FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stidham, Meyer score wins at Memphis Motorsports Park

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In the final rounds from the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jackie Stidham took the win while in Top Alcohol Dragster Randy Meyer scored. Former national champion Jeff Hefler earned his second straight win of the season.

In a repeat of the final round at the division's last NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park, Stidham, a veteran driver from Chickasha, Okla., squared off against defending division champion Tate Branch. This time, it was Stidham who took the win light. Stidham's 5.827-second, 243.02 mph pass was more than enough to cover Branch's 6.132-second, 190.08 mph effort.

Top Alcohol Dragster winner Meyer also made his second successive final-round appearance. This time the Spring Hill, Kan., resident went up against rookie Top Alcohol Dragster driver Ashley Force and came out ahead. Although Force was the No. 1 qualifier at this event and Meyer was No. 2, in the final round Meyer outpaced Force with a 5.447-second, 261.67 mph pass. Force, the daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, ran 5.533 seconds at 258.96 mph in her first final-round appearance.

Mansfield, Texas, racer Hefler won his first race of the year in Stock Eliminator. In Houston he won in Super Stock. At this event in Super Stock, Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, took the win in his second consecutive final-round appearance. He was runner-up to Hefler in Houston.

Winners in other classes were Michael Johnson, Sprindale, Ariz., in Comp Eliminator; Lonnie Grim, Benton, Ark., in Super Comp; Mike Fuqua, Hendersonville, Tenn., in Super Gas; and Tim Wilson, Oklahoma City, in Super Street. Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., won in Top Sportsman while the Kerker Motorcycle winner was Dale Detrie, Owatonna, Minn. Detrie beat NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competitor Craig Treble in the final.

South Central Division racers head to State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, La., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, May 21-23.

The following are the final results from the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships event at Memphis Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.461, 263.56 def. 
6) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.571, 253.37

2) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.391, 259.01 def. 
7) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.730, 251.53

1) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.484, 258.62 def. 
8) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.723, 246.66

4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.499, 252.61 def. 
5) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., foul

Semifinals
Meyer, 5.447, 261.67 def. Reichert, 5.633, 256.65
Force, 5.531, 260.41 def. Wilson, 5.533, 249.76

Final
Meyer, 5.425, 259.56 def. Force, 5.564, 258.96

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., Chevy Camaro, 5.778, 250.13 def. 
7) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, Dodge Avenger, 6.492, 232.27

5) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., Pontiac Firebird, 5.812, 248.80 def. 
4) Steve Harker, Brisbane, Australia, Avenger, foul

3) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, Firebird, 6.079, 240.98 def. 
6) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., Camaro, 6.105, 237.38

1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., Camaro, 5.786, 246.98 def. 
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, Okla., Dodge Daytona, broke

Semifinals
Branch, 5.800, 249.90 def. Bell, 6.122, 241.63
Stidham, 5.772, 247.16 def. Gasparrelli, 5.914, 246.71

Final
Stidham, 5.827, 243.02 def. Branch, 6.132, 190.08

COMP ELIMINATOR
Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ariz., '04 Cavalier, F/SMA, 9.254, 120.36 def.
Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SMA, 14.253, 66.70

SUPER STOCK
Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '01 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.810, 122.99 def. 
Mike Stokes, Hopkinsville, Ky., '62 Corvette, SS/CM, foul

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.957, 111.92 def. 
David Rampy, Piedmont Ala., '67 Camaro, F/SA, 11.509, 114.84

SUPER COMP
Lonnie Grim, Benton, Ark., Dragster, 8.955, 161.25 def. 
Erica Enders, Houston, Dragster, 8.899, 178.42

SUPER GAS
Mike Fuqua, Hendersonville, Tenn., '00 Corvette, 9.931, 155.35  def.
Bernard Daniels, Ft. Worth, , Texas, '75 Vega, 9.939, 160.02

SUPER STREET
Tim Wilson, Oklahoma City, '80 Corvette, 10.892, 124.55 def. 
Heath McPhetridge, Grove, Okla., '85 Camaro, 10.884, 134.82

TOP SPORTSMAN
Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.475, 182.30 def. 
Larry Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.621, 180.65

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Craig Treble, Hensley, Ark., '02 Suzuki, 8.789, 148.80 def. 
Dale Detrie, Owatonna, Minn., '83 Suzuki, 8.747, 147.91

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force, Stidham best qualifiers Memphis Motorsports Park

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In the final rounds of qualifying at the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, at Memphis Motorsports Park, Ashley Force retained the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Alcohol Dragster. In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Jackie Stidham finished in the top spot.

Force, the daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, improved on Friday's qualifying effort to stay No. 1. The Yorba Linda, Calif., racer made a 5.412-second, 264.44 mph pass to stay ahead of No. 2 qualifier, Randy Meyer of Spring Hill, Kan. Meyer ran 5.455 seconds at 251.86 mph. Sunday, Force will face off against the No. 8 qualifier, former division champion Lee Callaway of Channelview, Texas.

Stidham, a veteran Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot from Chickasha, Okla., overtook the top qualifying spot from Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M. Stidham's first qualifying pass today, a 5.717-second, 247.66 mph effort, was enough to put him ahead of Branch. He will take on Oklahoma City resident Ron Rice in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

In other qualifying classes, only Super Stock competitor Buz Post of Arlington, Texas, was able to maintain his top qualifying position. In Comp Eliminator, Raymond Martin, Mt. Belvieu, Texas, was No. 1 while in Stock Eliminator, John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., was the best qualifier. Louisville, Ky., Top Sportsman racer Chris Ray, and Kerker Motorcycle rider Ken Oravecz of Peckerington, Ohio, were the No. 1 qualifiers in their classes.

Racing continues with eliminations beginning Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round of eliminations at noon. Tickets are $20 and children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships event at Memphis Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.412 seconds, 264.44 mph
2) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.455, 251.86
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.482, 265.43
4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.530, 250.74
5) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.563, 251.25
6) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.568, 258.42
7) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.590, 255.73
8) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.603, 248.07

Not Qualified
9) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.611, 253.18
10) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.613, 242.54
11) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.724, 252.95

First-round TAD pairings
1) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.412 seconds, 264.44 mph vs. 
8) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.603, 248.07

2) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.455, 251.86 vs. 
7) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.590, 255.73

3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.482, 265.43 vs. 
6) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.568, 258.42

4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.530, 250.74 vs. 
5) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.563, 251.25

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.717 seconds, 247.66 mph
2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.763, 247.97
3) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, '00 Firebird, 5.845, 244.52
4) Steve Harker, Brisbane, Australia, '99 Avenger, 5.896, 244.78
5) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.926, 245.32
6) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.010, 236.01
7) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.366, 235.27
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona, 6.925, 175.16

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.717 seconds, 247.66 mph vs. 
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona, 6.925, 175.16

2) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.763, 247.97 vs. 
7) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.366, 235.27

3) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, '00 Firebird, 5.845, 244.52 vs. 
6) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.010, 236.01

4) Steve Harker, Brisbane, Australia, '99 Avenger, 5.896, 244.78 vs. 
5) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.926, 245.32

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Raymond Martin, Mt. Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 7.953 seconds, -0.677 (under index)
2) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.352, -0.668
3) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.358, -0.632
4) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.464, -0.626
5) Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., '92 Cavalier, F/A, 8.218, -0.622
6) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.622, -0.618
7) Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.377, -0.613
8) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.191, -0.609
9) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.671, -0.599
10) Brian Stufflebeam, Peoria, Ill., '23 Roadster, B/AA, 7.206, -0.594

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '01 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.225 seconds, -1.325 (under index)
2) Jerry Holman, Hendersonville, Tenn., '86 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.265, -1.285
3) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.648, -1.252
4) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.153, -1.247
5) Ken Shawver, Bryan, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.325, -1.225
6) Jim Pancake, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.783, -1.217
7) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.700, -1.200
8) J.W. Hames, Madison, Miss., '89 Daytona, GT/JA, 10.447, -1.153
9) Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.451, -1.149
10) Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., '67 Nova, SS/G, 9.603, -1.147

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.627 seconds, -1.323 (under index)
2) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.411, -1.289
3) Charles Ingram, Sante Fe, Tenn., '96 Corvette, C/FI, 10.666, -1.284
4) Jerry Bennett, Hickory, Ky., '79 Aspen, G/SA, 11.020, -1.280
5) Dave Edwards, Washington Ct. Hs., Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.326, -1.274
6) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.746, -1.254
7) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '02 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.482, -1.218
8) Marty Buth, Freeport, Ill., '86 Thunderbird, J/FIA, 13.145, -1.205
9) Amy Faulk, Collierville, Tenn., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.799, -1.201
10) Paula Cotten, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.119, -1.181

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '99 Firebird, 6.994 seconds, 197.77 mph
2) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Firebird, 7.100, 178.71
3) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Firebird, 7.208, 192.88
4) Don Boerma, Tinley Park, Ill., '53 Corvette, 7.212, 191.43
5) Kyle Cannon, West Helena, Ark., '03 Cavalier, 7.294, 190.51
6) T J Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.295, 190.75
7) Ryan Kuykendall, St. Louis, '99 Dakota, 7.391, 182.97
8) Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.405, 186.38
9) Greg Hinds, Arab, Ala., '63 Corvette, 7.436, 186.48
10) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.463, 183.47

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Ken Oravecz, Pickerington, Ohio, '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) Michael Nash, Texarkana, Texas, Honda, KMC, 0.000
3) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.000
4) Tracy Hemhold, Morrison, Colo., '86 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.001
5) Dale Detrie, Owatonna, Minn., '83 Suzuki, KMC, 0.004
6) Alex Barwettler, Maplewood, Minn., '78 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.004
7) Chris Oravecz, Canal Winchester, Ohio, '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.005
8) Brian Johnson, Anokias, Minn., '04 Suzuki, SPB, 0.005
9) Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '03 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.007
10) David Latino, Donaldsonville, La., '01 Suzuki, SPB, 0.008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force, Branch set the pace at Lucas Oil Series event in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In the first day of qualifying at the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Ashley Force is the No. 1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster and Tate Branch leads the Top Alcohol Funny Car field.

Force, the daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, made a 5.454-second, 264.44 mph pass to take the top spot from Randy Meyer. A Yorba Linda, Calif., resident, Force is in her first year of competition in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. She is under the tutelage of Jerry Darien who, along with his partner Ken Meadows, owns the car she is driving. Other drivers who have occupied that seat include Gary Scelzi, Brandon Bernstein and Melanie Troxel.

Branch, of Artesia, N.M., headed the Top Alcohol Funny Car field with a pass of 5.763 seconds at 247.97 mph. He outpaced the rest of the class by a tenth of a second. In a sport where elapsed times are measured to the thousandth, that is a significant effort.

Top qualifiers in other classes are David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., in Comp Eliminator; Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, in Super Stock; Russo, Gonzales, La., in Stock; and Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., in Top Sportsman.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $20. A Saturday/Sunday ticket is $30. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships event at Memphis Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.454 seconds, 264.44  mph 
2) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.475, 251.86 
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.486, 265.43 
4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.589, 248.71 
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.603, 247.43 
6) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.613, 242.06 
7) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.616, 234.98 
8) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.653, 246.21 

Not qualified
9) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 6.016, 245.90 
10) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 6.402, 202.82 
11) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 8.200, 99.57  

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.763 seconds, 247.97 mph 
2) Mike Bell, Ocean View, Hawaii, '00 Firebird, 5.862, 244.52 
3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.954, 203.16 
4) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona   6.925, 175.16 
5) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 7.048, 184.72 
6) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 7.114, 138.24 
7) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 10.141, 78.01 
8) Steve Harker, Brisbane, Australia, '99 Avenger, 10.568, 77.47  

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.358 seconds, -0.632 (under index)
2) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.464, -0.626
3) Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., '92 Cavalier, F/A, 8.218, -0.622
4) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.625, -0.615
5) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.191, -0.609
6) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.671, -0.599
7) Brian Stufflebeam, Peoria, Ill., '23 Roadster, B/AA, 7.206, -0.594
8) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ariz., '04 Cavalier, F/SMA, 8.901, -0.589
9) Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '98 Lumina, H/A, 8.871, -0.589
10) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.477, -0.543

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '01 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.225 seconds, -1.325 (under index)
2) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.153, -1.247
3) Ken Shawver, Bryan, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.325, -1.225
4) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.700, -1.200
5) Jim Pancake, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.840, -1.160
6) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.747, -1.153
7) J.W. Hames, Madison, Miss., '89 Daytona, GT/JA, 10.447, -1.153
8) Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.451, -1.149
9) Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.158, -1.142
10) Russell Fox, Springfield, Tenn., '66 Chevy II, SS/HA, 9.774, -1.126

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.411 seconds, -1.289 (under index)
2) Charles Ingram, Sante Fe, Tenn., '96 Corvette, C/FI, 10.666, -1.284
3) Dave Edwards, Washington Ct. Hs., Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.326, -1.274
4) Jerry Bennett, Hickory, Ky., '79 Aspen, G/SA, 11.029, -1.271
5) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.688, -1.262
6) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.781, -1.219
7) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '02 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.482, -1.218
8) Marty Buth, Freeport, Ill., '86 Thunderbird, J/FIA, 13.145, -1.205
9) Paula Cotten, Broken Arrow, Okla., '73 Duster, G/SA, 11.151, -1.149
10) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.304, -1.146

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Firebird, 7.100 seconds, 178.71 mph
2) Don Boerma, Tinley Park, Ill., '53 Corvette, 7.299, 190.92
3) Kyle Cannon, West Helena, Ark., '03 Cavalier, 7.299, 190.51
4) T J Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.300, 190.67
5) Ryan Kuykendall, St. Louis, '99 Dakota, 7.391, 181.25
6) Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.405, 186.20
7) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Firebird, 7.435, 186.85
8) Greg Hinds, Arab, Ala., '63 Corvette, 7.468, 186.41
9) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.493, 182.85 
10) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '00 S-10, 7.516, 181.52

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series heads to Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Motorsports Park will host the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, March 26-28. The race is the second of seven in NHRA's South Central Division. 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.

More than 400 cars in eight categories are expected to compete at Memphis Motorsports Park. Those classes include 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC). 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.

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.

TAD owners Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows are expected to campaign in the South Central division with their new protegee, Ashley Force, behind the wheel. This car 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.

Force, the daughter of perennial Funny Car champion John Force, competed in the Super Comp class for the last two years. Although all eyes will likely be on the Yorba Linda, Calif., teen, 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 Memphis Motorsports Park open at 9 a.m. Friday and at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying begins Friday at 10 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying scheduled at 4 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. 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 morning at 9. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, and $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and a four-day pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Road in Millington, Tenn. For more information call the track, (901) 358-7223, or visit www.MemphisMotorsportsPark.com.

The third race on the South Central division's schedule is at State Capitol Dragway, May 21-23, 2004.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships, 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: Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, Tenn. Track is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Road, in Millington, Tenn.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 26-28, 2004

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the O'Reilly NHRA Sportsman Championships:

FRIDAY, March 26 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 27 -- 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 28 -- 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, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and a three-day pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223.

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: Jeff Wilson, Top Alcohol Dragster; Kim Fritts, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Sean Dodd, Comp Eliminator; Harvey Emmons III, Super Stock; Jeff Strickland, Stock Eliminator; Greg Brotherton, Super Comp; Billy Joe Torrance, Super Gas; Robbie Mayse, 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 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.