FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR DRIVER JACKIE STIDHAM IS READY TO CELEBRATE HIS FOURTH NHRA SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION TITLE, ALMOST…
Ennis, Texas - Excitement could be heard and felt from the Stidham Bros. Trailers Racing Team as Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Jackie Stidham, from Chickasha, Okla. won his third NHRA South Central event at the O'Reilly NHRA Federal-Mogul Divisional at Texas Motorplex.

"We think that this championship is ours but you never know, there are still some great drivers out there like Todd Simpson and Tate Branch" Stidham said.

With three wins and two final round runner-ups out of five NHRA South Central Division events Stidham, has a very comfortable lead over second place driver Todd Simpson, from Ponder, Texas who was last year's Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion in the same division. There is a possibility for Simpson to catch Stidham, but it would require nothing less than a win at every race Simpson runs at.

"Mathematically it would be very difficult for someone to catch me at this point, even if they raced at several more out of division events" Stidham explained.

The reason that it would be so difficult for another Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer to catch Stidham is due to the fact that racers receive fewer points at out of division races. So the 1999 NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, if it does turn out to be Stidham, could be receiving his fourth division championship title in his racing career which is a career achievement by itself.

"If my math is correct and we win this year's title this will be our fourth division championship which I am very excited about" Ronnie Stidham, Jackie's brother, said about this weekend's victory.

The following are final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Texas Motorplex, the fifth of six races in the NHRA South Central Division listing driver, city, state, make of car, elapsed time in seconds and miles per hour:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Darrell Russell, Cypress, Texas, 5.757, 247.25 def.
8. Larry Traugott, Woodward Okla. 5.960, 237.52

7. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, (.431 reaction time) 5.881, 227.10 def.
2. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., (.548 reaction time) 5.847, 240.89

6. Billy Bybee, Mclean, Texas, 5.943, 241.74 def.
3. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.651, 250.41 (Red light, .304)

4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.768, 247.66 def.
5. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.806, 248.07

Round 2
1. Russell, 5.656, 250.76 def. 4. Howard, 5.786, 245.90
6. Bybee, 5.741, 248.27 def. 7. Snow, 6.128, 206.80

Final Round
6. Bybee, 5.869, 242.98, def. 1. Russell, 5.699, 249.23 (Red light, .395)

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1

1. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Chevy Camaro, 6.078, 242.00, def.
8. Skater Chambers, Del City, Okla., '93 Dodge, 6.697, 160.02

2. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '98 Olds Acheiva, 5.938, 247.11 def.
Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '98 Chevy Camaro, 5.950, 241.15

3. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '98 Dodge Avenger, 5.773, 251.39 def.
6. Bill Howry, '93 Dodge Daytona, Oklahoma City, 7.572, 168.31

5. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Dodge Avenger, 6.007, 231.66 def.   
4. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Olds Cutlass 6.122, 234.37

Round 2
1. Jones, 6.017, 234.31 def. 4. Simpson, 8.586, 101.78
2. Stidham, 5.870, 245.90 def. 3. Branch, 6.162, 245.16

Final Round
2. Stidham, 5.964, 245.43 def. 1. Jones, 6.034, 240.19

COMP ELIMINATOR
Taylor Lastor, Austin, Texas, C/A '99 Chevy S-10, 7.878, 170.39 def.
Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., C/EDragster, 7.578, 175.47  

SUPER STOCK
Tony Wood, Tulsa, Okla., SS/H '68 Chevy Camaro, 10.656, 115.53 def.
Ron Cheshier, White Hall, Ark., SS/DA '69 Chevy Camaro, 10.122, 133.78

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, G/SA '69 Chevy Camaro, 11.812, 102.75 def.
Bobby Roper, Atkins, Ark., A/SA '69 Chevy Camaro, 10.836, 118.85

SUPER GAS
Don Gutierrez, Waco, Texas, '29 Roadster, 9.888, 137.02 def.
Joe Harper, Florence, Miss., '96 Dodge Avenger, 9.882, 155.19

SUPER COMP
Rodney Horton, Ft. Worth, Texas, '99 Dragster, 8.912, 155.70 def.
Luke Bogacki, Arlington, Texas, '99 Dragster, 8.908, 145.37

SUPER STREET
Bob Gulitti, Spring, Texas, '69 Chevy Camaro, 10.932, 129.60 def.
Steve Domingues, Derby, Kan., '67 Chevy Camaro, 10.937, 135.37

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOP STORIES FROM NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX
Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Todd Simpson from Ponder, Texas lost an engine due to an explosion during his first qualifying run on Friday during the O'Reilly NHRA Federal-Mogul Divisional at Texas Motorplex.

The engine exploded a little past the halfway point of the track. A broken crankshaft caused the engine to seize sending a fireball of methanol out from under the car, which quickly went out. Simpson was uninjured and walked away from the accident eager to repair the damages and prepare for eliminations.

Dick Simpson, Todd's father, said "We won't make any more qualifying runs on Saturday, we need to get prepared for eliminations to try and take the win." "We brought two spare engines with us but one of them is broken so it could make this race more challenging, but we'll make it okay" Simpson added.

Final qualifying for the Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Dragster categories was cancelled due to thunderstorms Saturday evening.

The Winston Top Qualifiers in those categories had to be determined by the first run that was made giving those honors to Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Darrell Russell, Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Jimmy Jones. In Competition Eliminator Ruben Celedon took top honors as did Super Stock driver and multiple Winston Top Qualifier Randall Klein, and Stock Eliminator driver Verne Buchanan.

1998 NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Super Gas national champion Jimmy Lewis could be on the road to achieving a second national championship for the 1999 season, a feat that has never been done.

Lewis is currently in third place in the national point standings behind the leader Gary Risk. After going out in the fourth round during the weekend's competition, Lewis will need some national event wins to make sure he stays in contention for the national championship title. With only fourteen points separating Lewis and Risk, this is sure to be a tight competition for the rest of the year.

Phylis Lewis, Jimmy's wife, said "We don't check how we're doing during the year, in fact I don't even read National Dragster until the last divisional race of the year at Firebird Int. Raceway in Phoenix." "When that race comes around, especially if we have a chance at the national and divisional championships, I read Dragster cover to cover."

Lewis started his year off right with a win at the Autozone Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. in the Super Gas category and followed up with a win at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Memphis Motorsports Park, again in his Super Gas Roadster.

Excitement could be heard and felt from the Stidham Bros. Trailers Racing Team as Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Jackie Stidham, from Chickasha, Okla. won his third NHRA South Central event at the O'Reilly NHRA Federal-Mogul Divisional at Texas Motorplex.

"We think that this championship is ours but you never know, there are still some great drivers out there like Todd Simpson and Tate Branch" Stidham said.

With three wins and two final round runner-ups out of five NHRA South Central Division events Stidham, has a very comfortable lead over second place driver Todd Simpson, from Ponder, Texas who was last year's Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion in the same division. There is a possibility for Simpson to catch Stidham, but it would require nothing less than a win at every race Simpson runs at.

"Mathematically it would be very difficult for someone to catch me at this point, even if they raced at several more out of division events" Stidham explained.

The reason that it would be so difficult for another Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer to catch Stidham is due to the fact that racers receive fewer points at out of division races. So the 1999 NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, if it does turn out to be Stidham, could be receiving his fourth division championship title in his racing career which is a career achievement by itself.

"If my math is correct and we win this year's title this will be our fourth division championship which I am very excited about" Ronnie Stidham, Jackie's brother, said about this weekend's victory.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STORMY WEATHER CANCELS FINAL QUALIFYING AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX
Ennis, Texas- Heavy rain began coming down during the last sessions of qualifying on Saturday at the O'Reilly NHRA Federal-Mogul Divisional event at Texas Motorplex.

Because the rain came at such a late point of the qualifying it was determined that the race would have to be cancelled for the day and the Winston Top Qualifiers would be determined by the current leaders.

One Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer saw the rain as a blessing in disguise. Anaheim, Calif.'s Jason Rupert and his Lucas Oil Federal-Mogul Funny Car had not had good luck during qualifying on Friday when their engine exploded a cylinder shaft causing several of their important gears and other parts to crack making a difficult situation. The resolution to that situation was that they would not make a run during the first qualifying session on Saturday, but they had hoped to make the second.

"This weather changes every minute" Rupert exclaimed. "For once the change of weather was in our favor so we don't have to hurray for a session today [Saturday] and we can work on the car so it's ready for eliminations."

Eliminations will begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the O'Reilly NHRA Federal-Mogul divisional at Texas Motorplex. Gates will open at 9 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Dragster running at approximately 1 p.m.

The following are the final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Texas Motorplex, the fifth of six events in the NHRA South Central Division:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Darrell Russell, Cypress, Texas, 5.616, 249.93 vs.
8. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.207, 220.53

2. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., 5.797, 243.24 vs.
7. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 6.113, 194.30

3. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.809, 245.70 vs.
6. Billy Bybee, Mclean, Texas, 5.933, 230.76

4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.832, 241.28 vs.
5. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.865, 245.09

 -- Did not qualify --
9. Brian Ratliff, Tahlequah, Okla., 7.564, 122.00
10. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 12.275, 86.78

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 

1. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Chevy Camaro, 5.910, 245.03 vs.
8. Skater Chambers, Del City, Okla., '93 Dodge, 7.973, 116.82 

2. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '98 Olds Acheiva, 6.005, 243.11 vs.
7. Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '98 Chevy Camaro, 7.804, 115.71

3. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '98 Dodge Avenger, 6.044, 244.89 vs.
6. Bill Howry, Oklahoma City, '93 Dodge Daytona, 7.490, 164.47

4. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Olds Cutlass, 6.046, 229.88 vs.
5. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Dodge Avenger, 6.067, 207.37

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Ruben Celedon, Edinburg, Texas, D/A '94 Chevy Cutlass, 8.101 (-0.429)
2. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A '97 Pontiac Firebird, 7.454 (-0.416)
3. Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, D/SM '90 Pontiac Trans Am, 8.362 (-0.408)
4. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., B/EDragster, 7.215 (-0.405)
5. Ben Coates, Cypress, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.222 (-0.398)
6. Taylor Lastor, Austin, Texas, C/A '99 Chevy S-10, 7.833 (-0.397)
7. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., C/EDragster, 7.600 (-0.390)
8. Larry Doggett, Austin, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.230 (-0.390)
9. Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., C/EDragster, 7.620 (-0.370)
10. David Myers, Dallas, Texas, B/EA '99 Chevy Camaro, 8.152 (-0.368) 

SUPER STOCK
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA '56 Chevy Nomad Wagon 11.378 (-1.072)
2. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., GT/HA '95 Olds Acheiva, 10.454 (-0.896)
3. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA '66 Chevy Impala, 11.554 (-0.896) 
4. Dave Dupuis, Baton Rouge, La., SS/BM '98 Olds Acheiva, 8.860 (-0.840)
5. Kirk Neal, Greenville, Miss., GT/EA '89 Chevy Camaro, 10.122 (-0.828)
6. Bobby Shahan, Little Rock, Ark., SS/C '66 Chevy Corvette, 9.554 (-0.796)
7. James Caro, Houma, La., GT/CA '97 Dodge Avenger, 10.015 (-0.785)  
8. Brent Brooking, La Porte, Texas, SS/DM '89 Pontiac Trans Am, 9.424 (-0.776)
9. Keith Mahwee, Carrollton, Texas, SS/CM '98 Pontiac Grand Am, 9.125 (-0.775)
10. Ken Howell, Baytown, Texas, GT/D '90 Pontiac Firebird, 9.879 (-0.771)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Ford Mustang, 11.778 (-0.972)
2. Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., K/SA '79 Chevy Malibu, 11.980 (-0.970)
3. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA '90 Pontiac Firebird, 11.998 (-.0952)
4. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., L/S '66 Chevy Nova, 12.067 (-0.933)
5. Mike Cotton, Broken Arrow, Okla., H/SA '73 Plymouth Duster, 11.523 (-0927)
6. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, C/SA Chevy Nova, 10.778 (-0.922)
7. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Texas, C/SA '69 Ford Mustang, 10.807 (-0.893)
8. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., L/SA '90 Pontiac Trans Am, 12.109 (-0.891)
9. Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., C/SA '69 Chevy Camaro, 10.810 (-0.890)
10. Justin Cardwell, Baton Rouge, La., K/SA '83 Chevy Camaro, 12.113 (-0.837)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER CHAMPION DARRELL RUSSELL LEADS THE PACK AFTER FIRST DAY OF QUALIFYING
Ennis, Texas- 1998 NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Dragster champion Darrell Russell led the way in qualifying Friday at the O'Reilly NHRA Federal-Mogul Divisional event at Texas Motorplex. After a big win in Hallsville, Texas two weeks ago Russell, from Cypress, Texas is looking to take another championship title for the 1999 season.

This weekend's event will be key to Russell and several other competitors as this is the second to last race in the NHRA South Central Division.

Several competitors are within just a few points of each other making this event a champion making race in the road to a division title.

"Without a win this weekend we're probably done for this season" Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Russell said. "Our goal is to win another division championship and look to the future for another chance to get the national championship title."

Other competitors like Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Jackie Stidham, from Chickasha, Okla., who is also leading the qualifying ladder in his category, could score a major win at this event which could put him into the position of taking away the division championship title from fellow competitor Todd Simpson from Ponder, Texas.

The following are the first day qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Texas Motorplex, the fifth of six events in the NHRA South Central Division:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Darrell Russell, Cypress, Texas, 5.616, 249.93
2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.809, 245.70
3. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., 5.826, 242.98
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 6.093, 220.21
5. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 6.113, 194.30
6. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.207, 220.53
7. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 7.480, 119.04
8. Brian Ratliff, Tahlequah, Okla., 7.564, 122.00

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '98 Olds Acheiva, 6.005, 243.11
2. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Chevy Camaro, 6.026, 242.91
3. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Dodge Avenger, 6.067, 207.37
4. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '98 Dodge Avenger, 6.118, 182.26
5. Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '98 Chevy Camaro, 7.804, 115.71 

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A '97 Pontiac Firebird, 7.454 (-0.416)
2. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., B/EDragster, 7.219 (-0.401)
3. Ben Coates, Cypress, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.222 (-0.398)
4. David Myers, Dallas, B/EA '99 Chevy Camaro, 8.152 (-0.368)
5. Larry Doggett, Austin, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.267 (-0.353)
6. Dennis Smiley, Denver City, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.285 (-0.335)
7. Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, C/Dragster, 7.384 (-0.316)
8. Ruben Celedon, Edinburg, Texas, D/A '94 Chevy Cutlass, 8.238 (-0.292)
9. Bill Hatcher, Satanta, Kan., C/Edragster, 7.744 (-0.246)
10. Jeff McClintic, Albuquerque, N.M., A/Dragster, 6.923 (-0.237) 

SUPER STOCK
1. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA '66 Chevy Impala, 11.574 (-0.876)
2. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., GT/HA '95 Olds Acheiva, 10.490 (-0.860)
3. Dave Dupuis, Baton Rouge, La., SS/BM '98 Olds Acheiva, 8.860 (-0.840)
4. Bobby Shahan, Little Rock, Ark., SS/C '66 Chevy Corvette, 9.554 (-0.796)
5. Keith Mahwee, Carrollton, Texas, SS/CM '98 Pontiac Grand Am, 9.125    (-0.775)
6. Brent Brooking, La Porte, Texas, SS/DM '89 Pontiac Trans Am, 9.457 (-0.743)
7. Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, GT/FA '97 Pontiac Firebird, 10.364 (-0.736)
8. Ken Howell, Baytown, Texcas, GT/D '90 Pontiac Firebird, 9.950 (-0.700)
9. Sid Bonnecarrere, Gray, La., SS/AA '68 Dodge Dart, 9.310 (-0.690)
10. James Caro, Houma, La., GT/CA '97 Dodge Avenger, 10.015 (-0.685)  

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA '90 Pontiac Firebird, 11.998 (-0.952)
2. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Ford Mustang, 11.819 (-0.931)
3. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., L/S '66 Chevy Nova, 12.075 (-0.925)
4. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, C/SA Chevy Nova, 10.778 (-0.922)
5. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Texas, C/SA '69 Ford Mustang, 10.807 (-0.893)
6. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., L/SA '90 Pontiac Trans Am, 12.109 (-0.891)
7. Mike Cotton, Broken Arrow, Okla., H/SA '73 Plymouth Duster, 11.587 (-0863)
8. Sammy Pizzolato, Houma, La., F/SA '72 Olds Cutlass, 11.346 (-0.804)
9. Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., C/SA '69 Chevy Camaro, 10.921 (-0.779)
10. Paula Cotton, Broken Arrow, Okla., H/SA '73 Plymouth Duster, 11.736 (-0.714)