TOPEKA, Kan. - Heartland Park Topeka will host the NHRA West Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals Sept. 17-19, 2004. More than 500 drivers in seven classes from NHRA Member Tracks from across the West Central division will compete for team and individual honors as well as a share of cash and contingencies of more than $100,000. Drivers in the High School class will race for trophies.

Winners in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile 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 Heartland Park Topeka open at 8 a.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Time trials start at 10 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 9 a.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 8 a.m.

For more information call Heartland Park Topeka at (785) 862-4781, or visit the track web site at www.hpt.com.

SUMMIT RACING SERIES WEST CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals, where top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the West 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: Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kan. Track is located off U.S. Highway 75, four miles south of Topeka. From Interstate 470, take Forbes Field exit and proceed on U.S. Highway 75 to Gary Ormsby Drive.

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

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

FRIDAY, Sept. 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Time trials begin at 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 18 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final time trials begin at 9 a.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 19 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m.

PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile will compete for cash and contingency awards of more than $100,000. 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. The special High School Eliminator winners will receive a trophy and other awards.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Bandimere Speedway, Denver, team champion; Lane Weber, Super Pro; Mark Sharp, Pro; Kevin Rolph, Sportsman; Brian Johnson, Motorcycle; Lacy Rose, High School.

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in six racing categories: Super Pro (cars running 7.00 seconds to 12.00 seconds), Pro (7.00-13.00), Sportsman (13.00 and slower), Motorcycles (7.50-14.00), High School (10.99 and slower). Also featured is a Race of Champions (ROC), a race within a race featuring the top points earners from each track in the division. There will be one Race of Champions winner in cars and one in motorcycle/snowmobile.