INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Raceway Park will host the NHRA North Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals Sept. 17-19, 2004. More than 800 drivers in four classes from NHRA Member Tracks from across the North Central Division will compete for team and individual honors as well as a share of a purse of more than $65,250. Drivers in the High School and Junior Dragster classes will race for trophies.

Winners in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Motorcycle classes will also earn the opportunity to compete at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif. They will run against champions from NHRA's other six divisions for a national title and a $5,000 winner-takes-all payday. Each driver who advances to Pomona will also receive $3,500 for competing in the Finals.

Gates at Indianapolis Raceway Park open at 7 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Time trials start at 9 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. First round of eliminations for all classes will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday. Eliminations continue Sunday at 9 a.m.

On Friday, the VP Racing Fuels Race of Champions, a race within a race, will pit the season's top points earners from each track in the division against each other. Race of Champions competitors will have one time trial Friday at 1 p.m. and begin eliminations at 2 p.m. Jr. Dragster competitors in three age brackets will run on Sunday. They will have two time trials starting at 8 a.m. and they will run eliminations with all other classes throughout the day.

For more information call Indianapolis Raceway Park, (317) 291-4090, or visit the web site at www.irponline.com.

SUMMIT RACING SERIES NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals, where top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the North Central division compete in seven classes for individual and team honors. Individual champions will advance to a national run-off at the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona Raceway in Calif.

WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis. Track is located on Indiana Highway 136, four miles west of Interstate 465 at exit 16.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, September 17-19, 2004.

SCHEDULE: Time trials schedule for the Summit Racing Series North Central Division Finals:

FRIDAY, Sept. 17 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m. Racers in the NHRA Summit Shootout qualify during time trials. Racers in the VP Racing Fuels Race of Champions, a race within a race, will have one time trial at 1 p.m. and begin eliminations at 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 18 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final time trials for all categories run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. First round of eliminations for all categories will start at 1 p.m. High School Championships at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 19 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations continue at 9 a.m. Jr. Dragster competitors will have two time trials starting at 8 a.m. and will run eliminations with all other categories throughout the day.

PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle will compete for cash awards of $65,250. The winners in each category will advance to compete against winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. They will each receive $3,500 for competing in the Finals and the winner in each class will receive an additional $5,000. Participants in the High School and Junior categories compete for trophies.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: National Trail Raceway, team champion; Calvin McKnight, Super Pro; Russ Briggs, Pro; Jeff Seither, Sportsman; Dan Dishon, Motorcycle; Christina Parriman, High School; Travis Alexander, Jr. Dragster 13-17; Ben Rohling, Jr. Dragster 10-12; and Holden English, Jr. Dragster 8-9.

FEATURES: More than 800 drivers in six racing categories: Super Pro (cars running 7.00 seconds to 11.99 seconds), Pro (10.00-13.99), Sportsman (13.00-19.99), Motorcycles (7.50-15.99), High School (12.00 and slower), Jr. Dragsters (8-9 years old, 10-12 years old, 13-17 years old)