FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force takes NHRA South Central championship

BELLE ROSE, La. - In her rookie season in Top Alcohol Dragster, Ashley Force earned three NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event wins in four final round appearances to capture the NHRA South Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster Championship.

Force knocked out veteran driver Gene Snow in a close final-round match-up at this weekend's All Star Automotive Parts Division Cajun Challenge to seal the championship. Force clocked in at 5.352 seconds at 259.11 mph to Snow's 5.367, 262.69 giving Force the win by 39-thousandths of a second.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Tate Branch picked up his second win of the year taking out Richard McClain in the final with a 5.835-second pass at 250.04 mph to McClain's 5.866, 244.21. Branch looks to finish second in the division with Jackie Stidham already having wrapped up the championship prior to this weekend's event.

Local favorite Joe Teuton from Houma, La., won the Super Stock class over Mike Crutchfield in his '68 Barracuda running 9.080 seconds at 142.93 mph.

Jason Coan grabbed a close one away from Daniel Mikel in the Comp Eliminator final with Coan posting an 8.392-second run to Mikel's 8.538.

Joe Endzelis grabbed the win in the Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman class with an easy win over Larry Smith. Endelis ran a 7.874 second run at 172.43 mph while Smith smoked the tires right off the starting line and watched Endzelis drive away.

Stock Eliminator matched up two of the biggest hitters on the NHRA circuit when Jeff Hefler met up with David Rampy. Helfer held on for the win at 10.861 seconds with Rampy right behind with an 11.191-second lap.

Other winners this weekend were Jim Hughes out of Arizona in Super Comp; Clark Mundt in Super Gas; and Jonathan Blades in Super Street over Carl Tauzin of New Iberia, La.

Shane Eperjesi took the Kerker Motorcycle win over Lisa Bennett when Bennett left early with the red-light foul. Eperjesi clocked in at 9.208 seconds.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series All Star Automotive Parts Division event at No Problem Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND ONE
4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.633, 256.55 def. 
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 15.207, 57.70

3) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.345, 268.65 def. 
6) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.145, 197.65

1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.495, 259.91 def. 
8) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 7.132, 149.91


2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.485, 263.20 def. 
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.596, 245.94

SEMIFINALS
Force, 8.290, 217.91 def. Thacker, 11.765, 62.70 
Snow, 5.345, 261.27 def. Howard, 7.890, 108.86

FINALS
Force, 5.352, 259.11 def. Snow, 5.367, 262.69

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND ONE
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.932, 248.39 def. 
8) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas,'03 Camaro, broke

2) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.164, 230.53 def. 
7) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.175, 235.72

3) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '03 Firebird, 5.954, 239.91 def. 
6) Ross Stickler, Chandler, Ariz., '03 Corvette, 5.981, 236.63

5) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 5.900, 240.59 def.
4) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '02 Camaro, 13.931, 69.13

SEMIFINALS
Branch, 5.939, 248.80 def. Burck, 6.024, 237.09 
McClain, 5.867, 243.24 def. Jones, 5.949, 242.32

FINALS
Branch, 5.835, 250.04 def. McClain, 5.866, 244.21

COMP ELIMINATOR
Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., dragster, F/ED, 8.392, 148.15  def. 
Daniel Mikel, Cypress, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.538, 157.25

SUPER STOCK
Joe Teuton, Houma, La., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.080, 142.93  def. 
Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.152, 146.00

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Formula, A/FIA, 10.861, 114.73  def. 
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '67 Camaro, E/SA, 11.191, 115.49

SUPER COMP
Jim Hughes, Phoenix, dragster, 8.932, 156.52  def. 
Lyndon Rutland, Spring, Texas, dragster, 8.899, 174.91

SUPER GAS
Clark Mundt, Longview, Texas, '63 Corvette, 9.890, 159.44  def. 
Ray Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 18.745, 57.54

SUPER STREET
Johnathan Blades, Baker, La., '68 Chevy, 10.926, 124.29  def. 
Carl Tauzin, New Iberia, La., '77 Vega, 10.946, 127.62

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '88 Suzuki, 9.208, 138.66  def. 
Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '04 Suzuki, foul

TOP SPORTSMAN
Joe Endzelis, Riverton, Ill., '00 Chevy, 7.874, 172.43  def. 
Larry Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 17.919, 52.55

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force, Howard: one and two at No Problem Raceway

BELLE ROSE, La. – In the final rounds of qualifying for this weekend’s NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Ashley Force and Shelly Howard are one and two in Top Alcohol Dragster. They are also one and two in the battle for the division championship with Force just 27 points ahead of Howard.

The California racer, and daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, clocked in at 5.335 seconds, 265.80 mph for the top spot with Howard of Tulsa, Okla., right behind her at 5.380 seconds, 269.94 mph.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car action, Tate Branch qualified No. 1 with a lap of 5.792 seconds at 251.44 mph. Branch is followed by Texan racers Jimmy Jones and Richard McClain in the No. 2 and 3 spots respectively. Jones recorded a 5.862-second lap at 241.76 mph while McClain ran a best lap of 5.958 seconds, 243.68.

Comp Eliminator is lead by a couple of trucks with Colt Mikel and Brian Self in their Chevy S-10’s qualifying No. 1 and 2 respectively. Mikel ran an 8.366-second pass, 0.654 seconds under his index while Self ran 7.432 seconds, 0.648 seconds under.

Bret Prejean of St. Amant, La., clocked in at 6.885 seconds, 199.79 mph to put his ’00 Firebird on top in the Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman class. Prejean is followed by Earle Folse of Raceland, La., with the sole 200 mph lap in the class at 202.91 mph in 6.923 seconds.

Bobby Dennis and Amy Faulk also qualified No. 1 and will take home their share of the Federal-Mogul Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award bonus for doing so. Dennis drove his Super Stock Achieva to a 10.425-second lap while Faulk is No. 1 in Stock with a pass of 10.715 seconds.

In the Kerker Motorcycle Series, Gerald Jordon of Kyle, Texas, qualified No. 1 on his ’92 Suzuki and is followed by Robert Sanders in second on his ’04 Kawasaki.

Racing continues Sunday at 9:00. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, call No Problem Raceway, (985) 396-3692.

The following are Saturday’s qualifying results and Sunday’s first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the All Star Automotive Parts Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at No Problem Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.335 seconds, 265.80 mph
2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.380, 269.94
3) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.397, 258.62
4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.485, 260.16
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.490, 257.28
6) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 5.745, 226.92
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.822, 224.40
8) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 6.016, 227.50

First round TAD pairings
1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.335 seconds, 265.80 mph vs. 
8) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 6.016, 227.50

2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.380, 269.94 vs. 
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.822, 224.40

3) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.397, 258.62 vs. 
6) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 5.745, 226.92

4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.485, 260.16 vs. 
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.490, 257.28

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.792 seconds, 251.44 mph
2) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.862, 241.76
3) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '03 Firebird, 5.958, 243.68
4) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '02 Camaro, 5.981, 247.61
5) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 5.988, 239.31
6) Ross Stickler, Chandler, Ariz., '03 Corvette, 6.072, 234.37
7) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.238, 242.41
8) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '03 Camaro, 6.383, 233.44

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.792 seconds, 251.44 mph vs. 
8) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '03 Camaro, 6.383, 233.44

2) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.862, 241.76 vs. 
7) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.238, 242.41

3) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '03 Firebird, 5.958, 243.68 vs. 
6) Ross Stickler, Chandler, Ariz., '03 Corvette, 6.072, 234.37

4) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '02 Camaro, 5.981, 247.61 vs. 
5) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 5.988, 239.31

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.366 seconds, -0.654 (under index)
2) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.432, -0.648
3) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 7.802, -0.648
4) Daniel Mikel, Cypress, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.385, -0.635
5) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.355, -0.625
6) Ian Landies Jr, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.163, -0.617
7) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., dragster, F/ED, 8.375, -0.615
8) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '04 Cavalier, G/AA, 8.451, -0.609
9) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ark., '03 Cavalier, G/SMA, 8.972, -0.608
10) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 6.911, -0.599

SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.425 seconds, -1.325 (under index)
2) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.677, -1.273
3) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.147, -1.253
4) Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., '67 Nova, SS/G, 9.532, -1.218
5) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.667, -1.183
6) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.323, -1.177
7) Jim Pancake, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.756, -1.144
8) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '04 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.336, -1.114
9) Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., '67 Camaro, SS/FA, 9.639, -1.111
10) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.497, -1.103

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Amy Faulk, Memphis, Tenn., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.715 seconds, -1.285 (under index)
2) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.475, -1.225
3) Dean Oliver, Stuttgart, Ark., '79 Malibu, K/SA, 11.765, -1.185
4) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.825, -1.175
5) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '70 Challenger, A/SA, 10.127, -1.173
6) Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., '69 Super Bee, C/SA, 10.534, -1.166
7) Justin Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.792, -1.158
8) Nathan Davis, Hernando, Miss., '00 Corvette, B/FIA, 10.560, -1.140
9) Gerald Nivans, Memphis, Tenn., '91 Ranger, M/FIA, 15.823, -1.127
10) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.176, -1.124

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 6.885 seconds, 199.79 mph
2) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., '86 Cutlass, 6.923, 202.91
3) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.011, 197.31
4) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '00 S-10, 7.049, 195.14
5) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Grand Am, 7.128, 192.30
6) Joseph Mohana, Bourg, La., '93 Firebird, 7.174, 192.96
7) Michelle Wilson, Azle, Texas, '89 Camaro, 7.212, 191.57
8) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 7.269, 189.20
9) Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '03 Grand Am, 7.303, 186.05
10) Keith Sasich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.307, 188.41

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Gerald Jordon, Kyle, Texas, '92 Suzuki, KMC, 0.001 seconds reaction time
2) Robert Sanders, Houston, '04 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.002
3) Kelly Pulley, League City, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.004
4) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.006
5) Curtis Nichols III, Alvin, Texas, '95 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.007
6) Delbert Ready, Houston, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.009
7) David Reeves, Atascosa, Texas, '81 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.010
8) Peter Pollet, Paulina, La., '88 Sportster, KMC, 0.011
9) David Latino, Donaldsonville, La., '01 Suzuki, KMC, 0.012
10) Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '03 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force eyes championship, leads qualifying

BELLE ROSE, La. - Racing kicked off today for the All Star Automotive Parts Division NHRA Cajun Challenge with more than 450 cars taking to the quarter mile at No Problem Raceway. Ashley Force and Tate Branch grabbed the early poles for this the final event in the NHRA South Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Force, looking to wrap up the South Central Division Championship in her rookie season in Top Alcohol Dragster, laid down a pass of 5.344 seconds at 265.80 mph for the No. 1 spot. Force leads Shelly Howard by 27 points coming into this weekend's event. Howard suffered problems in her qualifying pass and currently sits in the sixth spot.

Karl Brounkowski sits second with a run of 5.490 seconds at 257.28 mph and is followed by Marty Thacker in third with a 5.551-second lap at 260.16 mph.

Branch, looking for his second win of the season, leads the funny car field with a run of 5.792 seconds at 251.44 mph. The Artesia, N.M., racer picked up a win earlier this year at Houston Raceway Park. Richard McClain is second in the Funny Car class at 5.958 seconds, 243.68 mph and Jimmy Jones is third at 6.177, 191.97.

Colt Mikel and Brian Self are Nos. 1 and 2 respectively in Comp Eliminator with Mikel leading Self by six-thousandths of a second.

Shorter, Ala., native Bobby Dennis put his '95 Achieva on top in Super Stock with a 10.425 second run, 1.325 seconds under the index. John Coughlin is second with an 8.677-second pass, 1.273 seconds under.

Stock Eliminator is lead by Amy Faulk out of Collierville, Tenn., with a lap of 10.715 seconds, 1.285 under. Faulk is followed by Gonzales, La., racer Floyd Russo with a run of 10.475 seconds, 1.225 seconds under. Jeff Teuton of Houma, La., is currently sixth while Ruston, La., resident Justin Cardwell is ninth.

Joining in top qualifier honors are Gerald Jordan in the Kerker Motorcycle Series and Bert Prejean of St. Amant, La., in Top Sportsman.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars making their final qualifying runs at 2 and 6 p.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call No Problem Raceway, (985) 369-3692.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the All Star Automotive Parts Division NHRA Cajun Challenge Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at No Problem Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.344 seconds, 265.80 mph
2) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.490, 257.28
3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.551, 260.16
4) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 6.016, 227.50
5) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 7.572, 112.26
6) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 7.816, 109.74
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 7.963, 174.37
8) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 8.122, 108.01

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.792 seconds, 251.44 mph
2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.958, 243.68
3) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.177, 191.97
4) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.238, 225.63
5) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.383, 233.44
6) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.476, 224.10
7) Ross Stickler, Chandler, Ariz., '98 Avenger, 7.543, 121.10
8) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '03 Camaro, 27.928, 376.04

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.366 seconds, -0.654 (under index)
2) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.432, -0.648
3) Daniel Mikel, Cypress, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.385, -0.635
4) Ian Landies Jr, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.163, -0.617
5) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '04 Cavalier, G/AA, 8.451, -0.609
6) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ark., '03 Cavalier, G/SMA, 8.978, -0.602
7) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 6.916, -0.594
8) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., dragster, F/ED, 8.399, -0.591
9) J. Allen Sherman, Donaldsonville, La., '90 Grand Am, H/SMA, 9.191, -0.589
10) Scott Cashio, Ventress, La., '96 Achieva, G/SMA, 8.999, -0.581

SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.425 seconds, -1.325 (under index)
2) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.677, -1.273
3) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.147, -1.253
4) Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., '67 Nova, SS/G, 9.532, -1.218
5) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.667, -1.183
6) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.323, -1.177
7) Jim Pancake, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.756, -1.144
8) Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., '67 Camaro, SS/FA, 9.639, -1.111
9) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.497, -1.103
10) Ken Howell, Baytown, Texas, '82 Firebird, GT/D, 9.549, -1.101

STOCK
1) Amy Faulk, Collierville, Tenn., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.715, -1.285
2) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.475, -1.225
3) Dean Oliver, Stuttgart, Ark., '79 Malibu, K/SA, 11.765, -1.185
4) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.825, -1.175
5) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '70 Challenger, A/SA, 10.127, -1.173
6) Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., '69 Super Bee, C/SA, 10.534, -1.166
7) Nathan Davis, Hernando, Miss., '00 Corvette, B/FIA, 10.560, -1.140
8) Gerald Nivans, Memphis, '91 Ranger, M/FIA, 15.823, -1.127
9) Justin Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.825, -1.125
10) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.176, -1.124

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Pontiac, 6.885 seconds, 199.79 mph
2) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., '86 Cutlass, 6.923, 202.91
3) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.029, 197.31
4) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Grand Am, 7.128, 192.30
5) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 7.269, 189.20
6) Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '03 Grand Am, 7.303, 186.05
7) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '02 Cavalier, 7.313, 188.02
8) Robert Fitzhenry, Tomball, Texas, '02 Corvette, 7.339, 189.42
9) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '97 Pontiac, 7.385, 186.67
10) David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Trans Am, 7.619, 180.77

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Gerald Jordon, Kyle, Texas, '92 Suzuki, KMC, 0.001 seconds reaction time
2) Robert Sanders, Houston, '04 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.002
3) Kelly Pulley, League City, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.004
4) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.006
5) Curtis Nichols III, Alvin, Texas, '95 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.007
6) David Reeves, Atascosa, Texas, '81 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.010
7) Peter Pollet, Paulina, La., '88 Sportster, KMC, 0.011
8) David Latino, Donaldsonville, La., '01 Suzuki, KMC, 0.012
9) Delbert Ready, Houston, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.015
10) Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '88 Suzuki, KMC, 0.015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No Problem Raceway hosts South Central Division's Lucas Oil season finale

BELLE ROSE, La. - No Problem Raceway will host All Star Automotive Parts Division NHRA Cajun Challenge, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 15-17. The event is the last of seven on the South Central Division schedule.

Competitors in eight classes, including 260 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, will vie for a share of the $152,960 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national 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.

After getting off to a slow start this season, the division's defending Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) champion, Shelly Howard, is leading in the points charge. The Tulsa, Okla., racer did not make the eight-car field at the season-opener at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, and suffered a first-round loss at the next race at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn. However, the team seemed to get its footing and scored a win at their third race, an out-of-division contest in Denver. Howard, a registered nurse by trade, then made final-round appearances at her next two events, Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, and State Capital Dragway in Baton Rouge, La.

Hot on Howard's wheels is 21-year-old rookie driver Ashley Force. The daughter of 12-time Funny Car champion John Force, the Yorba Linda, Calif., resident is driving the car owned by Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows. Such NHRA professional drivers as Gary Scelzi, Frank Pedregon and Morgan Lucas have previously occupied the car. Force made her first final round appearance at Memphis Motorsports Park, where she was runner-up to Randy Meyer. Two races later, she won her first race at Cherokee County Motorsports Park in Rusk, Texas.

Racing legend Gene Snow is also in the hunt for the division TAD championship. The veteran driver from Fort Worth, Texas, beat Howard in the final round at State Capital Dragway and took the win at the last race, at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Okla.

The race for the division's Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) crown has defending champion Tate Branch pitted against long-time rival and former title holder Jackie Stidham. The pair has squared off in the final round at four of the division's six races this season. Stidham, of Chickasha, Okla., beat Branch at the Texas Motorplex, Memphis Motorsports Park and Cherokee County Motorsports Park. He also posted a win at State Capital Dragway and scored runner-up points at Thunder Valley Raceway. Branch, who runs out of Artesia, N.M., scored the win at Houston Raceway Park.

Gates at No Problem Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 10 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying scheduled at 6 p.m. Qualifying and time trials continue Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman racers are scheduled to run at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Sunday. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

No Problem Raceway is located at 6470 Highway 996, just north of Highway 70 in Belle Rose. For more information call the track, (985) 369-3692, or visit www.NoProblemRaceway.com.

NHRA South Central division racers can still earn out-of-division points toward divisional and national championships at the remaining NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events in other divisions.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: All Star Automotive Parts Division NHRA Cajun 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 last 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: No Problem Raceway, Belle Rose, La. Track is located at 6470 Highway 996, just north of Highway 70 in Belle Rose.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, October 15-17, 2004

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the All Star Automotive Parts Division NHRA Cajun Challenge:

FRIDAY, Oct. 15 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 16 -- 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 2 and 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 17 -- 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. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information please call No Problem Raceway, (985) 369-3692.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,960, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Shelly Howard, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jackie Stidham, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Mike Trumble, Comp Eliminator; Larry Stewart Jr., Super Stock; Kevin Helms, Stock Eliminator; Tommy Phillips, Super Comp; Vasil John, Super Gas; G.S. Abbott, 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 2005 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 2005 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.

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 $14,800 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.