FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reichert, Branch score wins at Houston Raceway Park

BAYTOWN, Texas - It took longer than originally scheduled, but NHRA South Central division racers completed the first Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of the year. Weather on Sunday forced officials to postpone eliminations until today, but they did finish the race. For Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver Bill Reichert and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) racer Tate Branch, it was worth the wait.

Reichert, who hales from Owasso, Mich., took the TAD win over Randy Meyer of Spring Hill, Kan. Reichert's 5.390-second, 270.16 mph pass was more than enough to give him the edge over Meyer's 5.909-second, 203.65 mph effort.

For Branch, who won here a year ago and went on to claim the division's TAFC title, starting off the season with a win will answer some questions. The Artesia, N.M., racer and his Branch Racing team have joined forces with car owners George and Jane Etterman. The Ettermans traditionally run out of the North Central division but will be in the South Central territory with Branch. Branch faced off against longtime division rival Jackie Stidham in the final and peeled off a 5.653-second, 254.86 mph pass to Stidham's 7.860-second, 116.21 mph run.

In other NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series categories, Damon Dabbs made it to the final round in two classes. The Garland, Texas, racer took the win in Super Comp and was runner-up to Joseph Bonfield Jr. of Hobbs, N.M., in Super Gas. Winners in other classes were Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, in Comp Eliminator; Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, in Super Stock; and Dale Hulquist, Crosby, Texas in Stock. It was an all-Baytown final in Super Street when Arlie Boggs beat out Mike Johnson. The winner in Kerker Motorcycle was Larry Eperjesi of Lake Dallas, Texas and in Top Sportsman Ed Ridenhour of Fort Worth, Texas, was the winner.

South Central Division racers head to Memphis Motorsports Park for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, March 26-28. The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.360, 271.79 def. 
8) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.938, 239.61 

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.390, 259.91 def. 
5) Karl  Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.446, 264.29 

2) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.433, 263.92 def. 
7) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.464, 254.52 

6) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 8.058, 104.57 def. 
3) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, broke 

Semifinals 
Reichert, 5.422, 270.37 def. Hentges, 5.496, 258.71 
Meyer, 5.450, 259.91 def. Force, 5.467, 257.14

Final 
Reichert, 5.390, 270.16 def. Meyer, 5.909, 203.65

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.583, 254.09 def. 
8) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, Pontiac Firebird, broke 

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., Camaro, 5.636, 254.23 def. 
7) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, Camaro, broke 

3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., Firebird, 5.659, 250.83 def. 
10) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, Dodge Avenger, 6.788, 155.94 

4) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., Camaro, 5.678, 247.75 def. 
5) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., Avenger, 5.767, 249.16 

Semifinals 
Stidham, 5.683, 247.02 def. Payne, 5.665, 256.75; 
Branch, 5.611, 255.53 def. Gasparrelli, 9.626, 83.07

Final 
Branch, 5.653, 254.86 def. Stidham, 7.860, 116.21

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 S-10, PSTA, 7.676, 168.32 def. 
Danny Leibham, Cypress, Texas, '01 Camaro, B/AA, 7.362, 186.33 

SUPER STOCK 
Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 17.142, 68.05 def. 
Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '02 Grand Am, SS/AM, broke

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Dale Hulquist, Crosby, Texas, '94 Camaro, B/FIA, 11.010, 119.85 def. 
Donnie Frederick Jr., S. Houston, '69 Camaro, G/SA, foul 

SUPER COMP 
Damon Dabbs, Garland, Texas, dragster, 8.921, 158.07 def. 
Rodney Costlow, Dallas, dragster, 8.879, 171.40 

SUPER GAS 
Joseph Bonfield Jr., Hobbs, N.M., '57 Corvette, 9.908, 148.44 def. 
Damon Dabbs, Garland, Texas, '85 Camaro, 9.914, 150.48 

SUPER STREET 
Arlie Boggs, Baytown, Texas, '99 Camaro, 10.929, 133.86 def.
Mike Johnson, Baytown, Texas, '88 Camaro, 10.888, 135.20 

KERKER MOTORCYCLE 
Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, '00 Koenig, 7.915, 163.26 def. 
Alan Jordan, Lawton, Okla., '86 Suzuki, 10.067, 131.68 

TOP SPORTSMAN 
Ed Ridenhour, Fort Worth, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.699, 171.21 def. 
David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Trans Am, 7.859, 177.07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
It took longer than expected but qualifying is complete

BAYTOWN, Texas - Although the racing action was interrupted occasionally by rain, qualifying went on as planned at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park. After three qualifying runs in TAD and TAFC, Bill Reichert held his lead in TAD and Jay Payne grabbed the No. 1 spot in TAFC.

Reichert, a resident of Owosso, Mich., did not improve on yesterday's 5.269-second, 273.00 mph run but it was enough to hold on to No. 1. In TAFC, Claremont, Calif., racer Payne overtook Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M., for the top position. Payne ran 5.548 seconds, at 258.47 mph. The run Branch made on Friday (5.575 seconds, 253.14 mph) was a career-best for the defending division TAFC champion.

In other TAD action, rookie driver Ashley Force, daughter of perennial Funny Car favorite John Force, qualified No. 2 with a 5.338 second, 269.73 mph pass. This is Force's first season competing in TAD and she is under the tutelage of Jerry Darien. The dragster owned by Darien and his partner Ken Meadows is generally considered to be the unofficial training ground for Top Fuel drivers. Professional NHRA drivers who have driven for Darien and Meadows include Gary Scelzi, Brandon Bernstein, Frank Pedregon and Melanie Troxel.

In qualifying for other classes Cordis Johnson, Springdale, Ark., was the top qualifier in Comp Eliminator. Buz Post of Arlington, Texas, maintained his No. 1 position in Super Stock while Jimmy Hildalgo of Donaldsonville, La., overtook Jerry Davis for best qualifying position in Stock Eliminator. Top Sportsman competitor Earl Folse of Raceland, Texas, was took the top spot in that class while in Kerker Motorcycle, Alan Jordan of Lawton, Okla., was in the No. 1 spot.

Racing continues Sunday. Eliminations in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series begin at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for kids 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 373-RACE.

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 Houston Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.269 seconds, 273.00 mph
2) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.338, 269.73
3) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.342, 268.12
4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.383, 260.71
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.423, 263.05
6) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.478, 268.33
7) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.541, 251.77
8) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.672, 251.95

Not Qualified
9) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.695, 250.51
10) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.696, 251.67
11) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.753, 224.14
12) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 5.770, 217.67
13) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., 5.936, 199.55
14) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.274, 197.48
15) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 6.298, 157.72
16) Brandon Pierce, Moore, Okla., 6.879, 221.38
17) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 11.515, 68.18
18) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 11.995, 72.94

First-round TAD pairings
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.269 seconds, 273.00 mph vs. 
8) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.672, 251.95

2) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.338, 269.73 vs. 
7) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.541, 251.77

3) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.342, 268.12 vs. 
6) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.478, 268.33

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.383, 260.71 vs. 
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.423, 263.05

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.548 seconds, 258.47 mph
2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.575, 254.62
3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.587, 250.69
4) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.692, 251.25
5) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '99 Avenger, 5.858, 245.63
6) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.884, 244.12
7) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 5.931, 235.19
8) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, '00 Firebird, 5.956, 243.99 

Not Qualified
9) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.151, 193.82
10) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.645, 226.16

First round TAFC pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.548 seconds, 258.47 mph vs.
8) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, '00 Firebird, 5.956, 243.99

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.575, 254.62 vs. 
7) Eddiev McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 5.931, 235.19

3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.587, 250.69 vs.
6) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.884, 244.12

4) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.692, 251.25 vs. 
5) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '99 Avenger, 5.858, 245.63

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Cordis Johnson, Springdale, Ark., '03 Cavalier, H/SMA, 9.121 seconds, -0.729 (under index)
2) Michael Johnson, Springdale, ArK., '03 Cavalier, F/SMA, 8.802, -0.708
3) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.569, -0.671
4) Thomas Patterson, Houston, Texas, '41 Willys, AA/PM, 6.229, -0.671
5) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.455, -0.645
6) Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.367, -0.633
7) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.401, -0.619
8) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 S-10, PSTA, 7.674, -0.596
9) Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '98 Lumina, H/A, 8.872, -0.588
10) Raymond Martin, Mt. Belvieu, Texas, Herndon, K/AA, 8.054, -0.586

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '02 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.223 seconds, -1.327 (under index)
2) Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.720, -1.280
3) Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 10.938, -1.212
4) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.792, -1.208
5) John Clegg III, Victoria, Texas, '73 Firebird, SS/AM, 8.389, -1.161
6) Shaun LeBlanc, Bartlett, Tenn., '88 Mustang, GT/A, 9.150, -1.150
7) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.407, -1.143
8) Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.178, -1.122
9) J.W. Hames, Madison, Miss., '89 Daytona, GT/JA, 10.488, -1.112
10) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.391, -1.109

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, C/FIA, 10.682 seconds, -1.318 (under index)
2) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, F/SA, 10.902, -1.248
3) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.803, -1.197
4) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.127, -1.173
5) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.289, -1.161
6) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.091, -1.159
7) Patrick Courts Sr., New Iberia, La., '87 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.297, -1.153
8) Jim Hale, Van Buren, Ark., '70 Challenger, B/SA, 10.401, -1.149
9) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '70 Challenger, A/SA, 10.162, -1.138
10) Gary Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.897, -1.103

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., '86 Cutlass, 6.833 seconds, 200.65 mph
2) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '02 Grand Am, 6.907, 199.91
3) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Firebird, 7.130, 193.57
4) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '00 S-10, 7.320, 184.72
5) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.384, 184.88
6) Craig Hughes, Portales, N.M., '79 Charger, 7.435, 184.75
7) Michelle Wilson, Azle, Texas, '89 Camaro, 7.454, 180.12
8) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.460, 183.54
9) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.522, 182.18
10) Ed Ridenhour, Fort Worth, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.638, 181.23

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Alan Jordan, Lawton, Okla., '86 Suzuki, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) John M. Paterson, Pearland, Texas, '85 Suzuki, 0.001
3) Eddie Glaze, Houston, '90 Suzuki, 0.003
4) Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '84 Suzuki, 0.003
5) Gerald Jordan, Kyle, Texas, '92 Suzuki, 0.003
6) Ben Brown, Irving, La., '83 Suzuki, 0.004
7) Eric Cook, Houston, '85 Suzuki, 0.005
8) Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '88 Suzuki, 0.006
9) Darwin Hughes, The Colony, Texas, '90 Suzuki, 0.007
10) Chris LeBouef, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, 0.009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reichert, Branch set the pace in Top Alcohol qualifying at Houston Raceway

BAYTOWN, Texas - In the first rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver Bill Reichert and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) racer Tate Branch took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Reichert, of Owasso, Mich., outran the field with a pass of 5.269 seconds at 273.00 mph. And Artesia, N.M., resident Branch made a 5.575-second, 253.14 mph run to take the pole. Branch is the defending division TAFC champion and he won here a year ago. Today's run was a career-best effort for Branch.

Top qualifiers in other classes were Mike Wood, Wichita Falls, Texas, in Comp Eliminator; Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, in Super Stock; and Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, in Stock Eliminator. In Top Sportsman, Greg Lair of Canyon, Texas, was the best qualifier and in Kerker Motorcycle, it was Ben Brown, Plano, Texas.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC will make qualifying runs at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for children 6 to 12 years old. Kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 373-RACE.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.269 seconds, 273.00 mph
2) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.342, 266.27
3) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.415, 253.14
4) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.423, 263.05
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.691, 244.83
6) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.753, 224.14
7) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 5.770, 217.67
8) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.875, 241.50

Not Qualified
9) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 6.297, 249.67
10) Brandon Pierce, Moore, Okla., 6.879, 221.38
11) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 11.276, 63.85
12) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 12.243, 59.64
13) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., (no time)
14) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., (no time)
15) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., (no time)
16) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., (no time)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.575 seconds, 253.14 mph
2) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.751, 248.29
3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.760, 250.69
4) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 5.931, 235.19
5) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, '00 Firebird, 5.956, 243.99
6) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.151, 193.82
7) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.171, 180.74
8) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 7.151, 134.46 

Not Qualified
9) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '99 Avenger, 11.683, 69.24
10) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 11.841, 68.67

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Mike Wood, Wichita Falls, Texas, '32 Bantam, E/EA, 8.278 seconds, -0.802 (under index)
2) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ariz., '03 Cavalier, F/SMA, 8.802, -0.708
3) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.569, -0.671
4) Thomas Patterson, Houston, '41 Willys, AA/PM, 6.253, -0.647
5) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.455, -0.645
6) Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.367, -0.633
7) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.401, -0.619
8) Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '98 Lumina, H/A, 8.872, -0.588
9) Mike Trumble Jr., Pasadena, Texas, '04 Sunfire, B/SMA, 8.214, -0.576
10) Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '02 Cavalier, B/A, 7.209, -0.571

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '02 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.234 seconds, -1.316 (under index)
2) Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.720, -1.280
3) Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 10.938, -1.212
4) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.792, -1.208
5) John Clegg III, Victoria, Texas, '73 Firebird, SS/AM, 8.389, -1.161
6) Shaun LeBlanc, Bartlett, Tenn., '88 Mustang, GT/A, 9.150, -1.150
7) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.407, -1.143
8) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.391, -1.109
9) Tony Cowell, Weatherford, Texas, '81 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.500, -1.100
10) Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.504, -1.096

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, F/SA, 10.902 seconds, -1.248 (under index)
2) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, C/FIA, 10.781, -1.219
3) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.289, -1.161
4) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.140, -1.160
5) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.091, -1.159
6) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.842, -1.158
7) Patrick Courts Sr., New Iberia, La., '87 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.297, -1.153
8) Jim Hale, Van Buren, Ark., '70 Challenger, B/SA, 10.401, -1.149
9) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '70 Challenger, A/SA, 10.162, -1.138
10) Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.865, -1.085

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '02 Grand Am, 6.912 seconds, 199.91 mph
2) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., '86 Cutlass, 7.078, 195.42
3) keith Raferty, Lake Charles, La., '03 Firebird, 7.315, 189.55
4) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.384, 184.88
5) Michelle Wilson, Azle, Texas, '89 Camaro, 7.454, 180.12
6) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.471, 183.54
7) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.541, 182.03
8) Keith Sasich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.743, 178.31
9) Bob Fitzhenry, Tomball, Texas, '02 Corvette, 7.806, 175.18
10) David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Trans Am, 7.829, 177.93

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Ben Brown, Irving, La., '83 Suzuki, SPB, 0.004 seconds reaction time
2) Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '84 Suzuki, SPB, 0.004
3) Darwin Hughes, The Colony, Texas, '90 Suzuki, SPB, 0.007
4) Chris LeBouef, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, SPB, 0.009
5) Curtis J. Nichols III, Alvin, Texas, '95 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.010
6) James Enloe, St. Amant, La., '86 Suzuki, KMC, 0.011
7) Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, SPB, 0.014
8) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '86 Suzuki, SPB, 0.033
9) Eddie Glaze, Houston, Texas, '90 Suzuki, SPB, 0.041
10) Brandon Maybin, Donaldsonville, La., SPB, 0.044

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Houston Raceway Park hosts NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

BAYTOWN, Texas - Houston Raceway Park will host the second of seven NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events in NHRA's South Central Division March 12-14. Competitors in eight classes including Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will vie for a share of the $152,210 purse as well as points leading to national and divisional championships.

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.

The division's 2003 TAD Champion, Shelly Howard, beat out the 2002 champion, Lee Callaway, by just one point. Howard, a registered nurse from Tulsa, Okla., made three final-round appearances, scoring two wins. She won last year's season-opener at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, and again at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La. For Howard, it marked her second division title in three years.

Callaway, a Channelview, Texas, racer, also won two races in 2003 but one of them was an out-of-division event. He won the South Central Division Lucas Oil race at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, La., and traveled to Scribner, Neb., and won there.

At first glance it seems like title fight in the division's TAD class this season is shaping up to be a rematch of Howard vs. Callaway. Both drivers have teams that are capable of winning. However, rumors are circulating that California racer Morgan Lucas, who won 2003's Pacific division TAD crown, will be calling the South Central division home in 2004.

Lucas, a 20-year-old driver from Riverside, Calif., has a new team and a new car so it will remain to be seen if they can hit the ground running. He has hired tuner Norm Grimes who took Rick Santos to five straight national championships. Lucas spent two years under the tutelage of Jerry Darien before striking out on his own.

The TAD owned by Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows is generally considered to be the unofficial training ground for pro drivers. Former Darien/Meadows drivers include Gary Scelzi, Frank Pedregon, Melanie Troxel and Brandon Bernstein, who took over driving duties from his father Kenny in the NHRA POWERade Series.

The rumor mill also has Darien and his new protege, Ashley Force, racing in the South Central division. Force, the daughter of perennial Funny Car champion John Force, competed in Super Comp for the last two years. Although all eyes will likely be on her, if Force follows Darien's lead she should perform as well as his other students.

In TAFC action, Tate Branch earned his third division champion in 2003. The Artesia, N.M., racer won two races and was runner-up at two, beating long-time rival Jackie Stidham out of the crown by four points. Like Howard in TAD, Branch started off 2003 with a win at Houston Raceway Park and won an out-of-division race in Topeka, Kan. He was runner-up at State Capitol Dragway and at No Problem Raceway.

For 2004, Branch and his crew have teamed up with car owners George and Jane Etterman. The Ettermans traditionally run their car out of NHRA's North Central division but will head south this season so the team will run on Branch's home turf.

It's likely that Branch will again face a challenge from Stidham. And, the rumor mill is working in TAFC as well. It's possible that former Pacific division TAFC champion Steve Gasparrelli will be running in the South Central division as well. Gasparrelli was second in the Pacific division points last year with four runner-up finishes.

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

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $18 Saturday and $22 Sunday. Children, 6 to 12, are $5 Friday, $8 Saturday and $10 Sunday. Kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Houston Raceway Park is located at 2525 FM 565 South. It is east of the Houston metro area, just south of I-10 and east of Highway 146. For more information call the track, (281) 383-RACE, or visit www.HoustonRaceway.com.

The third race on the South Central division's schedule is at Memphis Motorsports Park, March 26-28, 2004.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Sportsman Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the second of seven in South Central Division competition. The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series and Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas. Track is located at 2525 FM 565 South. It is east of the Houston metro area, just south of Interstate 10 and east of Hwy. 146.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 12-14, 2004

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

FRIDAY, March 12 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 13 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 14 -- Gates open at 8 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 -- $10 Friday, $18 Saturday, $22 Sunday. Children, 6 to 12 years old, are $5 Friday, $8 Saturday and $10 Sunday. Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 373-RACE.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,210, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Shelly Howard, Top Alcohol Dragster; Tate Branch, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Brian Self, Comp Eliminator; Harvey Emmons III, Super Stock; Verne Buchanan, Stock Eliminator; Ty Lafferty, Super Comp; Lonnie Sumner, 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 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 each of 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.

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 $8,800 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 2004, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $2,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $1,000.

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 seven 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 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.