FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cheeseman makes it five straight, Thacker wins second NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event

HEBRON, Ohio - At the final Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in the NHRA's North Central division, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Chuck Cheeseman pulled off his fifth consecutive win and Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Marty Thacker scored his second win on the year. Both drivers had single runs in the final round because their respective opponents could not answer the call.

Galena, Ohio, resident Cheeseman was to run Marc White of Glendale Hts., Ill., in the final. However, both teams struggled to be ready for the last run and, in the end, Cheeseman was alone on the line. In order to avoid any further damage, Cheeseman opted for a slow pass, 14.558 seconds at 72.85 mph. The win this weekend does give the reigning division champion a perfect win score for the year, putting him well on his way to a fifth division title.

Thacker was set to run Danville, Ill., resident Keith Stark in the final round. However, like White, Stark was unable to make the run. Thacker, who headed the division's quickest-ever qualifying field with a 5.354-second pass yesterday, chose to run it out in the final today. He ran 5.455 seconds at 264.18 mph.

In Comp Eliminator, Bo Butner of Floyds Knobs, Ind., scored his first in-division win of the season while Joe Covert of Saukville, Wis., drove his Super Stocker to his second victory. Auburn, Wash., resident Toby Lang won in Stock and in Super Comp, Rock Haas of White Lake, Mich., took the win. Super Gas driver Ron Erks, Clinton, Ohio, scored his first win of the year as did Tim Shuck in Super Street. Top Sportsman racer Jerry Albert carried his No. 1 qualifying effort into the winner's circle.

Although this weekend's race completed the North Central division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season, drivers may still be eligible to earn points outside of the region.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round One
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.389, 265.06 def. 
8) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.614, 257.33

2) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.486, 263.98 def. 
9) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.800, 225.56

4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.462, 241.97 def. 
5) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.955, 205.51

6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.470, 255.53 def. 
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.495, 263.00

Semifinals
Stark, 5.448, 268.22 def. McPhillips, 5.618, 250.09
Thacker, 5.463, 263.00 def. Perry, 5.490, 255.97

Finals
Thacker, 5.455, 264.18 def. Stark, broke

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round One
1) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., Pontiac Firebird, 5.697, 253.85 def. 
9) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., Firebird, 5.894, 248.16

2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, Firebird, 5.720, 250.32 def. 
7) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., Firebird, 6.050, 207.50

4) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., Dodge R/T, 5.903, 246.57 def. 
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., Firebird, 5.841, 243.37

6) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., Firebird, 6.016, 237.34 def.
3) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., Firebird, foul

Semifinals
White, 5.791, 251.34 def. Craig, 9.702, 85.94
Cheeseman, 5.806, 248.66 def. Elliott, 6.041, 234.94

Finals
Cheeseman, 14.558, 72.85 def. White, broke

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 8.268, 123.54 def. 
Norman Saibene II, Canton, Ohio, Dragster,  F/ED, foul

SUPER STOCK
Joe Covert, Saukville, Wis., '94 Regal, SS/AX, 9.360, 142.55 def. 
Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.629, 157.67

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Toby Lang, Auburn, Wash., '69 Chevelle, F/SA, 11.697, 110.51 def. 
Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '77 Firebird, J/SA, 12.092, 102.95

SUPER COMP
Rock Haas, White Lake, Mich., Dragster, 8.916, 170.15 def. 
Ronald Erks, Clinton, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 8.920, 177.70

SUPER GAS
Ronald Erks, Clinton, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 9.920, 158.20 def. 
Debbi Gillespie, Waynesville, Ohio, '03 Firebird, 9.917, 141.79

SUPER STREET
Tim Shuck, W. Lafayette, Ohio, '67 Camaro, 10.918, 124.35 def. 
Aaron Russell, Johnstown, Ohio, '66 Chevy II, 10.901, 120.57

TOP SPORTSMAN
Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, '97 Chevy Camaro SS, 7.227, 187.03 def. 
Glenn Julius, Indianapolis, '94 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 7.763, 177.23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thacker leads record-setting TAD field at National Trail Raceway

HEBRON, Ohio - In the final rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway, Marty Thacker set the pace in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) while in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) Marc White was the best qualifier.

Robinson, Ill., racer Thacker sits atop the quickest TAD field in NHRA North Central division history, according division director Jay Hullinger. Thacker's 5.354-second, 265.12 mph pass was enough to move him from second place in the initial round of qualifying. Drivers who failed to run quicker than 5.524 seconds did not make the eight-car field. The final qualifying position went to Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky.

White did not run at all on the first day of qualifying but his first run today was enough to give him the No.1 spot. White, a resident of Glendale Hts., Ill., ran 5.705 seconds at 254.90 mph. Current TAFC points leader Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio, made up for Friday's disqualified pass by jumping into the No. 2 position with a 5.719-second, 248.93 mph pass.

In Comp Eliminator, Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., is the top qualifier, in Super Stock, it's Bo Butner of Floyds Knobs, Ind., and in Stock Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, is in the No. 1 spot. Top Sportsman driver Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, is the best qualifier in his class. Final qualifying in Super Stock was not available.

Racing continues Sunday at National Trail Raceway. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations start at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny car run first round of eliminations at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15. Children 6 to 12 are $5 and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.354 seconds, 265.12 mph
2) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.386, 269.56
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.393, 273.05
4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.419, 249.35
5) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.420, 261.62
6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.504, 253.04
7) Brian Weber, Vermillion, Ohio, 5.506, 254.52
8) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.524, 258.57

Not Qualified
9) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.525, 233.40
10) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.542, 257.43
11) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.568, 249.49
12) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.574, 244.56
13) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.622, 252.28
14) Shawn Bowen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 5.745, 254.38
15) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 11.911, 63.67

First round TAD pairings
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.354 seconds, 265.12 mph vs. 
8) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.524, 258.57

2) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.386, 269.56 vs. 
7) Brian Weber, Vermillion, Ohio, 5.506, 254.52

3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.393, 273.05 vs. 
6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.504, 253.04

4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.419, 249.35 vs. 
5) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.420, 261.62

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1)  Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.705 seconds, 254.90 mph
2)  Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.719, 248.93
3)  Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.729, 248.57
4)  Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.799, 251.11
5)  Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.823, 247.61
6)  Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 5.967, 236.01
7)  Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.000, 237.34
8)  John Bojac, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Avenger, 6.013, 224.25

Not Qualified
9)  Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 6.035, 181.03
10) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., '98 Mustang, 6.155, 222.47
11) Wayne Butler, Manito, Ill., '99 Firebird, 6.195, 228.77
12) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '01 Avenger, 7.400, 29.19

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.705 seconds, 254.90 mph vs. 
8) John Bojac, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Avenger, 6.013, 224.25

2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.719, 248.93 vs. 
7) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 6.000, 237.34

3) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.729, 248.57 vs. 
6) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 5.967, 236.01

4) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.799, 251.11 vs. 
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.823, 247.61

COMP ELIMINATOR
1)  Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., ProStart, F/D, 8.101 seconds, -0.669 (under index)
2)  Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '03 Sunfire, A/SMA, 8.068, -0.652
3)  Ian Landies Jr, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.189, -0.651
4)  Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.675, -0.625
5)  Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.699, -0.591
6)  Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.444, -0.576
7)  Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., Dragster, A/ED, 6.720, -0.570
8)  Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Roadster, J/AA, 7.895, -0.565
9)  Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.510, -0.560
10) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '33 Ford, C/SR, 8.718, -0.552

SUPER STOCK
1) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.504 seconds, -1.196 (under index)
2) Ron Terrell, Hebron, Ky., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.364, -1.186
3) Gary Russell, Easy Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, GT/L, 10.463, -1.137
4) Larry Wilson, Mt Washington, Ky., '66 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.332, -1.118
5) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.841, -1.109
6) Ken Shawver, Defiance, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.453, -1.097
7) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.878, -1.072
8) Dan Kyle, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '87 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.892, -1.058
9) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.824, -1.026
10) Ricky Decker, Charlestown, Ind., '94 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.685, -1.015

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.527 seconds, -1.423 (under index)
2) David Edwards, Washington Ct Hs, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.382, -1.368
3) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.411, -1.289
4) William Lent, Muskegon, Mich., '97 Firebird, I/FIA, 12.598, -1.152
5) Jim Marshall, Scottsville, N.Y., '80 Corvette, I/SA, 11.449, -1.151
6) Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 14.004, -1.146
7) Paul Boster, Pataskala, Ohio, '97 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.580, -1.120
8) Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio, '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.032,  -1.118
9) Darrell Steiger, Clayton, Ind., '69 Volare, I/SA, 11.510, -1.090
10) Randy Taylor, Beavercreek, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/SA, 11.510, -1.090

TOP SPORTSMAN
1)      Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, '97 Camaro SS, 7.040 seconds, 194.97 mph
2)      Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Firebird, 7.094, 194.97
3)      Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '02 Avenger, 7.168, 190.19
4)      Rod Burgoyne, Coloma, Mich., '93 Lumina, 7.181, 193.74
5)      Michael Donato, Arlington Hts, Ill., '00 Firebird, 7.275, 190.62
6)      Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.361, 187.99
7)      Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Firebird, 7.396, 181.01
8)      Philip Montgomery, Owensboro, Ky., '00 Trans Am, 7.461, 180.26
9)      Jon Steldt, Milwaukee, Wis., '97 Cutlass, 7.506, 176.05
10)     Todd Burks, Kalamazoo, Mich., '97 Cutlass, 7.515, 185.64

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stark and Snyder lead Top Alcohol fields at National Trail Raceway

HEBRON, Ohio - In the first rounds of qualifying at National Trail Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Keith Stark and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Mick Snyder took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Stark, of Danville, Ill., outran the field with a pass of 5.386 seconds at 269.56 mph. And Demotte, Ind., resident Snyder made a 5.777-second, 244.74 mph run to take the pole. In Comp Eliminator, Mike Trumble of Pasadena, Texas, was No. 1, while Top Sportsman racer Rick Corn of Benton, Ill., was today's best qualifier in his class. Results for the Super Stock and Stock Eliminator classes were not complete.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues Saturday at 10 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will make two qualifying passes, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 each Saturday and 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 National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.386 seconds, 269.56 mph
2) Marty Thacker, Robinson Ill., 5.428, 261.72 
3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg Fla., 5.481, 258.27
4) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.504, 253.04
5) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.543, 255.39
6) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.548, 263.36
7) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.565, 247.11
8) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.631, 245.23

Not Qualified 
9) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.671, 224.70
10) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.718, 252.28
11) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.731, 243.63
12) Brian Weber, Vermillion, Ohio, 5.743, 244.87
13) Shawn Bowen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 6.105 239.10

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '01 Pontiac, 5.776 seconds, 244.74 mph
2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 Dodge, 5.806, 249.44
3) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 6.035, 181.03
4) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.056, 232.79
5) Wayne Butler, Mantino, Ill., '99 Firebird, 6.195, 228.77

Not Qualified
6) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, DQ

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '03 Sunfire, A/SMA 8.128 seconds, -0.592 (under index) 
2) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.267 -0.573 
3) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.735, -0.565 
4) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23-T Ford, J/AA, 7.944, -0.516 
5) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.794, -0.496 
6) Jesse Plant, Terre Haute, Ind., dragster, D/ED, 7.526, -0.484 
7) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.548, -0.472 
8) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.534, -0.456 
9) Brian Olson, Peru, Ind., dragster, A/ND, 7.255, -0.445 
10) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., dragster, E/ED, 8.636, -0.434 

SUPER STOCK
1) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.555 seconds, -1.145 (under index)
2) Ken Shawver, Defiance, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.493, -1.057
3) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.894, -1.056
4) Bob Butter, McKees Rocks, Pa., '97 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.091, -1.009
5) Bobby Rashid, Grosse Pt. Woods, Mich., '82 Firebird, GT/CA, 9.703, -0.997
6) Zack Running, Lapeer, Mich., '84 Cutlass, SS/MA, 11.172, -0.978
7) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.906, -0.944
8) Brad Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '87 Camaro, GT/I, 10.329, -0.921
9) Tony Depillo, Dayton, Ohio, '64 Savoy, SS/B, 9.288, -0.912
10) Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown, Ind., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.124, -0.876

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.599 seconds, -1.351 (under index)
2) David Edwards, Washington Ct Hs, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.455, -1.295
3) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.553, -1.147
4) William Lent, Muskegon, Mich., '97 Firebird, I/FIA, 12.664, -1.086
5) Paul Boster, Pataskala, Ohio, '97 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.640, -1.060
6) Randy Taylor, Beavercreek, Ohio, '86 Camaro, I/SA, 11.559, -1.041
7) Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio, '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.116, -1.034
8) Darrell Steiger, Clayton, Ind., '69 Volare, I/SA, 11.580, -1.020
9) Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 14.142, -1.008
10) Rick Winchester, Cincinnati, '71 Camaro, I/SA, 11.599, -1.001

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '02 Avenger, 7.291 seconds, 185.33 mph
2) Michael Donato, Arlington Hts., Ill., '00 Pontiac, 7.353 189.04
3) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.455, 185.92
4) Ryan Kendall, St. Louis, '99 Dakota, 7.631, 169.59
5) Ryan Koener, Morton, Ill., '01 Firebird, 7.675, 176.37
6) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Firebird, 7.698, 177.65 
7) Jon Steldt, Milwaukee, '97 Cutlass, 8.822, 118.90 
8) Rod Burgoyne, Coloma, Mich., '93 Lumina, 8.901, 109.84 

Not Qualified 
9) Mark Conkle, Etna, Ohio, '87 Firebird DQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA North Central Division wraps Lucas Oil Series season at National Trail Raceway

HEBRON, Ohio - National Trail Raceway will host the final round of the NHRA North Central division's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Sept. 19-21. The three-day event will feature more than 500 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 (TS) class will also run in conjunction with the event.

With a win at the division's last event, in Bowling Green, Ky., Jeff Wilson took the lead in the division Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) point standings over Bill Reichert. At the race in Cleves, Ohio, Wilson, a resident of Winfield, Mo., made his move to second place when he beat Reichert in the first round of eliminations and carried that momentum into the winner's circle. Wilson's first win of the season came at an out-of-division race in Memphis, Tenn. He also has two first-round losses and a semifinal round appearance on the year.

Owosso, Mich., TAD racer Reichert did not run in Bowling Green but is still in second place after scoring wins at the division race in Indianapolis and at an out-of-division event in Brainerd, Minn. Reichert started his season by heading out of division to Gainesville, Fla., where he failed to make the eight-car field. But at his next race, the North Central division season opener in Joliet, Ill., he made it to the semifinals. The former division champ then won the two races but at the last two division events he attended, in Stanton, Mich., and Cleves, he lost in the first round.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), defending division champion Chuck Cheeseman has four consecutive wins putting him nearly 100 points ahead of the No. 2 TAFC racer in the division standings. Cheeseman, a resident of Galena, Ohio, lost in the first round of the season opener in Joliet but hasn't looked back, winning in Indianapolis, Stanton, Cleves and Bowling Green. He is the defending event champion at National Trail Raceway.

Jeff Craig has been dogging Cheeseman all season and is second in the division's TAFC point standings behind the veteran. Craig won the first race of the season in Joliet and went to the semifinals at the next two events. The Muncie, Ind., resident was runner-up to Cheeseman in Cleves and went to the semis in Bowling Green.

The North Central division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series drivers may still increase their standings in the points if they are eligible to earn points at out-of-division races through the end of the year.

Gates at National Trail Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 11 a.m. TS, TAD and TAFC will each have one qualifying session Friday. TS runs at 4 p.m. and TAF and TAFC will qualify at 5 p.m.

Qualifying and time trials continue on Saturday at 10 a.m. TS, TAD, and TAFC will each get two qualifying shots. TS is scheduled at noon and 4 p.m., and TAD and TAFC are scheduled at 1 and 5 p.m.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. TS will run first round at 11 a.m. TAD and TAFC start eliminations at 1 p.m.

General admission tickets are $10 Friday and $15 each Saturday and Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

National Trail Raceway is located on U.S. 40 between Highway 158 (exit 122) and Highway 37 (exit 126) off Interstate 70, east of Columbus.

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 event is the last of six in North Central Division competition. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: National Trail Raceway, Hebron, Ohio. Track is located on U.S. 40 between Highway 158 (exit 122) and Highway 37 (exit 126) off Interstate 70, east of Columbus.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, September 19-21, 2003

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

FRIDAY, Sept. 19 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 11 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, Sept. 20 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman qualify at noon and 4 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 21 -- 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 -- $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Children 6-12 are $5 each day. Kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706.

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: Darren Nicholson, Top Alcohol Dragster; Chuck Cheeseman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Steve Ambrose, Comp Eliminator; John Coughlin, Super Stock; Clint Blezien, Stock Eliminator; David Connolly, Super Comp; Ron Erks, Super Gas; Tim Gary, 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.