FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHANDLER, AZ -- Results Friday after the first rounds of
qualifying from the NHRA World Series of Drag Racing, the
final event in the Pacific Division’s NHRA Federal-Mogul
Drag Racing Series.

     Racers from all around the country have converged on
Firebird Raceway looking to lock up both National and
Divisional Championships.  Bob Andrews leads a group of six
Comp. Eliminator racers all battling for the National 
Championship.  Johnny Gray leads John Weaver by just seven
points for the Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car
Championship.

     Weaver sits in the pole position after the first of
three qualifying attempts with a 5.722 second run at 244.65
mph.  Gray’s run of 5.868, 246.39 put him in the number two
spot.

     Jimmy DeFrank is hoping to repeat his performance from
a year ago when he took home the win in Super Stock and went
on to win the Winston Finals and the Federal-Mogul Super
Stock Championship in 1997.  DeFrank is currently fifth in
the national points standings chasing Dan Fletcher and Jeff
Taylor, both of who are also competing this weekend.
Fletcher is number one with 641 points, Taylor follows with
598 and DeFrank at 565.  DeFrank is also looking to lock up
the Pacific Division title this weekend and is qualified in
the number three position.

     Melanie Troxel grabbed the number one qualifying
position in the Federal-Mogul Dragster category with a 5.591
second, 250.83 mph run.  Troxel is followed by Shawn Bowen
who recorded a pass of 5.602 at 249.95 mph.

     Qualifying continues on Saturday for all categories
beginning at 9:00 a.m. 

Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualify
at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 7:30 a.m.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Melanie Troxel, Englewood, CO 5.591 e.t., 250.83 mph.
2. Shawn Bowen, Montrose, MI, 5.602 e.t., 249.95 mph.
3. Dale Carlson, Olympia, WA, 5.669 e.t., 246.44 mph.
4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, WA, 5.713 e.t., 238.09 mph.
5. Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, CA, 5.721 e.t., 237.30 mph.
6. Cliff Bingham, Hunington Beach, CA, 5.835 e.t., 230.65 mph.
7. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, NV, 5.850 e.t., 209.01 mph.
8. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, CA, 6.095 e.t., 208.59

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. John Weaver, Handord, CA, ;97 Firebird, 5.722 e.t., 244.65 mph.
2. Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, NM, ‘98 Firebird, 5.868 e.t., 246.39 mph.
3. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, PA, ‘98 Dodge, 5.945 e.t., 242.93 mph.
4. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, CA, ‘96 Firebird, 5.969 e.t., 238.26 mph.
5. Sam Blue, Red Wing, MN, ‘97 Achieva, 5.980 e.t., 240.29 mph.
6. Jason Rupert, Anaheim, CA, ‘97 Camaro, 5.995 e.t., 228.96 mph.
7. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, CA, ‘94 Cutlass, 6.059 e.t., 236.26 mph.
8. Ron August, Pleasanton, CA, ‘94 Cutlass, 6.084 e.t., 236.75 mph.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1. Randy Jones, Dana Point, CA, E/A ‘97 Firebird, 8.257, (-0.673)
2. Bill Kent, Midland, TX, C/D ‘95 Frameworks, 7.187, (-0.573).
3. David Rampy, Piedmont, AL, B/SR ‘34 Roadster, 8.269, (-0.571).
4. Ruben Celedon, Edinburg, TX, D/A ‘94 Cutlass, 8.047, (-0.563).
5. Frank Dayton, Whittier, CA, C/D ‘92 NSP, 7.209, (-0.551).
6. Rick Braum, Redlands, CA, B/EA ‘97 Firebird, 8.045, (-0.545).
7. Lou Ficco, Wheat Ridge, CO, B/A ‘23 Roadster, 7.475, (-0.545).
8. Santo Volpe, Euclid, OH, A/SR ‘34 Roadster, 8.193, (-0.527).
9. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, CA, F/A ‘97 Firebird, 8.696, (-0.514).
10. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, CA, E/SM ‘97 Camero, 8.633, (-0.497).

SUPER STOCK
1. Ronald Fruchey, Oxnard, CA, SS/DX ‘87 Buick, 8.408, (-1.332)
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, NE, SS/NA ‘56 Nomad Wgn, 11.420, -1.210.
3. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, CA, GT/HA ‘89 Camaro, 10.347, -1.163
4. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, CA, SS/BM ‘92 Camaro, 8.703, -1.137
5. Dick Carr, Clovis, CA, SS/B ‘69 Corvette, 9.249, -1.091
6. David Thomas, West Chester, PA, SS/CA ‘69 Chevy, 9.415, -1.085
7. Frank Grossi, Upland, CA, GT/BA ‘96 Oldsmobile, 9.628, -1.072
8. Logan Smith, Loomis, CA, GT/CA ‘87 Cavalier, 9.794, -1.056
9. Tommy Ericksson, Long Beach, CA, GT/DA ‘93 Oldsmobile, 9.941, -1.009
10. Don O’Malley, Decatur, IL, SS/KA ‘64 Corvette, 10.702, -1.008

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Scott North, West Valley City, UT, BF/SA ‘84 Riviera, 14.099, (-1.371)
2. Jason McCormack, Milford, MI, DT/SA ‘98 Dakota, 12.455, -1.235
3. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, CA, J/SA ‘76 Dodge, 11.837, -1.093
4. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, NM, A/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.377, -1.083
5. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, CA, B/SA ‘71 Challenger, 10.628, -1.082
6. Rusty Hall, Sweeny, TX, B/SA ‘69 Mustang, 10.665, -1.045
7. Bill Heard, Jr., Vancouver, WA, E/SA ‘96 Firebird, 11.132, -1.038
8. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, ID, D/S ‘71 Mustang, 10.938, -1.032
9. Robert Pond, Riverside, CA, A/S ‘67 Ford, 10.379, -1.031
10. Paul Haszlauer, Las Vegas, NV, F/SA ‘71 Dodge, 11.308, -1.012

Saturday Qualifying Final:

CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE LINE AT FIREBIRD
        
CHANDLER, AZ -- Results Saturday after final qualifying from
the NHRA  World Series of Drag Racing, the final event in
the Pacific Division’s NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

     John Weaver grabbed the pole position in Federal-Mogul
Funny Car and hopes to grab the Pacific Division points lead
and the championship from Johnny Gray who qualified in the
number six spot.  Weaver crossed the finish line at 5.722
seconds, 244.65 mph to take the pole.  “The car’s running
great and it’s not hurting itself.  There’s no reason we
shouldn’t come out with a 5.72 again tomorrow.  It’s me and
Johnny (Gray), who ever goes further wins the championship”
voiced Weaver after his final qualifying pass.

     Gray’s best time of 5.867 seconds at 246.39 mph puts him
on the opposite side of the ladder meaning that he and Weaver
could square off the in final round for the Championship.
“We’d  be fine if she (his car) would stop spinning the tires 
at mid track” replied Gray.  

     Steve Sommer, who has an outside chance of the title, is
on the bubble with a 5.877 second run at 241.76 mph.

     Rick Henkelman, the National Record holder in Federal-
Mogul Dragster with a run of 5.375 seconds earlier this year,
captured the number one spot with a pass of 5.492 seconds at
255.53 mph. Henkelman has the consistency and is the man to
beat in the dragster category as he posted a 5.523 pass on
his second run of the day. Mark Woods, of Kingsburg, Calif.,
is second with a 5.527 at 244.56 mph.

      The top qualifier in Comp. Eliminator is Randy Jones
while Ronald Fruchey and Scott North will take home the
Winston Top Qualifier money in the Super Stock and Stock
categories  respectively.

     Eliminations for the more than 600 race cars are set
to begin at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Federal-Mogul
Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car begin their
eliminations at 12 noon. Gates open at 7:00 a.m.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Henkelman, San Jose, CA, 5.492 e.t., 255.53 mph
2. Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, CA, 5.527e.t., 244.56 mph
3. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, CA, 5.553 e.t., 248.71 mph.
4. Shawn Bowen, Montrose, MI, 5.569 e.t., 251.81 mph
5. Melanie Troxel, Englewood, CO, 5.585, e.t., 248.93 mph
6. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, UT, 5.590 e.t., 247.70 mph
7. Dale Carlson, Olympia, WA, 5.669 e.t., 246.44 mph
8. Cliff Bingham, Hunington Beach, CA, 5.680 e.t., 246.89 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. John Weaver, Handord, CA, ;97 Firebird, 5.722 e.t., 244.65 mph
2. Larry Minor, Woodbridge, CA, ‘98 Dodge, 5.745 e.t., 251.02 mph
3. Pete Shayne, Orange, CA, ‘98 Firebird, 5.786 e.t., 245.85 mph
4. Bucky Austin, Fife, WA, ‘97 Firebird, 5.829 e.t., 244.12 mph
5. Ron August, Pleasanton, CA, ‘94 Cutlass, 5.863 e.t., 243.99 mph
6. Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, NM, ‘98 Firebird, 5.868 e.t., 246.39 mph.
7. Rod Alexande, Montrose, CA, ‘97 Cutlass, 5.876 e.t., 239.87 mph.
8. Steve Sommer, Nampa, ID, ‘98 Firebird, 5.877 e.t., 241.76 mph

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1. Randy Jones, Dana Point, CA, E/A ‘97 Firebird, 8.257, (-0.673)
2. Lou Ficco, Wheat Ridge, CO, ‘23 Roadster, 7.452, (-0.595)
3. Santo Volpe, Euclid, OH, A/SR ‘34 Roadster, 8.127, (-0.593)
4. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, CA, F/A ‘97 Firebird, 8.628, (-0.582)
5. Bob Andrews, Cement City, MI, E/D ‘88 Dragster, 7.618, (-0.582)
6. David Rampy, Piedmont, AL, B/SR ‘34 Roadster, 8.259, (-0.581)
7. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, MI, I/A ‘23 Ford, 8.090, (-0.580)
8. Bill Kent, Midland, TX, C/D ‘95 Frameworks, 7.187, (-0.573)
9. John Fairleigh, Scott City, KS, B/A ‘97 Firebird, 7.462, (-0.558) 
10. Ruben Celedon, Edinburg, TX, D/A ‘94 Cutlass, 8.047, (-0.563).

SUPER STOCK
1. Ronald Fruchey, Oxnard, CA, SS/DX ‘87 Buick, 8.408, (-1.332)
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, NE, SS/NA ‘56 Nomad Wgn, 11.414, (-1.216)
3. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, CA, GT/HA ‘89 Camaro, 10.347, (-1.163)
4. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, CA, SS/BM ‘92 Camaro, 8.695, (-1.145)
5. Frank Grossi, Upland, CA, GT/BA ‘96 Oldsmobile, 9.586, (-1.114)
6. Dick Carr, Clovis, CA, SS/B ‘69 Corvette, 9.249, (-1.091).
7. David Thomas, West Chester, PA, SS/CA ‘69 Chevy, 9.415, (-1.085).
8. Logan Smith, Loomis, CA, GT/CA ‘87 Cavalier, 9.794, (-1.056).
9. Doug Lambeck, Northridge, CA, SS/CM ‘90 Camaro, 8.997 e.t., (-1.043)
10. Don O’Malley, Decatur, IL, SS/KA ‘64 Corvette, 10.673, (-1.037)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Scott North, West Valley City, UT, BF/SA ‘84 Riviera, 14.099, (-1.371)
2. Jason McCormack, Milford, MI, DT/SA ‘98 Dakota, 12.455, (-1.235)
3. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, CA, J/SA ‘76 Dodge, 11.810, (-1.120)
4. Darin Grossi, Soulseyville, CA, B/SA ‘71 Barracuda, 10.593, (-1.117)
5. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, NM, A/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.344, (-1.116)
6. Kevin Helms, Byers, CO, B/S ‘69 Chevy, 10.551 e.t., (-1.109)
7. Rusty hall, Sween, TX, B/SA ‘69 Mustang, 10.604 e.t., (-1.106)
8. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, CA, B/SA ‘71 Challenger, 10.628, (-1.082)
9. Bill Heard, Jr., Vancouver, WA, E/SA ‘96 Firebird, 11.107 e.t., (-1.063)
10. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, ID, D/S ‘71 Mustang, 10.938, (-1.032)

GRAY CLINCHES FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, CHANDLER, AZ -- Johnny Gray held on
to the Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car points lead and
locked up the 1998 Championship when John Weaver kicked the rods
out of his motor and lost to Bucky Austin in a semi-final match
up. Gray went on to meet up with Austin in the Funny Car final with
Austin taking the win with a pass of 5.814 seconds at 243.85 mph. 

     “We had a good day”, Gray said of the championship. “It
could have been a little better if we’d taken the win, but the
championship is what’s important.” 

     Austin ran quicker and faster throughout the day but still
felt as though the car had more to give. “We were looking for a
high number in the miles per hour. We’ll take the win though”,
commented Austin after the win. This was Austin’s first divisional
win this year to go along with his three national event wins
(Seattle, Sonoma and Brainerd)earlier this year.

     Rick Henkelman recorded runs of 5.53, 5.51 and 5.51 seconds
in going from the number one qualifying position to the Winner’s
Circle for the win in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Henkelman’s 5.514
second pass at 253.95 miles per hour held off a starting line
advantage from number two qualifier Mark Woods Jr.  Woods had a
.479 reaction time with a 5.742 at 233.68 mph run. Henkelman
finishes the year in seconds in the Pacific Division and is
currently fourth in national points going into Pomona for the
final race of the year.

     Tim Landis of Glendale, Ariz., clinched the Pacific
Division Championship in the Super Street category while Luke
Shumard of Santa Clara, Calif. and Chuck Rayburn of Castro
Valley, Calif. took the Championships in Super Comp. and Stock
Eliminator respectively.

     The Super Stock National Championship came down to the
final where Dan Fletcher faced off against Jimmy DeFrank.
Fletcher took the win and the Federal-Mogul Championship by
one one-thousandth of a second. Gary Stinett clinched the
national championship in Super Comp., while Jimmy Lewis took
home the trophy in the Super Gas category.

CHANDLER RESULTS
DIVISION 7 INSTANT STATS
Firebird Int'l Raceway, Chandler, Ariz.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
 	W: Rick Henkelman, San Jose, CA, 5.811, 221.18
	R/U: Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, CA, 5.742, 233.68

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
 	W: Bucky Austin, Fife, WA, ‘97 Firebird, 5.814, 243.85
	R/U: Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, NM, ‘98 Firebird, 5.820, 248.02

Competition
 	W: Santo Volpe, Ecuclid, OH, ‘34 Roadster, 8.220, 144.78
	R/U: David Rampy, Piedmont, Al, ‘34 Roadster, 11.232, 76.18

Super Stock
 	W: Dan Fletcher, Roadchester, NY, ‘69 Chevy, 10.626, 122.83
	R/U: Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, CA, ‘89 Camaro, 10.459, 122.47

Stock
 	W: Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, CA, ‘71 Barracuda, 10.612, 123.69
	R/U: Scotty Richardson, Goodlettsville, TN, ‘69 Camaro, 11.449, 108.59

Super Comp
 	W: Bob Fuller, Rodgers, AR, ‘97 Undercover, 9.001, 155.90
	R/U: Damon Dabbs, Garland, TX, ‘98 Dragster, 9.024, 146.85

Super Gas
 	W: Ed DeStaute, Rosemead, CA, ‘77 Vega, 9.984, 134.86
	R/U: Jim Huges, Phoenix, AZ, ‘98 Corvette, 9.958, 139.65

Super Street
 	W: Jeff Taylor, Evans, CO, ‘66 Nova, 10.995, 130.99
	R/U: Kevin May, Phoenix, AZ, ‘70 Mustang, 10.956, 123.67

SUPER ELIMINATOR
 	W: Larry Winte, Garden Grove, CA, ‘88 Weddle, 8.249, 127.35
	R/U: Clydell J. Bowen, Preston, AZ, ‘93 Dragster, 8.446, 156.86

MOTORCYCLE ET
 	W: Sean Conner, Boulder City, NV, Kawasaki, 9.361, 123.17
	R/U: Steve Kleinberg, Scottsdale, AZ, ‘85 Suzuki, 10.404, 127.22