FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meyer, Chesterman grab wins in Great Bend

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Randy Meyer out of Spring Hill, Kan., and Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa, grabbed wins this weekend at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at S.R.C.A. Drag Strip in Great Bend, Kansas.

Meyer, knocked off a quicker Steve Federlin using a 0.022 second reaction time to take the early lead and the win in Top Alcohol Dragster with a 5.742 second pass at 242.32 mph. Federlin recorded a lap of 5.721 at 233.92 mph.

"It was a real challenging weekend. The track and NHRA officials did a great job with the track surface as heat really made it difficult. My crew really does it all. They do such a great job. To be successful you need to go rounds and that's what we've been doing. I hope we can carry the momentum into Topeka next week."

Meyer set a track record in round one with a pass of 5.571 seconds over David Wells. Federlin set the track mph record in round two at 249.26 mph.

Chesterman also set records grabbing both ends of the track record with a 5.882 second, 245.32 mph win over Jackie Stidham in round one. That set up a semi final win over the number two qualifier Thomas Frickenschmidt and then Shawn Jones in the finals.

Chesterman's 5.983 second run at 241.11 mph held off Jones with a 6.371 at 230.10 mph.

Ted Ash Jr. and John Lobner joined Meyer with home state wins in Super Street and Super Comp respectively. Ash of Topeka, Kan., drove his '61 Corvette to a win over Hal Bently with a run of 11.045 seconds at 131.59 mph and Lobner took out Tim Ekart of Manhattan, Kan., with a 9.071, 162.51.

Mike Trumble held off Clint Sallee for the win in Comp. Eliminator running 8.363 seconds in his '04 Pontiac while Gary McGlasson took the win in Super Stock over Ron Parness. In Stock, Todd Leitner earned his first NHRA victory with a win over Keith Lynch. Damon Dabbs of Garland, Texas won in Super Gas and Curtis Spracklin out ran Alex Barmettler for the win in the Kerker Motorcycle Series.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at S.R.C.A. Dragstrip:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND ONE
5) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.633, 253.85 def. 
4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.665, 251.63

6) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.647, 248.57 def. 
3) Bruce Bowler, Denver, 5.720, 241.02

1) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.571, 248.43 def. 
8) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 7.986, 108.32

7) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.658, 242.45 def. 
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.692, 237.21

SEMIFINALS
Federlin, 5.719, 249.26 def. Traugott, broke; 
Meyer, 5.750, 248.29 def. Force, broke

FINALS
Meyer, 5.742, 242.32 def. Federlin, 5.721, 233.92

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND ONE
8) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '04 Pontiac Firebird, 6.111, 236.71 def. 
1) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Chevy Camaro, broke

2) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '03 Chevy Camaro, 6.013, 236.84 def. 
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Chevy Camaro, 7.061, 185.46

5) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Pontiac Firebird, 5.990, 241.58 def. 
4) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Chevy Camaro, 6.044, 240.38

6) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Pontiac Firebird, 5.882, 245.32 def. 
3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Chevy Camaro, 5.995, 225.37

SEMIFINALS
Jones, 6.170, 233.92 def. Williams, 6.177, 235.84; 
Chesterman, 5.989, 241.71 def. Frickenschmidt, 6.102, 236.01

FINALS
Chesterman, 5.983, 241.11 def. Jones, 6.371, 230.10

COMP ELIMINATOR
Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '04 Pontiac Sunfire, A/SMA, 8.363, 161.27  def. 
Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 6.950, 195.11

SUPER STOCK
Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Chevy Camaro, SS/HA, 10.227, 127.94  def. 
Ron Parness, Conifer, Colo., '67 Chevy II, SS/HA, 10.283, 126.72

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Todd Leitner, Belle Fourche, S.D., '70 Ford Mustang, C/SA, 11.302, 110.83  def. 
Keith Lynch, Salt Lake City, Utah, '70 Chevy Nova, B/SA, 10.703, 122.21

SUPER COMP
John Lobner, Desoto, Kan., dragster, 9.071, 162.51  def. 
Tim Ekart, Manhattan, Kan., dragster, 9.019, 164.19

SUPER GAS
Damon Dabbs, Garland, Texas, '85 Chevy Camaro, 10.074, 141.94  def. 
Dennis White, Brandon, Manit., '97 Chevy Camaro, 10.106, 138.14

SUPER STREET
Ted Ash Jr, Topeka, Kan., '61 Chevy Corvette, 11.045, 131.59  def. 
Hal Bentley, Fremont, Neb., '69 Chevy Nova, 11.009, 119.91

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Curtis Spracklin, Omaha, Neb., '78 Kawasaki, 9.669, 130.99  def. 
Alex Barwettler, Maplewood, Minn., '78 Kawasaki, 10.164, 123.94

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kansas racer on top in Great Bend

GREAT BEND, Kan. - More than 500 cars took shots at the S.R.C.A. quarter mile dragstrip Friday and Saturday, hoping to qualify for Sunday's final eliminations of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Great Bend, Kan. Randy Meyer and Vern Moats came out on top and lead their respective categories into Sunday's eliminations.

Kansas resident Meyer, of Spring Hill, leads the Top Alcohol Dragsters with a pass of 5.634 seconds at 246.26 mph. Meyer is looking for his second win of the year to go with his win in Memphis back in March.

Veteran racer Gene Snow jump to the number two position with a 5.670 second lap at 231.20 mph and is followed by Bruce Bowler of Denver with a 5.715 at 240.25 mph.

Moats, of Des Moines, Iowa, grabbed the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car with a run of 6.014 seconds at 237.55 mph. The fifteen time NHRA Lucas Oil West Central Division champion is followed by twenty-one year old Thomas Frickenschmidt in second with a 6.034, 234.66 mph run. The Lockwood, Mo., driver was not qualified going into the final qualifying session.

"We had hoped to run a little better," Moats commented after final qualifying. "The heat hurt the track and slowed the car down a bit but we're happy where we're at and are looking forward to tomorrow."

Defending event champion Jackie Stidham is third with Tate Branch rounding out the top half of the field in fourth.

Clint Sallee ran a 6.995 seconds, 0.505 seconds under the index to lead the Comp. Eliminator field and is followed by Burlingame, Kan., racer Scott Parks with a 7.263 second pass, 0.497 seconds under.

Len Intelisano held on to the top spot in Super Stock with a time of 10.230 seconds, 1.070 seconds under the index and is followed by Carroll Warling in second with an 11.412, 1.008 under. Haslet, Texas, resident Bob Sharp qualified his '69 Camaro number one in Stock while Delbert Ready is number one in the Kerker Motorcycle Series with a perfect reaction time on his '82 Kawasaki

Damon Dabbs took the win in the KD Kanopy Shootout over Jim Stookey. Dabbs and Stookey ran identical times of 9.011 seconds but Stookey left early with a red light giving the win to Dabbs who crossed the finish line at 172.72 mph.

Racing continues Sunday at 8 a.m. with round one of Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car scheduled for noon. Gates open at 7 a.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 785-483-1980.

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 S.R.C.A. Dragstrip:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.634 seconds, 246.26 mph
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.670, 231.20
3) Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.715, 240.25
4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.732, 246.48
5) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.748, 248.75
6) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.752, 245.49
7) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.756, 245.32
8) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.812, 243.55 

Not Qualified
9) Bob Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.827, 241.89
10) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.854, 241.84
11) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., 6.074, 182.50

First-round TAD pairings
1) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.634 seconds, 246.26 mph vs. 8) 
Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.812, 243.55

2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.670, 231.20 vs. 
7) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.756, 245.32

3) Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.715, 240.25 vs. 
6) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.752, 245.49

4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.732, 246.48 vs. 
5) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.748, 248.75

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Camaro, 6.014 seconds, 237.55 mph
2) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '03 Camaro, 6.034, 234.66
3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.043, 234.70
4) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 6.047, 236.80
5) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.083, 237.46
6) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 6.115, 236.01
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.275, 216.69
8) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '04 Firebird, 6.288, 228.65 

Not Qualified
9) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.327, 225.79
10) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Daytona, 6.376, 223.32
11) Kevin Richardson, Winnipeg, Manit., '97 Firebird, 6.633, 216.10

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Camaro, 6.014 seconds, 237.55 mph vs. 
8) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '04 Firebird, 6.288, 228.65

2) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '03 Camaro, 6.034, 234.66 vs. 
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.275, 216.69

3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.043, 234.70 vs. 
6) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 6.115, 236.01

4) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 6.047, 236.80 vs. 
5) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.083, 237.46

COMP. ELIMINATOR
1) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 6.995 seconds, -0.505 (under index)
2) Scott Parks, Burlingame, Kan., dragster, A/ND, 7.263, -0.497
3) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 8.175, -0.445
4) Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '04 Sunfire, A/SMA, 8.381, -0.409
5) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ariz., '04 Cavalier, H/AA, 9.226, -0.384
6) Charles Watson Jr., Humble, Texas, '98 Lumina, H/A, 9.222, -0.378
7) Brad Klein, Amarillo, Texas, '04 Cavalier, B/A, 7.524, -0.376
8) Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '01 Firebird, B/A, 7.525, -0.375
9) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.778, -0.372
10) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 S-10, PSTA, 8.021, -0.369

SUPER STOCK
1) Len Intelisano, North Haven, Conn., '02 Cavalier, GT/G, 10.230 seconds, -1.070 (under index)
2) Carroll Warling, Arvada, Colo., '74 Grand Am, SS/MA, 11.412, -1.008
3) Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.414, -1.006
4) Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.549, -1.001
5) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.688, -0.962
6) Darren Wall, Littleton, Colo., '90 Calais, SS/GM, 9.984, -0.956
7) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.375, -0.945
8) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.869, -0.941
9) Larry Schmidt, Grand Island, Neb., '55 BelAir, SS/PA, 12.307, -0.933
10) Gene Bichlmeier, Norkfolk, Neb., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.629, -0.921

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bob Sharp, Haslet, Texas, '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.321 seconds, -1.179 (under index)
2) Keith Lynch, Salt Lake City, '70 Nova, B/SA, 10.801, -1.009
3) John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Nova, G/S, 11.477, -0.993
4) Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '85 Camaro, E/FI, 11.789, -0.991
5) Brad VanLant, Linn Creek, Mo., '71 Plymouth, E/SA, 11.314, -0.956
6) Don Duke, Indianola, Iowa, '68 Camaro, A/S, 10.575, -0.925
7) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 11.212, -0.898
8) Ron Mattson, Cloquet, Minn., '72 Nova, I/SA, 11.987, -0.893
9) Jim Parsons, Kearney, Mo., '66 Nova, F/S, 11.483, -0.887
10) Stuart Goertzen, Buhler, Kan., '67 Cougar, E/S, 11.345, -0.875

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Delbert Ready, Houston, '82 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) Dale Detlie, Owatonna, Minn., '83 Suzuki, KMC, 0.001
3) Eddie Glaze, Houston, '90 Suzuki, SPB, 0.001
4) Tracy Hemhold, Morrison, Colo., '86 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.002
5) Buddy Robinson, Princeton, Minn., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.002
6) Curtis Spracklin, Omaha, Neb., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.003
7) Ryan Sparke, Hays, Kan., '00 Honda, KSO, 0.004
8) Ken Niesen, Brooklyn, Minn., '82 Suzuki, SPB, 0.006
9) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '86 Suzuki, KSO, 0.006
10) Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., '04 Suzuki, KMC, 0.007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHRA event marks 50th anniversary of first Nationals

GREAT BEND, Kan. - NHRA Drag Racing action kicked off today at S.R.C.A. Dragstrip for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series West Central Division opener. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the first ever NHRA National event held in 1955 at S.R.C.A. Dragstrip in Great Bend, Kansas.

Randy Meyer grabbed the top spot today in Top Alcohol Dragster with a lap of 5.650 seconds at 243.11 mph. The Spring Hill, Kan., resident captured the NHRA Lucas Oil National Championship last year as a crew chief and car owner with Alan Bradshaw in the driver's seat. Meyer, returning to the driver's seat this year, has a win and a runner up already this season.

Meyer is followed by Bruce Bowler in the number two spot with a lap of 5.715 seconds at 240.49 mph and David Wells in third with a run of 5.732 seconds, 246.48 mph. Ashley Force, daughter of 12-time NHRA POWERade Funny Car Champion John Force, sits in the fourth position at 5.748 seconds, 248.75 mph.

Kirk Williams jumped to the top of the Top Alcohol Funny Car class with a 6.145 second pass at 231.40 mph. Williams is followed by number two qualifier Jackie Stidham with a 6.178 second run at 225.00 mph and Tate Branch in third with a 6.202, 236.17.

Burlington, Kansas racer Scott Parks leads the Comp. Eliminator class with a run of 7.305 seconds with Raymond Martin in second with an 8.175 second pass. Len Intelisano leads the Super Stock field with a run of 10.286 seconds, 1.014 seconds under the index and is followed by Carrol Warling of Arvado, Colo.

Bob Sharp of Haslet, Texas, qualified his '69 Camaro on top in Stock with a 10.335 second run and is followed by Keith Lynch of Salt Lake City in second and Lawrence, Kan., resident Steve Brack in third.

Ryan Sparke of Hays, Kan., is qualified second in the Kerker Motorcycle Series with Tracy Helmhold leading the class on an '86 Kawasaki.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car qualifying set for 4 and 7 p.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, call S.R.C.A. Dragstrip at 785-483-1980.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at S.R.C.A. Dragstrip:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.650 seconds, 243.11 mph
2) Bruce Bowler, Denver, 5.715, 240.25
3) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.732, 246.48
4) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.748, 248.75
5) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.754, 245.49
6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.756, 245.32
7) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.812, 239.19
8) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.877, 174.64 

Not Qualified
9) Bob Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.925, 241.89
10) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., 6.074, 182.50
11) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 6.391, 162.74

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.145 seconds, 231.40 mph
2) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.178, 225.00
3) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 6.202, 236.17
4) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '02 Firebird, 6.212, 235.47
5) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.275, 216.69
6) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.327, 225.79
7) Kevin Richardson, Winnipeg, Manit., '97 Firebird, 6.633, 216.10
8) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Dodge, 7.129, 138.91 

Not Qualified
9) Thomas Frickenschmidt, Lockwood, Mo., '03 Camaro, (no time)
10) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '02 Camaro, (no time)

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Scott Parks, Burlingame, Kan., dragster, A/ND, 7.305 seconds, -0.455 (under index)
2) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 8.175, -0.445
3) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 7.106, -0.394
4) Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '04 Sunfire, A/SMA, 8.413, -0.377
5) Greg Porter Jr., Edmund, Okla., '02 S-10, PST, 7.846, -0.364
6) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.800, -0.350
7) Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '01 Firebird, B/A, 7.556, -0.344
8) Robert Baldwin, Strasburg, Colo., '90 Camaro, D/SM, 9.015, -0.335
9) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 7.294, -0.326
10) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '33 Roadster, C/SR, 9.075, -0.325

SUPER STOCK
1) Len Intelisano, North Haven, Conn., '02 Cavalier, GT/G, 10.286 seconds, -1.014 (under index)
2) Carroll Warling, Arvada, Colo., '74 Grand Am, SS/MA, 11.412, -1.008
3) Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.446, -0.974
4) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.869, -0.941
5) Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.620, -0.930
6) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '97 Firebird, GT/MA, 11.401, -0.919
7) Larry Schmidt, Grand Island, Neb., '55 BelAir, SS/PA, 12.323, -0.917
8) Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '84 Cougar, GT/EA, 10.289, -0.901
9) Darren Wall, Littleton, Colo., '90 Calais, SS/GM, 10.044, -0.896
10) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.759, -0.891

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bob Sharp, Haslet, Texas, '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.335 seconds, -1.165 (under index)
2) Keith Lynch, Salt Lake City, '70 Nova, B/SA, 10.801, -1.009
3) Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '85 Camaro, E/FI, 11.789, -0.991
4) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 11.212, -0.898
5) Brad VanLant, Linn Creek, Mo., '71 Plymouth, E/SA, 11.372, -0.898
6) Jim Parsons, Kearney, Mo., '66 Nova, F/S, 11.483, -0.887
7) Stuart Goertzen, Buhler, Kan., '67 Cougar, E/S, 11.345, -0.875
8) Dwayne Scheitlin, Brighton, Colo., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 10.945, -0.865
9) Darell Wikle, Wichita, Kan., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.686, -0.864
10) Don Duke, Indianola, Iowa, '68 Camaro, A/S, 10.649, -0.851

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Tracy Hemhold, Morrison, Colo., '86 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.002 seconds reaction time
2) Ryan Sparks, Hays, Kan., '00 Honda, KMC, 0.004
3) Ken Niesen, Brooklyn, Minn., '82 Suzuki, SPB, 0.006
4) Buddy Robinson, Princeton, Minn., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.006
5) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '86 Suzuki, KMC, 0.006
6) Robert Cooper, Plattsmouth, Neb., '94 Suzuki, KMC, 0.008
7) Mark Waltman, Casper, Wyo., '77 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.012
8) Curtis Spracklin, Omaha, Neb., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.015
9) Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '79 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.016
10) Eddie Glaze, Houston, Texas, '90 Suzuki, SPB, 0.017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

S.R.C.A Drag Strip to host NHRA West Central Division opener

GREAT BEND, Kan. - NHRA championship drag racing will return to Great Bend, Kan., when S.R.C.A. Drag Strip hosts a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, May 21-23. The event will feature more than 450 cars in eight categories, including 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, racing for points leading to divisional and national championships. The event is the first of six in NHRA West Central division competition.

Last year, more than 500 racers flocked to the historic track to participate in the first major NHRA event at the facility in nearly 50 years. Division officials have moved the event from late in the season to the beginning and are expecting an increased car count.

Spectators at the race can expect to see defending division Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) champion Cy Chesterman as he sets out to reclaim his title. Chesterman, of Sioux City, Iowa, was runner-up in Great Bend last year. In 2003 he reach the final round at each of the seven divisional races he attended. He scored wins in Brainerd, Minn., Scribner, Neb., Earlville, Iowa, and in Las Vegas. He was runner-up here, in Topeka, Kan., and Denver. S.R.C.A. Drag Strip will likely be Chesterman's first appearance at a divisional race in 2004 but he has already won two NHRA national events this season.

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. Williams beat Chesterman in Denver last year and was runner-up to him in Brainerd and Earlville.

Defending Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) champion David Wells will be out 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 in Brainerd and Scribner.

Spring Hill, Kan., resident Randy Meyer is currently leading the division's TAD points. 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 is not expected to compete in the Lucas Oil Series this season, piloted Meyer's dragster. Meyer 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 S.R.C.A. Drag Strip open at 9 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying and time trials start Friday at 10 a.m. and continue Saturday at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC will have one qualifying pass on Friday at 7 p.m., and two runs Saturday, at 4 and 7 p.m. Eliminations in all classes start Sunday at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at noon.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at S.R.C.A. Drag Strip are $10 Friday and $15 each Saturday and Sunday. A free pit pass is included with admission. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

S.R.C.A. Drag Strip is located at 455 W. Barton County Road; 2½ miles west of Great Bend on the old Air Force base. For more information call the track, (785) 483-1980, or visit www.srcadragstrip.com.

The second race on the NHRA West Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule is at Brainerd International Raceway. Competitors will head to the Minnesota facility June 4-6.

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 first 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: S.R.C.A. Drag Strip, Great Bend, Kan. Track is located at 455 W. Barton County Rd.; 2½ miles west of Great Bend on the old Air Force base.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 21-23, 2004

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

FRIDAY, May 21 -- 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 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 22 -- 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 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 23 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call S.R.C.A. Drag Strip, (785) 483-1980.

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: Robert Perkins, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jackie Stidham, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Dean Carter, Comp Eliminator; Ricky Ray, Super Stock; Jeffrey Johnson, Stock Eliminator; Larry Piper, Super Comp; Clark Mundt, Super Gas; Pat Winsler, 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.