FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gordon scores third straight win, Demke earns second

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) driver Doug Gordon and Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) pilot Chris Demke each scored wins at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Sacramento Raceway Park. Both racers came into the weekend leading in the division point standings. The event was the third of six in NHRA Pacific division competition.

For Gordon, it marked his third consecutive win in division action. The Paso Robles, Calif., resident is the division's defending TAFC champion and appears to be on his way to defending that title. This time he picked up the win against Campbell, Calif., TAFC racer Bret Williamson. Gordon's 5.972-second pass was more than enough to best Williamson's 7.993-second run.

In a repeat of the final round of his first win this season, at the season-opener in Phoenix, Demke knocked off Don Hudson of Stockton, Calif., in the final. Demke, of Sunland, Calif., made his best run of the day, 5.545 seconds, in the final round. Hudson ran 5.679 seconds.

Fred Gross of La Crecenta, Calif., won in Comp Eliminator. It was his second trip to the winner's circle this season. In Super Stock, former mdivision champion Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., took the win while Vancouver, Wash., resident David Chun Jr. won in Stock Eliminator. The Super Comp winner was Catro Valley, Calif., resident Bob Van Popering and the winner in Super Gas was Steve Williams. Jeff Jackson of Wilsonville, Ore., won in Super Street. The winner in the Kerker Motorcycle class was mMitchel Lippen and the Super Eliminator winner was Del Cox Jr.

Pacific Division racers head to Famoso Raceway for the division's next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The Bakersfield, Calif., facility's event is scheduled May 21-23.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 6.197 seconds, 168.41 mph def. 
8) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, no time

7) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.699, 243.22 def.
2) Morgan Lucas, Upland, Calif., 10.130, 95.97

3) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 10.057, 78.48 def. 
6) Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., no-show

4) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.859, 225.59 def. 
5) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 225.59

Semifinals
Demke, 5.624, 249.87 def. Johnson, 6.017, 194.42
Hudson, 5.764, 244.19 def. Beckman, 5.858, 242.93

Final
Demke, 5.545, 258.00 mph def. Hudson, 5.679, 238.00

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.836 seconds, 244.28 mph def. bye

2) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 5.917, 246.91 def. 
7) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.505, 233.44

3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.957, 246.29 def. 
6) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, no time

4) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.202, 224.79 def.
5) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 11.292, 81.82

Semifinals
Gordon, 6.669, 230.91 def. Patton, 7.230, 137.89
Williamson, 5.972, 225.65 def. Warnhart, 7.993, 108.94

Final
Gordon, 5.972, 225.00 def. Williamson, 7.993, 108.00

COMP ELIMINATOR
Fred Gross, La Crecenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 9.452, 110.72 def.
Michael Stone, Tulare, Calif., dragster, C/ED, foul

SUPER STOCK
Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 9.905, 133.45 def. 
Brad Rounds, Reno, Nev., '00 S-10, SS/TB, foul

STOCK ELIMINATOR
David Chun Jr., Vancouver, Wash., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.724, 120.32 def.
Paul Wong, Las Vegas, '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.890, 109.21

SUPER COMP
Bob Van Popering, Castro Valley, Calif., roadster, 8.900, 155.39 def.
Michael Hiatt, Fallon, Nev., dragster, 8.896, 177.80

SUPER GAS
Steve Williams, Loma Linda, Calif., '62 Corvette, 9.920, 151.40 def.
Rick Beckstrom, Novato, Calif., '03 Grand Am, 9.899, 165.45

SUPER STREET
Jeff Jackson, Wilsonville, Ore., '68 Mustang, 10.943, 143.34 def. 
Duane Daniel, Gilroy, Calif., '72 Nova, 10.926, 144.11

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Mitchel Lippen, Cave Creek, Ariz., '02 Kawasaki, 9.386, 146.95 def. 
Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '97 Suzuki, 8.818, 138.14

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Del Cox Jr., Downey, Calif., dragster, 7.945, 178.14 def.
John Richardson, Santa Clarita, Calif., dragster, 7.926, 177.45

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Qualifying complete at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the final rounds of qualifying at Sacramento Raceway's Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Bret Williamson of Campbell, Calif., and Chris Demke of Sunland, Calif., were the No. 1 qualifiers in Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Alcohol Dragster, respectively.

After Friday's initial qualifying pass, Williamson was in the No. 3 slot but after the final qualifying run today, he leads the pack. His 5.862-second, 224.15 mph effort was enough to put him ahead of John Patton of Peoria, Ariz. Due to the odd number of cars in the field, Williams will have a bye run in the first round of eliminations on Sunday.

Demke was the eighth qualifier after Friday's run but in today's first session he made a big move to the No. 1 spot. The 5.556-second, 261.14 mph run was more than enough to catapult him to the head of the class. Demke will take on former division champion Duane Shields in the first round tomorrow.

In Comp Eliminator Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., maintained his top qualifier status as did Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., in Super Stock and Robert Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., in Stock Eliminator. Trace St. Germain of San Jose, Calif., moved into the No. 1 position in the Kerker Motorcycle class.

Racing continues Sunday. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations start at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will run first round at noon. Tickets, including pit pass, are $25. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information call Sacramento Raceway, (916) 363-2653.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever event at Sacramento Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.556 seconds, 261.14 mph
2) Morgan Lucas, Upland, Calif., 5.585, 259.97
3) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 5.743, 242.43
4) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.748, 230.92
5) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.789, 252.38
6) Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., 5.847, 254.07
7) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.983, 234.14
8) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 6.224, 226.60 

Not Qualified
9) Danny Valadez, San Rafael, Calif., 6.336, 203.62
10) Dennis Swearingen, Valencia, Calif., 6.487, 224.53
11) Chris Lane, San Leandro, Calif., 7.291, 131.91
12) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 26.017, 25.02

First round TAD pairings
1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.556 seconds, 261.14 mph vs. 
8) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 6.224, 226.60

2) Morgan Lucas, Upland, Calif., 5.585, 259.97 vs. 
7) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.983, 234.14

3) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 5.743, 242.43 vs. 
6) Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., 5.847, 254.07

4) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.748, 230.92 vs. 
5) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.789, 252.38

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.862 seconds, 224.15 mph
2) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 5.969, 246.93
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.973, 243.71
4) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.012, 223.32
5) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.016, 246.05
6) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.406, 183.51
7) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 11.929, 70.87

First round TAFC pairings
1) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.862 seconds, 224.15 mph vs. Bye

2) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 5.969, 246.93 vs. 
7) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 11.929, 70.87

3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.973, 243.71 vs. 
6) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.406, 183.51

4) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.012, 223.32 vs. 
5) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.016, 246.05

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., '87 Trans Am, E/SM, 8.792 seconds, -0.548 (under index)
2) Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 8.593, -0.547
3) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, dragster, B/ED, 6.991, -0.519
4) Mark Stewart, Medford, Ore., '98 Achieva, E/SMA, 8.867, -0.473
5) Tom Brown, Riverside, Calif., dragster, F/ED, 8.521, -0.469
6) Michael Stone, Tulare, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.493, -0.467
7) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.471, -0.459
8) Doug Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '04 Sunfire, G/AA, 8.682, -0.458
9) Jeff Lion, Fresno, Calif., '97 Firebird, G/A, 8.730, -0.410
10) Bryan Morrison, Alta Loma, Calif., '92 Camaro, H/SMA, 9.400, -0.380

SUPER STOCK
1) Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., '98 Pontiac, GT/IA, 10.442 seconds, -1.058 (under index)
2) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.498, -1.052
3) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 9.798, -1.052
4) Rick Houser, Pasadena, Calif., '91 Calais, GT/AA, 9.353, -1.047
5) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.325, -1.025
6) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '90 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.349, -1.001
7) Jim Rau, Sacramento, Calif., '95 Ford, GT/KA, 10.765, -0.985
8) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.353, -0.947
9) Joe Schweigert, Ontario, Calif., '85 Camaro, SS/JA, 10.354, -0.946
10) Kevin Smith, Placentia, Calif., '87 Chevy, GT/DA, 9.876, -0.924

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Robert Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., '74 Firebird, J/SA, 11.396 seconds, -1.354 (under index)
2) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Satellite, I/SA, 11.286, -1.314
3) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.492, -1.258
4) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.535, -1.165
5) Tim Hall, Fountain Valley, Calif., '72 Cuda, G/SA, 11.217, -1.083
6) Don Forester, Riverside, Calif., '80 Delta 88, O/SA, 12.385, -1.065
7) Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.243, -1.057
8) John Schloe, Garden Grove, Calif., '69 Firebird, D/SA, 10.796, -1.054
9) Gary Humrichouse, Livermore, Calif., '69 Camaro, F/SA, 11.100, -1.050
10) Rick Solano, Alta Loma, Calif., '64 Malibu, J/SA, 11.711, -1.039

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.003 seconds RT
2) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, '87 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.012
3) Gary Banta, Rio Linda, Calif., '03 Suzuki, KMC, 0.012
4) Ken Van Buren, New River, Ariz., '84 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.015
5) John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.019
6) Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '97 Suzuki, KMC, 0.025
7) Mitchel Lippen, Cave Creek, Ariz., '02 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.029
8) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.029
9) Aris Bornales, Santa Clara, Calif., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.035
10) Jack Holsey, Rancho Cordova, Calif., '01 Suzuki, KMC, 0.038

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beckman, Gordon top qualifying at Sacramento Raceway

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the first rounds of qualifying at the Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jack Beckman and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Doug Gordon took the no. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Beckman, of North Hills, Calif., outran the field with a pass of 5.743 seconds at 242.43 mph. The run was just good enough to put him ahead of Whittier, Calif., racer Randy Johnson who ran 5.748 seconds at 230.92 mph. Don Hudson of Stockton, Calif., qualified in the No. 6 spot.

Paso Robles, Calif., resident Gordon made a 6.279-second, 170.55 mph run to take the pole. Bret Williamson of Campbell, Calif., is currently qualified third.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., in Comp Eliminator; Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., in Super Stock; and Robert Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., in Stock Eliminator. Leo Shaver of Las Vegas was No. 1 in Kerker Motorcycle.

Racing at Sacramento Raceway continues Saturday at noon. Gates open at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will qualify at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. There will be a Jet Car exhibition running at 7 and 9 p.m.

General admission tickets are $25 with a pit pass and $15 without. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information call Sacramento Raceway, (916) 363-2653.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever event at Sacramento Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 5.743 seconds, 242.43 mph
2) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., 5.748, 230.92
3) Danny Valadez, San Rafael, Calif., 6.336, 203.62
4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 6.528, 193.25
5) Morgan Lucas, Upland, Calif., 6.876, 139.72
6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 8.108, 146.45
7) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, 8.772, 99.62
8) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 14.212, 54.28 

Not Qualified
9) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 26.017, 25.02

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 6.279 seconds, 170.55 mph
2) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 8.451, 109.68
3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 10.343, 79.05
4) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 11.252, 71.36
5) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, 15.143, (no speed)

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., '87 Trans Am, E/SM, 8.792 seconds, -0.548 (under index)
2) Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 8.642, -0.498
3) Mark Stewart, Medford, Ore., '98 Achieva, E/SMA, 8.867, -0.473
4) Tom Brown, Riverside, Calif., dragster, F/ED, 8.521, -0.469
5) Doug Lambeck, North Ridge, Calif., '04 Sunfire, G/AA, 8.688, -0.452
6) Jeff Lion, Fresno, Calif., '97 Firebird, G/A, 8.730, -0.410
7) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.535, -0.395
8) Bryan Morrison, Alta Loma, Calif., '92 Camaro, H/SMA, 9.400, -0.380
9) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, dragster, B/ED, 7.292, -0.218
10) Michael Stone, Tulare, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.804, -0.156

SUPER STOCK
1) Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., '98 Pontiac, GT/IA, 10.442 seconds, -1.058 (under index)
2) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.498, -1.052
3) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 9.798, -1.052
4) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.325, -1.025
5) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '90 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.349, -1.001
6) Rick Houser, Pasadena, Calif., '91 Calais, GT/AA, 9.407, -0.993
7) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.353, -0.947
8) Kevin Smith, Placentia, Calif., '87 Chevy, GT/DA, 9.876, -0.924
9) Jim Rau, Sacramento, Calif., '95 Ford, GT/KA, 10.835, -0.915
10) Skip Loeffler, Las Vegas, '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.125, -0.875

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Robert Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., '74 Firebird, J/SA, 11.396 seconds, -1.354 (under index)
2) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Satellite, I/SA, 11.286, -1.314
3) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.492, -1.258
4) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.535, -1.165
5) Tim Hall, Fountain Valley, Calif., '72 Cuda, G/SA, 11.217, -1.083
6) Don Forester, Riverside, Calif., '80 Delta 88, O/SA, 12.385, -1.065
7) Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.251, -1.049
8) Bryan Phillips, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Firebird, E/SA, 10.972, -1.028
9) Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., '68 Nova, B/SA, 10.524, -1.026
10) Randy Loge, Antioch, Calif., '72 Cuda, G/SA, 11.295, -1.005

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, '87 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.012 seconds reaction time
2) Ken Van Buren, New River, Ariz., '84 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.015
3) John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.019
4) Mitchel Lippen, Cave Creek, Ariz., '02 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.029
5) Jack Holsey, Rancho Cordovia, Calif., '01 Sukuzi, KMC, 0.038
6) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.047
7) Aris Bornales, Santa Clara, Calif., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.050
8) Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.053
9) Ray Raines, Garden Grove, Calif., '82 Suzuki, KMC, 0.062
10) Phillip Nasca, Citrus Heights, Calif., '02 Ninja, KMC, 0.065

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pacific Division Lucas Oil racers head to Sacramento Raceway

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - NHRA's Pacific Division will head to Sacramento Raceway April 30-May for the Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever, the third of six races in the division's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Competitors in eight classes, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC), will compete for a share of the $147,560 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships. There will also be a Jet Car exhibition on Saturday night.

Coming into the event, Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Chris Demke is leading in the division point standings. Demke, a resident of Sunland, Calif., has made it to the final round of the division's first two Lucas Oil races, splitting the decisions. In Phoenix he beat Don Hudson in the final round and in Tucson, Ariz., he was runner-up to Dave Wilson.

Wilson, who hails from Hampshire, Great Britain, is currently second in the point standings.

Defending division Top Alcohol Dragster champion, Morgan Lucas has yet to make an appearance on the divisional level. The 20-year-old from Riverside, Calif., has a new car and a new team. He has run in two NHRA national events where he lost in the first round (Pomona, Calif.), and then won the event (Las Vegas).

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 much as he did 2003, by winning the division's first two Lucas Oil events. The Paso Robles, Calif., racer won in Phoenix and Tucson beating Dennis Taylor and John Patton, respectively.

With that runner-up finish and a semifinal-round appearance, Patton, a resident of Peoria, Ariz., is in second place in the division point standings.

The defending Comp Eliminator national champion, Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., is tied for first in the division point standings with fellow Glendale resident Fred Gross. Carter, who also took the division crown in 2003, won in Tucson while Gross earned the win in Phoenix.

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

Qualifying and time trials begin Friday and run from noon to 8:30 p.m. but there is no spectator admission. Racing continues Saturday with gates opening at 8 a.m. and final qualifying and time trials starting at noon. TAD and TAFC will have qualifying sessions at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jet Cars will run at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 10 a.m. Gates will open at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at noon.

Saturday's admission is $15 without a pit pass and $25 with a pit pass. Sunday's admission is $25 and includes a pit pass. Children 11 and under are admitted free both days.

Sacramento Raceway is located at 5303 Excelsior Road in Sacramento. For more information call the track, (916) 363-2653, or visit www.SacramentoRaceway.com.

NHRA Pacific division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will head to Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., for the next event, May 21-23.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the third of six in Pacific Division competition. The division's Korbel Super E class and the Kerker Motorcycle class will also run in conjunction with the event. Saturday night will feature a Jet Car exhibition.

WHERE: Sacramento Raceway Park, Sacramento, Calif. Track is located at 5305 Excelsior Rd., Sacramento.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 30-May 2, 2004

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Western States Championships & Saturday Night Funny Car Fever:

FRIDAY, April 30 - Qualifying and time trials from noon to 8:30 p.m. No spectator admission.

SATURDAY, May 1 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jet Cars will run at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 2 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 10 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- Saturday, $15 without pit pass, $25 with pit pass; Sunday, $25, includes pit pass. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Sacramento Raceway Park, (916) 363-2653.

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: Joey Severance, Top Alcohol Dragster; Ron August Jr., Top Alcohol Funny Car; Ross Wilson, Comp Eliminator; Jimmy DeFrank, Super Stock; Kyle Seipel, Stock Eliminator; Jack Beckman, Super Comp; Kevin McClelland, Super Gas; Gary Thompson, 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 $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.