FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORMER CHAMPIONS MAKE FAST WORK AT FIREBIRD

FIREBIRD RACEWAY, Boise, Idaho - 1998 Northwest division Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, Roger Bateman and 1998 Pacific division Federal-Mogul Dragster champion, Rick Santos, claim victory at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway.

Roger Bateman of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, brought his Federal-Mogul Funny Car into Sundays eliminations at the No. 7 qualifying position with his best run of 6.219 seconds at 229.76 mph. Bateman's three runs in Sunday's eliminations included a 6.057, 6.049, and a pass of 6.066 seconds at 232.43 mph in the final. Bateman was set to run fellow Canadian, Mike Giuliani of Abbotsford, B.C. Canada, in the finals. Moving up to the starting line Giuliani's Oldsmobile lost power due to electrical problems. To the elation of the crowd, Bateman made a full run to take the victory.

"When I saw Mike wasn't going to make the run, all I thought was that I could use this run to test our new set-up," said Bateman. "We couldn't get the car right all weekend so we decided to try a little something different for today, I guess it worked."

The Federal-Mogul Dragster finals matched No. 1 qualifier, Rick Santos, against No. 2 qualifier, Melanie Troxel, which was a carbon copy of last year's final round at Firebird Raceway. Santos start was the difference in the race. Santo's reaction time was a .474 to Troxel's .492. They were almost side-by-side all the way down the track, but Troxel could not make up the great start by Santos. Santos took the race with a lap of 5.667 seconds at 242.98 mph to Troxel's run of 5.753 seconds at 242.84 mph.

Final results from Firebird Raceway, Boise, Idaho, the first of six events in the Northwest Division of the 1999 NHRA Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.667, 242.98
Melanie Troxel, Littleton, Colo., 5.753, 242.84

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, '97 Pontiac, 6.066, 232.43
Mike Giuliani, Abbotsford, B.C. Canada, '93 Oldsmobile, (no run recorded, broke)

COMPETITION
Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Chevrolet, 9.135, 147.56
Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '98 Dragster, 7.494, 179.56

SUPER STOCK
Bill Parmenter, Sandy, Or., '57 Chevrolet, 12.725, 101.60
Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Pontiac, 10.482, 127.55

STOCK
Don Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Ford, 10.655, 118.49
Jim Waldo, Richland, Wash., '69 Mustang, 11.166, 120.04.

SUPER STREET
Jason Heard, Vancouver, Wash., '70 Maverick, 11.264, 128.53
Jim Glenn, Kent, Wash., '69 Pontiac, 11.244, 121.17.

SUPER GAS
Mike Federer, Buckley, Wash., '96 Pontiac, 10.302, 138.03
William Marshall, Battle Ground, Wash., '89 Probe, 10.239, 137.67.

SUPER COMP
Don Rhyne, Boring Or., Dragster, 9.220, 155.76
Frank Cervelli, Brentwood, Calif., '96 Chevrolet, 9.183, 156.95

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTOS, McGLONE COME FROM BEHIND TO TAKE TOP QUALIFYING SPOTS

FIREBIRD RACEWAY, Boise, Idaho - Drivers Rick Santos and Dan McGlone come from behind to claim No. 1 qualifying positions in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car, respectively, at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway.

McGlone, who failed to make the field of eight in Fridays qualifying sessions, took advantage of his last qualifying attempt Saturday with a 5.948-second pass at 237.96 mph to take over the pole position.

"Yesterday I actually ran better than today, but I killed the valve springs about three-quarters down the track," said McGlone of Portland, Or. "If conditions are right I think we can run in the mid 5.80's on Sunday." Federal-Mogul Dragster National Champion, Rick Santos, went into Saturdays final qualifying run in the No. 2 position three thousandths of a second behind Melanie Troxel of Littleton, Colo. Santos last qualifying attempt gave him the No. 1 position with a run of 5.590-seconds at 252.45 to Troxel's run of 5.636-seconds at 248.55.

"It was a good time for the best run we had all weekend, it felt nice all the way down the track," opined Santos, of San Leandro, Calif. "Its always nice to run well in the home town of our sponsor, Oakwood Homes." Final eliminations in all categories begin 900 a.m. Sunday, with eliminations in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car scheduled to begin at 12 noon.

BOISE, Idaho-First round qualifying results from Firebird Raceway, the first of six events in the 1999 NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.590seconds, 252.45
2. Melanie Troxel, Littletown, Colo., 5.636, 248.55
3. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.691, 245.56
4. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.799, 234.61
5. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Or., 5.805, 239.55
6. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.838, 238.22
7. Gary Orsmby Jr., Auburn, Wash., 5.985, 222.77
8. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.093, 227.73

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Dan McGlone, Portland, Or., '98 Mustang, 5.948, 237.96
2. John Hyland, Springfield, Or., '98 Mustang, 6.050, 229.24
3. Russ Parker, Salem, Or., '97 Firebird, 6.071, 231.83
4. Mike Giuliani, Abbotsford, B.C. Canada, '93 Oldsmobile, 6.077, 231.89
5. Steve Sommer, Nampa, Idaho, '98 Firebird, 6.082, 207.70
6. Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '94 Oldsmobile, 6.130, 216.24
7. Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, '97 Firebird, 6.219, 229.76
8. Jett Field, Pocatello, Idaho, '97 Dodge, 6.521, 231.66

COMPETITION
1. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Chevrolet, 9.042 (-0.568)
2. Alan Freese, Monterey, Calif., '96 Chevrolet, 8.509 (-0.561)
3. Doug Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '90 Chevrolet, 9.318 (-0.552)
4. Nick Jandahl, Battle Ground, Wash., '92 Firebird, 9.147 (-0.543)
5. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '98 Dragster, 7.358 (-0.532)
6. Rob Robinson, Portland, Wash., '96 Oldsmobile, 8.572 (-0.498)
7. Art Hodges, Simi Valley, Calif., '98 Chevrolet, 7.963 (-0.467)
8. Mike Cherry, Hermiston, Or., '81 Monza, 8.932 (-0.078)

SUPER STOCK
1. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Pontiac, 10.218 (-1.252)
2. Greg Luneack, Upland, Calif., '96 Oldsmobile, 9.525 (-1.225)
3. Gary McGlosson, Cuba, N.M., '69 Chevrolet, 10.106 (-1.154)
4. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., '91 Oldsmobile, 9.748 (-1.152)
5. Abe Loewen, Regina, Canada, '98 Pontiac, 9.408 (-1.132)
6. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Chevrolet, 10.601 (-1.129)
7. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Or., '57 Chevrolet, 8.758 (-1.112)
8. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Mich., '68 Dodge, 9.230 (-1.100)

STOCK
1. Scott North, West Valley City, Utah, '84 Buick, 13.877(-1.673)
2. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., '71 Dodge, 10.538 (-1.392)
3. Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., '74 Dodge, 11.159 (-1.391)
4. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash, '77 Oldsmobile, 12.204 (-1.386)
5. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, '71 Ford, 10.829 (-1.361)
6. Bill Heard Jr., Vancouver, Wash., Pontiac, 11.067 (-1.333)
7. Fred Rectar, Durango, Colo., '72 Chevrolet, 11.628 (-1.292)
8. Shawn Towner, Lynnwood, Wash., '85 Chevrolet, 12.100 (-1.280)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TROXEL, PARKER ARE STRONG IN FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING
FIREBIRD RACEWAY, Boise, Idaho - Drivers Melanie Troxel and Russ Parker set the pace in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car, respectively, to claim the No. 1 qualifying positions at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird Raceway.

Troxel, who set a track speed record on Thursday with a 5.64-second run at 255.33 mph, lead all qualifiers Friday with a 5.63-second run at 248.55 mph to lead all Dragsters.

"I'm very pleased with our run, but I think we can do better" opined Troxel, of Littleton, Colo. I think we can run a 5.59 if the weather stays cool. Former sand drag racer, Russ Parker, of Salem, Or., was the fastest of the day, with a 6.07-second run at 231.83 mph, compared to a 6.08 second at 207.80. for Nampa, Idaho resident, Steve Sommer.

"We just wanted to set a baseline for our new engine", said Parker. "I think we can run under 6's with a couple more runs."

Qualifying in all categories continues Saturday at 900 a.m., with Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Cars scheduled to begin at 100 p.m.

BOISE, Idaho-First round qualifying results from Firebird Raceway, the first of six events in the 1999 NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Melanie Troxel, Littletown, Colo., 5.636, 248.55
2. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.815, 235.60
3. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Or., 5.830, 239.42
4. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.881, 236.90
5. Gary Orsmby Jr., Auburn, Wash., 5.985, 222.77
6. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 6.068, 173.67
7. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.420, 211.76
8. Mike Mchargue, lewiston, Idaho, 25.660, 28.69

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Russ Parker, Salem, Or., '97 Firebird, 6.071, 231.83
2. Steve Sommer, Nampa, Idaho, '98 Firebird, 6.082, 207.70
3. John Hyland, Sproingfield, Or., '98 Mustang, 6.103, 230.94
4. Mike Giuliani, Abbotsford, B.C. Canada, '93 Oldsmobile, 6.184, 222.05
5. Kerry Moreira, Richfield, Idaho, '94 Oldsmobile, 6.338, 229.00
6. Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, '97 Firebird, 6.400, 226.47
7. Dave Hix, Central Point, Or., '97 Oldsmobile, 6.648, 209.10
8. Hank Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '94 Firebird, 6.807, 207.42

COMPETITION
1. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Chevrolet, 9.042 (-0.568)
2. Doug Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '90 Chevrolet, 9.325 (-0.545)
3. Rob Robinson, Portland, Wash., '96 Oldsmobile, 8.572 (-0.498)
4. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '98 Dragster, 7.411 (-0.479)
5. Art Hodges, Simi Valley, Calif., '98 Chevrolet, 7.965 (-0.465)
6. Nick Jandahl, Battle Ground, Wash., '92 Firebird, 9.321 (-0.369)
7. Danny Anderson, Des Moines, Wash., '96 Dragster, 8.156 (-0.034)
8. Mike Cherry, Hermiston, Or., '81 Monza, 8.998 (-0.012)

SUPER STOCK
1. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Pontiac, 10.218 (-1.252)
2. Greg Luneack, Upland, Calif., '96 Oldsmobile, 9.525 (-1.225)
3. Gary McGlosson, Cuba, N.M., "69 Chevrolet, 10.118 (-1.142) 
4. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Chevrolet, 10.601 (-1.129)
5. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Or., '57 Chevrolet, 8.758 (-1.112)
6. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Mich., '68 Dodge, 9.230 (-1.100)
7. Abe Loewen, Regina, Canada, '98 Pontiac, 9.461 (-1.079)
8. Howard Thompson, Wildomer, Calif., '95 Ford, 10.240 (-1.070)

STOCK
1. Scott North, West Valley City, Utah, '84 Buick, 13.877 (-1.673)
2. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., '71 Dodge, 10.538 (-1.392)
3. Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., '74 Dodge, 11.159 (-1.391)
4. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash, '77 Oldsmobile, 12.204 (-1.386)
5. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, '71 Ford, 10.829 (-1.361)
6. Bill Heard Jr., Vancouver, Wash., Pontiac, 11.067 (-1.333)
7. Fred Rectar, Durango, Colo., '72 Chevrolet, 11.628 (-1.292)
8. Shawn Towner, Lynnwood, Wash., '85 Chevrolet, 12.100 (-1.280)