FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Record-breaking Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Michael Gunderson takes the victory at Silver Dollar Raceway

After breaking both the quickest and fastest record times at Silver Dollar Raceway during the last day of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event Michael Gunderson had nowhere to go but winner's circle.

Gunderson, who is from Middleburg, Fla., set not only track records during Saturday's qualifying but may well have broke the record for the fastest speed a blown alcohol Federal-Mogul Dragster has ever gone. His speed of 259.66 miles per hour on Saturday proved to be almost within the top ten fastest speeds ever recorded in any Federal-Mogul Dragster. The top ten record speeds are currently held only by nitro-injected dragsters. Keith Stark, of Danville, Ill., currently holds the record for the tenth fastest run by a Federal-Mogul Dragster at 260.94 miles per hour. Gunderson might beat that record within his next few races.

In addition to all of his old track records being re-set, Gunderson has also taken the points lead over fellow Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Doug Kelley after being tied at 149 points each. Gunderson now has the lead in the NHRA Southeast Division points race, but there are still several more opportunities for Kelley to come right back into contention for the 1999 championship title in Federal-Mogul Dragster.

Gunderson's victory came against Bob Bears Jr. from Clearwater, Fla., whose dragster had severe tire shake about twenty feet past the starting line.

Final results from Silver Dollar Raceway, Reynolds, Georgia, the third of six events in the 1999 NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., '99 Uyehara, 5.600, 256.45
Bob Bears Jr., Clearwater, Fla., '95 Dragster, 15.302, 46.84
 
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Todd Paton, Brantford, Ont., Can., '99 Firebird, 5.989, 241.80
Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Acheiva, 6.048, 226.35

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA '32 Roadster, 7.534, 157.83
Van Puckett, Lithonia, Ga., C/EA '97 Firebird, 8.436, 142.10

SUPER STOCK
Dan Fletcher, Rochester, N.Y., SS/JA '69 Camaro, 10.426, 126.48
Ricky Decker, Charlestown, Ind., GT/CA '94 Camaro, 9.779, 132.01

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA '98 Firebird, 10.826, 123.29
Mark Lewis, Inman, S.C., K/SA '74 Nova, 11.759, 103.10

SUPER COMP
Scot LaMar, Hawthorne, Fla., '98 Mullis, 8.895, 164.05
Steve Witherow, Falls Church, Va., '98 S&W, 8.889, 169.19

SUPER GAS
Barkley Jones, Berlin, Ga., '87 Camaro, 9.881, 150.40
Joe Smith, Lawrenceville, Ga., '85 Jeep, 9.862, 134.85

SUPER STREET
Bob Krummel, Deer Park, Texas, '67 Camaro, 10.918, 132.99
Robert Williams, Cape Coral, Fla., '70 Chevelle, 10.855, 122.39

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
All Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car records are broken at Silver Dollar Raceway

SILVER DOLLAR RACEWAY, Reynolds, Ga.- All of Silver Dollar Raceway's fastest and quickest records in the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car categories were broken in the final day of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event.

Mike Gunderson, who held both the fastest and quickest records that he set last year, set both new records. His original record for the quickest time was 5.762 seconds elapsed time while his record for the fastest speed was 245.26 miles per hour.

After three qualifying runs those records have now been re-set to 5.61 seconds elapsed time and 259.62 miles per hour which is the fastest a car has ever gone down the track at Silver Dollar Raceway.

Two other records were set in Federal-Mogul Funny Car by two different drivers, Todd Paton and Jay Payne. Paton broke the record for the quickest run on the track for a Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a 5.859 second run. The original record had been held by Paton at a time of 5.95 seconds.

Jay Payne, in the final round of qualifying, broke the speed record with a 242.26 mile per hour pass. Payne's record-breaking speed came after he had gotten out of the groove at the midway point of the track, and, after recovering, rocketed to the finish line. Michael Simpson was the original record holder with a speed of 241.15 miles per hour.

The Winston Top Qualifiers of this event, for the quickest qualifying time, are Mike Gunderson, from Middleburg, Fla., in Federal-Mogul Dragster, Todd Paton, from Brantford, Ontario, Can., in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Larry Pritchett, from Clarkrange, Tenn., in Competition Eliminator, Bobby Dennis, from Shorter, Ala., in Super Stock, and Peter Noriega, from Hialeah, Fla., in Stock Eliminator.

Final day qualifying positions at Silver Dollar Raceway, Reynolds, Ga., the third of six events in the 1999 NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Mike Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.617, 255.92
2. Doug Kelley, Palm City, Fla., 5.731, 238.26
3. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.773, 240.17
4. Arthur Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 6.552, 196.10
5. Lee Kell, Attalla, Ala., 6.622, 226.73
6. Bob Bears Jr., Clearwater, Fla., 7.233, 125.00
7. Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 7.823, 119.28

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Todd Paton, Brantford, Ontario, Can., 5.859, 239.74
2. Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., 5.962, 232.83
3. Jay Payne, Upland, Calif., 5.988, 242.36
4. Tony Carlisle, Conyers, Ga., 6.426, 212.76  
5. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., 7.773, 122.02

COMPETITION
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., E/SM '97 Grand Am, 8.418 (-0.572)
2. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A '92 Cutlass, 8.888 (-0.572)
3. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA '32 Roadster, 7.511 (-0.519)
4. Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., A/EA '23 Ford, 7.536 (-0.494)
5. Bob Andrews, Cement City, Mich., E/D '98 Dragster, 7.590 (-0.480)
6. Van Puckett, Lithonia, Ga., C/EA '97 Firebird, 8.371 (-0.479)
7. Jim Kimbrough, Pace, Fla., A/EA '23 T, 7.553 (-0.477)
8. Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., D/EA '97 Firebird, 8.597 (-0.443)
9. Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., C/A '98 S-10, 7.840 (-0.429)
10. Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., C/EA '98 Firebird, 8.423 (-0.427)

SUPER STOCK
1. Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA '97 Firehawk, 10.849 (-1.201)
2. Johnny Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA '67 Camaro, 9.863 (-1.037)
3. Steve Matukas, Alvaton, Ky., SS/HA '66 Nova, 9.880 (-1.020)
4. Blin Welborn, Johnston, S.C., SS/MA '64 Comet, 11.130 (-1.020)
5. Craig Ruff, Tallahassee, Ala., SS/NA  '88 Cutlass, 11.434 (-1.016)
6. Everette Keesley, Edgefield, S.C., GT/CA '82 Firebird, 9.700 (-1.000)
7. Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., SS/E '68 Corvette, 9.561 (-0.989)
8. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/GA '69 Mustang, 9.874 (-0.976)
9. Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., SS/FA '67 Camaro, 9.803 (-0.947)
10. Celess Squirewell Jr., Columbia, S.C., SS/DA '69 Camaro, 9.569 (-0.931)

STOCK
1. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., V/SA '80 Malibu, 14.588 (-1.212)
2. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., G/SA '72 Mustang, 11.091 (-1.209)
3. Lee Tuttle, Albany, Ga., T/SA '66 Belair, 13.596 (-1.204)
4. Mark Lewis, Inman, S.C., K/SA '74 Nova, 11.750 (-1.200)
5. Jeff Ferguson, Metairie, La., K/SA '78 Plymouth, 11.788 (-1.162)
6. Al Provoast, Whittemore, Mich., N/SA '79 Buick, 12.145 (-1.155)
7. Craig Couris, Atlanta, F/SA '72 Cutlass, 11.093 (-1.057)
8. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA '98 Firebird, 10.803 (-1.047)
9. Harold Culpepper, Pipe Mountain Valley, Ga., J/SA '90 Camaro, 11.720 (-1.030)
10. Sharla Joffrion, Belle Rose, La., G/SA '97 Z-28, 11.271 (-1.029)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion is at top of field
The first day of qualifying has put Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Michael Gunderson, of Middleburg, Fla., right where he would like to be on the beginning day of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Silver Dollar Raceway.

Gunderson, who place fourth in the national standings of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, and first in the NHRA Southeast Division championship title for dragster, is gunning for wins in the '99 season. His time of 5.617 seconds elapsed time was the quickest in the field, and his speed of 255.92 miles per hour was the fastest.

Gunderson's "Under the Gun" Federal-Mogul Dragster is a well respected car and it is a matter of pride for him to be at the top of the field against one of his rivals Doug Kelley, of Palm City, Fla. Kelley was the winner of the season-opening NHRA Southeast Division event at Gainesville, Fla. Kelley defeated Gunderson in the last round of that event. Gunderson then came back and won at the second of six NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series events in Orlando, Fla. This creates an opportunity for either Kelley or Gunderson to take a definitive lead in the points race after a win this weekend.

Kelley is once again right in contention with Gunderson this weekend where he is in second place to Gunderson's first place with a 5.731 second time. These two Federal-Mogul Dragster drivers are sure to make this event a fierce competition to the end.

Qualifying continues Saturday with Federal-Mogul Funny Cars and Dragsters running at 4 and 7:30 p.m.

First day qualifying positions at Silver Dollar Raceway, Reynolds, Ga., the third of six events in the 1999 NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Mike Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.617, 255.92
2. Doug Kelley, Palm City, Fla., 5.731, 238.26
3. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.488, 218.23

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Todd Paton, Brantford, Ontario, Can., 5.859, 239.74
2. Jay Payne, Upland, Calif., 6.183, 241.11
3. Dana Hearn, Conyers, Ga., 6.705, 207.37  
4. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., 7.773, 122.02

COMPETITION
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., E/SM '97 Grand Am, 8.418 (-0.572)
2. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA '32 Roadster, 7.511 (-0.519)
3. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A '92 Cutlass, 8.976 (-0.484)
4. Bob Andrews, Cement City, Mich., E/D '98 Dragster, 7.591 (-0.479)
5. Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., A/EA '23 Ford, 7.571 (-0.459)
6. Jim Kimbrough, Pace, Fla., A/EA '23 T, 7.599 (-0.431)
7. Van Puckett, Lithonia, Ga., C/EA '97 Firebird, 8.440 (-0.410)
8. Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., C/EA '98 Firebird, 8.487 (-0.363)
9. Jeremy Holmes, Chesterfield, Va., C/EA '91 Cutlass, 8.702 (-0.148)
10. Mark Linebarrier, Liberty, N.C., C/A '92 Cutlass, 8.805 (-0.145)

SUPER STOCK
1. Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA '97 Firehawk, 10.870 (-1.180)
2. Steve Matukas, Alvaton, Ky., SS/HA '66 Nova, 9.880 (-1.020)
3. Everette Keesley, Edgefield, S.C., GT/CA '82 Firebird, 9.700 (-1.000)
4. Craig Ruff, Tallahassee, Ala., SS/NA  '88 Cutlass, 11.505 (-0.945)
5. Dave Dupuis, Baton Rouge, La., SS/BM '98 Acheiva, 8.784 (-0.916)
6. Jimmy Bridges, Nashville, Tenn., SS/E '68 Camaro, 9.646 (-0.904)
7. Celess Squirewell Jr., Columbia, S.C., SS/DA '69 Camaro, 9.599 (-0.901)
8. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/GA '69 Mustang, 9.954 (-0.896)
9. Mike Cates, Milan, Tenn., SS/M '64 Comet, 11.006 (-0.894)
10. Eric Wingo, Springfield, Tenn., GT/G '92 Grand Am, 10.159 (-0.891)

STOCK
1. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., V/SA '80 Malibu, 14.616 (-1.184)
2. Lee Tuttle, Albany, Ga., T/SA '66 Belair, 13.624 (-1.176)
3. Mark Lewis, Inman, S.C., K/SA '74 Nova, 11.792 (-1.158)
4. Al Provoast, Whittemore, Mich., N/SA '79 Buick, 12.176 (-1.124)
5. Jeff Ferguson, Metairie, La., K/SA '78 Plymouth, 11.832 (-1.118)
6. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., G/SA '72 Mustang, 11.216 (-1.084)
7. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA '98 Firebird, 10.803 (-1.047)
8. Craig Couris, Atlanta, F/SA '72 Cutlass, 11.104 (-1.046)
9. Andy Thornburg, Wilmer, Ala., J/SA '79 Aspen, 11.765 (-0.985)
10. FJ Acosta, Belle Rose, La., E/SA '97 Z-28, 11.375 (-0.925)