FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hudson, Capps take surprising wins at Famoso

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Neither Don Hudson nor Jon Capps where on the long lists of probable winners at Famoso Raceway's Pacific Division Lucas Oil Series event, but they went home with the trophies in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car.

With such notables as Morgan Lucas, Chris Demke and Darryl Hitchman leading the pack after qualifying, Hudson was indeed a long shot to make it to the finals. But when Lucas ripped off a 5.521-second, 265.09 mph performance in the first round, Hudson answered back with a 5.520 at 259.74 mph shot in the semi-finals. So regardless of how the pre-race qualifying had stacked up, it looked to be anybody's race when the two met in the final. Actually, it was over very quickly as Lucas overpowered the race track and smoked the tires to give Hudson the win.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Capps, of Las Vegas, qualified fourth, defeated Jeff Carroll in the first round and then watched as the low qualifier, Brett Williamson, was shut off with an oil leak before their race in the semifinals. That left No. 2 qualifier Dennis Taylor and Capps in the final. That too was over quickly as Taylor fouled.

Wayne Ramay, of Simi Valley, Calif., drove his nostalgic looking dragster to the Comp Eliminator title beating Jim Cowan's Arizona-based '02 Pontiac Grand Am altered.

Pacific Division racers head to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, July 2-4.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Budweiser at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.537, 259.06 def. 
3) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 7.297, 118.07;

4) Eric Morris, Madera, Calif., 5.532, 258.47 def. 
5) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 9.116, 89.01;

1) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.521, 265.09 def. 
8) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.729, 245.49;

2) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.827, 198.85 def. 
7) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 12.296, 63.10;
 
Semifinals
Hudson, 5.520, 259.74 def. Demke, broke; 
Lucas, 5.693, 255.60 def. Morris, 5.617, 253.73;
 
Final
Hudson, 5.539, 258.47 def. Lucas, 13.500, 65.82.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
3) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.991, 243.96 def. 
6) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 8.279, 110.72;

1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.788, 243.11 def. 
8) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Firebird, 5.930, 222.05;

2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.790, 246.17 def. 
7) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.007, 243.63;

4) Jon Capps, Las Vegas, '01 Camaro, 5.854, 246.50 def. 
5) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.128, 242.52;
 
Semifinals
Taylor, 5.782, 244.36 def. Lee, 5.894, 242.52; 
Capps, 5.839, 247.93 def. Williamson, broke;
 
Final
Capps, 6.020, 243.17 def. Taylor, foul.

COMP ELIMINATOR
Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., dragster, A/ND, 7.923, 107.69  def. 
Jim Cowan, Glendale, Ariz., '02 Grand Am, E/AA, foul.

SUPER STOCK
Bob Bales, Chino, Calif., '99 Pontiac, GT/BA, 9.871, 134.18 def. 
Chad Loge, Brentwood, Calif., '79 Plymouth, SS/KA, 11.484, 113.93.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Gene Buell, Hesperia, Calif., '70 Challenger, D/SA, 10.647, 123.18 def. 
Bernie Cunningham, Riverside, Calif., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, foul.

SUPER COMP
Sean O'Bannon, Ontario, Calif., dragster, 8.924, 174.62 def. 
Kevin Kleineweber, Phoenix, dragster, 8.913, 156.25.

SUPER GAS
Kevin McClelland, Rohnert Park, Calif., '27 roadster, 10.011, 131.13 def. 
Loreen Johnson, Seligman, Ariz., '94 Grand Prix, 10.196, 150.93.

SUPER STREET
Charlie Allen, Gardena, Calif., '71 Vega, 10.891, 135.64  def. 
Gary Reust, Rancho Cordova, Calif., '55 Chevrolet, 10.885, 125.94.

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Kevin Quinlan, Yucca Valley, Calif., dragster, 7.877, 175.78  def. 
Chris McNicol, Palm Desert, Calif., dragster, broke.

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Ray Raines, Garden Grove, Calif., '82 Suzuki, 9.771, 124.00  def. 
Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, 9.703, 132.13.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fields set for big Lucas Series showdown at Famoso Raceway

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - More than 530 drivers slugged it out Saturday to make the fields for today's NHRA Pacific division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Budweiser at Famoso Dragway.

In the marquee classes of Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), Morgan Lucas and Brett Williamson held on the top spots they grabbed Friday.

Both fields are strong with qualifiers within mere fractions of a second of each other. Lucas, of Riverside, Calif., the defending champion in the Pacific division, hammered out a 5.428-second run at 263.92 mph to the lead the pack in his nitro-methane fueled TAD. Chris Demke, of Sunland, Calif., was right on his heels at 5.473 seconds and 261.02 mph. The other driver in the 5.4-second zone was Hanford, Calif., standout Darryl Hitchman, who took the No. 3 spot at 5.481, 253.80 mph.

Williamson, a second-generation driver from Campbell, Calif., near San Jose, maintained the TAFC top spot with a 5.772-second 240.51 mph performance in his Corvette-bodied entry. That was good enough to hold off Dennis Taylor's 5.787, 245.03 mph charge in his Camaro.

In Comp Eliminator, defending Pacific division champion Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., and Wayne Ramay of Simi Valley, Calif., took front-motored nostalgia dragsters to the front of the highly diverse field.

Racing begins Sunday at 8 a.m. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. First round of TAD and TAFC are scheduled for noon. Tickets are $20 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call Famoso Raceway, (661) 399-2210

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 presented by Budweiser at Famoso Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.428 seconds, 263.92 mph
2) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.473, 261.02
3) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.481, 253.80
4) Eric Morris, Madera, Calif., 5.577, 250.62
5) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.615, 254.59
6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.634, 257.80
7) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.638, 231.66
8) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.692, 246.98 

Not Qualified
9) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., 5.837, 255.97
10) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.840, 255.02
11) Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., 5.841, 243.90
12) Dennis Swearingen, Valencia, Calif., 6.364, 218.81

First-round TAD pairings
1) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.428 seconds, 263.92 mph vs. 
8) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.692, 246.98

2) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.473, 261.02 vs. 
7) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.638, 231.66

3) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.481, 253.80 vs. 
6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.634, 257.80

4) Eric Morris, Madera, Calif., 5.577, 250.62 vs. 
5) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.615, 254.59

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.772 seconds, 240.51 mph
2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.787, 245.03
3) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.794, 248.96
4) Jon Capps, Las Vegas, '01 Camaro, 5.809, 248.07
5) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 5.892, 246.03
6) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.920, 248.20
7) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.924, 245.36
8) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Firebird, 5.953, 243.11 

Not Qualified
9) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '03 Trans Am, 5.982, 235.78
10) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.998, 244.56
11) Robert Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.596, 222.44
12) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 7.574, 193.50

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.772 seconds, 240.51 mph vs. 
8) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Firebird, 5.953, 243.11

2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.787, 245.03 vs. 
7) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.924, 245.36

3) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.794, 248.96 vs. 
6) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.920, 248.20

4) Jon Capps, Las Vegas, '01 Camaro, 5.809, 248.07 vs. 
5) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 5.892, 246.03

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., dragster, A/ND, 7.004 seconds, -0.646 (under index)
2) Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., dragster, A/ND, 7.064, -0.586
3) Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '04 Grand Am, B/A, 7.237, -0.543
4) Vincent Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.681, -0.509
5) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dakota, PST, 7.592, -0.498
6) Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 8.624, -0.496
7) Michael Stone, Tulare, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.480, -0.480
8) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.721, -0.479
9) Jim Cowan, Glendale, Ariz., '02 Grand Am, E/AA, 8.041, -0.459
10) Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.557, -0.403

SUPER STOCK
1) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.223 seconds, -1.127 (under index)
2) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.445, -1.105
3) Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., '86 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.401, -1.099
4) Brian McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.804, -1.096
5) Bob Mazzolini, Riverside, Calif., '00 Sebring, GT/HA, 10.284, -1.066
6) Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.870, -1.030
7) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '92 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.357, -0.993
8) Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.863, -0.987
9) Greg Smith, Quartz Hill, Calif., '93 Daytona, GT/EA, 9.971, -0.979
10) Carmeron Kallas, Bluffdale, Utah, '98 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.573, -0.977

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Harry Doolittle, Hillsdale, Mich., '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.158 seconds, -1.292 (under index)
2) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, I/SA, 11.346, -1.254
3) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Satellite, I/SA, 11.389, -1.211
4) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.496, -1.204
5) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Firebird, I/FIA, 12.577, -1.173
6) Carol Yacavone, Glendale, Ariz., '80 Trans Am, N/SA, 12.159, -1.141
7) Don Forester, Riverside, Calif., '80 Delta 88, O/SA, 12.359, -1.091
8) Gary Harper, Canon City, Colo., '81 D-150, N/SA, 12.220, -1.080
9) Chris Whitney, Sun Valley, Calif., '67 Fairlane, B/S, 10.455, -1.045
10) Darin Grossi, Modesto, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.259, -1.041

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '97 Suzuki, KMC, 0.001 seconds reaction time
2) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, '87 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.002
3) Charles Rand, Bakersfield, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.005
4) Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.005
5) Ray Raines, Garden Grove, Calif., '82 Suzuki, KMC, 0.005
6) Marc Knight, Bakersfield, Calif., '96 Suzuki, KMC, 0.011
7) John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.012
8) Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, KMC, 0.013
9) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.014
10) Ari Bernales, Santa Clara, Calif., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lucas, Williamson lead qualifying at Famoso Raceway

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - After Friday's first-day of qualifying at Famoso Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Morgan Lucas and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Bret Williamson took the no. 1 positions in their classes.

Defending Pacific division champion Lucas, of Upland, Calif., outran the field with a pass of 5.428 seconds at 263.92 mph. Meanwhile, Campbell, Calif., resident Williamson made a 5.772-second, 240.41 mph run to take the pole.

Notable after the first session of qualifying is that defending Pacific division champion Doug Gordon has yet to make the cut for the Alcohol Funny Car field.

Dean Carter, of Glendale, Ariz., held up the honor of defending division champions by qualifying No. 1 in Comp Eliminator, while Brian McClanahan topped the first-day list in Super Stock.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 8 a.m., with some first round action slated in several categories scheduled for the afternoon. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, call Famoso Raceway (661) 399-2210

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Morgan Lucas, Upland, Calif., 5.428 seconds, 263.92 mph
2) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.473, 261.02
3) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.615, 254.59
4) Eric Morris, Madera, Calif., 5.658, 250.62
5) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.716, 245.96
6) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.840, 255.02
7) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.871, 242.00
8) Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., 15.442, 60.58 

Not Qualified
9) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., 17.974, 47.55
10) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., (no time)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.772 seconds, 240.51 mph
2) Jon Capps, Las Vegas, '01 Camaro, 5.809, 248.07
3) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.822, 243.30
4) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.844, 248.96
5) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 5.892, 246.03
6) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '03 Trans Am, 5.982, 235.78
7) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.998, 206.75
8) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.104, 239.23 

Not Qualified
9) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Firebird, 6.205, 230.23
10) Robert Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.596, 222.44
11) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 12.055, 47.06
12) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 12.860, 60.30

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., dragster, A/ND, 7.011 seconds, -0.639 (under index)
2) Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., dragster, A/ND, 7.100, -0.550
3) Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '04 Grand Am, B/A, 7.237, -0.543
4) Vincent Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.681, -0.509
5) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dakota, PST, 7.592, -0.498
6) Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 8.624, -0.496
7) Michael Stone, Tulare, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.480, -0.480
8) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.721, -0.479
9) Jim Cowan, Glendale, Ariz., '02 Grand Am, E/AA, 8.045, -0.455
10) Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.557, -0.403

SUPER STOCK
1) Brian McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.804 seconds, -1.096 (under index)
2) Bob Mazzolini, Riverside, Calif., '00 Sebring, GT/HA, 10.284, -1.066
3) Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.870, -1.030
4) Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., '86 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.478, -1.022
5) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.361, -0.989
6) Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.863, -0.987
7) Greg Smith, Quartz Hill, Calif., '93 Daytona, GT/EA, 9.971, -0.979
8) Carmeron Kallas, Bluffdale, Utah, '98 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.573, -0.977
9) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '92 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.378, -0.972
10) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.607, -0.943

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, I/SA, 11.346 seconds, -1.254 (under index)
2) Harry Doolittle, Hillsdale, Mich., '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.206, -1.244
3) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Satellite, I/SA, 11.389, -1.211
4) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.513, -1.187
5) Carol Yacavone, Glendale, Ariz., '80 Trans Am, N/SA, 12.159, -1.141
6) Don Forester, Riverside, Calif., '80 Delta 88, O/SA, 12.359, -1.091
7) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Firebird, I/FIA, 12.664, -1.086
8) Gary Harper, Canon City, Colo., '81 D-150, N/SA, 12.220, -1.080
9) Gene Buell, Hesperia, Calif., '70 Challenger, D/SA, 10.820, -1.030
10) Jim Meador, Yorba Linda, Calif., '67 Camaro, E/SA, 10.986, -1.014

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Charles Rand, Bakersfield, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.005 seconds reaction time
2) Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.005
3) Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, KMC, 0.013
4) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, Nev., '87 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.013
5) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.014
6) Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '97 Suzuki, KMC, 0.021
7) Ari Bernales, Santa Clara, Calif., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.022
8) Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.028
9) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.046
10) Ken Van Buren, New River, Ariz., '84 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.090

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pacific Division Lucas Oil Series set to run at Famoso Raceway

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - NHRA's Pacific Division will continue its 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Famoso Raceway May 21-23. Competitors in eight classes including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will compete for a share of the $158,145 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships. The race is the fourth of six in division competition.

Coming into the event, Chris Demke is leading in the division's Top Alcohol Dragster point standings. Demke, a racer from Sunland, Calif., has three consecutive final round appearances. He has earned two wins and was a runner-up. In Phoenix he beat Don Hudson in the final round and, in Tucson, Ariz., he was runner-up to Dave Wilson. At the division's last race, in Sacramento, Calif., he took another win over Hudson.

Defending division Top Alcohol Dragster champion Morgan Lucas made his first appearance on the divisional level in Sacramento where he lost in the first round. The 20-year-old racer has a new car and a new team, and although they are suffering some growing pains, the Lucas team has shown promise. Lucas has also run in three NHRA national events where he suffered a first round loss (Pomona, Calif.), and then won the event (Las Vegas), and then lost in the second round (Baytown, Texas).

Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Doug Gordon is also leading in the division point standings. The defending division Funny Car champ has started out 2004 with three straight wins at division's Lucas Oil events. The Paso Robles, Calif., racer won in Phoenix and Tucson, beating Dennis Taylor and John Patton, respectively. In Sacramento, he bested Bret Williamson.

For Patton, a resident of Peoria, Ariz., his runner-up finish and two semifinal-round appearances, are enough to put him in second place in the division point standings.

In Comp Eliminator, Fred Gross of La Crescenta, Calif., scored his second win in three races. He won in Phoenix and again in Sacramento.

The division's Korbel Super E class and the Kerker Motorcycle class will run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Super E and motorcycle competitors will run qualifying and eliminations with other classes throughout the weekend.

Gates at Famoso Raceway open at 7:30 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will have one qualifying pass Friday at 4 p.m. Saturday, they will make two runs, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. Sunday for all classes. Dragster and Funny Car will run first round at noon.

General admission, including pit pass, is $20 each day. A three-day pass is $50. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Famoso Raceway is located at 33559 Famoso Road in McFarland, Calif., approximately 12 miles north of Bakersfield. For more information, call the track, (661) 399-2210, or visit www.FamosoRaceway.com.

Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., will be the next stop on the Pacific division's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series tour. The event is scheduled July 2-4.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Budweiser, 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 fourth of six in Pacific Division competition. The division's Korbel Super E class and the Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif. Track is located at 33559 Famoso Road in McFarland, Calif., approximately 12 miles north of Bakersfield.

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

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

FRIDAY, May 21 -- Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 22 -- Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 23 -- Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Famoso Raceway, (661) 399-2210.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $147,560, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Mark Niver, Top Alcohol Dragster; Ed Marx, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Ed Sigmon, Comp Eliminator; Don Bevers, Super Stock; Bill Nelson, Stock Eliminator; Michael Henderson, Super Comp; Mike Ferderer, Super Gas; Dennis Paz, 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 $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 $1000.

Currently, Sportsman Motorcycles are run in NHRA's South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific 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.