FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Second largest field in division history

ENNIS, Texas - 561 competitors raced down Texas Motorplex's quarter-mile this weekend, making the O'Reilly NHRA Divisional, presented by TBC Indoor Kart Racing the second largest South Central Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in history.

In Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, the two quickest cars in qualifying continued to outperform the competition on Sunday as Alan Bradshaw and Jay Payne each found the winner's circle for the first time this season.

The final in Top Alcohol Dragster featured a shoot-out of two Texas residents as Bradshaw of Odessa, faced off against Gene Snow of Fort Worth. Seated number one and two after qualifying, Bradshaw earned the win light with a 5.476-second, 252.38 mph run.

Between Payne and Jackie Stidham, the two competitors have one national and twelve divisional championships as they squared off in the Top Alcohol Funny Car final. Although Stidham had the better reaction time at the starting line, Payne speed by the Chickasha, Okla., resident and posted a 5.772-second, 254.30 mph for the win.

This is the first win for the Claremont, Calif., resident in three final round appearances. The points he earned this weekend will move him into first place in the national points standings.

Winners in other racing classes include Scott Benham of La Grange, Texas, in Comp; Gary Stinnett of Emporia, Kan., in Super Stock; Mike Cotton of Broken Arrow, Okla., in Stock; Bryan Anderson of Emory, Texas, in Super Comp; Paul Harris of Lewisville, Texas, in Super Gas; and Bobby Shaddox of Tyler, Texas, in Super Street. Mike Voss of Maplewood, Minn., also earned a win in Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series and Monty Weaver of Lubbock, Texas, earned the win in NHRA Sunset Racecraft Racing Engines Top Sportsman competition.

South Central Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, La., May 16-18. For more information, call Texas Motorplex at (972) 878-2641 or visit www.texasmotorplex.com. The following are Sunday's final round results from the O'Reilly NHRA Divisional, presented by TBC Indoor Kart Racing at Texas Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
4) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.475, 266.35 def.
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.614, 255.42

1) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.333, 262.92 def. 
8) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.619, 258.62

6) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 7.287, 149.85 def. 
3) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., foul

2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.507, 227.33 def. 
7) Mike Bowers, Plano, Texas, 20.764, 41.09

Semifinals
Bradshaw, 5.414, 255.53 def. Lucas, 5.582, 261.55
Snow, 5.529, 240.83 def. Hitchman, 7.518, 143.76

Final
Bradshaw, 5.476, 252.38 def. Snow, 5.561, 229.47

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.807, 243.77 def. 
9) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., Camaro, 6.304, 237.09

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., Camaro, 5.816, 249.30 def. 
7) Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, Oldsmobile Achieva, broke

3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., Camaro, 5.759,250.20 def. 
6) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., Pontiac Firebird, 5.951, 242.91

5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, Camaro, 5.879, 247.52 def. 
4) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, Dodge Avenger,
10.450, 82.01

Semifinals 
Payne, 5.780, 253.80 def. J. Jones, foul
Stidham, 7.823, 117.98 def. Branch, foul

Final
Payne, 5.772, 254.30 def. Stidham, 5.930, 237.96

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 
Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.828,
171.65 def. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., Dragster,
C/ED, foul

SUPER STOCK 
Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., '92 Camaro, GT/AA, 9.812, 131.11 def. 
Joe Teuton Jr., Houma, La., '65 Belvedere, SS/BA, 9.654, 138.03

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Mike Cotten, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, H/SA, 11.487, 110.74 def. 
Sam Lusco Jr., Houma, La., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.778, 109.84. 

SUPER COMP 
Bryan Anderson, Emory, Texas, Dragster, 8.911, 158.61 def. 
Gina Mundt, Austin, Texas, Dragster, 8.908, 171.26 

SUPER GAS 
Paul Harris, Lewisville, Texas, '73 Vega, 9.907, 144.36 
def. Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, '92 Cutlass, 9.892, 167.50

SUPER STREET 
Bobby Shaddox, Tyler, Texas, '48 Anglia, 10.897, 136.84 def. 
Billy Bunch, LaMarque, Texas, '77 Vega Wagon, 10.882, 139.18. 

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '97 Kawasaki, 9.232, 133.53 def. 
Curtis Spracklin, Omaha, Neb., '78 Kawasaki, 9.619, 130.58

TOP SPORTSMAN 
Monty Weaver, Lubbock, Texas, '63 Corvette, 7.674, 179.74 def. 
Keith Susich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 8.653, 119.61

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bradshaw and Payne tops heading into Sunday

ENNIS, Texas - The second and final day of qualifying at the O'Reilly NHRA Divisional, presented by TBC Indoor Kart Racing concluded with Alan Bradshaw and Jay Payne heading into Sunday's eliminations as the top qualifiers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Despite missing Friday's qualifying session, Bradshaw outperformed his fellow racers on Saturday as he posted the quickest runs during both qualifying sessions. The Odessa, Texas, resident's initial pass of 5.345 seconds at 257.73 mph down Texas Motorplex's quarter-mile is the quickest run of the event thus far and will earn him a number one seat heading into Sunday's eliminations.

Payne of Claremont, Calif., posted the quickest time during Friday's Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying session and continued this momentum into Saturday, posting low elapsed times for both sessions Saturday as well. The Top Alcohol Funny Car competitor will square off again Rob Morrison of Oklahoma City in round one of competition tomorrow.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Greg Williams of Carthage, Texas, in Comp; Buz Post of Arlington, Texas, in Super Stock; and Sam Lusco Jr. of Houma, La., in Stock. Michael Nash of Texarkana, Texas, is also the top qualifier in Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series and Greg Lair of Canyon, Texas, will have the top seat heading into tomorrow's eliminations of the NHRA Sunset Racecraft Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series.

Eliminations begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. and round one of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman are scheduled for noon. For more information, call Texas Motorplex at (972) 878-2641 or visit www.texasmotorplex.com.

The following are final qualifying results and first round pairings in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from the O'Reilly NHRA Divisional, presented by TBC Indoor Kart Racing at Texas Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.345 seconds, 261.02 mph
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.427, 258.91
3) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.467, 259.81
4) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.472, 265.09
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.503, 256.48
6) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.536, 246.23
7) Mike Bowers, Plano, Texas, 5.565, 240.25
8) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.598, 255.31

Not Qualified
9) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.632, 255.89
10) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.651, 246.17
11) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.657, 252.10
12) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.666, 250.41
13) Erica Credeur, Lafayette, La., 5.718, 252.31
14) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., 5.718, 240.44
15) Brandon Pierce, Moore, Okla., 5.841, 244.63
16) Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 6.205, 237.52
17) Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 6.308, 225.50

Sunday's TAD Pairings
1) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.345 seconds, 261.02 mph vs. 
8) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.598, 255.31

2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.427, 258.91 vs. 
7) Mike Bowers, Plano, Texas, 5.565, 240.25

3) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.467, 259.81 vs. 
6) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.536, 246.23

4) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.472, 265.09 vs. 
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.503, 256.48

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.707 seconds, 255.82 mph
2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.740, 251.95
3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.827, 247.59
4) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.886, 242.65
5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.892, 247.66
6) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.929, 243.70
7) Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '98 Achieva, 6.022, 244.49
8) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.035, 231.12

Not Qualified
9) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.299, 235.23
10) Kirk Johnson, Dallas, Texas, '00 Avenger, 20.000, 48.99

Sunday's TAFC Pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.707 seconds, 255.82 mph vs. 
8) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.035, 231.12

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.740, 251.95 vs. 
7) Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '98 Achieva, 6.022, 244.49

3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.827, 247.59 vs. 
6) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.929, 243.70

4) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.886, 242.65 vs. 
5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.892, 247.66

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.406 seconds, -0.594 under index
2) Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., Clack, C/ED, 7.432, -0.578
3) Buddy Nickens, Spring, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.565, -0.555
4) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '03 Cavalier, B/SM, 8.281, -0.549
5) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 Camaro, D/AA, 7.838, -0.522
6) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/T, 8.210, -0.520
7) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.788, -0.512
8) Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, Okla., '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.493, -0.507
9) Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, Frameworks, C/D, 7.105, -0.505
10) Mike Trumble Jr., Pasadena, Texas, '03 Sunfire, C/SMA, 8.498, -0.502

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '02 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.343 seconds, -1.207 under index
2) Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.283, -1.167
3) Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.651, -0.999
4) Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.306, -0.994
5) Butch Marlow, Canton, Texas, '65 Chevy, GT/JA, 10.658, -0.992
6) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Trans Am, SS/BM, 8.731, -0.969
7) Sid Bonnecarrere, Gray, La., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.049, -0.951
8) James Caro, Houma, La., '00 Avenger, GT/CA, 9.785, -0.915
9) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.587, -0.913
10) Pete Peery, Bowie, Texas, '91 Calais, GT/CA, 9.795, -0.905

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Sam Lusco Jr., Houma, La., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.737 seconds, -1.263 under index
2) Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., '95 S-10, GT/SA, 12.621, -1.229
3) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.926, -1.074
4) Austin Ford, Spring, Texas, '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.786, -1.064
5) Paula Cotten, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.270, -1.030
6) Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.523, -1.027
7) Mike Cotten, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, H/SA, 11.450, -1.000
8) Marty Burke, Leonard, Texas, '69 Mustang, D/SA, 10.874, -0.976
9) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.025, -0.975
10) Bobby Brannon, Bossier City, La., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.357, -0.943

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '02 Grand Am, 7.062 seconds, 196.76 mph
2) Craig Hughes, Portales, N.M., '79 Charger, 7.464, 183.37
3) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.503, 180.46
4) Steve Wheeler, Ventress, La., '98 S-10, 7.564, 182.26
5) Rickey Cate, Grand Saline, Texas, '67 Chevy II, 7.575, 177.09
6) Monty Weaver, Lubbock, Texas, '63 Corvette, 7.584, 181.08
7) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '92 Pontiac, 7.606, 178.64
8) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.607, 180.61
9) Keith Susich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.681, 178.96
10) Brad Clark, Richland, Miss., '98 Corvette, 7.693, 173.98

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snow storms to top spot at Texas Motorplex

ENNIS, Texas - Former Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Gene Snow is the low qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster after day one of qualifying at Texas Motorplex's O'Reilly NHRA Divisional, presented by TBC Indoor Kart Racing.

The Fort Worth, Texas, resident's 5.427-second, 251.46 mph run during the opening round of qualifying is the best pass he has made this season. Snow will hope to fend off his competitor for two more qualifying sessions so he can earn his second career low qualifier award in the racing class.

Leading the field in Top Alcohol Funny Car is Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., after a 5.707 second, 255.82 mph pass. The former national and seven-time division champion finished the season last year in third place in the national points standings with five event wins and will be looking for his first win of the year this weekend.

Low qualifiers in other classes are Buz Post of Arlington, Texas, in Super Stock and Sam Lusco Jr. of Houma, La., in Stock. Held in conjunction with this NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is NHRA Kerker Motorcycle and NHRA Sunset Racecraft Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series competition. Jose Trevino of San Antonio, Texas, and Greg Lair of Canyon, Texas, are low qualifiers in these series.

Gates open tomorrow at 8 a.m. and day two of qualifying will begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m. For more information, call Texas Motorplex at (972) 878-2641 or visit www.texasmotorplex.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the O'Reilly NHRA Divisional, presented by TBC Indoor Kart Racing at Texas Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.427 seconds, 251.46 mph
2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.467, 259.81
3) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.472, 265.09
4) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.536, 246.23
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.591, 255.46
6) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.657, 252.10
7) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.687, 255.75
8) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.717, 246.17

Not Qualified
9) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.887, 250.62
10) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.978, 243.77
11) Brandon Pierce, Moore, Okla., 6.998, 147.63
12) Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 11.996, 65.14

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.707 seconds, 255.82 mph
2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.740, 251.95
3) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.886, 242.13
4) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.929, 246.91
5) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.929, 243.70
6) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.035, 231.12
7) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.470, 230.94
8) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 9.083, 95.36

Not Qualified
9) EJ Johnson, Dallas, Texas, '00 Avenger, No time, 48.99

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '02 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.343 seconds, -1.207 under index
2) Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.283, -1.167
3) Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.651, -0.999
4) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Trans Am, SS/BM, 8.731, -0.969
5) Butch Marlow, Canton, Texas, '65 Chevy, GT/JA, 10.686, -0.964
6) Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.352, -0.948
7) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.600, -0.900
8) Pete Peery, Bowie, Texas, '91 Calais, GT/CA, 9.838, -0.862
9) Ken Howell, Baytown, Texas, '82 Firebird, GT/D, 9.788, -0.862
10) Larry Stewart Jr., Clinton, Miss., '66 Nova, SS/HA, 10.063, -0.837

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Sam Lusco Jr., Houma, La., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.745 seconds, -1.255 under index
2) Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., '95 S-10, GT/SA, 12.690, -1.160
3) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.926, -1.074
4) Austin Ford, Spring, Texas, '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.834, -1.016
5) Marty Burke, Leonard, Texas, '69 Mustang, D/SA, 10.874, -0.976
6) Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.593, -0.957
7) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.076, -0.924
8) R. Lux, San Antonio, Texas, '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.643, -0.907
9) Bobby Brannon, Bossier City, La., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.401, -0.899
10) Jim Hanig, Houston, Texas, '70 Camaro, B/SA, 10.660, -0.890

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '02 Grand Am, 7.103 seconds, 196.50 mph
2) Rickey Cate, Grand Saline, Texas, , 7.646, 176.29
3) Craig Hughes, Portales, N.M., '79 Charger, 7.650, 180.57
4) Steve Wheeler, Ventress, La., , 7.656, 180.83
5) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.668, 178.96
6) Keith Raferty, Lake Charles, La., '00 Dodge, 7.746, 175.06
7) David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Pontiac, 7.797, 178.07
8) Larry Edmundson, Pasadena, Texas, '90 Probe, 7.896, 173.71
9) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '01 S-10, 7.910, 177.54
10) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '92 Pontiac, 7.916, 171.49

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Series racers converge on Texas Motorplex

DALLAS - Texas Motorplex will host the third of six NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events in NHRA's South Central Division April 25-27. Competitors in eight classes including Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will vie for a share of the $155,520 purse as well as points leading to national and divisional championships.

Defending division TAFC champion Tate Branch will try to redeem himself in Dallas after swinging from first to worst in the span of two races. After running a career-best elapsed time (5.580 seconds) en route to the win at the season-opener in Houston, the Artesia, N.M., racer lost in the first round of the next race, in Memphis, Tenn.

Just behind Branch is the TAFC point standing is Todd Simpson. The Ponder, Texas, resident was the runner-up in Memphis but was a part of one of the strangest final rounds in recent memory. He was to square off against North Central Division racer Kim Fritts of Greenup, Ill. Both racers had damaged their motors in the earlier rounds and had to scramble to come up with parts to repair them. At the starting line, they both fired their engines and did short burnouts. Simpson started heading for the staging beams when the engine shut down and smoke started pouring out from under the body forcing Simpson out of the car and the competition. Fritts managed to stage, idled off the line and shut the car down about 10 feet out but it was enough to give him the win.

In the TAD class, defending division champion Lee Callaway is currently leading the points but Shelly Howard is just behind him. Callaway, who resides in Channelview, Texas, made a semifinal round appearance in Houston and was runner-up in Memphis.

Howard, ae registered nurse from Tulsa, Okla., took the win at the season-opener in Houston and the team did not make the trip to Memphis. After Houston it seemed that Howard was beginning to regain the form that led her to the 2001 division crown so it remains to be seen if she will continue her momentum throughout the season.

The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series and the Kerker Motorcycle Series will be run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Top Sportsman and Sportsman Motorcycle competitors will run qualifying and eliminations along with the other classes throughout the weekend.

Gates at Texas Motorplex open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying begins Friday at 9 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman qualifying scheduled at 4 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman racers will make two qualifying passes, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Sunday and Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman will run first round at noon.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and three-day pass is $45. Children 6 to 15 are $5 Friday and $10 Saturday and $10 Sunday. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Texas Motorplex is located on Highway 287, two miles west of Ennis, Texas, between Interstates 35 and 45. For more information call the track, (972) 878-2641, or visit the web site at www.TexasMotorplex.com.

NHRA South Central division's next Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is scheduled May 16-18 at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, La.

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 third of six in South Central Division competition. The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Texas Motorplex, Dallas. Track is located on Hwy. 287, two miles west of Ennis, between Interstates 35 and 45. From Dallas, take I-45 to Hwy. 287 west to the track, or take I-35E to Hwy. 287 east to the track. From Fort Worth, take Hwy. 287 east to Waxahachie toward the track.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 25-27, 2003

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

FRIDAY, April 25 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 26 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 27 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30. Children, 6 to 15, are $5 Friday, $10 Saturday, $10 Sunday. Children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Texas Motorplex, (972) 878-2641.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $155,895, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Karl Brounkowski, Top Alcohol Dragster; Tate Branch, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Roger Brogdon, Comp Eliminator; Toby Torres, Super Stock; James Paul, Stock Eliminator; Mike Thomas, Super Comp; Clark Mundt, Super Gas; Chucky Weir, 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.

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $7,400 champions' purse posted by Kerker will be paid to first, second and third place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

The top four riders from each division in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will be invited to compete in the NHRA Kerker King of the Coast competition. In 2003, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Okla.. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $1,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

Currently, Sportsman Motorcycles are run in NHRA's South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific divisions.

SUNSET RACING ENGINES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships. The top points finisher will earn a year-end bonus of $1,000 and the runner-up will get $500. Top Sportsman racers may run the six South Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the Southeast or North Central Divisions.

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.