FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LATE NIGHT COMPETITION LEADS TO UPSETS, SURPRISES AND GOOD OLD-FASHIONED RACING
Note: The race was completed at 3:45 a.m. Monday

CLEVES, Ohio - In an event delayed by rain for eight hours, those who persevered were rewarded with a non-stop night race. The hearty souls who stayed around, both fans and competitors, were treated to an eat-your-heart-out final in Federal-Mogul Dragster and a few upsets in Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

In the F/M dragster final, division leader Shawn Bowen, of Montrose, Mich., beat Dave Hirata's event-low elapsed time on a hole shot. Hirata, of Lowell, Ind., had been on a tear all day, setting the track speed record at 255.89 mph and then resetting it at 263.69 mph in the final. Unfortunately for Hirata, Bowen's .442-second reaction time (r.t.) to his own .526-second r.t. was the difference in the race as Bowen made a 5.647-second run and Hirata outran him at 5.572 seconds.

In the F/M funny car final, Danny Townsend, of Muncie, Ind., defeated Branford, Ont., Canada's Todd Paton. Townsend's upset victory came after he knocked out defending division champion Marc White in the first round and defending event champion Chuck Cheeseman in round two.

Winners in other categories were Ed Bennett III, of Carleton, Mich., in Comp., with his third straight divisional event win; Brian Butler, Troy, Ohio, in Super Stock; Jeff Potts, Minford, Ohio, in Stock; Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., in Super Comp; Division points leader Don Trabel, Sunman, Ind., in Super Gas; and Jay Rowe, Connerville, Ind., in Super Street.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.667 sec., 247.18 mph def.
8) Jeff Wilson, Windfield, Mo., 5.790 sec., 247.18 mph

2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind. (no time recorded) def.
7) M. Gebus, (no time recorded)

3) Bill Reichert, Owasso, Mich., 5.749 sec., 247.445 mph def.
6) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.940 sec., 241.67 mph

5) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 6.131 sec., 205.38 mph def.
4) Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 12.859 sec., 58.91 mph

Round 2
Bowen, 5.708 sec., 246.23 mph def. Bayne, 10.310 sec., 72.96 mph
Hirata, 5.585 sec., 260.19 mph def., Reichert, 5.831 sec., 245.90 mph

Final Round
Bowen, 5.647 sec., 248.00 mph def. Hirata, 5.572 sec., 263.69 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Todd Paton, Branford, Ont., Can., 6.040 sec., 238.41 mph def.
8) Fred Hagen, Chicago, 6.468 sec., 224.38 mph

7) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., 5.965 sec., 245.76 mph def.
2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., 7.744 sec., 130.81 mph

3) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, 5.989 sec., 244.10 mph def.
6) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., 6.308 sec., 224.66 mph

4) John Lawson, Joliet, Ill., 6.165 sec., 235.23 mph def.
5) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., 10.480 sec., 78.87 mph

Round 2
Paton, 6.036 sec., 238.60 mph def. Lawson, 6.147 sec., 240.44 mph
Townsend, 5.940 sec., 240.83 mph def. Cheeseman, 5.986 sec., 243.37 mph

Final Round
Townsend, 6.185 sec., 240.83 mph def. Paton, 9.427 sec., 90.81 mph

COMP ELIMINATOR
Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Ind., def. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich.

SUPER STOCK
Brian Butler, Troy, Ohio, def. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeff Potts, Minford, Ohio, def. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio

SUPER COMP
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., def. Ken Bowers, Antwerp, Ohio

SUPER GAS
Don Trabel, Sunman, Ind., def. John Pavey, Kokomo, Ind.

SUPER STREET
Jay Rowe, Connersville, Ind., def. Mark Hackett, Quincy, Ill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RAIN DELAYS QUALIFYING OF NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT AT EDGEWATER SPORTS PARK
CLEVES, Ohio - Qualifying was delayed at Edgewater Sports Park because of rain. Federal-Mogul Dragster, Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Comp Eliminator competitors only got in one of their two qualifying passes by 8:30 in the evening. It is uncertain whether qualifying will continue or if the fields will be declared set for eliminations. The event director must make that call taking into consideration weather and various safety issues.

In the second round of qualifying today, Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Shawn maintained his number one position, while in Federal-Mogul Funny Car Todd Paton, Brantford, Ont., Can., bettered the numbers posted by Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., on Friday. Paton, who shut off early on Friday, posted a 5.999-second run at 237.59 mph.

Keeping the lead position was no small feat for Bowen, of Montrose, Mich. On Friday there were 11 F/M dragsters vying to make the eight-car field. Today there were 15.

In other categories, which completed qualifying, Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, kept the pole in Super Stock and Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., did likewise in Stock.

Racing continues Sunday at Edgewater. Gates open at 9 a.m. and eliminations are scheduled begin at 10 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car set to begin eliminations at noon. However, the schedule is subject to change do to weather considerations. For more information call the track at (513) 353-1608.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER (after two of three qualifying sessions)
1. Shawn Bowen, Motrose, Mich., 5.692, 245.36 mph
2. Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.705, 255.89 mph
3. Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.762, 246.30 mph
4. Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 5.868, 231.30 mph
5. Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., 5.877, 236.59 mph
6. Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.986, 224.60 mph
7. Bob Adam, North Branch, Mich., 6.009, 219.08 mph
8. Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 6.036, 227.27 mph
 -- Not Qualified --
Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 6.138, 190.31 mph
Denny Hummel, Clinton Twp., Mich., 6.147, 224.49 mph 
Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 6.435, 228.60 mph
Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.509, 142.74 mph
Ben Barnes, Chesterland, Ohio, 7.067, 147.27 mph
Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 10.540, 72.30 mph
Chris Dakin, New Carlisle, Ohio, 20.066, 30.91 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR (after two of three qualifying sessions)
1. Todd Paton, Brantford, Ont., Can., 5.999, 237.59 mph
2. Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., 6.051, no speed recorded
3. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, 6.077, 228.71 mph
4. John Lawson, Joliet, Ill., 6.108, 235.60 mph
5. Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., 6.221, 234.74 mph
6. Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., 6.399, 214.43 mph
7. Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., 7.821, 122.18 mph
8. Fred Hagen, Chicago, 7.994, 118.32 mph

COMP ELIMINATOR (after two of three qualifying sessions)
1. Gary Merrick, Youngstown, Ohio, B/ED, 7.118, -0.502 under index
2. Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., AA/A, 7.201, -0.499 
3. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., I/A, 8.016, -0.474
4. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM, 8.310, -0.460
5. Tom Haueter, Chardon, Ohio, D/ED, 7.662, -0.458
6. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., 7.564, -0.456
7. Santo Volpe, Euclid, Ohio, A/SR, 8.176, -0.454
8. David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., C/A, 7.792, -0.438
9. Jon Bowman, Hebron, Ohio, F/SM, 9.351, -0.429
10. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., E/EA, 8.741, -0.429

SUPER STOCK
1. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/AX, 8.858, -1.142 under index
2. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '96 Pontiac Grand Am, GT/E, 9.723, -1.077
3. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '99 Pontiac Firebird, GT/IA, 10.429, -1.071
4. Michael Volkman, Pga., Pa., '99 Chrysler Sebring, GT/IA, 10.445, -1.055
5. Dan Kyle, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '87 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.133,  -0.967
6. Brian Butler, Troy, Ohio, '90 Chevrolet Beretta, GT/GA, 10.261, -0.939
7. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, '93 Chrysler LeBaron, GT/HA, 10.412, -0.938
8. Melissa Butler, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, '90 Pontiac Sunbird, GT/FA, 10.163, -0.937
9. Joe Skinner, Columbia Sta., Ohio, '96 Beretta, GT/F, 9.966, -0.934 
10. Gordon Gillman, Walker, Mich., '90 Buick Skylark, SS/AX, 9.070, -0.930

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 Pontiac GTO, M/SA, 11.976, -1.174 under index
2. Jennifer Dziorny, Wixom, Mich., '94 Dodge Dakota, CT/SA, 12.235, -1.115
3. M.J. Quinn, Louisville, Ky., '85 Chevy Camaro, J/SA, 11.672, -1.078
4. George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn., '78 Plymouth Volare, K/SA, 11.873, -1.077
5. Judy McCormack, Milford, Mich., '99 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.438, -1.062
6. Don Holmes, Englewood, Ohio, '78 Pontiac, L/SA, 11.938, -1.062
7. Clint Blenzien, Bensenville, Ill., '91 Camaro, O/SA, 12.390, -1.060
8. Joe Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '95 Ford Mustang, L/S, 11.949,  -1.051
9. Gary Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '94 Mustang, L/S, 11.949, -1.051
10. Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., '79 Dodge Aspen, I/SA, 11.609, -0.991

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOP QUALIFIERS IN DRAGSTER AND FUNNY CAR GOING FOR CONNSECUTIVE WINS
CLEVES, Ohio - Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Shawn Bowen came to Edgewater Sports Park looking for his third straight win in NHRA NorthCentral Division competition while Marc White is looking to take his Federal-Mogul Funny Car to the winner's circle for the second time in a row. Both drivers got off to a good start today, qualifying in the top of their respective categories.

Bowen, of Montrose, Mich., shook the tires off the starting line and still made it down the track with a 5.692 second elapsed time (e.t.) at 245.36 mph.

White, from Glendale Hts., Ill., led a tough session of funny cars. His 6.051 second e.t. was the best of a group that generally runs in the high five-second range. Right on White's heels is John Lawson, Joliet, Ill., in the second qualifying spot. White and Lawson came into this event tied for first in the division point standings. White defeated Lawson in the final at previous event at US 131 Dragway in Martin, Mich.

Top qualifiers in other categories include Ed Bennett III, of Carleton, Mich., who is also going for his third consecutive win, in Comp; Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, in Super Stock; and Bill Rink of Naperville, Ill., in Stock.

Qualifying continues Saturday. Gates at Edgewater Sports Park open at 9 a.m. and competition begins at 10 a.m. F/M Dragster and Funny Cars are scheduled to run at 5 and 8 p.m. The NHRA Pro Stock Truck Invitational will begin qualifying at 1:45 p.m.

For more information contact the track at (513) 353-4666.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Shawn Bowen, Motrose, Mich., 5.692, 245.36 mph
2. Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.705, 255.89 mph
3. Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.762, 246.30 mph
4. Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 5.868, 231.30 mph
5. Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.986, 224.60 mph
6. Bob Adam, North Branch, Mich., 6.009, 219.08 mph
7. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.598, 178.67 mph
8. Ben Barnes, Chesterland, Ohio, 7.270, 134.83 mph
 -- Not Qualified --
Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky.
Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio
Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind.

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., 6.051, no speed recorded
2. John Lawson, Joliet, Ill., 6.108, 235.60 mph
3. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, 6.137, 242.78 mph
4. Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., 7.020, 158.45 mph
5. Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., 7.020, 111.73 mph
6. Todd Paton, Brantford, Ont., Can., 10.289, 96.76 mph
7. Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., 12.773, 62.34 mph

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., AA/A, 7.201, -0.499 under index
2. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., I/A, 8.024, -0.466
3. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM, 8.310, -0.460
4. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., 7.564, -0.456
5. Santo Volpe, Euclid, Ohio, A/SR, 8.176, -0.454
6. David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., C/A, 7.795, -0.435
7. Jon Bowman, Hebron, Ohio, F/SM, 9.351, -0.429
8. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., E/EA, 8.751, -0.419
9. Tom Haueter, Chardon, Ohio, D/ED, 7.718, -0.402
10. Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., A/EA, 7.632, -0.398  

SUPER STOCK
1. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/AX, 8.858, -1.142
2. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '99 Pontiac Firebird, GT/IA, 10.429, -1.071
3. Michael Volkman, Pga., Pa., '99 Chrysler Sebring, GT/IA, 10.445, -1.055
4. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '96 Pontiac Grand Am, GT/E, 9.770, -1.030
5. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, '93 Chrysler LeBaron, GT/HA, 10.413, -0.937
6. Dan Kyle, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '87 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.116,     -0.934
7. Gordon Gillman, Walker, Mich., '90 Buick Skylark, SS/AX, 9.072, -0.928
8. Mike Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.029, -0.921
9. Melissa Butler, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, '90 Pontiac Sunbird, GT/FA, 10.207, -0.893
10. Joe Skinner, Columbia Sta., Ohio, '96 Chevrolet Beretta, GT/F, 10.011, -0.889  

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 Pontiac GTO, M/SA, 11.976, -1.174
2. Jennifer Dziorny, Wixom, Mich., '94 Dodge Dakota, CT/SA, 12.235,-1.115
3. M.J. Quinn, Louisville, Ky., '85 Chevy Camaro, J/SA, 11.672, -1.078
4. George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn., '78 Plymouth Volare, 11.873, -1.077
5. Judy McCormack, Milford, Mich., '99 Dakota, 12.438, -1.062
6. Clint Blenzien, Bensenville, Ill., '91 Camaro, 12.390, -1.060
7. Joe Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '95 Ford Mustang, 11.949, -1.051
8. Gary Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '94 Mustang, 11.949, -1.051
9. Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., '79 Dodge Aspen, 11.609, -0.991
10. Bert Morgan, Charleston, Ill., '97 Pontiac Firebird, 12.779,  -0.971