FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR COMPETITORS BARTONE AND MANZO LOCKED IN A DUEL FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
DINWIDDIE, Va. - Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot Tony Bartone came to Virginia Motorsports Park with one thing in mind - to steal the national championship from the defending champion Frank Manzo. And Manzo came from New Jersey to stop him.

But with his victory this weekend, Bartone, from Manhasett, N.Y., moved a step closer to the crown. "It's not over by a long shot," said Bartone. "But we'll just keep winning rounds and let NHRA sort it out in the end." Bartone is now within 24 points of Manzo.

"He's had really good luck this year," said Manzo, a Morganville, N.J., resident. "We've had good luck but Tony's has been a little better every time we face him. We've gone head-to-head four times now and four times he's beat us."

In the final, Manzo outran Bartone, 5.676 seconds to 5.711 seconds, but Bartone had a much better reaction time at the starting line, giving him the hole-shot victory. In the Federal-Mogul Dragster final, Smyrna, Del.'s, Ron Still beat Bob Bears, Jr. of Clearwater, Fla. Still made a 5.674-second, 248.20 mph pass to Bears' 5.737-second, 232.31 mph effort.

Winners in other categories were Tom Eckroth, Mahwah, N.J., in Comp; Joe LoCicero, Lithonia, Ga., in Super Stock; Scott Welborn, Columbia, S.C., in Stock; Bud Damron, Morriston, Fla., in Super Comp; Dan Northrop, Doylestown, Pa., in Super Gas; and Scott Gardner, McAffee, N.J., in Super Street.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
8) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.653 (e.t.), 239.65 def.
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.736 e.t., 248.93 mph

2) Ron Still, Smyrna, Del., 5.771 e.t., 246.08 mph def.
7) Michael Bartone, Great River, N.Y., 5.963 e.t., 232.91 mph

3) Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 5.730 e.t., 248.07 mph def.
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 6.083 e.t., 189.26 mph

5) Bob Bears, Clearwater, Fla., 5.744 e.t., 230.88 mph def.
4) Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.741 e.t., 245.18 mph

Round 2
Bears, 5.817 e.t., 232.19 mph def.
McPhillips, 6.255 e.t., 185.82 mph

Still, 5.706 e.t., 245.05 mph def.
Foley, 5.907 e.t., 192.58 mph

Final Round
Still, 5.674 e.t., 248.20 mph def.
Bears, 5.7737 e.t., 232.31 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.868 e.t., 244.78 mph def.
8) Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., broke

2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 5.788 e.t., 249.63 mph def.
7) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., 6.311 e.t., 221.67 mph

3) Steve Harker, Gainsville, Australia, 6.175 e.t., def.
Fran Managhan, Willow Grove, Pa., 6) 6.894 e.t., 145.44 mph

4) Melinda Green, Norfolk, Va., 6.159 e.t., 227.27 mph def.
5) Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., 6.270 e.t., 234.29 mph

Round 2
Bartone, 5.821 e.t., 245.32 mph def.
Green, 6.133 e.t., 225.94 mph

Manzo, 5.908 e.t., 247.97 mph def.
Harker, 6.065 e.t., 238.98 mphs

Final Round
Bartone, 5.711 e.t., 248.20 mph def.
Manzo, 5.676 e.t., 249.30

COMP ELIMINATOR
Tom Eckroth, Mahwah, N.J., '94 Pontiac, C/A, 7.676, 176.21 def.
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '97 Grand Am, D/SM, 8.157, 159.66

SUPER STOCK
Joe Locicero, Lithonia, Ga., '87 Chevy Camaro, GT/CA, 10.013, 120.60 def.
George Tamasi, Downington, Pa., '99 Pontiac Firebird, GT/GA, 10.198, 114.81

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Scott Wellborn, Columbia, S.C., '68 Chevy Chevelle, G/SA, 11.637, 110.33 def.
Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, S.C., '85 Chevy, K/SA, 11.996, 109.68

SUPER COMP
Bud Damron, Morriston, Fla., '99 dragster, 8.907, 157.17 def.
Jack Sepanek, Moosic, Pa., '97 dragster, 8.977, 150.87

SUPER GAS
Dan Northrop, Doylestown, Pa., '75 Vega, 9.918, 134.89 def.
Teve Drummond, Laurel, Del., '68 Ford Mustang, 9.871, 150.30

SUPER STREET
Scott Gardner, McAffee, N.J., '89 Ford Thunderbird,10.918, 122.98 def.
Allen Morrissette, Chesterfield, Va., '78 Chevy Camaro, 10.928, 127.65

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

F/M DRAGSTER TOP QUALIFIER ROCKETS FROM WORST TO FIRST
DINWIDDIE, Va. - Michael Gunderson is on his way to his third straight NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series victory. Going into the final qualifying session at Virginia Motorsports Park the Middleburg, Fla., resident was not even in the show. However, a 5.627-second run at 251.72 mph rocketed him past the other eight contenders to place him solidly in the number one qualifying position. Gunderson, who has been the top qualifier at four out of five Federal-Mogul events in the Southeast division, won earlier this year in Orlando, Fla., Reynolds, Ga., and Atlanta.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car Tony Bartone maintained his number-one position throughout the day. He improved on yesterday's 6.000-second effort with a 5.793-second, 240 mph pass. Like Gunderson, Bartone, of Manhasset, N.Y., has been to the winner's circle in the Southeast division three times. Bartone won in Gainesville, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Atlanta. Top qualifiers in other categories are Larry Pritchett, of Clarkrange, Tenn., in Comp; Steve Matukas, of Alvaton, Ky., in Super Stock; and Woodro Josey, of Byron, Ga., in Stock.

There was one record set today in the Stock class. It will become official pending an NHRA inspection of the car. Bob Silfies of Easton, Pa., drove his M/SA 1974 Chevy Malibu to a 12.30-second, 104.97 mph pass.

Eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park begin Sunday. Gates open at 9 a.m. and racing action starts at 10 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars are scheduled to make begin round-one at 1 p.m. For more information call the track at (804) 862-3174

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Virginia is for Lovers Fall Classic event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.627, 251.72 vs.
8) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 6.049, 228.15

2) Ron Still, Smyrna, Del., 5.677, 243.72 vs.
7) Michael Bartone, Great River, N.Y., 5.890, 241.32

3) Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 5.720, 248.80 vs.
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.816, 241.97

4) Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.750, 244.25 vs.
5) Bob Bears, Clearwater, Fla., 5.796, 224.28
 --- Not qualified ---
Arthur Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 6.751, 198.85

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.793 seconds, 240.81 mph vs.
8) Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 6.272, 222.25

2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 5.808, 247.97 vs.
7) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., 6.231, 222.00

3) Steve Harker, Gainsville, Aust., 5.990, 238.98 vs.
6) Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., 6.085, 239.78

4) Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., 6.036, 238.72 vs.
5) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., 6.079, 229.04
 --- Not qualified ---
William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., 9.064, 95.15

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM, 8.180, -0.590
2. Santo Volpe, Euclid, Ohio, A/SR, 8.041, -0.589
3. Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, N.Y., E/ED, 8.560, 0.570
4. Tom Eckroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A, 7.665, -0.565
5. Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., H/A, 8.343, -0.547
6. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., E/SM, 8.455, -0.535
7. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., F/D, 8.330, -0.510
8. Dave Strouse, Morganville, N.J., B/A, 7.368, -0.502
9. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., B/ED, 7.113, -0.497
10. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., D/ED, 7.627, -0.493

SUPER STOCK
1. Steve Matukas, Alvaton, Ky., '66 Chevrolet Nova, SS/GA, 9.845, -1.005
2. David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Chevrolet Corvette, SS/BA, 9.212, -0.988
3. Leon Maranian, Davidsonville, Md., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.669, -0.981
4. Johnny Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/HA, 9.926, -0.974
5. Bob Reed, Salisbury, N.C., '68 Barracuda, SS/A, 8.978, -0.972
6. Brian Tilburg, Trout Run, Pa., '89 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/JA, 10.678, -0.972
7. Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Chrysler Bel Air, SS/OA, 11.636, -0.964
8. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Dodge Daytona, GT/EA, 9.993, -0.957
9. Bruce Riley, Halifax, N.S., Can., '71 Chevrolet Chevelle, SS/EA,  9.697, -0.953
10. Tom Parham, Greensboro, N.C., '68 Dodge Dart, SS/AA, 9.054, -0.946

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Pontiac Firebird, D/SA, 10.717, -1.133
2. Mark Lewis, Inman, S.C., '74 Chevrolet Nova, K/SA, 11.871, -1.079
3. Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Va., '83 Chevrolet Malibu Wagon, M/SA, 12.073, -1.077
4. Joe Gabarine, Neptune, N.J., '99 Pontiac, G/SA, 11.248, -1.052
5. Fred Thibeault, Annapolis, N.S., Can., '69 Chevrolet, B/SA, 10.514, -1.036
6. Matt Morgan, Faulkner, Md., '69 Ford Mustang, 10.666, -1.034
7. Paul Boster, Patalaska, Ohio, '97 Firebird, D/SA, 10.818, -1.032
8. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., '72 Mustang, G/SA, 11.290, -1.010
9. Brandon Wood, Meigs, Ga., Cherolet Camaro, L/SA, 12.009, -0.991
10. Scott Welborn, Columbia, S.C., '68 Chevrolet Chevelle, 11.309, -0.991

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST ROUNDS OF QUALIFYING COMPLETE AT VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK VIRINGIA IS FOR LOVERS FALL CLASSIC
DINWIDDIE, Va. - In the first rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Virginia Motorsports Park Tony Bartone leads the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category and Ron Still leads the Federal-Mogul dragster class.

Bartone, who is locked in a battle for the national championship with defending champion Frank Manzo, made a superb 6.000-second run. The Manhasset, N.Y., resident claims the Southeast division as his home and so should have the home field advantage over Manzo who is from Morganville, N.J. Manzo's initial effort of the weekend was a sub-par 9.933-second 85.08 mph run.

Norfolk, Va., resident Melinda Green-King is in the second qualifying spot with a 6.591-second, 162.80 mph run.

Still, of Smyrna, Del., made a 5.677-second pass at 243.72 mph. Still also currently holds the top speed of the event but was nearly matched by that of Dough Foley of Tarrytown, N.Y., who ran 243.19 mph.

Leaders in other categories are Tom Eckroth of Mahwah, N.J., in Comp; David Thomas of West Chester, Pa., in Super Stock; and Woodro Josey of Byron, Ga., in Stock.

Qualifying continues Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park. Gates open at 9 a.m. and racing begins at 10 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars are scheduled to run at 4 and 7 p.m. For more information call the track at (804) 862-3174.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Ron Still, Smyrna, Del., 5.677 seconds, 243.72 mph
2. Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 5.766, 243.19
3. Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.827, 238.09
4. Bob Bears, Clearwater, Fla., 5.847, 221.85
5. Michael Bartone, Great River, N.Y., 6.021, 209.52

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 6.000 seconds, 238.01 mph
2. Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., 6.591, 162.80
3. Steve Harker, Gainsville, Aust., 7.725, 111.60
4. William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., 9.064, 95.15
5. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 9.933, 85.08
6. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., 21.203, 34.19

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Tom Eckroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A, 7.665 seconds, -0.565 under index
2. Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., H/A, 8.343, -0.547
3. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM, 8.235, -0.535
4. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., E/SM, 8.455, -0.535
5. Dave Strouse, Morganville, N.J., B/A, 7.368, -0.502
6. Mike Saye, Johnson, S.C., G/A, 8.955, -0.485
7. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., F/D, 8.369, -0.471
8. Jerry, Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., B/A, 7.413, -0.457
9. Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., A/EA, 7.593, -0.437
10. Don Kilheffer, Carlisle, Pa., C/ED, 7.561, -0.429

SUPER STOCK
1. David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Chevrolet Corvette, SS/BA, 9.212, -0.988
2. Leon Maranian, Davidsonville, Md., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.669, -0.981
3. Bob Reed, Salisbury, N.C., '68 Barracuda, SS/A, 8.978, -0.972
4. Brian Tilburg, Trout Run, Pa., '89 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/JA, 10.678, -0.972
5. Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Chrysler Bel Air, SS/OA, 11.636, -0.964
6. Bruce Riley, Halifax, N.S., Can., '71 Chevrolet Chevelle, SS/EA,  9.697, -0.953
7. Tom Parham, Greensboro, N.C., '68 Dodge Dart, SS/AA, 9.054, -0.946
8. Peter Biondo, Clarksburg, N.J., '99 Pontiac Firebird, GT/FA, 10.167, -0.933
9. Joey Warren, Clinton, N.C., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.812, -0.888
10. Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Olds Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.875, -0.875 

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Pontiac Firebird, D/SA, 10.732, -1.118
2. Bill Hawk, Manassas, Va., '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.763, -1.087
3. Mark Lewis, Inman, S.C., '74 Chevrolet Nova, K/SA, 11.871, -1.079
4. Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Va., '83 Chevrolet Malibu Wagon, M/SA, 12.073, -1.077
5. Joe Gabarine, Neptune, N.J., '99 Pontiac, G/SA, 11.248, -1.052
6. Fred Thibeault, Annapolis, N.S., Can., '69 Chevrolet, B/SA, 10.545, -1.005
7. Brandon Wood, Meigs, Ga., Cherolet Camaro, L/SA, 12.009, -0.991
8. Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Chevy, K/SA, 11.961, -0.989
9. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., '72 Ford Mustang, G/SA, 11.332, -0.968
10. Jack Zimmerman, Clemmons, N.C., '71 Dodge Challenger, B/SA, 10.607, -0.943