FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WORLD CHAMP LEADS SONOMA DRAGSTERS

   SEARS POINT RACEWAY, Sonoma, Calif. -- Reigning Federal-Mogul
Dragster world champion Rick Santos of San Leandro, Calif.,
leads all comers at the Team Chevrolet/Froggy FM Festival of
Fire drag race at Sears Point Raceway.

   Santos, driving Jack O’Bannon’s dragster, is the provisional
pole-sitter with a 5.69-second run at 238.66 miles per hour at
the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event.

   “The track is fine for the first 200 feet,” said Santos,
who is undefeated in dragster competition in 1998, “but from
there on it’s real loose.  There’s no grip at all.”

   A NASCAR race held the previous weekend at the multi-
purpose facility may be contributing to the lack of grip; the
drag track also is part of the NASCAR course, as Santos
explained.  “The [drag] track gets loose right where the NASCARs
were making their left turn up the hill, and that’s where all
the dragsters and Funny Cars were getting loose.  The on-board
data recorder shows the car was spinning the tires for the final
half of the track.”

   Carlsbad, N.M.’s Johnny Gray, the provisional pole-sitter in
Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a 5.95-second run at 244.64 mph,
echoed Santos’ thoughts on the racing surface.

   “There’s no question that the track has no grip right where
the NASCARs make their turn,” stated Gray.  “When you get to that
part of the track, the car feels as though it rocks to the left
and then to the right.  It really unsettles the car.

   “Still, it’s the same for everyone and we’re all going to have
to figure a way down the track,” Gray added.

   Qualifying continues at Sears Point Raceway Saturday July 4,
with the Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Car
scheduled to make two more time-trial attempts at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

   SONOMA, Calif. -- Provisional qualifying results Friday from
Sears Point Raceway, the fourth of six events in the 1998 NHRA
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series listing driver, hometown, state,
vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.691, 238.66
2. Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.751, 244.91
3. Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, Calif., 5.752, 236.55
4. Steve Faria, Tulare, Calif., 5.767, 244.93
5. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6.059, 214.86
6. Tom Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 6.181, 220.51
7. Brad Hansen, Bellevue, Wash., 6.568, 225.08
8. Johnny Klassen, Los Gatos, Calif., 7.130, 131.91

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, N.M., ‘98 Firebird, 5.957, 244.64
2. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., ‘97 Firebird, 6.004, 240.07
3. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., ‘92 Trans Am, 6.038, 236.69
4. Steve Gasparelli, West Covina, Calif., ‘98 Avenger, 6.055, 211.30
5. Ron August Jr., Danville, Calif., ‘94 Cutlass, 6.110, 238.42
6. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., ‘95 Achieva, 6.121, 236.27
7. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., ‘97 Camaro, 6.692, 211.82
8. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., ‘98 Avenger, 6.905, 143.53

COMPETITION
1. Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., C/SR ‘33 Ford, 8.816 seconds, 146.94 (-0.584)
2. Rick Houser, Pasadena, Calif., C/SR ‘34 Chevrolet, 8.846, 148.65 (-0.554)
3. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., B/EA ‘97 Trans Am, 8.040, 168.33 (-0.530)
4. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., E/SM ‘92 Camaro, 8.543, 160.10 (-0.517)
5. Phil Cocuzza, Van Nuys, Calif., B/EA ‘95 Pontiac, 8.054, 168.61 (-0.516)
6. Darren Davis, Upland, Calif., B/EA ‘97 Firebird, 8.069, 165.79 (-0.501)
7. John Johnston, Placentia, Calif., E/ED dragster, 8.718, 146.93 (-0.482)
8. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, Calif., F/A ‘97 Firebird, 8.705, 156.63 (-0.465)

SUPER STOCK
1. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., SS/B ‘69 Chevrolet, 9.187 seconds, 149.83 (-1.013)
2. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/CA ‘98 Pontiac, 10.201, 129.34 (-0.999)
3. Howard Thompson Jr., Wildomer, GT/EA ‘95 Ford, 9.983, 134.08 (-0.967)
4. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA ‘89 Chevrolet, 10.407, 127.25 (-0.943)
5. Logan Smith, Loomis, Calif., GT/CA ‘87 Cavalier, 9.765, 136.22 (-0.935)
6. Shane Haserjian, Van Nuys, Calif., SS/AS ‘90 Chevrolet, 8.983, 150.39 (-0.917)
7. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM ‘57 Chevrolet, 8.645, 155.59 (-0.905)
8. Tommy Eriksson, Long Beach, Calif., GT/CA ‘93 Ciera, 9.810, 135.25 (-0.890)

STOCK
1. Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Chrysler, 10.563, 124.58 (-0.987)
2. Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., F/SA ‘74 Dodge, 11.171, 117.26 (-0.979)
3. Don Little, Westley, Calif., A/SA ‘70 Plymouth, 10.247, 128.26 (-0.953)
4. Martha Thompson, Temecula, Calif., D/SA ‘97 Pontiac, 10.902, 122.64 (-0.948)
5. Ron Durham, Cameron Park, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Chevelle, 10.622, 123.57 (-0.928)
6. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Dodge, 10.629, 111.70 (-0.921)
7. Jim Durham, Vacaville, Calif., G/SA ‘72 Plymouth, 11.430, 115.69 (-0.870)
8. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA ‘70 Plymouth, 10.831, 122.00 (-0.869)

Saturday Qualifying Final:

HENKELMAN, GRAY LEAD SEARS POINT FIELD

   SEARS POINT RACEWAY, Sonoma, Calif. -- Rick Henkelman of
San Jose, Calif., and Carlsbad, N.M.’s Johnny Gray will
begin eliminations at the Team Chevrolet/Froggy FM Festival
of Fire drag race from the pole position in Federal-Mogul
Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car, respectively.

   Concluding qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag
Racing Series event at Sears Point Raceway, Henkelman
recorded a 5.50-second run during Saturday’s opening time-
trial sessions, then watched as early pace-setter Rick
Santos of San Leandro, Calif., (5.51 seconds) and Dickinson,
Texas’ Shane Gay (5.55 seconds) failed to bump him from the
pole position.

   “The car did exactly what we wanted it to do,” explained
Henkelman, who declined to make a run in the third and final
qualifying session.  “The racing conditions posed some
unique problems: we had 5.40 air but only a 5.50 track.  We
made some simple changes to the clutch and the (rear) wing
and the car responded.  Had either Rick or Shane gone quicker
than the 5.50, I think we could have run a 5.48 or a 5.49,
but it would have been close.”

   Gray also recorded his best run during Saturday’s opening
qualifying session, recording a 5.79-second lap to put a
tenth-of-a-second between himself and second-placed Steve
Sommer.  Sommer, of Nampa, Idaho, was not qualified for the
eight-car field prior to the final qualifying session but 
came through with a clutch 5.89-second run.

   Final eliminations begin at 8:00 a.m., with the
quarterfinals in Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul
Funny Car scheduled to start at 12 noon.

   SONOMA, Calif. -- Final qualifying results Saturday from
Sears Point Raceway, the fourth of six events in the 1998
NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver,
hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed
in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.506, 248.12
2. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.517, 255.03
4. Shane Gay, Dickinson, Texas, 5.552, 247.75
3. Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, Calif., 5.662, 232.26
5. Steve Faria, Tulare, Calif., 5.734, 248.15
6. Cliff Bingham, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.880, 236.83
7. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.880, 218.90
7. Jeff Donnell, Anaheim, Calif., 5.888, 198.78

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, N.M., ‘98 Firebird, 5.797, 248.55
2. Steve Sommer, Nampa, Idaho, ‘98 Firebird, 5.891, 241.59
2. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., ‘97 Firebird, 5.921, 243.63
8. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., ‘98 Avenger, 5.927, 237.08
5. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., ‘95 Achieva, 5.951, 241.63
4. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., ‘97 Firebird, 5.965, 243.57
6. Ron August Jr., Danville, Calif., ‘94 Cutlass, 5.987, 238.78
3. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., ‘92 Trans Am, 5.992, 238.25

COMPETITION
1. Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., C/SR ‘33 Ford, 8.816, 146.94 (-0.584)
2. Rick Houser, Pasadena, Calif., C/SR ‘34 Chevrolet, 8.846, 148.65 (-0.554)
3. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., B/EA ‘97 Trans Am, 8.040, 168.33 (-0.530)
4. John Johnston, Placentia, Calif., E/ED dragster, 8.678, 146.60 (-0.522)
5. Randy Jones, Dana Point, Calif., D/A ‘97 Pontiac, 8.020, 170.07 (-0.520)
6. Darren Davis, Upland, Calif., B/EA ‘97 Firebird, 8.051, 166.66 (-0.519)
7. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., E/SM ‘92 Camaro, 8.542, 160.10 (-0.518)
8. Phil Cocuzza, Van Nuys, Calif., B/EA ‘95 Pontiac, 8.054, 168.61 (-0.516)

SUPER STOCK
1. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., SS/B ‘69 Chevrolet, 9.187 , 149.83 (-1.013)
2. Howard Thompson Jr., Wildomer, GT/EA ‘95 Ford, 9.946, 136.10 (-1.004)
3. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/CA ‘98 Pontiac, 10.198, 129.30 (-1.002)
4. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., SS/BM ‘95 Achieva, 8.736, 155.71 (-0.964)
5. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA ‘89 Chevrolet, 10.388, 127.00 (-0.962)
6. Logan Smith, Loomis, Calif., GT/CA ‘87 Cavalier, 9.765, 136.22 (-0.935)
7. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., SS/MA ‘64 Mercury, 11.226, 117.34 (-0.924)
8. Tommy Eriksson, Long Beach, Calif., GT/CA ‘93 Ciera, 9.778, 135.10 (-0.922)

STOCK
1. Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., F/SA ‘74 Dodge, 11.094, 118.36 (-1.056)
2. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Dodge, 10.501, 124.67 (-1.049)
3. Martha Thompson, Temecula, Calif., D/SA ‘97 Pontiac, 10.813, 122.94 (-1.037)
4. Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Chrysler, 10.563 (-0.987)
5. Don Little, Westley, Calif., A/SA ‘70 Plymouth, 10.347, 128.26 (-0.953)
6. Ron Durham, Cameron Park, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Chevelle, 10.604, 124.44 (-0.946)
7. Tom Roberts, Modesto, Calif., C/SA ‘70 Plymouth, 11.825, 111.33 (-0.925)
8. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA ‘70 Plymouth, 10.796, 121.86 (-0.904)

SANTOS WIN RACE, CHAMPIONSHIP

   SEARS POINT RACEWAY, Sonoma, Calif. -- Reigning Federal-
Mogul Dragster national and Pacific Division champion Rick
Santos of San Leandro, Calif., proved unbeatable Sunday in
winning the Team Chevrolet/Froggy FM Festival of Fire drag
race at Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, Calif., the fourth of
six events on the 1998 NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul
Drag Racing Series.

   The final-round victory over Tulare, Calif.’s Steve
Faria -- 5.58 seconds to a red-lighting 5.71 seconds --
gave Santos his seventh event win of the year and clinched
the Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Dragster title with two
events still remaining on the calendar.

   “It’s like a dream,” said Santos, who is 23-0 in Federal-
Mogul Series competition in 1998.  “You keep thinking you’ll
wake up and someone will tell you it’s not real.  

   “This is a great team; whenever our backs are to the wall
we find a way to win,” added Santos.  “The car wanted to
shake the tires all weekend, we were facing Shane Gay, who
had earlier ran a 5.54, in the semifinal and we had to make
a clutch adjustment to get the car downtrack.  And we came
through.  This is great.”

   Joining Santos in the winners’ circle was Nampa, Idaho’s
Steve Sommer, who scored an upset victory in Federal-Mogul
Funny Car over No. 1 qualifier Johnny Gray.

   Going into the final qualifying sessions Sommer’s Pontiac
Firebird wasn’t qualified and even Sommer didn’t rate his
chances of making Sunday eliminator field.  “I wouldn’t have
given you 10-cents for my chances of making the show,” he said.

   Sommer recorded a 5.89-second run to start second in the
Federal-Mogul Funny Car field and faced Carlsbad, N.M.’s Gray
in the final.  After gaining a starting-line advantage Sommer’s
car began to spin the tires 300-feet downtrack.

   “When [the car is] doing that you have an instant to decide
what you’re going to do,” explained Sommer, who defeated Gray
in a 5.93-second to 5.90-second duel.  “You don’t know if the
car is shaking or smoking the tires, and you have to decide if
you want to blip the throttle and settle down the car, or do
you drive through it.”

   Sommer drove through and claimed the win.

SONOMA RESULTS
DIVISION 7 INSTANT STATS
Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
 	W: Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.58, 246.60
	R/U: Steve Faria, Tulare, Calif. 5.71, 248.27 (foul)

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
 	W: Steve Sommer, Nampa, Idaho., ‘98 Firebird, 5.93, 244.33
	R/U: Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, N.M., ‘98 Firebird, 5.90, 244.65

Competition
 	W: Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., B/EA ‘97 Trans Am, 8.04, 167.92
	R/U: John Johnston, Placentia, Calif., E/ED dragster, 8.78, 124.59
        (foul)

Super Stock
 	W: John Calvert, Lancaster, Calif., SS/G ‘68 Mustang, 10.34, 123.88
	R/U: John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., GT/BA ‘91 Oldsmobile, 9.66, 136.34
        (foul)

Stock
 	W: Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., N/SA ‘79 Malibu, 12.76, 96.65
	R/U: Eric Waldo, Richmond, Wash., C/S 69 Mustang, 10.95, 121.87
         (break out)

Super Comp
 	W: Randy Harrision, Upland, Calif., ‘91 Lumina, 8.90, 160.54
	R/U: Luke Shumard, Santa Clarita, Calif., dragster, 8.93, 148.19

Super Gas
 	W: Steve Williams, Loma Linda, Calif., ‘62 Corvette, 9.90, 159.27
	R/U: Dean Hall, Guernerville, Calif., ‘67 Camaro, 9.87, 133.13
         (break out)

Super Street
 	W: Ed Carey, San Diego, Calif., ‘71 Camaro, 10.93, 131.94
	R/U: Brett Waldron, Port Angeles, Wash., ‘67 Camaro, 10.92, 129.48