 seconds, -1.130 (under index)
2) Mike Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.898, -1.102
3) Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.212, -1.088
4) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.413, -1.087
5) John Stock, Sandusky, Ohio, '92 Cierra, GT/IA, 10.437, -1.063
6) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.438, -1.062
7) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.105, -1.045
8) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.812, -1.038
9) Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '64 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.270, -1.030
10) Ricky Decker, Charlestown, Ind., '94 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.682, -1.018

STOCK
1) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.701 seconds, -1.249 (under index)
2) Bruce Parsons, Lewisburg, Ohio, '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.203, -1.247
3) Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '92 Ram 150, GT/SA, 12.620, -1.230
4) Jim Paquet, Eaton Rapids, Mich., '99 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.395, -1.205
5) David Edwards, Washington Ct Hs, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.563, -1.187
6) John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, '00 Dakota, ET/SA, 11.992, -1.158
7) Chris Sniesak, Wales Twp, Mich., '99 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.851, -1.149
8) Lisa Stephenson, Danville, Ill., '90 Delta 88, EF/SA, 14.755, -1.145
9) Jerry Stealy, E. Moline, Ill., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.312, -1.138
10) Earl Six, Holt, Mich., '95 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.879, -1.121

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '99 Firebird, 7.063 seconds, 195.28 mph
2) Harry Martinson, Wadsworth, Ohio, '94 Thunderbird, 7.106, 192.33
3) Tomi Laine, Indianapolis, Ind., '00 Pontiac, 7.156, 191.27
4) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '03 Cavalier, 7.268, 190.16
5) Aaron Glaser, Shepherdsville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.315, 184.14
6) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 7.348, 188.75
7) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Pontiac, 7.375, 182.80
8) Rod Burgoyne, Colma, Mich., '93 Lumina, 7.393, 185.97
9) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.456, 185.61
10) Philip Montgomery, Owensboro, Ky., '00 Trans Am, 7.476, 177.84

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Opening day of qualifying complete at IRP

INDIANAPOLIS - In the initial rounds of qualifying in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Marty Thacker and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Marc White took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes. Thacker, of Robinson, Ill., was on top of the 15-car field with a pass of 5.401 seconds at 262.08 mph. Glendale Hts., Ill., resident White made a 5.778-second, 249.63 mph run to earn the top spot.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Ian Landies Jr. of Chardon, Ohio, in Comp Eliminator; Alex Denysenko, Lyons, Ill., in Super Stock; and Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, in Stock. In the division's Top Comp class, Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., is in the No. 1 position.

Qualifying continues Saturday at IRP. Gates open at 7 a.m. Tickets, including pit pass, are $15. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call IRP, (317) 291-4090.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central Division event at Indianapolis Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.401 seconds, 262.08 mph
2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.405, 267.32
3) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.551, 263.26
4) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.561, 260.36
5) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.782, 238.34
6) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, 5.833, 243.90
7) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.844, 248.11
8) Robert Ginther, Lansing, Mich., 6.512, 169.59

Not Qualified
9) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 7.525, 130.49
10) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 7.789, 114.10
11) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 8.495, 102.16
12) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 8.860, 97.30
13) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 9.200, 87.91
14) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 10.595, 72.94
15) Robert Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 13.900, 81.77

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.778 seconds, 249.63 mph
2) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.883, 242.89
3) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 6.114, 244.52
4) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.381, 227.08
5) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.474, 214.04
6) Ryan Sheridan, Vienna, Ohio, '97 Camaro, 6.669, 205.01
7) Don DeVault, Kenland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 6.795, 219.47
8) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 7.418, 190.19

Not Qualified
9) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., '98 Mustang, 7.811, 127.81
10) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, (no time)

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.264 seconds, -0.606 under index)
2) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.544, -0.546
3) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.811, -0.539
4) Mike Lund, Bettendorf, Iowa, '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 8.158, -0.532
5) Ed Bennett, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.341, -0.459
6) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Roadster, J/AA, 8.014, -0.446
7) Ron Bohn, Benton Harbor, Mich., '94 Beretta, F/AA, 8.439, -0.441
8) Douglas Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '03 Stratus, C/SMA, 8.640, -0.360
9) Eddie Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '63 Corvette, F/AA, 8.526, -0.354
10) David Podobinski, Washington, Pa., '88 Calais, F/A, 8.518, -0.352

Super Stock
1) Alex Denysenko, Lyons, Ill., '65 Mustang, SS/MA, 11.020 seconds, -1.130 (under index)
2) Mike Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.898, -1.102
3) Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.212, -1.088
4) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.413, -1.087
5) John Stock, Sandusky, Ohio, '92 Cierra, GT/IA, 10.437, -1.063
6) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.105, -1.045
7) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.812, -1.038
8) Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '64 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.270, -1.030
9) Ricky Decker, Charlestown, Ind., '94 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.684, -1.016
10) Mike Lyons, Addison Twp, Mich., '02 Cavalier, GT/GA, 10.188, -1.012

Stock Eliminator
1) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.701 seconds, -1.249 (under index)
2) Bruce Parsons, Lewisburg, Ohio, '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.203, -1.247
3) Jim Paquet, Eaton Rapids, Mich., '99 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.395, -1.205
4) David Edwards, Washington Ct Hs, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.563, -1.187
5) John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, '00 Dakota, ET/SA, 11.992, -1.158
6) Chris Sniesak, Wales Twp, Mich., '99 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.851, -1.149
7) Lisa Stephenson, Danville, Ill., '90 Delta 88, EF/SA, 14.755, -1.145
8) Earl Six, Holt, Mich., '95 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.879, -1.121
9) Danny Byrd, Sikeston, Mo., '67 Chevy II, E/S, 10.830, -1.120
10) Judy McCormack, Oxford, Mich., '03 Dakota, DT/SA, 11.880, -1.120

Top Sportsman
1) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '03 Cavalier, 7.268 seconds, 190.16 mph
2) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 7.360, 188.20
3) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Pontiac, 7.375, 182.80
4) Rod Burgoyne, Colma, Mich., '93 Lumina, 7.393, 185.97
5) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.471, 185.61
6) Jim England, E. Alton, Ill., '98 Avenger, 7.867, 175.21
7) Keith McPherson, Leonard, Ill., '63 Corvette, 7.951, 169.74
8) Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '97 Cutlass, 8.033, 170.45
9) Jimmy Fallon, Liberty Twp, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 8.086, 163.55
10) Aaron Glaser, Shepherdsville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 8.440, 118.51

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRP to host NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event

INDIANAPOLIS - NHRA's North Central Division will continue its 2003 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season at Indianapolis Raceway Park with a three-day event May 16-18.

The race is the second of six in North Central Division competition and will feature more than 500 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national titles as well as a share of the $561,000 champion's purse.

Classes that will run include 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) as well as Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

In Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) competition, Winfield, Mo., resident Jeff Wilson is leading the points. Although the former division champion lost in the first round at the division's season opener in Joliet, Ill., he won an out-of-division race in Memphis, Tenn. Ken Perry, whose first race of the season was in Joliet, is in second place with a runner-up finish there.

The event in Joliet featured the quickest eight-car TAD field in the division's history. The No. 1 qualifier, out-of-division driver Tony Bartone, made a 5.242-scecond pass. The No. 8 qualifier, Todd Datweiler of Herscher, Ill., ran 5.508 seconds. If weather conditions are right at Indianapolis Raceway Park, more division records may fall.

Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) driver Jeff Craig, of Muncie, Ind., won in Joliet, giving him the points lead. Last year, Craig was third in the point standings, his best finish in the class. Just five points behind Craig is Greenup, Ill., resident Kim Fritts who, like Wilson, won in Memphis.

Defending TAFC champion Chuck Cheeseman suffered a first-round loss in Joliet, his first event of the season. The Galena, Ohio, resident won that event in 2002 en route to his third consecutive crown. Cheeseman won five of the division's six races last year.

Marc White, who is a former division TAFC champion, traditionally has been Cheeseman's chief rival. However, the Glendale Hts., resident has attended two races - in Memphis and in Joliet - and has had first-round losses at both. Look for White and Cheeseman to step up their programs in Indy in order to chase down Craig.

Gates at Indianapolis Raceway Park open at 7 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 10 a.m. with Top Sportsman qualifying at 3 p.m. and TAD and TAFC running at 4 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman is scheduled to run at noon and 3 p.m. and TAD and TAFC will run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at 1 p.m.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and $15 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Indianapolis Raceway Park is located on Indiana Highway 136, four miles west of Interstate 465 at exit 16. For more information call the track, (317) 291-4090, or visit the web site, www.irponline.com.

The next North Central division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is scheduled for June 20-23 at Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: 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 division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the race. This event is the second of six in North Central Division competition.

WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis. Track is located on Indiana Highway 136, four miles west of Interstate 465 at exit 16.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 16-18, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

FRIDAY, May 16 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 3 p.m., and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 17 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are at noon and 3 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 18 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman eliminations begin at 11 a.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will begin first round at 1 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Indianapolis Raceway Park, (317) 291-4090, or visit www.irponline.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $164,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Ken Perry, Top Alcohol Dragster; Chuck Cheeseman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Steve Ambrose, Comp Eliminator; Bill Yates Sr., Super Stock; Josh Wiseman, Stock Eliminator; Steve Eckard, Super Comp; David Connolly, Super Gas; Robert Richardson, 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.

NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION TOP SPORTSMAN CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship.

Top Sportsman racers may run the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the Southeast or South Central Divisions.

The North Central Division Top Sportsman year-end champion will earn $2,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.

FEATURES: More than 500 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.