FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilson scores second win, Cheeseman makes it 3 straight

CLEVES, Ohio - With more than 600 cars on the grounds at Edgewater Sports Park, and rain threatening the Summer Thunder event throughout the weekend, competitors in the NHRA North Central division's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series meet made it through with winners in each of the nine classes. Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) pilot Jeff Wilson earned his second win of the season and Chuck Cheeseman drove his Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) to the winner's circle for the third consecutive time.

Wilson, a Winfield, Mo., resident, qualified in the bottom half of the eight-car field but by the time first round of eliminations was over, the first four qualifiers were out of the race. In the final, Wilson defeated Jeff Bohr of Plymouth, Mich. Wilson ran 5.616 seconds at 252.52 to Bohr's 5.730-second, 249.93-mph effort.

"I was glad to get this one," said a smiling Wilson. "I missed an in-division race earlier in the year and I was afraid that might hurt us in the points so I'm glad to have made it up here."

For Galena, Ohio, resident Cheeseman, the win over runner-up Jeff Craig gave him a better cushion in the division's TAFC point standings. After his initial qualifying pass on Friday, Cheeseman was the picture of consistency and reset the track elapsed time record with Saturday's No.1 qualifying 5.825-second run. In the final round of eliminations his 5.867-second, 246.23-mph pass was more than enough to take out Craig who slowed to a 7.751-second, 246.91 mph pass.

"I'm feeling too old for this," joked Cheeseman, 56. "The heat and the pressure can be too much for an old guy. But I'm looking forward to the next race in Bowling Green. We like it there and seem to do well."

In the other categories, it was the first win in the division for all the drivers. Those winners were Jerry Arnold of Kalamazoo, Mich., in Comp Eliminator; Joe Covert of Saukville, Wis., in Super Stock; Joey Wilkes of Zanesville, Ohio, in Stock; Mike Coughlin of Delaware, Ohio, in Super Comp; Steven Bailey of Wilmington, Ill., in Super Gas; and Bill Webb of Centerburg, Ohio, in Super Street. The winner in the division's Top Sportsman class was Sandy Wilkins of Fuquay Varinna, N.C.

Veteran Comp Eliminator racer Ron Selway of New Philadelphia, Ohio, was involved in an accident during first round of eliminations Sunday at Edgewater Sports Park when his 1967 Corvette went out of control past the finish line. The 63-year-old driver was transported to University of Cincinnati Hospital for evaluation.

North Central Division racers head to Bowling Green, Ky., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Aug. 22-24.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
First Round
6) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.580, 253.09 def. 
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.708, 250.34

8) Bryan Weber, Vemillion, Ohio, 5.778, 246.57 def. 
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 6.097, 226.41

7) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.882, 231.95 def. 
2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., broke

5) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.659, 252.31 def. 
4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.729, 248.20

Semifinal
Wilson, 5.605, 252.17 def. Samsel, 17.456, 37.05
Bohr, 5.695, 250.97 def. Weber, 10.597, 73.87 

Final
Wilson, 5.616, 252.52 def. Bohr, 5.730, 249.93

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
First Round
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, Pontiac Firebird, 5.822, 244.49 def. 
11) Don DeVault, Kenland, Ind., Dodge Avenger, 6.693, 196.50 

2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., Dodge R/T, 5.966, 245.49 def. 
10) James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., Pontiac Trans Am, 6.337, 201.79 

9) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., Firebird, 6.090, 234.92 def. 
4) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., Avenger, 6.065, 234.07 

3) Mick Snyder, DeMotte, Ind., Firebird, 5.996, 238.28 def. 
6) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., Trans Am, 6.323, 224.88

Semifinal
Cheeseman, 5.850, 244.89 def. Elliott, 7.013, 136.57 
Craig, 5.945, 244.16 def. Snyder, 5.958, 238.03 

Final
Cheeseman, 5.867, 246.23 def. Craig, 7.751, 124.98 

COMP ELIMINATOR
Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., Dragster, E/ED, 8.554, 142.87 def. 
Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich.,  '23-T Ford, J/AA, foul 

SUPER STOCK
Joe Covert, Saukville, Wis., '94 Regal, SS/AX, 9.403, 134.89 def. 
Brad Hutton, Elizabeth, Ky., '97 Trans Am, GT/GA, 10.431, 127.17

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.516, 115.65 def.
Randy Taylor, Beavercreek, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/SA, 11.558, 114.97 

SUPER COMP
Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, Dragster, 8.972, 165.13 def. 
Dennis Rutherford, Newark, Ohio, dragster, 8.987, 163.90

SUPER GAS
Steven Bailey, Wilmington, Ill., '63 Dodge, 9.895, 136.81 def. 
Steve Hoyt, Ft. Wayne, Ind., '63 Corvette, foul 

SUPER STREET
Bill Webb, Centerburg, Ohio, '66 Fairlane, 10.904, 138.31 def. 
Jeff Goodman, Hendersonville, Tenn., '67 Nova, 10.906, 126.56

TOP SPORTSMAN
Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Chevy Camaro, 7.505, 181.52 def.
T.J. Tracey, Barrett, Tenn., '63 Chevy Corvette, 7.378, 189.43

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAD, TAFC records fall at Edgewater Sports Park

CLEVES, Ohio. - In the final rounds of qualifying at Edgewater Sports Park's Summer Thunder, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Marty Thacker was the No.1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Chuck Cheeseman grabbed the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC). In their drive to No. 1, both racers reset the track elapsed time records in their classes.

What would have been the third and final qualifying run for both categories was scrapped when the rain started to fall as they were heading for the staging lanes.

Thacker's 5.527-second, 257.65 mph pass catapulted him ahead of yesterday's top qualifier, Jeff Wilson who failed to improve on his previous run and finished in the sixth spot. For Thacker, a Robinson, Ill., resident, this is his second No. 1 qualifier of the season.

Defending division TAFC champion Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio, pushed himself to the No. 1 position with a 5.825-second, 246.91 mph effort. Yesterday's best qualifier Jeff Craig wound up qualified No. 2.

Cheeseman has won the division's last two events and is looking to make it three-in-row. However, Craig, who lives in Muncie, Ind., is his biggest rival this season and if he can pull off a win this weekend the drivers will have two wins apiece.

Santo Volpe of Cocoa, Fla., and Dave Layer of Dayton, Ohio, were the No. 1 qualifiers in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, respectively. In Stock, John Lovins of Riverside, Ohio, retained his top position. Top Sportsman racer Scott Ray of Greenville, Ohio, is the best qualifier in his class. Ray's 6.473-second run was also a division record.

Eliminations start at 9 a.m. Sunday at Edgewater Sports Park and gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets for Sunday's action are $20. Children 6 to 12 are $5 and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Edgewater Sports Park, (513) 353-4666, or visit www.EdgewaterRace.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central Division Summer Thunder at Edgewater Sports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.527 seconds, 257.65 mph
2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.588, 258.99
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.606, 259.74
4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.653, 248.61
5) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.762, 250.83
6) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.790, 241.48
7) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.833, 239.61
8) Bryan Weber, Vemillion, Ohio, 5.859, 246.37

Not Qualified
9) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.863, 247.38
10) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twp., Mich., 5.902, 234.61
11) Russ Lindert, Valparaiso, Ind., 5.991, 247.72
12) Evan Knoll, Decatur, Mich., 6.359, 227.84
13) Timothy Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 6.500, 195.48
14) Paul Fishburn, Reusselaer, Ind., (no time)

First-round TAD pairings
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.527 seconds, 257.65 mph vs. 
8) Bryan Weber, Vemillion, Ohio, 5.859, 246.37

2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.588, 258.99 vs. 
7) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.833, 239.61

3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.606, 259.74 vs. 
6) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.790, 241.48

4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.653, 248.61 vs. 
5) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.762, 250.83

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.825 seconds, 246.91 mph
2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '02 R/T, 5.937, 245.36
3) Mick Snyder, DeMotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.985, 237.21
4) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '00 Avenger, 6.041, 234.68
5) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.073, 229.76
6) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '00 Trans Am, 6.123, 231.18
7) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.134, 217.12
8) Fred Hagen, Chicago, '01 Avenger, 6.190, 210.37

Not Qualified
9) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.193, 228.25
10) James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.393, 223.04
11) Don DeVault, Kenland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 6.941, 217.33
12) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 8.756, 96.15
13) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Trans Am, (no time)

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.825 seconds, 246.91 mph vs. 
8) Fred Hagen, Chicago, '01 Avenger, 6.190, 210.37

2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '02 R/T, 5.937, 245.36 vs. 
7) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.134, 217.12

3) Mick Snyder, DeMotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.985, 237.21 vs. 
6) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '00 Trans Am, 6.123, 231.18

4) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '00 Avenger, 6.041, 234.68 vs. 
5) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.073, 229.76

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Santo Volpe, Cocoa, Fla., '34 Chevy, A/SR, 8.034 seconds, -0.606 (under index)
2) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, D/SMA, 8.751, -0.549
3) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., Kustoms, E/ED, 8.539, -0.531
4) Ed Bennett, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.314, -0.486
5) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., Herndon, F/ED, 8.510, -0.480
6) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.541, -0.479
7) Ian Landies Jr, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.365, -0.475
8) Michael Hazlett, Indianapolis, Ind., '97 Cutlass, B/A, 7.328, -0.472
9) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., Dragster, A/ED, 6.821, -0.469
10) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.832, -0.468

SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.342 seconds, -1.158 (under index)
2) Kerri Voges, Dayton, Ohio, '88 Camaro, SS/NA, 11.295, -1.155
3) Ron Terrell, Hebron, Ky., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.516, -1.034
4) Rick Brown, Lebanon, Ohio, '92 Ciera, GT/IA, 10.469, -1.031
5) Larry Wilson, Mt Washington, Ky., '66 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.424, -1.026
6) Ken Shawver, Defiance, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.538, -1.012
7) Mike Cates, Milan, Tenn., '64 Comet, SS/M, 10.888, -1.012
8) Gary Russell, E. Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, GT/L, 10.611, -0.989
9) Zackary Running, Lapeer, Mich., '84 Cutlass, SS/MA, 11.188, -0.962
10) Michael Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.844, -0.956

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, '00 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.208 seconds, -1.292 (under index)
2) Don Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.676, -1.274
3) Dave Edwards, Washington Ct Hse, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.528, -1.222
4) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.490, -1.210
5) Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., '79 Aspen, H/SA, 11.242, -1.208
6) Jim Paquet, Eaton Rapids, Mich., '99 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.403, -1.097
7) Randy Taylor, Beavercreek, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/SA, 11.516, -1.084
8) George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn., '78 Volare, I/SA, 11.536, -1.064
9) Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio, '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.117, -1.033
10) Pat Kronenbitter, Millersport, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/S, 11.515, -0.985

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Scott Ray, Greenville, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 6.473 seconds, 217.07 mph
2) Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '01 Avenger, 7.273, 190.07
3) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.340, 194.38
4) T.J. Tracey, Barrett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.397, 189.47
5) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.483, 185.45
6) Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Camaro, 7.491, 182.96
7) Ron Smith, Fairfield, Ohio, '89 Camaro, 7.502, 185.07
8) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Firebird, 7.560, 176.05
9) Aaron Glaser, Shepherdsville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.592, 177.65
10) Todd Burks, Kalamazoo, Mich., '97 Cutlass, 7.594, 175.09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wilson, Craig top first qualifying session at Edgewater Sports Park

CLEVES, Ohio - In the first rounds of qualifying in the Summer Thunder at Edgewater Sports Park, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jeff Wilson and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Jeff Craig took the no. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Winfield, Mo., resident Wilson ran the quarter-mile in 5.790 seconds at 241.48 mph. The second best TAD pass of the day came from Bryan Weber of Vermilion, Ohio, at 5.858 seconds at 232.13 mph.

Craig's 6.016-second, 237.84-mph effort in TAFC was just enough to put the Muncie, Ind., racer ahead of Mick Synder of Demotte, Ind. Snyder ran 6.039 seconds at 233.94 mph.

The best qualifier in Comp Eliminator was Jason Coan of Greentown, Ind. In Super Stock South Bend, Ind., resident Chad Voges took the pole and in Stock John Lovins of Riverside, Ohio, was in the No. 1 position. Top Sportsman racer Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., had the best qualifying effort in his class.

Qualifying and time trails continue Saturday at Edgewater Sports Park and eliminations start Sunday. Gates open at 8 a.m. and racing begins at 9 a.m. both days. Tickets are $25 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Edgewater Sports Park, (513) 353-4666, or visit www.EdgewaterRace.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.790 seconds, 241.48 mph
2) Bryan Weber, Vermilion, Ohio, 5.859, 232.13
3) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.935, 242.26
4) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 6.149, 244.23
5) Evan Knoll, Decatur, Mich., 6.359, 227.84
6) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 6.500, 195.48
7) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 6.526, 236.90
8) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 6.905, 193.00

Not Qualified
9) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 8.844, 94.29
10) D. Hummel, Clinton Twp., Mich., 12.222, 118.51
11) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 13.173, 38.38

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '02 Dodge, 6.016 seconds, 237.84 mph
2) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 6.039, 233.94
3) John Reikas III, Glendale Hts., Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.073, 229.76
4) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Pontiac, 6.193, 227.56
5) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.358, 217.12
6) James Spencer, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 6.393, 223.04
7) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '00 Trans Am, 7.280, 139.64
8) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 8.611, 95.75

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., Herndon, F/ED, 8.510 seconds, -0.480 (under index)
2) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.832, -0.468
3) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., Kustoms, E/ED, 8.606, -0.464
4) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, D/SMA, 8.836, -0.464
5) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.557, -0.463
6) Ian Landies Jr, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.378, -0.462
7) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Roadster, J/AA, 8.001, -0.459
8) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., McKinney, D/D, 7.389, -0.441
9) David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, C/AA, 7.616, -0.434
10) Douglas Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '03 Stratus, C/SMA, 8.595, -0.405

SUPER STOCK
1) Chad Voges, South Bend, Ind., '65 Nova, GT/JA, 10.415 seconds, -1.185 (under index)
2) Kerri Voges, Dayton, Ohio, '88 Camaro, SS/NA, 11.309, -1.141
3) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.399, -1.101
4) Ron Terrell, Hebron, Ky., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.538, -1.012
5) Gary Russell, E. Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, GT/L, 10.611, -0.989
6) Michael Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.844, -0.956
7) Dean Nicopolis, Northville, Mich., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.071, -0.929
8) Zackary Running, Lapeer, Mich., '84 Cutlass, SS/MA, 11.226, -0.924
9) Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '64 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.392, -0.908
10) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.652, -0.898

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Lovins, Riverside, Ohio, '00 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.208 seconds, -1.292 (under index)
2) Don Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.676, -1.274
3) Dave Edwards, Washington Ct Hse, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.528, -1.222
4) Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., '79 Aspen, H/SA, 11.242, -1.208
5) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.504, -1.196
6) Jim Paquet, Eaton Rapids, Mich., '99 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.403, -1.097
7) Randy Taylor, Beavercreek, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/SA, 11.516, -1.084
8) George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn., '78 Volare, I/SA, 11.536, -1.064
9) Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio, '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.140, -1.010
10) Pat Kronenbitter, Millersport, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/S, 11.515, -0.985

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '01 Avenger, 7.311 seconds, 189.67 mph
2) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.340, 188.75
3) T.J. Tracey, Barrett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.457, 189.15
4) Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Camaro, 7.491, 182.96
5) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.537, 185.07
6) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Firebird, 7.586, 176.05
7) Ron Smith, Fairfield, Ohio, '89 Camaro, 7.601, 184.16
8) Ryan Koener, Morton, Ill., '01 Firebird, 7.716, 176.22
9) Rob Basile, Cincinnati, Ohio, '92 Thunderbird, 7.749, 175.54
10) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '97 Camaro, 7.789, 177.06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reichert, Cheeseman looking to increase leads at Edgewater Sports Park

CLEVES, Ohio - Edgewater Sports Park will host Summer Thunder, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Aug. 1-3. The race is the fourth of six races in NHRA North Central Division competition. The event will feature more than 450 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national championships.

Classes will 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.

Coming into this weekend's action, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) pilot Bill Reichert is leading the points. Reichert, a resident of Owasso, Mich., won the division's race in Indianapolis as well as an out-of-division race in Brainerd, Minn.

Just behind Reichert in the TAD point standings is Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill. Thacker won last year's TAD title in the Southeast division but this year is claiming the North Central division as his home. Thacker started off 2003 with a first-round loss at the event in Indianapolis but at the next race he was a semifinalist. At the last event in Stanton, Mich., Thacker made his first winner's circle appearance of the year.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), defending division champion Chuck Cheeseman won his second straight event in Stanton. The Galena, Ohio, resident won five of the division's six races in 2002.

Cheeseman's chief rival over the years has been Marc White, who is currently in third place in the point standing and did not make the eight-car field in Stanton. White is not expected to compete here, giving Cheeseman and Jeff Craig, the No. 2 driver in the standings, a chance to gain more ground on him.

Craig won the event in Joliet, then the Muncie, Ind., resident made semifinal-round appearances in Indianapolis and Stanton.

In the Comp Eliminator class, former national champion Jerry Arnold of Kalamazoo, Mich., is just 10 points out of first place, behind Jack Slagle. Slagle won in Joliet while Arnold is still looking for his first win, although he was the runner-up at the last two races.

Gates at Edgewater Sports Park open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 10:30 a.m. with Top Sportsman qualifying at 4 p.m., and TAD and TAFC running at 5 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Sportsman is scheduled to run at 4 and 7:30 p.m. while TAD and TAFC will qualify at 5 and 8:30 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at 1 p.m.

General admission tickets are $15 Friday, $25 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Edgewater Sports Park is located just a few miles west of Cincinnati at 4819 East Miami River Road in Cleves, Ohio. Take exit #7, off I-74 & I-275. For more information call the track, (513) 353-4666, or visit the web site, www.EdgewaterRace.com.

North Central division racers will be in Bowling Green, Ky., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Beech Bend Raceway will host the festivities Aug. 22-24.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Summer Thunder at Edgewater Sports Park, 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 fourth of six in North Central Division competition. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Edgewater Sports Park, Cleves, Ohio. Track is located off I-75. Take I-75 to Cleves-Miamitown exit. Continue through Miamitown, right to SR 128 and U.S. 52. Turn right on East Miami Road to racetrack entrance.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 1-3, 2003

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

FRIDAY, Aug. 1 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10:30 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 4 p.m., and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 2 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Sportsman runs at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 and 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 3 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $25 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Edgewater Sports Park, (513) 353-4666.

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: Russ Lindert, Top Alcohol Dragster; Chuck Cheeseman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Jack Slagle, Comp Eliminator; Michael Beachy, Super Stock; Jeff Strickland, Stock Eliminator; Mitch Smith, Super Comp; Tim Garrison, Super Gas; Don Trabel, 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 450 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.