FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three in a row for Gordon; first in 20 years for Niver

TUCSON, Ariz. – Mark Niver took out 19-year-old Morgan Lucas in the final of Top Alcohol Dragster for his second win in NHRA competition. Niver's first win can nearly 20 years ago at Orange County International Raceway. Niver made passes of 5.538 seconds and 5.551 before taking the win over Lucas with a 5.566 at 246.66 mph to Lucas' 5.589 at 257.19.

"It's been a long time since we've won. We do things a little different than other teams, and when you do you things different, you don't win very much. We've got the whole family with us to night. They go to all the races with us," said Niver.

Niver's team is different in that they build most all of the parts that make up his car including many of the engine parts, the body, and the frame.

It hasn't been quite as long between wins for Doug Gordon who picked up his third win of the season in Top Alcohol Funny Car to keep his perfect season going. Gordon's 5.828-second pass at 246.21 mph took out defending Division Champion Steve Gasparrelli who crossed the finish line at 6.112 at 181.42.

"The cooler temperatures helped us out in the finals," explained Gordon. "It provides for more horsepower and helped keep us from spinning the tires which we did in the first two rounds. The final was our best run of the day for us."

Joe Mozeris grabbed the win in Comp Eliminator over Wayne Ramay with a 7.144 second pass at 183.59 mph. Ramay also set a record earlier in the day running an adjusted elapsed time of 6.91 seconds breaking the old record of 6.97 seconds.

Winners in other categories are Tibor Kadar of Peoria, Ariz., in Super Stock; Jim Meador of Yorba Linda, Calif., in Stock; Greg Boutte of Stockton, Calif., in Super Comp; Mark Horton of Millbury, Ohio in Super Gas; Gary Thompson of Santa Rosa, Calif., in Super Street; and Tom Payton of Tucson, Ariz., in Pro ET.

In the Kerker Motorcycle Series, it was Santiago Rodrigueez Jr. picking up the win over John Widmann while George Prather took home the win in the Korbel Super Eliminator class.

The Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Sacramento Raceway, April 25-27.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round one
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.826, 254.66 def. 
8) Fred Notzka, Ventura, Calif., 8.459, 101.35

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.658, 254.66 def. 
7) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.779, 245.09

5) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.572, 253.85 def. 
4) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.665, 251.44

3) Mark Niver, Scottsville, Ariz., 5.538, 248.80 def. 
6) Howard Haight, Corona, Calif., 5.741, 236.75
 
Semifinals
Lucas, 5.625, 254.23 def. Shields, 5.685, 254.14
Niver, 5.551, 237.92 def. Nicholson, 5.617, 254.33
 
Final
Niver, 5.566, 246.66 def. Lucas, 5.589, 257.19
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round one
1) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.948, 235.10 def. 
8) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., Pontiac Firebird, 6.088, 233.56

2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., Firebird, 5.800, 248.57 def. 
7) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., Camaro, 5.954, 235.23

3) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., Dodge Avenger, 5.830, 246.39 def. 
6) Brett Williamson, Campbell, Calif., Chevy Corvette, 5.991, 236.46

4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., Pontiac Trans Am, 5.977, 239.70 def. 
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., Camaro, 6.004, 232.95
 
Semifinals
Gordon, 5.965, 244.43 def. Patton, 5.996, 237.21
Gasparrelli, 5.814, 246.12 def. Marx, 5.820, 246.26
 
Final
Gordon, 5.828, 246.21 def. Gasparrelli, 6.112, 181.42
 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, Dragster, B/ED, 7.144, 183.59 def. 
Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 9.011, 103.82.
 
SUPER STOCK
Tibor Kadar, Peoria, Ariz., '92 Firebird, GT/HA, 11.154, 120.36 def. 
Ted Romero, Denver, '98 Grand Am, GT/JA, 10.782, 124.41.
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jim Meador, Yorba Linda, Calif., '67 Camaro, D/SA, 11.186, 116.49 def. 
Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.556, 116.09.

SUPER COMP
Greg Boutte, Stockton, Calif., Dragster, 9.129, 155.15 def. 
Gary Williams, Hemet, Calif., Dragster, 9.119, 151.39.
 
SUPER GAS
Mark Horton, Milbury, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 10.197, 151.44 def. 
Michael Miller, Santa Fe, N.M., '27 Ford T, 10.160, 141.67.
 
SUPER STREET
Gary Thompson, Santa Rosa, Calif., '86 Corvette, 11.197, 126.59 def. 
Greg Sadeau, San Diego, '67 Camaro, foul.
 
SUPER ELIMINATOR
George Prather, Sacramento, Calif., '98 dragster, 8.170, 157.72 def. 
Del Cox Jr., Downey, Calif., 8.226, 155.72
 
SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Santiago Rodriguez Jr., San Juan Capistrano, '02 Kawasaki, 9.032, 141.62 def. 
John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '98 Kawasaki, 8.887, 118.48
 
PRO E.T.
Tom Payton, Tucson, Ariz., '57 Corvette, 11.246, 119.58 def. 
Chuck Hawk Jr., Tucson, Ariz., '96 dragster, 8.161, 152.83

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shields and Gordon lead fields into eliminations

TUCSON, Ariz. – In the final rounds of qualifying at Southwestern International Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Duane Shields and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Doug Gordon took the top qualifier honors for this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

Shields covered the quarter-mile in 5.422 seconds at 254.42 mph to take the number one spot from Darren Nicholson, who was number one going into the final qualifying session. Nicholson posted a time of 5.484 at 257.53 mph in his earlier run but was unable to better his time and sits in the number two spot behind Shields.

Shields finished number two in the nation last year and is the defending NHRA Pacific Division Top Alcohol Dragster champion.

Steve Gasparrelli took the number one spot away from Gordon early in the final qualifying session only to watch Gordon take it right back with a lap of 5.767 at 245.90 mph. Gasparrelli's run of 5.815 seconds at 248.48 mph was quick enough to land him in the number two spot, giving him a first round match up with fellow Funny Car racer Lawren Jones.

Gordon is coming off a win last month at the division opener in Phoenix, and hopes to pick up his second win of the young season this weekend.

Top qualifiers in others classes are Scott Hedlund of Anaheim, Calif., in Comp; John Gallina of Las Vegas, in Super Stock; and Marka Gallina of Henderson, Nev., in Stock. The five competitors will share the $3,500 Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus.

eo Shaver held on to the top spot in the Sportsman Motorcycle class running in the Kerker Motorcycle Series this weekend.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 8 a.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars run at noon. For more information call the track, (520) 762-9700.

The following are Sunday's pairings and Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.442 seconds, 254.42 mph
2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.484, 257.53
3) Mark Niver, Scottsville, Ariz., 5.515, 248.75
4) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.623, 251.30
5) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.651, 233.24
6) Howard Haight, Corona, Calif., 5.691, 235.43
7) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.694, 244.47
8) Fred Notzka, Ventura, Calif., 5.809, 243.06
Not Qualified
9) Mark Foster, Santa Cruz, Calif., 6.182, 209.88
 
First round TAD pairings
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.442 seconds, 254.42 mph vs. 
8) Fred Notzka, Ventura, Calif., 5.809, 243.06

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.484, 257.53 vs. 
7) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.694, 244.47

3) Mark Niver, Scottsville, Ariz., 5.515, 248.75 vs. 
6) Howard Haight, Corona, Calif., 5.691, 235.43

4) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.623, 251.30 vs. 
5) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.651, 233.24
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.767 seconds, 245.90 mph
2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.815, 248.48
3) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '98 Avenger, 5.862, 245.54
4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 5.944, 238.60
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.993, 230.41
6) Brett Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.998, 235.19
7) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.218, 218.62
8) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '99 Firebird, 6.910, 199.91
Not Qualified
9) Charles McLaws, Winslow, Ariz., '98 Firebird, 6.938, 154.51
10) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.949, 201.85
11) Dale VanGundy, Anaheim, Calif., '98 Camaro, 7.305, 133.07
 
First round TAFC pairings
1) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.767 seconds, 245.90 mph vs. 
8) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '99 Firebird, 6.910, 199.91

2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.815, 248.48 vs. 
7) Lawren Jones,Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.218, 218.62

3) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '98 Avenger, 5.862, 245.54 vs. 
6) Brett Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.998, 235.19

4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 5.944, 238.60 vs. 
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.993, 230.41
 
COMP. ELIMINATOR
1) Scott Hedlund, Anahiem, Calif., '02 Cavalier, B/SM, 8.368 seconds, -0.722 (under index)
2) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., ET Race, A/ND, 7.243, -0.717
3) Vinnie Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.764, -0.716
4) John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., '00 Sarmento, B/D, 6.900, -0.710
5) Fred Gross, Glendale, Calif., '98 Firebird, G/A, 8.744, -0.696
6) Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '02 Grand Am, B/A, 7.331, -0.689
7) Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 7.277, -0.683
8) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '95 Cutlass, F/AA, 8.473, -0.657
9) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.894, -0.636
10) Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.915, -0.615
 
SUPER STOCK
1) John Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '87 Grand National, SS/DX, 8.361 seconds, -1.489 (under index)
2) Ted Romero, Denver, Colo., '98 Grand Am, GT/JA, 10.818, -1.262
3) Jeff Lane, N. Bend, Wash., '03 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.122, -1.198
4) Kip Martin, Phoenix, Ariz., '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.786, -1.194
5) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.151, -1.159
6) Larry Zavala, San Gabriel, Calif., '91 Calais, GT/FA, 10.356, -1.154
7) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.591, -1.129
8) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.694, -1.076
9) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '03 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.866, -1.074
10) Kevin Nicks, Golden, Colo., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, 10.079, -1.071
 
STOCK
1) Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '89 Trans Am, D/FIA, 11.240 seconds, -1.520 (under index)
2) Richard Pauley, Saugus, Calif., '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.815, -1.325
3) Keith Lynch, Mt Ayr, Iowa, '70 Camaro, C/SA, 10.816, -1.324
4) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.910, -1.320
5) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, I/S, 11.654, -1.316
6) Jeff Lee, Scottsdale, Ariz., '70 AMX, E/S, 11.100, -1.300
7) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.188, -1.292
8) Lloyd MacKay, Cedar Grove, N.J., '02 Firebird, I/FIA, 13.061, -1.199
9) Rod Greene, Moreno Valley, Calif., '72 Demon, H/S, 11.584, -1.176
10) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.545, -1.175

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Racing kicks off in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. – In the first rounds of qualifying for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Southwestern International Raceway, Gary Carter sits on top of the Comp Eliminator class with a pass on 7.243 seconds in his front engine dragster. Carter recorded an early season win at the CSK Nationals in Phoenix back in February and hopes to get his second here this weekend.

John Gallina of Las Vegas took the top spot in Super Stock after the first day of qualifying with a run of 8.503 seconds and is followed by Phoenix resident Kip Martin in his '64 Mustang.

Number one in Stock is Marka Gallina of Henderson, Nev., while Leo Shaver is on top in Sportsman Motorcycle and the Kerker Motorcycle Series.

A pair of Tucson residents will look to knock off Shaver in the motorcycle class as Tom Patterson and Tom Lannie qualified third and seventh, respectively.

The more than 30 pre-entered Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars get their first shot at the track Saturday with qualifying runs at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Gates at Southwestern International Raceway open at 7 a.m. with racing beginning at 8 p.m. For more information call the track, (520) 762-9700.

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

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., ET Race, A/ND, 7.243 seconds, -0.717 (under index)
2) Vinnie Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.806, -0.674
3) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '95 Cutlass, F/AA, 8.473, -0.657
4) Scott Hedlund, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Cavalier, B/SM, 8.434, -0.656
5) Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '01 Firebird, B/EA, 8.165, -0.605
6) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 9.010, -0.600
7) Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 7.364, -0.596
8) Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '02 Grand Am, B/A, 7.447, -0.573
9) Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.976, -0.554
10) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.993, -0.537

SUPER STOCK
1) John Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '87 Grand National, SS/DX, 8.503 seconds, -1.347 (under index)
2) Kip Martin, Phoenix, Ariz., '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.814, -1.166
3) Jeff Lane, N. Bend, Wash., '03 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.181, -1.139
4) Larry Zavala, San Gabriel, Calif., '91 Calais, GT/FA, 10.428, -1.082
5) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.233, -1.077
6) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.694, -1.076
7) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.669, -1.051
8) Kevin Nicks, Golden, Colo., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, 10.117, -1.033
9) Eric Bell, Chandler, Ariz., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, 10.135, -1.015
10) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '03 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.929, -1.011

STOCK
1) Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '89 Trans Am, D/FIA, 11.240 seconds, -1.520 (under index)
2) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, I/S, 11.654, -1.316
3) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.931, -1.299
4) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.188, -1.292
5) Richard Pauley, Saugus, Calif., '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.857, -1.283
6) Jeff Lee, Scottsdale, Ariz., '70 AMX, E/S, 11.123, -1.277
7) Lloyd MacKay, Cedar Grove, N.J., '02 Firebird, I/FIA, 13.061, -1.199
8) Keith Lynch, Mt Ayr, Iowa, '70 Camaro, C/SA, 10.947, -1.193
9) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.546, -1.174
10) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.550, -1.170

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series rolls into Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. – NHRA's Pacific Division will be in Tucson Mar. 28-30 for the second of six NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events. Competitors in eight classes, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, will compete for a share of the $157,770 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships.

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

Doug Gordon has his Top Alcohol Funny Car peers shaking their heads at this point in the year. The Paso Robles, Calif., resident has taken an early points lead by virtue of two wins in two races. He won the season opening national event at Pomona Raceway in California, as well as the Pacific Division's first event of the year at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Phoenix. In Phoenix, he not only beat the "Northwest Hitter" from Fife, Wash., Bucky Austin, in the final round, but in the first round Gordon defeated defending division champion Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif.

It's not as though Gordon has never won back-to-back races before. In 2001 he won the national events in Seattle, and Sonoma, Calif., on consecutive weekends. But this year, his car has been very consistent, which is always a good sign for things to come.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, 19-year-old Morgan Lucas is making his presence felt.

Dating back to last year, his rookie season in the class, the Corona, Calif., resident has been to the final round of every race he has attended, with the exception of one national event and one divisional race. He made it to the semis at both of those races. Lucas has continued his streak in 2003 with a runner-up finish in Pomona and a win at the Lucas Oil Series opener in Phoenix.

The young driver will face challenges this year, most likely from Las Vegas' Duane Shields, who finished second in the national point standings last year. The defending division Top Alcohol Dragster champion made eight final-round appearances of his own in 2002; three at national events and five on the divisional level. Pacific Division veteran Darren Nicholson can also be counted in for this year's battle. Last year he also went to five final rounds on the division level and was runner up to Shields for the region's Top Alcohol Dragster title.

Gates at Southwestern International Raceway open at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday and at 6 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will run all three of their qualifying sessions on Saturday. Their first run will be at 11:30 a.m. and will continue at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eliminations for all classes start Sunday at 9 a.m. Dragster and Funny Car will run first round at noon.

General admission, including pit pass, is $15 Friday and $20 each Saturday and Sunday. A three-day pass is $50 and children 10 and under are admitted free.

Southwestern International Raceway is located 15 miles east of Downtown Tucson. Take I-10 to exit 275 (Houghton Road) south, then turn right on Dawn Road to track entrance. For more information, call the track, (520) 762-9700, or visit www.sirace.com.

NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will continue the season Apr. 25-27 at Sacramento Raceway Park in Sacramento, Calif.

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 second of six in Pacific Division competition.

WHERE: Southwestern International Raceway, Tucson, Ariz. Track is located 15 miles east of Downtown Tucson. Take Interstate 10 to exit 275 (Houghton Rd.) south and then right on Dawn Road to entrance of the track.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 28-30, 2003

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

FRIDAY, Mar. 28 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, Mar. 29 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have three qualifying sessions, at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, Mar. 30 -- Gates open at 6 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A a three-day ticket is $50. Children 10 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Southwestern International Raceway, (520) 762-9700.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $157,770, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Darren Nicholson, Top Alcohol Dragster; Bucky Austin, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Mike DePalma, Comp Eliminator; Abe Loewen, Super Stock; Toby Lang, Stock Eliminator; Jerry Denton, Super Comp; Dave Coapstick, Super Gas; Keith Manague, 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.

FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.