FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOWEN, CHEESEMAN ARE CHAMPIONS AT QUAKER CITY DRAGWAY
SALEM, Ohio - Shawn Bowen of Montrose, Mich. returned to the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway after last years runner-up finish and took home the championship in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Chuck Cheeseman who was unbeatable all weekend continued his winning ways to take the win in Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

Bowen leaves Quaker City Dragway with the championship and a headache. He won the championship by beating 5-time division champion, Mike Kosky of Cuddy, Penn and got the headache from the severe tire shake his dragster endured in all three rounds on Sunday. Bowen advanced to the final due to a red light by Jeff Wilson, but ran a full run to get the prized lane choice. In the final Bowen left Kosky at the line with a .459 second reaction time to Kosky's .597. Bowen kept on the gas and again shook the tires at mid-track, but pedaled the car home to the win light. Bowen ended up running the quickest lap of the day with a run of 5.762 seconds at 244.60 mph to Kosky's run of 5.935 seconds at 225.03 mph.

"Something was just not right with the track today", said a relieved Bowen. "We couldn't get the set-up right today, the car would start fine and just start shaking. We are lucky to come out of here with the win."

Only one bad thing happened to Chuck Cheeseman this weekend at Quaker City Dragway, he lost the track speed record to Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill on Saturday. But Cheeseman made up for that by beating White in the final round on Sunday. In the final White took a commanding lead on Cheeseman with a reaction time of .506 to Cheeseman's .775. White was running smooth until the engine let go about 200 feet from the finish and gave the certain win to a hard charging Cheeseman. Cheeseman recorded a run of 5.970 seconds at 238.13 mph to White's run of 6.901 seconds at 147.55 mph.

"I didn't see the [green] light", said Cheeseman. I saw Marc [White] leave and I hit the gas. I was catching up fast and I just blew by him. When I saw the win light all I felt was relief because I knew the crew would be on me about the bad reaction time."

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Bill Reichert, Owqsso, Mich., 5.767, 245.94 def.
8) Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 6.114, 218.48

2) Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.782, 241.97 def.
7) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 6.651, 155.19

3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.093, 240.68 def.
6) Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., Foul

5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Penn., 10.688, 73.17 def.
Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, Broke

Round 2
Kosky, 11.257, 67.06 def. Reichert, 15.073, 40.79
Bowen, 6.094, 236.88 def. Wilson, 6.762, 167.93

Final Round
Bowen, 5.762, 244.60 def. Kosky, 5.935, 225.03

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Columbus, Ohio, '98 Pontiac, 6.021, 240.68 def.
8) Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., '98 Dodge, 6.611, 208.36

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '99 Pontiac, 6.001, 241.97 vs.
7) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Penn., '99 Dodge, 6.605, 208.36 

6) Bob Gottschalk, Toledo, Ohio, '99 Dodge, 6.734, 203.65 def.
3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '97 Pontiac, 31.274, 40.57

5) Conrad Dahl, Salem, Ohio, '99 Dodge, 6.341, 218.48 def.
4) John Lawson, Joliet, Ill, '99 Pontiac, 10.902, 64.38

Round 2
Cheeseman, 6.032, 240.68 def. Dahl, 6.360, 214.31
White, 5.978, 241.97 def. Gottschalk, 6.707, 204.57

Final Round
Cheeseman, 5.970, 238.13 def. White, 6.901, 147.55

COMP ELIMINATOR
Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., '63 Chevrolet, 7.142, 195.68 def.
Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., '99 Dragster, 6.910, 192.33

SUPER STOCK
Rick Yanen, Glendale, W.V., '95 Ford, 10.006, 132.36 def.
Todd Brown, Loagan, Ohio, '98 Chevrolet, 9.429, 131.97
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Steve Klacik, Aliquippa, Penn., '88 Ford, 12.926, 101.58 def.
Billy Leber, Buffalo, N.Y., '88 Oldsmobile, 12.818, 100.67    

SUPER COMP
Nick Folk, Durand, Ill., '99 Dragster, 8.983, 160.16 def.
Rock Haas, White Lake, Mich., '98 Dragster, 8.991, 163.06

SUPER GAS
Sean Graham, Westerville, Ohio, '27 Ford, 9.971, 147.55 def.
Dan Northrop, Doylestown, Penn., '75 Chevrolet, 9.948, 138.90

SUPER STREET
Linn Bebout, Gambier, Ohio, '67 Cheverolet, 10.990, 132.75 def.
Tim Shuck, West Lafayette, Ohio, '67 Chevrolet, 10.978, 123.63

JR. DRAGSTER
Mike Kopko, Clinton, Penn., 9.879, 60.64 def.
Bryan Yanchik, Aliquippa, Penn., 10.430, 61.06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALL RECORDS RESET IN FINAL QUALIFYING AT QUAKER CITY DRAGWAY
SALEM, Ohio. - The records kept falling in Saturday's Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying at Quaker City Dragway. Bill Reichert of Owqsso, Mich. set new track records fighting off Shawn Bowen of Montrose, Mich. to capture the No. 1 qualifying position in his Federal-Mogul Dragster. Chuck Cheeseman of Cloumbus, Ohio broke his own e.t. record on his way to collecting the Winston Top Qualifier Award in Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

Reichert made driving look easy in Saturday's qualifying efforts. In Saturday's first qualifying session Reichert made a run of 5.692 seconds at 247.29 mph to reset the track records in e.t. and speed set by Bowen and Randy Parks, respectively. The next car down the track was Bowen who broke Reichert's e.t. record that stood for all of one minute with a run of 5.691 seconds. Reichert came out for the final qualifying effort looking for revenge. He got it with a stellar run of 5.684 seconds at 248.66 mph to reset the record book for the third and final time in Saturday's qualifying.

"Since my crash [at Richmond, VA.] the car has been almost perfect," said Reichert. "When we rebuild the car we did some different things and the car has been great. We are going to come out strong tomorrow and look to repeat as track champions."

Cheeseman backed up his Federal-Mogul Funny Car track records he set yesterday with more records on Saturday. Cheeseman changed his mind at the last minute and decided to run the first session of qualifying on Saturday only to post a run of 5.880 seconds at 243.28 mph, both new track records. Cheeseman set out the second session of qualifying and watched Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill. come close to knocking him off the pole. White came in a little short with a run of 5.884 seconds at 244.60 mph to take the No. 2 position and set the new track speed record.

"I sat out because I was told the right lane was a little loose," said a serious Cheeseman. "White looks to be coming on, we will have to get after it a little bit. I think we can go even quicker, maybe in the low 5.80's."

Eliminations will begin at Quaker City Dragway on Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car will begin at 1 p.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owqsso, Mich., 5.684 seconds, 248.66 mph vs.
8) Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 6.002, 225.03

2) Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.691, 243.28 vs.
7) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.994, 228.46

3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.702, 245.94 vs.
6) Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., 5.840, 239.40

4) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.831, 231.99 vs.
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Penn., 5.835, 240.68

Alternates 
9.  Bob Adam, North Branch, Mich., 6.091, 229.63
10. Wayne Garrett, Eaton, Ohio, 6.975, 183.69
11. Ben Barnes, Chesterland, Ohio, 7.476, 155.72

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Columbus, Ohio, '98 Pontiac, 5.880, 243.28 vs.
8) Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., '98 Dodge, 6.620, 207.40

2) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '99 Pontiac, 5.884, 244.60 vs.
7) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Penn., '99 Dodge, 6.451, 214.31

3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '97 Pontiac, 5.976, 238.13 vs.
6) Bob Gottschalk, Toledo, Ohio, '99 Dodge, 6.338, 219.54

4) John Lawson, Joliet, Ill, '99 Pontiac, 6.051, 236.88 vs.
5) Conrad Dahl, Salem, Ohio, '99 Dodge, 6.207, 170.47

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., '63 Chevrolet, AA/A, 7.192 (-0.538)
2. Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., '99 Dragster, A/ED, 6.895 (-0.535)
3. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Ford, I/A, 8.041 (-0.519)
4. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '98 Dragster, E/ED, 8.689 (-0.511)
5. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/EA, 8.738 (-0.502)
6. Tom Haueter, Chardon, Ohio, '99 Dragster, D/ED, 7.683 (-0.497)
7. Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet, B/SR,  8.249 (-0.491)
8. Bob Andrews, Somerset, Mich., '98 Dragster, E/D, 7.660 (-0.470)
9. John Freck, Warren, Ohio, '88 Dragster, F/D, 8.443 (-0.467)
10. Chris Bozic, Cheswick, Penn., '99 Dragster, C/D, 7.316 (-0.444)

SUPER STOCK
1. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '96 Pontiac, GT/E, 9.748 (-1.202)
2. Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Penn., '99 Chrysler, GT/IA, 10.544 (-1.116)
3. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Chevrolet, SS/AX, 9.031 (-1.109)
4. Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Penn., '99 Chevrolet, GT/DA 9.843 (-1.107)
5. Joe Skinner, Columbiana Station, Ohio, '95 Chevrolet, GT/E, 9.877 (-1.073)
6. Brian Butler, Centerville, Ohio, '90 Chevrolet, GT/GA, 10.287 (-1.073)
7. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, Penn., '93 Chrysler, GT/HA, 10.447 (-1.063)
8. Melissa Butler, Richmond, Ind., '90 Pontiac, GT/FA, 10.200 (-1.060)
9. Gary Tompa, Saginaw, Mich., '84 Pontiac, SS/J, 10.196 (-1.054)
10. Merle Eschman, Butler, Penn., '98 Pontiac, GT/CA 9.823 (-1.027)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Gary Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '92 Ford, L/S, 11.982 (-1.198)
2. Jennifer Dziorny, Wixom, Mich., '94 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.360 (-1.180)
3. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Pontiac, F/SA, 11.180  (-1.140)
4. Judy McCormack, Milford, Mich., '99 Dodge, DT/SA, 12.578 (-1.112)
5. Clint Blezien, Bensenville, Ill, '91 Chevrolet, O/SA, 12.562 (-1.078)
6. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 Pontiac, M/SA, 12.264 (-1.076)
7. Paul Dilcher, Brockport, N.Y., '78 Pontiac, L/SA, 12.107 (-1.073)
8. Joe Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '95 Ford, L/S, 12.113 (-1.067)
9. Dave Edwards, Washington, Ohio, '78 Pontiac, M/SA, 12.278 (-1.062)
10. John McCormack, Rochester Hills, Mich., '99 Dodge, DT/S, 12.491 (-1.049)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHEESEMAN SETS NEW TRACK RECORDS IN FRIDAY QUALIFYING AT QUAKER CITY DRAGWAY
SALEM, Ohio. - Chuck Cheeseman of Columbus, Ohio set the pace and a new track record in the first round of Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway. In Federal-Mogul Dragster, Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Mo. made the quickest run of the day to lead the field after one round of qualifying.

In the hot and humid air at Quaker City Dragway, Cheeseman took charge of the Federal-Mogul Funny Car field by setting the track e.t. and speed records with a run of 5.920 seconds at 241.97 mph. Cheeseman's run would have been perfect if it wasn't for a touch of tire smoke at half-track. Cheeseman bettered Marc White's record run from last year of 5.921 seconds at 240.68 mph. Defending Quaker City Dragway Champion, Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill. shut off at half-track in his effort on Friday.

"I know we can do better tomorrow", said Cheeseman. "We can run in the 5.80's tomorrow if all goes right, but I'll enjoy this tonight. That's why we are here, to go fast and have fun."

The slick Quaker City track gave problems to most of the Federal-Mogul Dragsters, but Wilson tuned his Dragster down a little and it paid off with the top qualifying position after Friday's effort. Wilson's run started strong and then the car started to skate a little at 600 feet, but Wilson got control back and finished strong.

"I went conservative in today's run, but I guess that's what the car needed", said Wilson. "Tomorrow we'll step it up because I think it'll do a 5.65 or 5.66."

Qualifying and time trials will continue at Quaker City Dragway on Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will have qualifying sessions at 5 and 8 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.721 seconds, 244.60 mph
2. Bill Reichert, Owqsso, Mich., 5.768, 240.68
3. Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.804, 243.28
4. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.960, 229.63
5. Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Penn., 5.988, 229.63
6. Bob Adam, North Branch, Mich., 6.189, 223.91
7. Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 6.608, 193.16
8. Ben Barnes, Chesterland, Ohio, 7.476, 155.72

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Chuck Cheeseman, Columbus, Ohio, '98 Pontiac, 5.920 seconds, 241.97 mph 
2. Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '97 Pontiac, 5.976, 238.13
3. John Lawson, Joliet, Ill, '99 Pontiac, 6.051, 236.88
4. Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '99 Pontiac, 7.540, 126.41

COMP ELIMINATOR
No qualifying attempts on Friday

SUPER STOCK
1. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '96 Pontiac, GT/E, 9.825 seconds
(1.125-seconds under Index)
2. Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Penn., '99 Chrysler, GT/IA, 10.578 (-1.082)
3. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Chevrolet, SS/AX, 9.070 (-1.070)
4. Joe Skinner, Columbiana Station, Ohio, '95 Chevrolet, GT/E, 9.891 (-1.059)
5. Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Penn., '99 Chevrolet, GT/DA 9.894 (-1.056)
6. Merle Eschman, Butler, Penn., '98 Pontiac, GT/CA 9.823 (-1.027)
7. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, Penn., '93 Chrysler, GT/HA, 10.517 (-0.993)
8. Gary Tompa, Saginaw, Mich., '84 Chevrolet, SS/J, 10.271 (-0.979)
9. Dennis Steward, Dover, Penn., '91 Dodge, GT/EA, 10.144 (-0.956)
10. Mike Beachy, Greentown, Ind., '82 Pontiac, GT/EA, 10.186 (-0.914)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Pontiac, F/SA, 11.180 seconds
(1.140-seconds under Index)
2. Clint Blezien, Bensenville, Ill, '91 Chevrolet, O/SA, 12.562 (-1.078)
3. Paul Dilcher, Brockport, N.Y., '78 Pontiac, L/SA, 12.108 (-1.072)
4. Gary Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '92 Ford, L/S, 12.128 (-1.052)
5. John McCormack, Rochester Hills, Mich., '99 Dodge, DT/S, 12.491 (-1.049)
6. Joe Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '95 Ford, L/S, 12.132 (-1.048)
7. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 Pontiac, M/SA, 12.319 (-1.021)
8. Jennifer Dziorny, Wixom, Mich., '94 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.529 (-1.011)
9. Judy McCormack, Milford, Mich., '99 Dodge, DT/SA, 12.713 (-0.977)
10. Mike Walter, Paris, Ohio, '67 Chevrolet, F/SA, 11.429 (-0.889)