FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Howard, Chesterman join Colorado racers with big wins

DENVER - Shelly Howard in Top Alcohol Dragster and Cy Chesterman in Top Alcohol Funny Car scored wins at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Grease Monkey at Bandimere Speedway.

Howard, runner-up at last year's event, took out Grand Junction, Colo., racer Brent DuCray in the final with a run of 5.665 seconds at 248.52 mph. This marks the first win of the year for the defending NHRA South Central Division Champion.

Chesterman picked up his fifth win of the year as he knocked out California resident Bernie Harrington with a lap of 5.928 at 240.21 mph to Harrington's 6.099 at 235.84 mph. This was Chesterman's third win in a row in the NHRA West Central Division. The Sioux City, Iowa, racer is currently second points for the National Championship.

Colorado racers faired well this weekend taking wins in four of the nine racing categories. Golden, Colo., resident and Super Street racer John Tripp took the win over Alan Percival of Littleton, Colo.; Jim Beuthel of Aurora, Colo., won in Super Stock over Abe Loewen in his '91 Cutlass; Terry Simpson of Castle Rock, Colo., won Super Comp over Steve Johnson; and Kevin Moore of Lakewood, Colo., put his '34 Chevy in the winner's circle in Super Gas. Moore beat Henderson, Colo., racer David Beeka.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Comp. Eliminator National Champion Dean Carter picked up his fourth win of the season, running 7.662 seconds at 139.30 mph over Steve Kalkowski's 10.179, 87.97. This is Carter's third divisional win to go along with his season opening win in Pomona, Calif.

Todd Leitner beat Keith Lynch in Stock with a run of 11.747 seconds at 112.29 mph in his '70 Mustang. Defending West Central Division Kerker Motorcycle Series Champion Tom Gilligan won the motorcycle class with a 9.835 second pass at 132.63 mph.

The West Central Division racers head to Nebraska Motorplex for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, August 6-8.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Grease Monkey at Bandimere Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

ROUND ONE
8) Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.953, 236.26 def. 
1) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, foul;

6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.785, 209.82 def. 
3) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.784, 246.03;

2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.767, 247.16 def. 
7) Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 6.657, 160.02;

5) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.702, 248.93 def. 
4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, foul;

SEMIFINALS
Howard, 5.716, 246.71 def. Traugott, foul; 
DuCray, 5.957, 235.80 def. Perkins, 5.720, 246.44;

FINALS
Howard, 5.665, 248.52 def. DuCray, foul.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

ROUND ONE
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 5.873, 242.10 def. 
8) Joseph Percoco, Conifer, Colo., '00 Camaro, foul;

7) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.012, 240.64 def. 
2) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.344, 204.98;

3) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.221, 233.64 def. 
6) Daniel Southern, Centennial, Colo., '98 Camaro, 6.331, 231.32;

4) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '03 Camaro, 6.150, 237.42 def. 
5) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.447, 182.28;

SEMIFINALS
Chesterman, 5.908, 238.76 def. Moats, 6.411, 170.86; 
Harrington, 6.138, 232.95 def. Kanenwisher, 6.232, 205.35;

FINALS
Chesterman, 5.928, 240.21 def. Harrington, 6.099, 235.84.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., dragster, A/ND, 7.662, 139.30  def. 
Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '01 Firebird, B/A, 10.179, 87.97.

SUPER STOCK
Jim Beuthel, Aurora, Colo., '91 Cutlass, GT/CA, 10.464, 120.23 def. 
Abe Loewen, Regina, Sask., '98 Grand Am, SS/DM, 10.271, 120.64.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Todd Leitner, Belle Fourche, S.D., '70 Mustang, C/SA, 11.747, 112.29 def. 
Keith Lynch, West Jordan, Utah, '70 Nova, B/SA, 11.194, 112.03.

SUPER COMP
Terry Simpson, Castle Rock, Colo., dragster, 9.484, 157.85 def. 
Steve Johnson, Arvada, Colo., dragster, 9.495, 153.44.

SUPER GAS
Kevin Moore, Lakewood, Colo., '34 Chevy, 10.508, 143.89 def. 
David Boeka, Henderson, Colo., '65 Corvette, 10.489, 141.83.

SUPER STREET
John Tripp, Golden, Colo., '65 Satellite, 11.966, 92.95 def. 
Alan Percival, Littleton, Colo., '69 Dart, 12.655, 100.50.

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '79 Kawasaki, 9.835, 132.63  def. 
Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., '04 Suzuki, 9.593, 138.03.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Putz, Chesterman on top of The Mountain

DENVER - In the final rounds of qualifying for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Grease Monkey Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Richard Putz leads the field with a run of 5.658 seconds at 251.63 mph and is followed by Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla., with a lap of 5.743, 247.66 mph.

In the Top Alcohol Funny Car class, Cy Chesterman covered the quarter mile in 5.957 seconds at 233.40 mph for the top spot. Chesterman has four wins so far this year and sits second in the national points standings. Kirk Williams is qualified second at 6.037 seconds, 237.25 mph.

Clint Neff is No. 1 in Comp. Eliminator with a pass 7.062 second, 0.062 under the index with Dean Howerton in second at 7.421, 0.669 under.

Super Stock racer Darren Wall of Littleton, Colo., leads his class with a run of 10.324 seconds, 1.376 seconds under the index while Morrison, Colo., resident Jim Weakland put his '68 Barracuda in the No. 4 spot. Gary Gokey of Denver recorded a 14.738 second run to qualify No. 1 in Stock.

In the Kerker Motorcycle Series, Ohio resident Chris Oraverz put his '81 Suzuki on the pole with a perfect reaction time.

Racing continues Sunday at 8:30 a.m. with round one of Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car scheduled for noon. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $22. For more information, call Bandimere Speedway at (303) 697-4870.

The following are final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Grease Monkey at Bandimere Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.658 seconds, 251.63 mph
2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.743, 247.66
3) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.762, 246.89
4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.762, 233.48
5) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.772, 244.25
6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.174, 243.85
7) Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 6.358, 229.90
8) Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 7.472, 129.80

First-round TAD pairings
1) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.658 seconds, 251.63 mph vs. 
8) Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 7.472, 129.80

2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.743, 247.66 vs. 
7) Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 6.358, 229.90

3) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.762, 246.89 vs. 
6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.174, 243.85

4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.762, 233.48 vs. 
5) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.772, 244.25

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 5.957 seconds, 233.40 mph
2) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.037, 237.38
3) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.182, 231.08
4) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '03 Camaro, 6.184, 234.41
5) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.312, 231.00
6) Daniel Southern, Centennial, Colo., '98 Camaro, 6.388, 228.96
7) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.827, 213.23
8) Joseph Percoco, Conifer, Colo., '00 Camaro, 7.281, 183.44 

Not Qualified
9) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '04 Trans Am, 7.853, 127.94
10) Jon Rice, Pocatello, Idaho, '98 Camaro, 11.159, 88.43

First round TAFC pairings
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 5.957 seconds, 233.40 mph vs. 
8) Joseph Percoco, Conifer, Colo., '00 Camaro, 7.281, 183.44

2) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.037, 237.38 vs. 
7) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.827, 213.23

3) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.182, 231.08 vs. 
6) Daniel Southern, Centennial, Colo., '98 Camaro, 6.388, 228.96

4) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '03 Camaro, 6.184, 234.41 vs. 
5) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.312, 231.00

COMP. ELIMINATOR
1) Clint Neff, Westminister, Colo., dragster, A/ED, 7.062 seconds, -0.688 (under index)
2) Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., dragster, C/D, 7.421, -0.669
3) Brad Klein, Amarillo, Texas, '04 Cavalier, B/A, 7.659, -0.611
4) Lou Ficco Jr, Wheatridge, Colo., '63 Corvette, B/AA, 7.679, -0.611
5) Cordis Johnson, Springdale, Ark., '03 Cavalier, G/SMA, 9.622, -0.598
6) Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '01 Firebird, B/A, 7.679, -0.591
7) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '33 Roadster, C/SR, 9.268, -0.582
8) Gary Chomiski, Amarillo, Texas, '63 Corvette, B/A, 7.691, -0.579
9) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 7.291, -0.569
10) Lucky Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '62 Sunbeam, F/A, 8.792, -0.568

SUPER STOCK
1) Darren Wall, Littleton, Colo., '90 Calais, SS/BX, 10.324 seconds, -1.376 (under index)
2) Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.742, -1.358
3) Larry Schmidt, Grand Island, Neb., '55 BelAir, SS/PA, 12.624, -1.336
4) Jim Weakland, Morrison, Colo., '68 Camaro, SS/GA, 10.408, -1.292
5) Gene Bichlmeier, Norkfolk, Neb., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.890, -1.290
6) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.523, -1.227
7) David Bogner, Kearney, Neb., '92 Daytona, SS/CS, 10.260, -1.220
8) Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '84 Cougar, GT/EA, 10.597, -1.213
9) Jim Beuthel, Aurora, Colo., '91 Cutlass, GT/CA, 10.351, -1.189
10) Ricky Ray, Savannah, Mo., '98 Firebird, SS/BS, 9.649, -1.181

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gary Gokey, Denver, Colo., '86 Omni, AF/S, 14.671 seconds, -1.449 (under index)
2) Keith Lynch, West Jordan, Utah, '70 Nova, B/SA, 11.104, -1.346
3) Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '85 Camaro, E/FI, 12.140, -1.340
4) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 11.570, -1.210
5) Daniel Jeska, Eagan, Minn., '72 Duster, G/SA, 12.060, -1.200
6) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 11.002, -1.178
7) Don Duke, Indianola, Iowa, '68 Camaro, A/S, 10.963, -1.167
8) Gordon Breithhaupt, Fremont, Neb., '69 Camaro, F/S, 11.892, -1.158
9) Dwayne Scheitlin, Madera, Calif., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 11.302, -1.148
10) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, H/S, 12.115, -1.145

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Chris Oravecz, Canal Winchester, Ohio, '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) Dale Detlie, Owatonna, Minn., '83 Suzuki, KMC, 0.001
3) Leonard Fox, Aurora, Colo., '84 Kawasaki, 0.003
4) Jeff Lanoue, Zimmerman, Mexico, '81 Suzuk 0.004
5) Robert Cooper, Plattsmouth, Neb., '89 Suzuki, 0.006
6) Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '79 Kawasaki, 0.009
7) Ken Niesen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '82 Suzuki, 0.010
8) Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., '04 Suzuki, KMC, 0.014
9) Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '03 Kawasaki, 0.015
10) Curtis Spracklin, Omaha, Neb., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain showers dampen action on Thunder Mountain

DENVER - Rain showers forced officials to cancel the remainder of today's qualifying action for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Thunder on the Mountain presented by Grease Monkey.

Morning showers delayed the start of qualifying then retuned in the afternoon after minimal action on the track. One round of time trials was completed in Super Street along with a single round of qualifying for Stock Eliminator.

Keith Lunch of West Jordan, Utah, has the early lead in Stock with a pass of 11.104 seconds, 1.346 under the index in his '70 Nova. Lynch is followed by Steve Brack and Scott Burton in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Brack ran a 12.140, 1.340 under while Golden, Colo., resident Burton clocked in at 11.570 seconds, 1.210 under the index.

Cy Chesterman looks to continue his West Central Division win streak in Top Alcohol Funny Car at this weekend event. Chesterman scored wins at the first two divisional events in Great Bend, Kan., and two weeks ago in Brainerd, Minn.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car qualifying is scheduled for 3 & 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 Saturday and $22 on Sunday. For more information, call Bandimere Speedway at (303) 697-4870

The following are Friday's qualifying results in Stock Eliminator from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Thunder on the Mountain presented by Grease Monkey at Bandimere Speedway:

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Keith Lynch, West Jordan, Utah, '70 Nova, B/SA, 11.104 seconds, -1.346 (under index)
2) Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '85 Camaro, E/FI, 12.140, -1.340
3) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 11.570, -1.210
4) Daniel Jeska, Eagan, Minn., '72 Duster, G/SA, 12.060, -1.200
5) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 11.002, -1.178
6) Dwayne Scheitlin, Madera, Calif., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 11.302, -1.148
7) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, H/S, 12.127, -1.133
8) Gary Gokey, Denver, Colo., '86 Omni, AF/S, 15.027, -1.093
9) Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Mustang, D/SA, 11.742, -1.038
10) Les Norton, South Jordan, Utah, '64 Savoy, A/SA, 11.149, -1.031

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Series brings thunder to the mountain

DENVER - NHRA's West Central Division's 2004 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season continues with Thunder on the Mountain presented by Grease Monkey at Bandimere Speedway, with a three-day event June 18-20. The race is the third of six races in West Central Division competition and will feature more than 400 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national titles as well as a share of the $561,000 champion's purse.

Classes that will run include 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) as well as Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. The Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also run in conjunction with the event.

Defending division Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) champion Cy Chesterman has set out to reclaim his title. He began the 2004 season by winning at Great Bend, Kan. He has also scored victories at national events in Gainesville, Fla., and Las Vegas. In 2003, Chesterman, of Sioux City, Iowa, made it to the final round at all seven of the NHRA Lucas Oil divisional events he attended. Chesterman scored wins at Brainerd Int'l Raceway in Minnesota, the Nebraska Motorplex, in Scribner, Neb., at Tri-State Raceway in Earlville, Iowa, and at an out-of-division event in Las Vegas. He was runner-up here at Bandimere Speedway, at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kan., and at S.R.C.A. Drag Strip in Great Bend, Kan.

Chesterman's most likely rival this season will be Kirk Williams of Glenwood, Iowa. Williams finished second in the points last year after winning the division TAFC crown in 2002. Last year Williams beat Chesterman in Denver and was runner-up to him in Brainerd and in Earlville.

Defending Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) champion David Wells is trying to earn his fifth division title. Wells won two out-of-division races last year, in Joliet, Ill., and Noble, Okla., and he was runner-up at Brainerd, Minn., and Nebraska Motorplex.

Spring Hill, Kan., resident Randy Meyer has been the division's strongest runner in TAD so far. Meyer was not behind the wheel last year, but as crew chief on the car, he led the team to the national championship. Alan Bradshaw, who will drive a Top Alcohol Dragster in NHRA's Northeast division, piloted Meyer's dragster. Meyer already scored a 2004 West Central division victory, winning in Great Bend, Kan. He got a head start on the 2004 season by competing at out-of-division races in Houston and Memphis, Tenn., where he made two final-round appearances. He was runner-up in Houston and won the Memphis event.

Gates at Bandimere Speedway open at 8:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday and at 8 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 10 a.m. with TAD and TAFC running at 4 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC have qualifying runs scheduled at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 8:30 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at noon.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $22 Sunday. All children 12 and under are admitted free on Friday. Saturday and Sunday, kids 6 to 12 are $6. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Bandimere Speedway is located at 3051 S. Rooney Road; west of Denver on Interstate 470. For more information call the track, (303) 697-4870, or visit the web site, www.bandimere.com.

The fourth race on the NHRA West Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule is at Nebraska Motorplex in Scribner, Neb., Aug. 6-8.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

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

WHERE: Bandimere Speedway, Denver. Track is located at 3051 S. Rooney Road; west of Denver off Interstate 470 in Morrison.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 18-20, 2004

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

FRIDAY, June 18 -- Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying session is scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 19 -- Gates open at 8:30 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 3 and 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 20 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $22 Sunday. For more information please call Bandimere Speedway, (303) 697-4870.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $154,010, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Mark Hentges, Top Alcohol Dragster; Kirk Williams, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Dean Howerton, Comp Eliminator; Justin Jenkins, Super Stock; Keith Lynch, Stock Eliminator; Michael Miller, Super Comp; Danny Gruninger, Super Gas; Tim Law, 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: $1000 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 $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.

FEATURES: More than 450 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.