FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EXPLOSIVE QUALIFYING FOR FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER AND FUNNY CAR

HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, Topeka, Kansas--Friday was a day of fireballs,
flying, parts and loose tires as the All Pro Heartland Championships got
underway with qualifying.

   Federal-Mogul Dragster racer Mark Kinser had a wild ride as his tires
got loose at half track twisting his dragster from side to side. Kinser
regained control of his vehicle, kept on the throttle and is in the field
so far with a 6.61 second pass.  As the announcer exclaimed over the PA
system after Kinser’s run “His tires became square as they tried to walk
themselves off the rims.”

  Sean Bowen also experienced a frightening experience as his car shot out
a ball of alcohol fire.  This explosion was caused as he blew the
supercharger which broke a fuelline.  The fuel ignited instantly into a
ball of fire.  The Heartland Park Topeka and Safety Safari crews were quick
to act and as one NHRA official noted “The fire was extinguished as quickly
as it had started.”

  The top qualifiers for the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny
Car were Bill Hynes, and Cy Chesterman, defending champion of last year’s
race.  Qualifying will continue tomorrow at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM for the
Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car Categories.  Gates open at 8:00 AM.

1998 NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES
First day qualifying positions at Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kansas, the
first of six rounds in the 1998 NHRA West Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag
Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in
seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Bill Hynes, Fairview, Texas, 5.89, 224.88
2. Scott Hartley, Omaha, Neb., 5.925, 195.31
3. Ziggy Zirkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 5.953, 234.80
4. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Oklahoma, 6.204, 221.89
5. Thomas Tusa, Frisco, Col., 6.212, 223.71
6. Bob McCosh, Columbia, Missouri, 6.241, 234.92
7. Mark Kinser, Grimes, Iowa, 6.612, 142.29
8. Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kansas City, 7.613, 142.58

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, 5.978, 216.76
2. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, 6.051, 239.80
3.  Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 6.068, 239.68
4. Sam Blue, Red Wing, Minn., 6.390, 214.13
5. Randy Fleming, Indepedence, Missouri, 6.397, 215.87
6. Jim Farnsworth, Waterloo, Iowa, 6.615, 211.61
7. Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, 13.465, 58.76

COMPETITION
1. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kansas City, B/A '97 Firebird, 7.497 -(0.473)
2. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Col., A/A '23 Chevy, 6.922 -(0.438)
3. Michael Johnson, Lowell, Ariz., B/A '32 Bantam, 7.561 -(0.409)
4. David Myers, Dallas, Tex., B/EA '96 Camaro, 8.175 -(0.395)
5. Nick Ferri, Augusta, Kansas City, C/ED Dragster, 7.598 -(0.392)
6. Lou Ficco, Wheat Ridge, Col., B/A '23 T, 7.596 -(0374)
7. Tom Suggs, Vadnais Heights, Minn., C/EA '95 Pont. GP, 8.477 -(0.373)
8. Mike Artmann, Mound, Minn., A/A '23 Harwood, 6.996, -(0.364)

SUPER STOCK
1. Randy Mans, Rogers, Minn., GT/KA '95 Achieva, 10.970 -(0.780)
2. Clark Rand, Belton, Missouri, GT/AA '90 Camaro, 9.650 -(0.750)
3. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA '56 Nomad, 11.704 -(0.746)
4. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kansas City, GT/IA '98 Firebird, 10.757 -(0.743)
5. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn, SS/AA '68 Dart, 9.290 -(0.710)
6. Abe Loewen, Regina, Canada, SS/EM '97 Olds., 9.706 -(0.694)
7. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., SS/KA '85 Camaro, 10.873 -(0.677)
8. Don Sofranko, Davenport, Iowa, SS/L '66 Nova, 10.883 -(0.667)

STOCK
1. Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Missouri, V/SA '78 Regal, 14.878 -(0.922)
2. Scott Dugdale, Scandia, Minn., N/SA '67 Chevelle, 12.510 -(0.790)
3. Marty Woffard, Gore, Oklahoma, K/S '66 Chevy II, 12.065 -(0.785)
4. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., DT/SA '98 Dodge, 12.766 -(0.734)
5. Randy Shepard, Holmen, Wis., B/S '69 Camaro, 10.841 -(0.659)
6. Roger Knudson, Waterloo, Iowa, B/SA '69 Camaro, 10.907 -(0.643)
7. Brad Harris, Bloomington, Minn., I/SA '73 Mustang, 11.966 -(0.634)
8. Mike Pesek, Inver Grove Hts., Minn., C/S '69 Nova, 11.021 -(0.629)

Saturday Qualifying Final:

LAST MINUTE DELIVERY GIVES BOB MCCOSH TOP QUALIFYING POSITION

HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, Topeka, Kansas--Saturday’s top qualifier
for Federal-Mogul Dragster Bob McCosh almost didn’t make his
final qualifying pass as the day came to an end.  McCosh had
to replace an intake valve due to it an explosion in his engine
earlier in the day.  When the call came over the PA McCosh made
his way to the staging lanes relying on a friend to fly in the
new parts at the last second needed to launch him into the
number one position.  

  McCosh was not only thankful that he made the run down the track
with the fastest time but also said “This great run was done not
only because of my great crew but because Fred Mandoline helped
us so much in tuning our Dragster to where we needed it to be.”

  Cy Chesterman was the top qualifier for Federal-Mogul Funny Car
after the last run.  In the qualifying session at 1:00 PM
Chesterman’s car lost its throttle control at the starting line
causing the car to slowly drift down to the end of the track.
Chesterman felt that although a win this weekend was very
important “This weekend’s race is for testing our car to make
sure it’s ready for the season.”

  Eliminations for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Cars start
at 1:00 PM. Gates open at 8:00 AM to make sure that the more
than 500 cars that have registered for this race all get their
chance at a run down the track.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES
Final qualifying positions at Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka,
Kansas, the first of six rounds in the 1998 NHRA West Central
Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver,
hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in
miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Bob McCosh, Columbia, Missouri, 5.617, 251.81
2. Mark Kinser, Grimes, Iowa, 5.707, 246.37 
3. Bill Hynes, Fairview, Texas, 5.764, 249.86
4. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.795, 242.26
5. Ziggy Zirkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 5.874, 237.46
6. Scott Hartley, Omaha, Neb., 5.925, 195.31
7. Thomas Tusa, Frisco, Col., 6.062, 226.47
8. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.204, 221.89

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, 5.882, 243.11
2. Stan Smith, Wichita, Kansas City, 7.401, 241.41
3. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, 6.051, 239.80
4. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 6.068, 239.68
5. Sam Blue, Red Wing, Minn., 6.181, 232.73
5. Randy Fleming, Independence, Missouri, 6.397, 215.87
6. Jim Farnsworth, Waterloo, Iowa, 6.445, 224.21
8. Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, 6.815, 211.16

COMPETITION
1. John Geyer, Santa Barbara, Calif., A/D ‘96 Dragster, 6.736 -(0.504)
2. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kansas City, B/A ‘97 Firebird, 7.497 -(0.473) 
3. Mike Wharram, Morton, Ill., B/ED ‘97 Lack, 7.215 -(0.445) 
4. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Col., A/A ‘23 Chevy, 6.922 -(0.438)
5. Michael Johnson, Lowell, Ariz., B/A ‘32 Bantam, 7.561 -(0.409)
6. David Myers, Dallas, Tex., B/EA ‘96 Camaro, 8.175 -(0.395)
7. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., C/ED ‘92 Fritz, 7.596 -(0.394)
8. Nick Ferri, Augusta, Kansas City, C/ED Dragster, 7.598 -(0.392)

SUPER STOCK
1. Randy Mans, Rogers, Minn., GT/KA ‘95 Achieva, 10.958 -(0.792)
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA ‘56 Nomad, 11.663 -(0.787)
3. Clark Rand, Belton, Missouri, GT/AA ‘90 Camaro, 9.650 -(0.750)
4. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kansas City, GT/IA ‘98 Firebird, 10.757 -(0.743)
5. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn, SS/AA ‘68 Dart, 9.290 -(0.710)
6. Abe Loewen, Regina, Canada, SS/EM ‘97 Olds., 9.706 -(0.694)
7. Ray Kennedy, Stillwater, Minn., GT/EA ‘92 Camaro, 10.873 -(0.686)
 Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., SS/KA ‘85 Camaro, 10.873 -(0.677)
8. Don Sofranko, Davenport, Iowa, SS/L ‘66 Nova, 10.878 -(0.672)

STOCK
1. Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Missouri, V/SA ‘78 Regal, 14.878 -(0.922)
2. Marty Woffard, Gore, Oklahoma, K/S ‘66 Chevy II, 12.065 -(0.785)
3. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., DT/SA ‘98 Dodge, 12.766 -(0.734)
4. Randy Shepard, Holmen, Wis., B/S ‘69 Camaro, 10.841 -(0.659)
5. Dave Picht, Oakdale, Minn., E/S ‘72 Ford, 11.295 -(0.655)
6. Roger Knudson, Waterloo, Iowa, B/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.907 -(0.643)
7. Brad Harris, Bloomington, Minn., I/SA ‘73 Mustang, 11.966 -(0.634)
8. Mike Pesek, Inver Grove Hts., Minn., C/S ‘69 Nova, 11.021 -(0.629)

NO EXPECTATIONS NET BIG WIN FOR FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR WINNER

   HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, Topeka, Kansas --Sunday eliminations
of All Pro Auto Parts’ Heartland Championship produced two big
winners for the Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Dragster catagories.

  This was Federal-Mogul Funny Car Driver Stan Smith’s first
race of the year.  Smith’s first race was a major victory because
he came to this event expecting nothing more than to make a few
qualifying runs to test out the new engine in hopes of making
several championship runs later in the year.

  Smith said that “If we just got the car started we would be
happy.”  Smith certainly got his car running right, and is
looking to lower his elapsed time (ET) in future races to make
sure their wins continue.

  Federal-Mogul Dragster Driver Bill Hynes was the other big
winner this weekend.  He had a run down the track by himself
as Darryl Hitchman was a no show for the final round due engine
parts that were used up early in the race and which were no
longer available.

  Hynes said of Hitchman “We’re good friends so I felt really
bad about his situation, we had our trailers set right next to
each other with the canopies touching each other.”  Hynes also
said “It was good to get a run down the track even without
another competitor so we could test the car once more before
our next race.”

TOPEKA RESULTS
DIVISION 5 INSTANT STATS
Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kan.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
 	W: Bill Hynes, Fairview, Tex., ‘96 Dragster, 5.534, 246.84
	R/U: Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., no show engine problems

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
 	W: Stan Smith, Wichita, Kansas, ‘97 Mustang, 5.960, 244.36
	R/U: Sam Blue, Red Wing, Minn., 9.420, 94.14 (Lost traction mid track)

Competition
 	W: John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kansas, B/A ‘97 Firebird, 7.440, 182.22
	R/U: David Myers, Dallas, Tex., B/EA ‘96 Camaro, 8.159, 165.33

Super Stock
 	W: Tom Cassen, North Platte, Neb., GT/BA ‘96 Oldsmobile, 9.904, 132.54
	R/U: Randy Mans, Rogers, Minn., FT/KA ‘95 Achieva, 10.792, 125.01

Stock
 	W: Joe Demarais, Forest Lake, Minn., G/SA ‘72 Skylark, 11.551, 109.35
	R/U: Jack Briner, Waterloo, Iowa, D/SA ‘72 Corvette, 11.277, 117.49

Super Comp
 	W: Tim Mazur, St. Joseph, Missouri, ‘96 Fritz, 8.925, 172.97
	R/U: Dan Eichem, Wamego, Kansas, ‘92 Dragster, 8.864, 157.72

Super Gas
 	W: Gary McMann, Marengo, Iowa, ‘77 Monza, 9.939, 133.37
	R/U: Wade Trampe, Elm Creek, ‘93 Beretta, 9.965, 141.33

Super Street
 	W: Jeff Taylor, Evans, Col., ‘66 Nova, 10.928, 122.46
	R/U: Ricky Hill, Omaha, Neb., ‘69 Camaro, 10.900, 121.22