FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Points leaders Kelly and Payne winners at Thunder Valley Challenge

BRISTOL, Tenn. After two days of fierce NHRA Southeast Division competition, winners in eight Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series categories and the Tracstar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series, were crowned today at the Winnebago Industries Thunder Valley Challenge being held this weekend at Bristol Dragway.

Among the winners of this weekend's event were Top Alcohol Dragster driver Guy Kelly, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jay Payne and Comp Eliminator driver, Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Kelly won his third straight NHRA Southeast Division event when he defeated former Southeast Division champ Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., in the class final. In the final, Kelly ran 5.507 seconds at 258.07 mph, to take out Thacker, who ran 5.634 seconds at 255.00.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Payne earned his fourth Lucas Oil victory of the year when he defeated North Central Division points leader Mick Snyder of Demotte, Ind. In his final round contest with Snyder, Payne ran low et and top speed of the weekend, 5.751 seconds at 250.64 mph, to defeat the Indiana racer and take the win. With this win Payne continues to pad his current NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National and Division Championship points leads. Payne, a former Top Alcohol Dragster National Champion, has now put himself in a favorable position to win both the National and Southeast division titles.

Other winners at the event were Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., in Competition Eliminator; Herbie Null of Greencastle, Pa., in Super Stock; Mickey Whaley of Kinston, N.C., in Stock Eliminator; Victor Fera Jr. of Merrit Island Fla., in Super Comp; David Scott of North Port, Fla., in Super Gas and Bart Graham of Weirsdale, Fla., in Super Street. The winner in Tracstar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman, which ran in conjunction with the event this weekend, was Tommy Turner of Naples, Fla.

The next stop on the NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing tour is Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga., September 10-11. For more information on the event can be obtained calling (912) 847-4414 or by visiting them on the web at www.SilverDollarRaceway.com.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Bristol Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.567, 257.83 def. 
6) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.867, 237.34 

4) Bill McCornack, Versailles, Ky., 5.657, 252.71 def. 
5) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.707, 224.88 

1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.567, 254.95 was unopposed

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.582, 255.15 def. 
7) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.987, 228.73 

Semifinals
Kelly, 5.587, 242.54 def. McCornack, 5.682, 253.14 
Thacker, 5.556, 257.43 def. Cannon, 5.672, 252.10 

Final
Kelly, 5.507, 258.07 def. Thacker, 5.634, 255.00 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.987, 244.38 def. 
3) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 6.149, 239.06 

2) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.998, 242.06 def. 
5) Chris Brown, Ivyland, Pa., '00 Avenger, 6.998, 148.46

1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.814, 248.75 def.
 6) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.243, 227.54
 
Semifinals
Payne, 5.786, 242.41 was unopposed
Snyder, 6.029, 239.27 def. Lee, 6.127, 229.16

Final
Payne, 5.751, 250.64 def. Snyder, 5.991, 214.18 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, A/SM, 8.881, 113.50  def. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.229, 160.71

SUPER STOCK
Herbie Null Jr., Greencastle, Pa., '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.171, 130.43  def. Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '66 Chevy II, SS/IA, 10.293, 126.32

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Mickey Whaley, Kinston, N.C., '69 Camaro, D/SA, 11.375, 114.38  def. Kenny Koonce Jr., Willow Springs, N.C., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.576, 123.10

SUPER COMP
Victor Fera Jr., Merrit Island, Fla., dragster, 8.904, 161.02  def. Jim Perry, Orlando, Fla., dragster, 8.883, 171.97

SUPER GAS
David Scott, North Port, Fla., '69 Nova, 9.890, 133.18  def. David Watson, Atlanta, Ga., '04 Cavalier, 9.888, 166.72

SUPER STREET
Bart Graham, Weirsdale, Fla., '27 roadster, 10.895, 131.55  def. Dwight Limbaugh, Decherd, Tenn., '67 Chevelle, 10.868, 128.51

TOP SPORTSMAN
Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 7.401, 185.38  def. Gilmer Hinshaw, Burlington, N.C., '99 Monte Carlo, foul

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Drag racing action underway at Winnebago Thunder Valley Challenge at Bristol Dragway

BRISTOL, Tenn. - NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors, in eight different categories, turned out today for the opening rounds of qualifying at the Winnebago Thunder Valley Challenge being held this weekend at Bristol Dragway. This weekend's event is the fifth race on the NHRA Southeast Division's seven-race tour.

After the opening rounds of qualifying in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, Guy Kelly of Wadley, Ala., and Jay Payne of Claremont, Ca., are in the No. 1 spot of their fields.

Kelly laid down a pass of 5.437 seconds at 258.86 mph to take to top spot in dragster. Following Kelly in the No. 2 spot is defending division champ Jason Cannon of Middleburg, Fla., with a pass of 5.549 seconds at 254.28 mph. Former Southeast Division champ Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., is third.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Payne thundered to the top of the field with a time a 5.765 seconds at 246.48 mph. Qualified second is North Central Division racer Mick Snyder of Demotte, Ind., with a time of 5.852-seconds at 241.80 mph. Rounding out the field is Canadian racer Jeff Lancaster of Hamilton, Ontario.

For qualifying in the No. 1 spot of their respective fields, Kelly and Payne each earned $1000 from Sealed Power as part of their Low Qualifier Bonus program. This is the third consecutive Southeast Division event where Kelly and Payne both qualified No. 1. Both drivers started from the top spot at events this year at Montgomery Motorsports Park in Montgomery, Ala., and South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Ga.

In other qualifying action, David Eaton, of Merritt Island, Fla., leads the Comp Eliminator field, while Super Stock racer John Coughlin of Delaware, Ohio tops his field. Sitting in the No. 1 spot in the Stock Eliminator field is Murfreesboro, Tenn., racer John Livingston. In the Tracstar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman class, which runs in conjunction with the event, Toney Russell of Ardmore, Ala., leads his field with a time of 6.567 seconds at 210.08 mph.

Competitors in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock and Stock Eliminator, as well as those competing in the Tracstar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series will have their final qualifying session tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., with eliminations in all categories to follow in the afternoon.

Saturday's racing action will feature final eliminations in all categories, beginning at 1 p.m. Eliminations for the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars begin at 3 p.m.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open tomorrow at 8 a.m. General Admission tickets are $25. Children 6-12 years old are $5 and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. All tickets include a pit pass.

For more information please contact Bristol Dragway at (423) 764-DRAG or visit them on the web at www.BristolDragway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Bristol Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.437 seconds, 258.86 mph
2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.549, 254.28
3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.622, 256.80
4) Bill McCornack, Versailles, Ky., 5.648, 248.34
5) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.661, 248.66
6) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.697, 246.98
7) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.897, 239.06

First round TAD pairings
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.437 seconds, 258.86 mph vs. Bye

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.549, 254.28 vs.
7) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.897, 239.06

3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.622, 256.80 vs. 
6) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.697, 246.98

4) Bill McCornack, Versailles, Ky., 5.648, 248.34 vs. 
5) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.661, 248.66

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.765 seconds, 246.48 mph
2) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.852, 241.80
3) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.879, 244.96
4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.902, 241.76
5) Chris Brown, Ivyland, Pa., '00 Avenger, 6.626, 159.32
6) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.756, 213.54

First round TAFC pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.765 seconds, 246.48 mph vs. 
6) Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., '96 Firebird, 6.756, 213.54

2) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.852, 241.80 vs. 
5) Chris Brown, Ivyland, Pa., '00 Avenger, 6.626, 159.32

3) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.879, 244.96 vs. 
4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.902, 241.76

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.969 seconds, -0.561 (under index)
2) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.234, -0.536
3) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.476, -0.514
4) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, A/SM, 8.065, -0.475
5) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.825, -0.445
6) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.848, -0.442
7) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.599, -0.391
8) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 roadster, E/ED, 8.680, -0.390
9) Jerry Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '02 Cavalier, B/A, 7.398, -0.382
10) George Gallimore Jr., Memphis, Tenn., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 7.150, -0.380

SUPER STOCK
1) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.979 seconds, -0.971 (under index)
2) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.637, -0.913
3) Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., '04 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.655, -0.895
4) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.816, -0.884
5) Matt Hensley, Knoxville, Tenn., '68 Barracuda, SS/A, 9.099, -0.851
6) Stephen McCreary, Cana, Va., '88 Camaro, SS/DS, 10.504, -0.846
7) Jim Holland, Forest City, N.C., '04 Grand Am, GT/EA, 10.147, -0.803
8) Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.872, -0.778
9) Hunt Sharron, Greensboro, N.C., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.926, -0.774
10) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.983, -0.767

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.996 seconds, -0.954 (under index)
2) Debra Fickler, Huntley, Ill., '85 El Camino, K/FIA, 14.294, -0.856
3) Carlton Sweasy, Louisville, Ky., '77 Corvette, J/SA, 11.901, -0.849
4) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Formula, B/FIA, 10.879, -0.821
5) Tom Stevenson, Flowery Branch, Ga., '69 Nova, G/SA, 11.489, -0.811
6) Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '73 Nova, J/SA, 11.963, -0.787
7) Butch Payne, Rome, Ga., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 11.263, -0.737
8) Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '66 Malibu, L/S, 12.279, -0.721
9) Kenny Koonce Jr., Willow Springs, N.C., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.591, -0.709
10) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, G/SA, 11.597, -0.703

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Toney Russell, Ardmore, Ala., '55 Nomad, 6.567 seconds, 210.08 mph
2) Mike Allen Jr., Surgoinsville, Tenn., '97 Firebird, 6.965, 195.53
3) Brian Neal, Campobello, S.C., '04 Grand Am, 7.026, 198.44
4) Gilmer Hinshaw, Burlington, N.C., '99 Monte Carlo, 7.179, 193.79
5) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.191, 190.62
6) Larry Hutcheson, Christmas, Fla., '02 Cavalier, 7.267, 188.04
7) Pat Herold, Maplewood, Minn., dragster, 7.280, 189.02
8) Eric Benitez, Orlando, Fla., dragster, 7.283, 176.37
9) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '92 Camaro, 7.311, 186.46
10) H T Bilbrey, Willow Springs, N.C., '01 Sonoma, 7.373, 158.78

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thunder Valley Challenge brings NHRA Lucas Oil event to Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Bristol Dragway will host the NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, July 23-24, when it presents the Winnebago Industries Thunder Valley Challenge. The race, the fifth of seven 2004 Southeast Division events, features drivers in eight categories, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), competing for points leading to national and divisional championships.

The division's TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series will be run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Top Sportsman competitors will run qualifying and eliminations along with the other classes throughout the event.

Jay Payne, of Claremont, Calif., will be trying to repeat last year's win in Top Alcohol Funny Car competition along with more than 400 of the Southeast Division's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors.

Payne, who lives in Claremont, Calif., has found comfortable footing in the Southeast Division in the past several seasons, claiming a pair of division titles in 2000 and 2001 and runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, the 250-mph Alcohol Funny Car category was contested at six events in the Southeast Division, with Payne managing a win only at Bristol and settling for runner-up status at Gainesville, Fla., Reynolds, Ga., Atlanta, and Darlington, S.C. Jim Sickles, meanwhile, won three events and ultimately claimed the NHRA Southeast Division title.

The 2004 season has been a return to norm for Payne as he has won two of the three events contested in the class, taking home trophies at Gainesville and Montgomery, Ala. He was runner-up to Norcross, Ga., racer Mark Billington at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Ga., last month. Payne comes into Bristol not only leading the division but the NHRA Lucas Oil Series national points as well. Billington, currently No. 2 in the division, will be on hand to dull Payne's plans.

Also among the eight Lucas Oil Series categories being contested at Bristol is Top Alcohol Dragster. Guy Kelly, of Wadley, Ala., and Michael Gunderson, of Middleburg, Fla., have finished winner and runner-up at the last two events. Kelly comes into Bristol with the division points lead on the strength of those two wins. Gunderson, naturally, hopes to improve on his runner-up status. It could be tough, however, as Kelly has not only won the past two events but was the No. 1 qualifier and ultimately the quickest driver both times. His best of 5.372 seconds at 262.46 mph came at Montgomery in April. Defending Division Champion, Jason Cannon, of Middleburg, Fla., won the first event of the year in Gainesville, but hasn't made it back to the final since.

Larry Pritchett, of Clarkrange, Tenn., is a home-state driver who hopes to widen his points lead in Comp Eliminator. He has one win and two runner-up finishes for the year. Other points leaders coming into the event are Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., in Super Stock; Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, Fla., , in Stock; Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., in Super Comp; Corky Markwart, Largo, Fla., in Super Gas; and Tony Fuller, Rogers, Ark., in Super Street.

Ronnie Davis, of Commerce, Ga., currently leads the points in the TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series. The popular category, featuring full-bodied cars, is run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Series at all Southeast Division events.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open at 8 a.m. Friday, and Saturday. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at noon. TAD and TAFC are scheduled to make two qualifying attempts Friday, at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and Top Sportsman is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Qualifying continues Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Eliminations in all classes will start at 1 p.m. Saturday. TAD and TAFC will run eliminations at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $15 Friday and $25 Saturday. Children 6- to 12-years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Bristol Dragway is located in Bristol, Tenn., at exit 69 off Interstate 81. For more information call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com

The next stop for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series on the Southeast Division schedule is Sept. 10-11 at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: Winnebago Industries Thunder Valley Challenge, part 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 fifth of seven in Southeast Division competition. The division's TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn., Track is located in Bristol, Tenn., at exit 69 off Interstate 81.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, July 23-24, 2004

SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, July 23 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 24 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Time Trials and qualifying at 9:30 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying at noon. Comp Qualifying 12:30 p.m. Eliminations begin at 1 p.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car scheduled at 3, 6 and 8 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $25 Saturday. For more information please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $150,010, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: John Haley, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jay Payne, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Glen Treadwell, Comp Eliminator; Peter Biondo, Super Stock; Peter Biondo, Stock Eliminator; Bryan Robinson, Super Comp; Bryan Robinson, Super Gas; Michael Ruff, 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 2004 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 $109,000 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at the 46 Lucas Oil events: $1,000 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $200 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $100 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 46 divisional 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 2004 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 2004 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.

This year, event sponsor, Jeg's High Performance, has offered a "double up" bonus to Allstars competitors. Winners in each individual class who go on to win the national event will have their Allstars prize money doubled.

TRACSTAR SYSTEMS SATELLITES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central 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.