FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCARDELLI SETS NEW RECORD IN GAINING NO. 1 SPOT

   U.S. 13 DRAGWAY, Delmar, Del. -- Tom Ekroth, Ray Scardelli,
and Todd Bednaz are the early leaders at U.S. 13 Dragway, the
third of six events in the NHRA Northeast Federal-Mogul Drag
Racing Series.

   Manalapan, N.J.’s Scardelli set a new NHRA performance record
in his ‘97 Ford Probe entry, leading the Super Stock qualifying
sheets with a 10.336 second, 129.45 miles per hour lap.  Bednaz,
of Terryville, Conn., is the provisional pole sitter in Stock
eliminator with a run of 10.992 seconds.

   Ekroth, of Mahwah, N.J., and whom will compete at the Federal-
Mogul Allstars event in Ohio next weekend, leads the Competition
Eliminator category with a 7.750-second run in his ‘94 Pontiac
Trans Am, 0.500-second under the C/Altered Index.  A whisker
behind Ekroth is West Chester, Pa.’s Jonathan Aloisio whom is
0.495-second under the E/Super Modified Index in his ‘92 Camaro
entry.

Qualifying continues Saturday with the Federal-Mogul Dragsters
and Federal-Mogul Funny Cars receiving two qualifying attempts
at 3:00 p.m. and
6:00 p.m.

   DELMAR, Del. -- Provisional qualifying results Friday from
U.S. 13 Dragway, the third of six events in the 1998 NHRA
Northeast Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series listing driver,
hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed in
miles per hour.

COMPETITION
1. Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A ‘94 Trans Am, 7.750 (-0.500)
2. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., E/SM ‘92 Camaro, 8.565 (-0.495)
3. Jules Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., H/A ‘91 Grand Prix, 8.468 (-0.492)
4. Larry Perkins, Collegeville, Pa., B/EA ‘93 Cutlass, 8.080 (-0.490)
5. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., F/Dragster, 8.415 (-0.445)
6. Mark Hopkins, Phoenixville, Pa., C/A ‘92 Beretta, 7.865 (-0.385)
7. George Supinski, Leonardo, N.J., D/A ‘96 Firebird, 8.184 (-0.356)
8. Don Eckel, Piscataway, N.J., C/Dragster, 7.475 (-0.235)

SUPER STOCK
1. Ray Scardelli, Manalaoan, N.J., GT/J ‘97 Probe, 10.336 (-1.014)
2. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., GT/JA ‘88 Cutlass, 10.679 (-0.971)
3. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., GT/EA ‘91 Daytona, 9.981 (-0.969)
4. Bob Hochrun, Colonia, N.J., GT/CA ‘87 Camaro, 9.808 (-0.892)
5. Tom Boucher, Byfield, Mass., GT/CA ‘97 Firehawk, 9.843 (-0.857)
6. Bucky Hess, Bunkerhill, W.V., SS/AA ‘68 Barracuda, 9.167 (-0.833)
7. Peter Biondo, Clarksburg, N.J., GT/FA ‘98 Firebird, 10.270 (-0.830)
8. Jim Lydon, Natrona Heights, Pa., GT/AA ‘90 Camaro, 9.588 (-0.812)

STOCK
1. Todd Bednaz, Terryville, Conn., F/S ‘68 Camaro, 10.992 (-1.108)
2. Evan Smith, Old Bridge, N.J., K/S ‘93 Cobra, 11.760 (-1.090)
3. Greg Schmutz, Pompton Plains, N.J., V/SA ‘80 Malibu, 14.717 (-1.083)
4. Mack Cabas, Salem, Ohio, J/SA ‘83 Camaro, 11.668 (-1.082)
5. Ronald Urquhart, Piscataway, N.J., E/SA ‘68 Camaro, 11.006 (-0.994)
6. Kenneth Miele, Pleasantville, N.J., C/SA ‘68 Mustang, 10.716 (-0.984)
7. David LeBrun, Uncasville, Conn., C/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.729 (-0.971)
8. Emory Stull Jr., Woodbine, Md., D/S ‘67 Camaro, 10.874 (-0.926)

NEW NHRA NATIONAL RECORDS
U.S. 13 Dragway, Delmer, Del. June 5, 1998
Ray Scardelli, Manalaoan, N.J., GT/J ‘97 Probe, 10.336 seconds, 129.45
Ronald Urquhart, Piscataway, N.J., E/SA ‘68 Camaro, 11.006 seconds, 119.37
John Gray, Hudson, Mass., D/SA ‘69 Nova, 11.095 seconds, 118.65
Evan Smith, Old Bridge, N.J., K/S ‘93 Cobra, 11.760 seconds, 113.95
Mark Cabas, Salem, Ohio, J/SA ‘83 Camaro, 11.668 seconds, 112.35

Saturday Qualifying Final:

BOZZELLI, MANZO ON THE POLE AT U.S. 13 DRAGWAY

   U.S. 13 DRAGWAY, Delmar, Del. -- Cliff Bozzelli and Frank
Manzo were the quickest of the quick at the NHRA Federal-Mogul
Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway.

   Manzo, of Morganville, N.J., and Fran Monaghan Jr., of
Willow Grove, Pa., staged a titanic duel for the No. 1
qualifying spot in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category.
Manzo’s Kendall GT-1 Dodge Avenger claimed the provisional
pole position with a 5.999-second run, only to watch Monaghan’s
Para Chem-sponsored Avenger snatch the No. 1 spot with a 5.929-
second lap.  Manzo, the last driver downtrack, reclaimed the
pole with a track-record 5.917-second shot.

   Bozzelli set the quickest time in Federal-Mogul Dragster
during the opening qualifying session with a 5.715-second, 243.24
mph run.  John Rose Jr., ran a 5.732-second lap during the final
time trials sessions but could not knock Bozzelli off the pole
position.

   Final eliminations begin 8:30 a.m. Sunday, with the
quarterfinals of Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny
Car scheduled to begin at 12 noon.


   FEDERAL-MOGUL ALLSTARS UPDATE: NHRA Northeast Division
representatives for the annual Federal-Mogul Allstars tournament,
to be held at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio, June 13,
fared indifferently through qualifying at U.S. 13 Dragway.  John
Leach (Stock) placed 33rd in the 76-car field with an 11.36-
second run in his C/SA ‘69 Roadrunner.  Angelo DiTocco (Super
Stock) hit a 10.07-second in his GT/EA ‘92 Firebird for 12th
position in the 45-car line up.  A 7.74-second lap was enough to
place Tom Ekroth (Comp) in third place with his C/A ‘94 Trans
Am.  Frank Manzo, the defending Allstars Federal-Mogul Funny Car
champion placed first with a track-record 5.917-second run, and
Cliff Bozzelli also claimed the No. 1 spot in Federal-Mogul
Dragster.

   The remaining NHRA Northeast Division representatives are
Barbara Harrison (Super Comp), Jeff Szilagyi (Super Gas), and
George Vickers (Super Street).

   The Federal-Mogul Allstars, which pits the best 64 racers
in eight categories from across the United States in head-to-
head competition, will be televised on espn2 (July 5) and
boasts a $100,000 prize fund, with the team champion sharing
a $20,000 purse.

   DELMAR, Del. -- Final qualifying results Saturday from U.S.
13 Dragway, the third of six events in the 1998 NHRA Northeast
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series listing driver, hometown,
state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed in miles
per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.715, 243.24
2. John Rose Jr., Feasterville, Pa., 5.732, 237.40
3. Ron Still, Smyrna, Del., 5.799, 234.98
4. John Speelman, Manassas, Va., 5.920, 233.76
5. Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.941, 230.82
6. Skip Gladstone, West Chester, Pa., 6.047, 207.85
7. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 6.054, 231.12
8. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 6.511, 226.70

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., ‘98 Avenger, 5.917, 240.25
2. Fran Monaghan Jr., Willow Grove, Pa., ‘97 Avenger, 5.929, 238.53
3. Bobby Martindale, Chester, Pa., ‘93 Daytona, 6.180, 219.51
4. Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., ‘97 Firebird, 6.274, 225.56
5. Bruce Peterson Jr., Waopingers Falls, N.Y., ‘98 Avenger, 6.368, 211.11
6. Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., ‘96 Firebird, 6.518, 218.02
7. Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., ‘97 Avenger, 6.650, 156.54
8. David Rowe, Seabrook, N.H., ‘94 Cutlass, 6.835, 158.14

COMPETITION
1. Jules Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., H/A ‘91 Grand Prix, 8.393 (-0.567)
2. Allen Stanfield, Fredricksburg, Pa., F/SM ‘95 Trans Am, 9.249 (-0.541)
3. Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A ‘94 Trans Am, 7.743 (-0.507)
4. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., E/SM ‘92 Camaro, 8.565 (-0.495)
5. Larry Perkins, Collegeville, Pa., B/EA ‘93 Cutlass, 8.075 (-0.495)
6. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., F/Dragster, 8.385 (-0.475)
7. Don Eckel, Piscataway, N.J., C/Dragster, 7.269 (-0.441)
8. Mark Hopkins, Phoenixville, Pa., C/A ‘92 Beretta, 7.818 (-0.432)

SUPER STOCK
1. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., GT/JA ‘88 Cutlass, 10.621 (-1.029)
2. Ray Scardelli, Manalaoan, N.J., GT/J ‘97 Probe, 10.336 (-1.014)
3. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., GT/EA ‘91 Daytona, 9.961 (-0.989)
4. Bob Hochrun, Colonia, N.J., GT/CA ‘87 Camaro, 9.759 (-0.941)
5. Bucky Hess, Bunkerhill, W.V., SS/AA ‘68 Barracuda, 9.068 (-0.932)
6. Bob Cupp, Alexandria, Va., SS/KA ‘65 Chevelle, 10.626 (-0.924)
7. Gary Curtis, Newburgh, N.Y., GT/FA ‘92 Trans Am, 10.178 (-0.922)
8. Tom Boucher, Byfield, Mass., GT/CA ‘97 Firehawk, 9.799 (-0.901)

STOCK
1. Greg Schmutz, Pompton Plains, N.J., V/SA ‘80 Malibu, 14.649 (-1.151)
2. Todd Bednaz, Terryville, Conn., F/S ‘68 Camaro, 10.992 (-1.108)
3. Evan Smith, Old Bridge, N.J., K/S ‘93 Cobra, 11.760 (-1.090)
4. Mack Cabas, Salem, Ohio, J/SA ‘83 Camaro, 11.668 (-1.082)
5. Don Himes, Clayton, N.J., P/SA ‘77 Grand Prix, 12.669 (-1.081)
6. Kenneth Miele, Pleasantville, N.J., C/SA ‘68 Mustang, 10.634 (-1.066)
7. David LeBrun, Uncasville, Conn., C/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.671 (-1.029)
8. Bob Kemp, Carmel, N.Y., F/S ‘72 Mustang, 11.074 (-1.026)

ROSE, MANZO SOLO TO TITLES AT DELMAR

   U.S. 13 DRAGWAY, Delmar, Del. -- John Rose Jr., and Frank
Manzo emerged victorious at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing
Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway.  Both drivers received a solo
run into the winner’s circle when their scheduled opponents
were unable to make it to the starting line.

   Rose, of Feasterville, Pa. was to have faced Manassas,
Va.’s John Speelman in the final; Speelman’s dragster had
damaged its engine in the semifinals and the team worked
feverishly to make repairs in time for the final.  When the
engine was started it backfired, forcing the team to decline
the run and leaving Rose a solo run of 5.76 seconds.

   Morganville, N.J.’s Manzo, too, accepted a solo run when
scheduled opponent Fran Monaghan Jr. of Willow Grove, Pa.,
could not register any oil pressure in his car’s engine.
While Monaghan’s crew dejectedly pushed their race car back
to the pits Manzo charged to a new U.S. 13 Dragway track
record of 5.88 seconds for the win, his seventh of the 1998
season.

1998 NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Notes ...

   As part of the pre-event promotional effort for the U.S.
13 Dragway event NHRA Northeast Division Director Bob Lang
coordinated a race car display at the Canter at Salisbury
Mall Thursday.  Among the drivers displaying their vehicles
were Super Stock racer Ray Scardelli, Stock competitors Jack
Matyas and Ken Miele, Danny Bastianelli’s Super Comp dragster,
and Mark Cathell’s Super Street entry.

   Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer Fran Monaghan Jr. has a major
sponsor on his ‘97 Dodge Avenger: Para Chem.  Para Chem, an
associate sponsor on the car in 1997, market tile and floor
adhesives under the trade name of Para Bond.  Monaghan,
already a consistent contender in the NHRA Northeast Division,
should be able to challenge perennial East Coast hitters Frank
Manzo and Bob Newberry for class supremacy with the sponsorship
help.

   Qualifying in Competition Eliminator was rough on a couple of
competitors.  During Friday’s time trials Rich LoCicero blew the
engine in his D/A ‘91 Lumina just past the finish line, spraying
the rear tires with oil.  LoCicero did a masterful job of
slowing the car before glancing off the left-lane guardwall and
sliding into the right lane, coming to a halt inches before
hitting the guardwall.  On Saturday Stephen Szupka did a huge
wheelstand his C/Econo Dragster away from the starting line,
slamming down to Earth with a thump.  Szupka was transported to
a local hospital complaining of lower back pain and after a
check up was later released.

   Qualifying also took its toll in the two quick classes at
U.S. 13 Dragway.  The Skip Gladstone-driven, Rich McPhillips-
owned Federal-Mogul Dragster ate an engine on a 6.04-second
lap, bring to five the number of powerplants the team has
worked its way through in 1998.  Ken Winward’s 472-cid Ford-
powered Federal-Mogul Dragster broke the magneto drive while
being warmed in the pits, and neither Winward nor Gladstone
made it to the starting line for the first round of
eliminations.  Mike Kosky damaged the cylinder heads on his
one and only qualifying lap, an 11.03, and put his dragster
in the trailer and headed home.  The carnage wasn’t quite as
dramatic in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, the only driver unable
to make the first-round call was Fred Tigges, who hurt the
engine in his ‘97 Firebird-bodied entry on a 6.27-second
qualifying lap.

   Federal-Mogul Dragster competitor Cliff Bozzelli was a big
hit with the local media, being the subject of a lengthy
feature story on local CBS television affiliate KDOC.

   Bozzelli, aiming for his third-straight U.S. 13 Dragway
event title, was headed to a comfortable semifinal win over
John Speelman when the throttle cable broke at 1,000 feet.
Speelman pushed out the burst panels on his supercharger at
approximately the same time and coasted across the finish 
line inches ahead of Bozzelli, 6.12 to 6.13.

   If qualifying was rough on the five-second Federal-Mogul
Dragsters and Funny Cars, the semifinals were positively
brutal.  Ron Still’s dragster broke an oil fitting on the
burnout prior to his race against John Rose Jr.  John
Speelman banged the supercharger on his victory over Cliff
Bozzelli. Bruce Peterson Jr. was unable to return for his
heat against Frank Manzo after breaking a couple of rockers.
Finally, Darrel Cox’s entry caught fire when the throttle
hung open while racing Fran Monaghan Jr.; Cox was able to
knock down the fire with the car’s on-board extinguisher
system but went off the end of the track doing so.  Cox was
unhurt but does not think he will be able to return this year
because of the engine damage.

   Claiming the $2,500 Winston Top Qualifier bonus at U.S.
13 Dragway were Cliff Bozzelli (Federal-Mogul Dragster),
Frank Manzo (Federal-Mogul Funny Car), Jules Schonberger
(Comp), Tim Worner (Super Stock), and Greg Schmutz (Stock).

DELMAR RESULTS
DIVISION 1 INSTANT STATS
U.S. 13 Dragway, Delmar, Del.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
 	W: John Rose Jr., Feasterville, Pa., 5.76,239.23
	R/U: John Speelman, Manassas, Va., broke

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
 	W: Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., ‘98 Avenger, 5.88, 240.44
	R/U: Fran Monaghan Jr., Willow Grove, Pa., ‘97 Avenger, broke

Competition
 	W: Allen Stanfield, Fredricksburg, Va., F/SM ‘95 Pontiac, 9.20, 146.36
	R/U: Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A ‘94 Trans Am, 9.29, 95.95 (foul start)

Super Stock
 	W: Dan Fletcher, Rochester, N.Y., SS/JA ‘69 Camaro, 10.47, 121.19
	R/U: Steve Hurley, Hebron, Md., SS/OA ‘55 Chevrolet, 11.94, 111.73

Stock
 	W: Bryan Sorce, Orangeville, Pa., L/SA ‘85 Camaro, 12.04, 108.01
	R/U: Bob Mullaney, Rockaway, N.J., R/SA ‘66 Chevrolet, 14.02, 93.01 (broke out)

Super Comp
 	W: Lou Thibault, Georgetown, Del., dragster, 8.90, 161.89
	R/U: Zack Holm, West Chester, Pa., dragster, 8.91, 162.13

Super Gas
 	W: Iggie Boicesco, Warminster, Pa., ‘27-T Ford, 9.90, 153.11
	R/U: Ted Gregonus, Ballston Spa, N.Y., ‘92 Beretta, 9.90, 149.65 (foul start)

Super Street
 	W: Bob Farrell, Pequannock, N.J., ‘69 Camaro, 10.89, 133.76
	R/U: John Schenone, Bellerose, N.Y., ‘70 Nova, 10.86, 139.51 (broke out)