FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carter picks up third win; Boise's Collette grabs first

BOISE, Idaho - In the final results from Firebird Raceway, Comp Eliminator driver Dean Carter took home his third win of the year. Cater, who also has a runner-up finish held off Clint Sallee in the final round of the Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Opener and the season 0pener of the NHRA Northwest Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Carter clocked in at 7.107 seconds at 183.74 mph to Sallee's 7.007, 194.25 on his trip to the winner's circle and joined Super Stock racer and Morrison, Colo., resident Jim Weakland who knocked off Grant Singer with a run of 9.902 seconds at 123.89 mph.

Boise resident Joe Collette took home the win in the Kerker Motorcycle Series with a win over number one qualifier Steve Miller. Collette recorded an 8.692-second pass at 147.97 mph on his Kawasaki to Miller's 8.927, 144.88.

The Nostalgia Top Fuel title went to Jack Harris who covered the quarter-mile in 5.914 seconds at 255.02 mph in the final against Bill Dunlap with a 6.020, 237.84.

Jody Lang of Puyallup, Wash., picked up the win in Stock over Don Keen with a lap of 12.832 seconds at 102.34 mph to go along with his runner-up finish in Super Stock at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season opener back in February

Winners in other categories were John Keppinger of Ontario, Ore., in his Chevy Vega in Super Street; Adam Drzayich of Auburn, Wash., in Super Comp; Rodney Lee of Portland, Ore., in Super Gas; and Todd Hoerner in Top Comp.

The NHRA Northwest Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C., Canada May 7-9.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., Dragster, A/ND, 7.107, 183.74 def. 
Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., Dragster, B/D, 7.007, 194.25
 
SUPER STOCK
Jim Weakland, Morrison, Colo., Chevy Camaro, SS/GA, 9.902, 123.89 def. 
Grant Singer, Regina, Sask., Pontiac Firebird, SS/CM, 9.393, 145.58
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., Chevy Malibu, M/SA, 12.832, 102.34  def. 
Don Keen, Palmdale, Calif., Ford Mustang, C/S, 10.931, 121.83
 
SUPER COMP
Adam Drzayich, Auburn, Wash., Dragster, 9.206, 156.00 def. 
Ed Olpin, Lindon, Utah, Dragster, 9.221, 160.85
 
SUPER GAS
Rodney Lee, Portland, Ore., Chevy Corvette, 10.205, 152.23 def. 
Wayne Linder Jr., Sunnyside, Wash., Ford roadster, 10.192, 144.25
 
SUPER STREET
John Keppinger, Ontario, Ore., Chevy Vega, 11.203, 128.04 def. 
Mike Schoenfeld, Kent, Wash., Ford T-Bird, 11.221, 122.63
 
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, Kawasaki, 8.692, 147.97 def. 
Steve Miller, Yakima, Wash., Suzuki, 8.927, 144.88
 
NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
Jack Harris, Kaysville, Utah, Dragster, 5.914, 255.02 def. 
Bill Dunlap, Capitola, Calif., Dragster, 6.020, 237.84
 
TOP COMP
Todd Hoerner, Deer Park, Wash., Pontiac Grand Am, 7.302, 189.67 def. 
Brian Preszler, Kennewick, Wash., Dragster, foul
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Zink grabs top spot after 35-year hiatus from Idaho racing

BOISE, Idaho - In the final rounds of qualifying at Firebird Raceway for the Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Opener, J.D. Zink grabbed the top qualifying spot in Comp Eliminator with a pass of 7.121 seconds, 0.719 seconds under the index. Zink, who has not raced in Idaho since 1968 when he drove a jet dragster, is followed by the 2003 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National Champion Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., with a run of 7.132 seconds, 0.708 under his index.

John Gallina and Steve Wann held on to the top spots in Super Stock and Stock respectively and lead their fields into tomorrow's eliminations. Both Gallina and Wann recorded their number one qualifying times in Friday's opening rounds.

Boise, Idaho resident Rod Langley is 6th while Chris Jaggers from Middleton, Idaho is 9th in the Top Comp category behind Shane Harter of Wenatchee, Wash., who is qualified number one with a 6.726-second pass at 204.08 mph.

Steve Miller is number one in the Kerker Motorcycle Series and is followed by Buff Kobs of Coeur d Alene, Idaho and Joe Collette of Boise, Idaho in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The Nostalgia Top Fuelers are running in conjunction with the Lucas Oil event this weekend with Jack Harris on top with a lap of 5.856 seconds at 255.75 mph.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates at Firebird Raceway open at 8 a.m. Nostalgia Top Fuel round 1 is scheduled for noon. For more information call the track, (208) 938-8986

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) J.D. Zink, Chico, Calif., dragster, A/ND, 7.121 seconds, -0.719 (under index)
2) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., dragster, A/ND, 7.132, -0.708
3) Mark Stewart, Medford, Ore., Olds Achieva, G/SMA, 9.170, -0.690
4) Adam Bowdish, Oregon City, Ore., Pontiac Trans Am, F/SM, 9.035, -0.675
5) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., Olds Cutlass, C/EA, 8.417, -0.643
6) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 6.929, -0.641
7) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, Ariz., dragster, B/ED, 7.090, -0.600
8) Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., Chevy Camaro, E/SM, 8.970, -0.600
9) Dave Barcelon, Bremerton, Wash., Chevy Cavalier, G/A, 8.767, -0.593
10) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, Ford Roadster, A/AA, 7.011, -0.579
 
SUPER STOCK
1) John Gallina, Las Vegas, Buick Grand National, SS/DX, 8.070 seconds, -1.590 (under index)
2) Jim Weakland, Morrison, Colo., Chevy Camaro, SS/GA, 9.843, -1.367
3) Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., Chevy Cavalier, SS/AM, 8.508, -1.362
4) Abe Loewen, Regina, Sask., Pontiac Grand Am, SS/DM, 9.215, -1.325
5) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., Chevy Camaro, SS/HA, 9.954, -1.306
6) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., Pontiac Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.053, -1.227
7) Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., Chevy Camaro, SS/HA, 10.097, -1.163
8) Mike Blackstone, Castro Valley, Calif., Olds Calais, SS/BS, 9.229, -1.151
9) Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., Chevy Camaro, GT/EA, 10.166, -1.144
10) Art Congdon, Calgary, Alb., Olds Calais, GT/CA, 9.963, -1.097
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., Plymouth GTX, B/SA, 10.358 seconds, -1.572 (under index)
2) Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., Olds Cutlass, K/SA, 11.867, -1.513
3) Joe Sorensen, Woodburn, Ore., Chevy Camaro, B/SA, 10.420, -1.510
4) Keith Lynch, West Jordan, Utah, Chevy Nova, B/SA, 10.452, -1.478
5) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., Plymouth Satellite, I/SA, 11.590, -1.430
6) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., Ford Fairlane, A/S, 10.226, -1.394
7) Paul Wong, Las Vegas, Plymouth Belvedere, U/SA, 14.268, -1.382
8) Christopher Whitney, Sun Valley, Calif., Ford Fairlane, B/S, 10.504, -1.376
9) Norman LaPointe, Edmonton, Alb., Chevy Malibu, O/SA, 12.568, -1.332
10) Marka Gallina, Las Vegas, Pontiac Trans Am, E/FIA, 11.707, -1.313
 
TOP COMP
1) Shane Harter, E. Wenatchee, Wash., Ford Roadster, 6.726 seconds, 204.08 mph
2) Kevin Wayman, West Jordan, Utah, dragster, 7.044, 194.21
3) Brian Preszler, Kennewick, Wash., dragster, 7.097, 188.63
4) Byran Holt, South Jordan, Utah, dragster, 7.249, 185.37
5) Todd Hoerner, Deer Park, Wash., Pontiac Grand Am, 7.298, 189.23
6) Rod Langley, Boise, Idaho, dragster, 7.326, 183.07
7) Tracy Holt, Riverton, Utah, dragster, 7.345, 180.65
8) Frank Tamez, Yakima, Wash., Chevy Corvette, 7.427, 185.56
9) Chris Jaggers, Middleton, Idaho, dragster, 7.434, 178.96
10) Jed Dubach, Layton, Utah, dragster, 7.451, 178.25
 
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Steve Miller, Yakima, Wash., Suzuki, KMC, 0.011 seconds reaction time
2) Buff Kobs, Coeur d Alene, Idaho, Kawasaki Ninja, KMC, 0.015
3) Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, Kawasaki, KMC, 0.025
4) Mike Scott, Sumner, Wash., Kawasaki, KMC, 0.034
5) Dan Patridge, Kennewick, Wash., Suzuki, KMC, 0.042
6) Steve Roberts, Nampa, Idaho, Honda, KMC, 0.440
 
NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
1) Jack Harris, Kaysville, Utah, dragster, 5.856 seconds, 255.75 mph
2) Bill Dunlap, Capitola, Calif., dragster, 6.057, 204.91
3) Jason Richey, Pleasanton, Calif., dragster, 6.181, 227.96
4) Scott Mason, Syracuse, Utah, dragster, 6.408, 210.23
5) Denver Schutz, Fresno, Calif., dragster, 6.436, 207.85
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHRA Northwest Division kicks off season

BOISE, Idaho - In the first rounds of qualifying at Firebird Raceway for the Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener Comp Eliminator driver Mark Stewart of Medford, Ore., leads the field after opening day of qualifying with a 9.170 second pass, 0.690 under the index. Stewart is followed by Jeff Lane in his '95 Cultlass with a pass of 8.417 seconds.

Las Vegas resident John Gallina took the top spot in Super Stock with an 8.070-second with Morrison, Colo., resident, Jim Weakland in second with a 9.843 second run.

Former Northwest Division Champion Steve Wann is number one in Stock with a lap of 10.351 with Bill Cost sitting in the second spot at 11.869 seconds. Top Comp racer Shane Harter leads his field with a 6.726 second pass in his 23 Ford while Steve Miller leads the Kerker Motorcycle class.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates at Firebird Raceway open at 8 a.m. Nitro qualifying rounds are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m. For more information call the track, (208) 938-8986.

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

COMP ELIMINATOR
1 Mark Stewart, Medford OR, '98 Achieva, 9.170 seconds, 0.690 under the index
2 Jeff Lane, North Bend WA, C/EA '95 Cutlass, 8.417, 0.643
3 Clint Sallee, Glendive MT, B/D, 6.929, 0.641
4 Adam Bowdish, Oregon City OR, '89 Trans Am 9.082, 0.628
5 Dean Carter, Glendale AZ, A/ND, 7.217, 0.623
6 J.D. Zink, Chico CA, A/ND, 7.235, 0.605
7 Joe Mozeris, Phoenix AZ, B/ED, 7.090, 0.600
8 Dave Barcelon, Bremerton WA, G/A '02 Cavalier, 8.776, 0.584
9 Dennis Myers, Prosser WA, G/AA'98 Dakota, 8.832, 0.528
10 Maureen Jondahl, Battle Ground WA, G/AA '92 Firebird, 8.838, 0.522
 
SUPER STOCK
1  John Gallina, Las Vegas NV, SS/DX '87 Grand National, 8.070, 1.590
2 Jim Weakland, Morrison CO, SS/GA '68 Camaro, 9.843, 1.367
3 Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls OR, SS/AM '03 CavaLIER, 8.508, 1.362
4 Abe Loewen, Regina SK, SS/DM '98 Grand Am, 9.215, 1.325
5 Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas NM, '69 Camaro, 9.954, 1.306
6 Jeff Lane, North Bend WA, SS/CM '04 Grand Am, 9.053, 1.227
7 Tom Nolan, Lacombe AB, SS/HA '67 Camaro, 10.097, 1.163
8 Byron Setters, Red Deer AB, GT/EA '96 Camaro, 10.166, 1.144
9 Mike Blackstone, Castro Valley CA, SS/BS  '90 Cal, 9.258, 1.122
10 Art Congdon, Calgary AB, GT/CA '91 Calais, 9.963, 1.097
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1 Steve Wann, Modesto CA, B/SA '70 GTX, 10.358, 1.572
2 Bill Kost, Renton WA, K/SA '77 Cutlass, 11.869, 1.511
3 B/SA Joe Sorensen, Woodburn OR, 'B/SA 69 Camaro, 10.420, 1.510
4 B/SA Keith Lynch, West Jordan UT, B/SA '70 Nova, 10.452, 1.478
5 Don Wann, Modesto CA, I/SA '73 Satellite, 11.590, 1.430
6 Robert Pond, Riverside CA, A/S '67 Fairlane, 10.226, 1.394
7 Paul Wong, Las Vegas NV, U/SA '65 Belvedere, 14.292, 1.358
8 Norman LaPointe, Edmonton AB, O/SA '68 Malibu, 12.568, 1.332
9 Marka Gallina, Las Vegas NV, E/FIA '89 Trans Am, 11.715, 1.305
10 Christopher Whitney, Sun Valley CA, B/SA '67 Fairlane, 10.587, 1.293
 
SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1 Steve Miller, Yakima WA, '89 Suzuki              
2 Buff Kobs, Coeur d Alene ID, '95 Ninja         
3 Joe Collette, Boise ID, '03 Kawasaki              
4 Mike Scott, Sumner WA, '01 Kawasaki         
5 Dan Patridge, Kennewick WA, '91 Suzuki          
 
TOP COMP
1 Shane Harter, E. Wenatchee WA, '23-T Ford, 6.726, 204.08 
2 Kevin Wayman, West Jordan UT, S&W-Chevy, 7.145, 191.07 
3 Brian Preszler, Kennewick WA, Hadman-Pontiac, 7.199, 188.63 
4 Byran Holt, South Jordan UT, Worthy-Chevy, 7.249, 185.37 
5 Todd Hoerner, Deer Park WA, '03 Grand Am, 7.298, 189.23
6 Rod Langley, Boise ID, Soran-Chevy, 7.326, 183.07 
7 Tracy Holt, Riverton UT, Worthy-Chevy, 7.345, 180.65 
8 Jed Dubach, Layton UT, Dragster-Chevy, 7.451, 178.25 
9 Marvin Mueller, Lake Stevens WA, Dragster-Chevy, 7.477, 181.08 
10Dale Giroux, Canyon Creek AB, '02 Cavalier, 7.492, 185.75 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA's Northwest Division kicks off Lucas Oil Drag Racing season at Firebird Raceway

BOISE, Idaho - NHRA Northwest Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will open their season April 16-18 at Firebird Raceway in Boise. The 34th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford is the first of seven events in the division. Drivers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will compete for points leading to national and divisional championships. The AA/Fuel Dragster and AA/Fuel Altered Showdown featuring reigning VRA world champion Jim Murphy of Santa Rosa, Calif., will highlight the weekend. The division's Top Comp and Kerker Motorcycle classes will also run in conjunction with the event.

Last year's division champions in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street are ready to defend their crowns. They will race fellow competitors for a share of the $561,000 year-end points fund from Lucas Oil.

The division's defending Comp Eliminator champion, Adam Bowdish of Oregon City, Ore., kicked off 2003 with a win at Firebird Raceway. That turned out to be his only trip to the winner's circle but he was runner-up at an out-of-division event in Noble, Okla., near the end of the year. In between, the 24-year-old racer went enough rounds to score his second consecutive division title.

Veteran Super Stock competitor Jeff Lane of North Bend, Wash., earned his fourth division title in the class in 2003. Lane scored wins last year at Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore., and at Southern Oregon Dragway in Medford, Ore.

Northwest division champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street were all first-time winners. Brad Plourd, the Stock champ from Covington, Wash., won three straight races - two at Woodburn Dragstrip, and one at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash. - on his march to the title. The Super Comp champion, Grandview, Wash., resident Anthony Castillo, also won three races. He visited the winner's circle at Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C., twice and at Southern Oregon Dragway.

Gates at Firebird Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day and racing action begins Friday at 9 a.m. with qualifying and time trials. Comp Eliminator qualifying is scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday. A warm-up/test session for the Nitro cars is scheduled the same day at 3 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. and Comp Eliminator will run at noon and 3 p.m., with Nitro cars running at noon and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Nitro cars will run first round at noon.

Adult tickets, including pit pass, are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free to the East Side and a pit pass (for children 6-12) can be purchased for $5 each day.

Firebird Raceway is located on Highway 16, five miles north of Highway 44. For more information call the track, (208) 938-8986 or visit www.firebirdonline.com.

Competitors will head north of the boarder for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, May 7-9. Mission Raceway Park in Mission, B.C., will host the division's second race. That event will include Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: 34th Annual Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the first of seven in Northwest Division competition. The division's Top Comp class and the Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also run in conjunction with the event. Saturday and Sunday will also boast the AA/Fuel Dragster and AA/Fuel Altered Showdown featuring reigning VRA world champion Jim Murphy of Santa Rosa, Calif.

WHERE: Firebird Raceway, Boise, Idaho. Track is located on Highway 16, five miles north of Highway 44.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 16-18, 2004

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the 34th Annual Napa Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford:

FRIDAY, April 16 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator will qualify at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. A warm-up/test session for Nitro cars is scheduled at 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator is scheduled at noon and 3 p.m. Nitro qualifying (AA/FD, AA/FA) is scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 18 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Nitro (AA/FD, AA/FA) eliminations begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free to the East Side and a pit pass (for children 6-12) can be purchased for $5 each day. For more information please call Firebird Raceway, (208) 939-8986.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $148,310, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Adam Bowdish, Comp Eliminator; Sean Cour, Super Stock; Jody Lang, Stock Eliminator; Dick Vander Meer, Super Comp; Mike Shannon, Super Gas; D.J. Januzzi, 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.

FEATURES: More than 400 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series drivers in the six racing categories as well as the AA/Fuel Dragster and AA/Fuel Altered Showdown featuring reigning VRA world champion Jim Murphy of Santa Rosa, Calif.