FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTOS NOW TWO FOR THREE

WITTMAN, Ariz. -- Defending Federal-Mogul Dragster world champion Rick Santos of San Leandro, Calif., and Campbell, Calif.’s Bret Williamson were the winners at Speedworld Motorplex Sunday, host to the first round of the 1999 NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

Santos defeated Larry Miersch of Fallbrook, Calif., for the Federal-Mogul Dragster title with a 5.60-second run, enough to cover Miersch’s 5.79-second pass, and his second NHRA event win in three races. Santos, driving the Oakwood Homes dragster, won the season-opening AutoZone Winternationals at Pomona Raceway, Calif., in February.

The last time Williamson visited an NHRA winner’s circle was in 1995 -- at Fuji International Speedway in Japan.

“I was convinced this car didn’t know how to win, at least in this country,” said a delighted Williamson. “We’ve always run good in qualifying -- we’re always in with a chance for the Winston Low Qualifier bonus money -- but when it comes time to win races we always would have something goofy happen.”

The trip to victory lane wasn’t all plain sailing. As final-round opponent Doug Gordon slowed with problems Williamson’s Pontiac Funny Car exploded the supercharger as it crossed the finish line.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Williamson of the engine damage. “What matters is we won. The car will be fixed by the time we get to the next race.”

WITTMAN, Ariz. -- Final results Sunday from Speedworld Motorplex, the first of six events in the 1999 NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.605, 244.17 def.
Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.79, 234.67.

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., ‘92 Trans Am, 5.887, 223.97 def.
Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., ‘99 Firebird, 11.002, 72.62.

COMPETITION
Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., D/EA ‘90 Pontiac, 8.589, 154.39 def.
Jeff Gillette, Benica, Calif., B/EDragster, 7.150, 188.48.

SUPER STOCK
Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA ‘90 Chevrolet, 10.500, 127.00 def.
Bub Pickens, Tempe, Ariz., ‘87 Camaro, 15.775, 77.72 (foul start).

STOCK
Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., ‘68 Camaro, 11.663, 112.87 def.
Brian Forester, Riverside, Calif., ‘80 Oldsmobile, 12.918, 102.38 (foul start).

SUPER COMP
Jim Hughes, Phoenix, Ariz., dragster, 9.095, 150.12 def.
Robert Brush, Edgewood, N.M., dragster, 8.978, 148.58 (break out).

SUPER GAS
Jim Shofner, Phoenix, Ariz., ‘96 Camaro, 10.016, 144.62 def.
Lawrence Brink, Brighton, Colo., ‘27-T Ford, 9.982, 145.95 (break out).

SUPER STREET 
Dave Sullivan, Sacramento, Calif., ‘70 Plymouth, 10.986, 1119.04 def. 
Keith Mangrove, Glendale, Ariz., ‘63 Nova, 10.983, 130.17 (break out).

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Larry Winter, Garden Grove, Calif., dragster, 8.003, 159.79 def.
Bill Webber, Golden Valley, Ariz., dragster, 7.971, 188.95 (break out).

PRO SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Sean Conner, Boulder City, Nev., ‘98 Kawasaki, 9.184, 127.67 def.
Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, ‘97 Kawasaki, 11.367, 127.97.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTES FROM THE 1999 NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES

WITTMAN, Ariz. -- A total of 477 vehicles passed through the NHRA technical inspection at Speedworld Motorplex, located in Northwest Phoenix, Ariz. As always, a good turnout of Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Cars complimented the field, with 11 and 12, respectively, in each category.

The second qualifying session for the supercharged alcohol gang was rough, particularly in Funny Car where both Steve Gasparrelli and Dale Van Gundy killed their engines in attempting to make the show. Gasparrelli did qualify in the eighth position with a 6.05-second run but was unable to make eliminations, his place being taken by alternate Jason Rupert. Van Gundy’s best run of 6.35 was three-tenths of a second off the pace.

Rupert’s car is one of the more unique in the Funny Car category, featuring a rare engine combination in any of the supercharged ranks: a 428 Boss Ford motor, designed by Chet Herbert. The Anaheim, Calif.,-based team has overcome a chronic oil leak that frustrated their efforts when they debuted the combination at the end of last year, and at Speedworld Motorplex recorded a best run of 6.09-seconds.

Larry Miersch’s runner-up effort in Federal-Mogul Dragster was all the more notable given that the car was badly damaged after coming down hard following a wheelstand at the CSK Nationals at Firebird Int’l Raceway two weeks earlier. Miersch has worked hard to establish himself as one of the Pacific Division’s stronger runners, not that the 27-year-old driver is a stranger to competition. Miersch is a four-time national and two-time world team BMX champion bike racer.

Easily the biggest upset of the day came in Federal-Mogul Funny Car when Pete Swayne, arguably the hottest driver in the country at the moment, lost a first-round duel with Bret Williamson. The Randy Goodwin & Swayne Pontiac violently shook the tires away from the starting line and was unable to catch Williamson, who won with a 5.99-second run.

Andy Manna Jr., the 1997 Federal-Mogul Comp national champion, returned to the Comp wars at Speedworld after briefly running in the Pro Stock Truck category. Running his V-6-powered D/EA ‘90 Pontiac, Manna showed he has lost none of his touch in the class, defeating Jeff Gillette for the event title. Manna reported he will chase the NHRA Pacific division Comp title while waiting for a new engine for his truck, expected to return to the track in June.

Luke Shumard, one of the nation’s best drag racers regardless of category, made his second appearance of the year in his new Mullis Race Cars Super Comp dragster. Shumard, the World No. 8, reported the Florida-built machine is “a dream to drive,” featuring as it does a full rear suspension as opposed to a mono-shock unit popular on other Super Comp dragsters.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY’S RUNS HOLD UP THROUGH SATURDAY

WITTMAN, Ariz., -- Mark Woods Jr. and John Weaver remained atop the qualifying charts at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Speedworld Motorplex Saturday. Woods is the No. 1 qualifier in Federal-Mogul Dragster with a 5.51-second run at 234.09 mph, while Weaver ran a 5.75-second, 245.86 mph pass to set the pole position in Federal-Mogul Funny Car. Both drivers recorded their best runs Friday evening.

Although Woods’ best run Saturday was a 5.71-second pass, the Kingsburg, Calif., driver declared himself “delighted” with the pole-position, the first of his career.

“It’s really something,” said Woods, “because we outran both [World Champion] Rick Santos and [World No. 2] Rick Henkelman. It’s quite an accomplishment to qualify ahead of either of those guys; to beat both of them ... Let’s say I’m real happy.”

Henkelman, of San Jose, Calif., finished qualifying in second place with a 5.53-second run at 247.02 mph, while San Leandro, Calif.’s Santos did set top speed of the event at 250.72 mph, but his 5.54-second time was good only for the third qualifying position.

Like Woods, Weaver, of Hanford, Calif., was unable to improve upon his Friday qualifying time, running a best of 5.91 seconds Saturday. Rod Alexander of Simi Valley, Calif., was the day’s quickest Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer with a 5.88-second run, good overall for the second qualifying position.

Eliminations in all categories begin 8:30 a.m. Sunday with quarterfinals in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car scheduled to start at 12 noon.

WITTMAN, Ariz. -- Final qualifying results Saturday from Speedworld Motorplex, the first of six events in the 1999 NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, Calif., 5.511, 234.09
2. Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.538, 247.02
3. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.549, 250.72
4. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.716, 228.68
5. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.730, 242.87
6. Cliff Bingham, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.758, 242.56
7. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.758, 237.75
8. Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.783, 240.19
9. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.942, 232.63
10. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 6.283, 225.14

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., ‘98 Firebird, 5.757, 245.86
2. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., ‘97 Cutlass, 5.882, 239.18
3. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., ‘98 Firebird, 5.901, 245.21
4. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, ‘99 Firebird, 5.914, 232.78
5. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., ‘99 Camaro, 5.934, 234.95
6. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., ‘92 Trans Am, 5.938, 237.84
7. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., ‘95 Thunderbird, 6.031, 236.97
8. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., ‘99 Firebird, 6.054, 202.226
9. Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., ‘99 Firebird, 6.093, 231.64
10. Steve Sommer, Nampa, Idaho, ‘98 Firebird, 6.291, 223.25

COMPETITION
1. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., E/SM ‘90 Camaro, 8.525, 160.13 (-0.625)
2. Jeff Gillette, Benicia, Calif., B/EDragster, 7.098, 188.27 (-0.612)
3. Alan Freese, Monterey, Calif., C/EA ‘96 Pontiac, 8.386, 156.16 (-0.554)
4. Andy Manna Jr., Corona, Calif., D/EA ‘90 Pontiac, 8.588, 154.51 (-0.542)
5. R. Bryan Morrison, Chino Hills, Calif., B/SM ‘92 Camaro, 8.950, 150.46 (-0.530)
6. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., C/EA ‘90 Firebird, 8.427, 159.62 (-0.513)
7. Patrick Hale, Glendale, Ariz., J/A ‘32 Bantam, 8.261, 155.55 (-0.459)
8. Rich Howell, Yorba Linda, Calif., B/A ‘32 Bantam, 7.485, 168.55 (-0.505)
9. Phil Cocuzza, Van Nuys, Calif., B/EA ‘95 Pontiac, 8.158, 164.78 (-0.452)
10. Mike Robinson, Salinas, Calif., B/EDragster, 7.258, 182.37 (-0.452)

SUPER STOCK
1. Doug Lambeck, Irvine, Calif. SS/BS ‘90 Camaro, 9.079, 147.19 (-1.091)
2. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA ‘96 Achieva, 9.669, 137.22 (-1.061)
3. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA ‘89 Camaro, 10.492, 126.63 (-1.048)
4. Gary McGlasson, Cuba, N.M., SS/HA ‘69 Chevrolet, 10.056, 130.53 (-1.024)
5. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., GT/BA ‘91 Calais, 9.709, 135.36 (-1.021)
6. Eddie Leabo, Alta Loma, Calif., SS/BS ‘90 Chevrolet, 9.184, 147.14 (-0.986)
7. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM ‘57 Corvette, 8.727, 154.92 (-0.983)
8. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., SS/AM ‘90 Beretta, 8.728, 156.58 (-0.982)
9. Ritch Ahrens, Greely, Colo., GT/EA ‘80 Pontiac, 10.184, 129.38 (-0.946)
10. Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., SS/GA ‘69 Ford, 10.090, 130.18 (-0.940)

STOCK
1. Stewart Triggs, Fremont, Neb., GF/S ‘83 Dodge, 16.093, 82.36 (-1.197)
2. Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., F/SA ‘74 Dodge, 11.172, 116.63 (-1.178)
3. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Dodge, 10.566, 124.31 (-1.174)
4. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.328, 126.65 (-1.162)
5. Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., Q/SA ‘99 Pontiac, 13.243, 100.20 (-1.097)
6. Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Chrysler, 10.644, 123.12 (-1.096)
7. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., J/SA ‘76 Dodge, 11.877, 110.83 (-1.083)
8. Dwayne Scheitlin, Madera, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Dodge, 10.682, 122.11 (-1.058)
9. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., FT/SA ‘83 Dodge Truck, 12.936, 99.94 (-1.044)
10. Jim Meador, Yorba Linda, Calif., D/SA 67 Camaro, 11.013, 119.15 (-1.037)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WOODS, WEAVER LEAD AT SPEEDWORLD
WITTMAN, Ariz., -- Mark Woods Jr. and John Weaver are the early pace-setters at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Speedworld Motorplex. Woods leads the Federal-Mogul Dragster category with a 5.51-second run at 234.09 mph, while Weaver paces the Federal-Mogul Funny Cars with a 5.75-second pass at 245.86 mph.

Weaver’s run came in a brand-new car. Six weeks ago, at Pomona Raceway, Calif., Weaver’s race car crashed after posting a number-one qualifying run at the NHRA AutoZone Winternationals. The Hanford, Calif., driver returned to competition at the CSK Nationals at Firebird International Raceway two weeks ago but was plagued with a faulty ignition system.

“We made some changes to the car this week, and they obviously worked,” said Weaver. “We only picked up the new body last weekend, so this now is a totally new car. The 5.75 matches our quickest run here in January, so we’re real pleased with our progress so far.”

Qualifying will continue in all categories on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car scheduled to receive two more qualifying laps at 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

WITTMAN, Ariz. -- Provisional qualifying results Friday from Speedworld Motorplex, the first of six events in the 1999 NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Mark Woods Jr., Kingsburg, Calif., 5.511 seconds, 234.09 mph
2. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.552, 250.72
3. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.730, 242.87
4. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.766, 219.93
5. Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.791, 240.19
6. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.947, 232.54
7. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.999, 194.37
8. Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 6.175, 186.97
9. Cliff Bingham, Huntington Beach, Calif., 6.211, 164.04
10. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 6.283, 225.14

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., ‘98 Firebird, 5.757 seconds, 245.86 mph
2. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., ‘98 Firebird, 5.901, 245.21
3. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, ‘99 Firebird, 5.914, 232.78
4. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., ‘95 Thunderbird, 6.031, 236.97
5. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., ‘97 Cutlass, 6.068, 236.32
6. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., ‘99 Camaro, 6.125, 228.95
7. Steve Sommer, Nampa, Idaho, ‘98 Firebird, 6.291, 223.25
8. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., ‘99 Firebird, 6.660, 147.09
9. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., ‘92 Trans Am, 7.009, 150.18
10. Mike Adams, Laveen, Ariz., ‘94 Firebird, 7.217, 190.28

COMPETITION
1. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., E/SM ‘90 Camaro, 8.525, 160.13 (-0.625)
2. Jeff Gillette, Benicia, Calif., B/EDragster, 7.110, 189.00 (-0.600)
3. Alan Freese, Monterey, Calif., C/EA ‘96 Pontiac, 8.386, 156.16 (-0.554)
4. Andy Manna Jr., Corona, Calif., D/EA ‘90 Pontiac, 8.588, 154.51 (-0.542)
5. R. Bryan Morrison, Chino Hills, Calif., B/SM ‘92 Camaro, 8.950, 150.46 (-0.530)
6. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., C/EA ‘90 Firebird, 8.427, 159.62 (-0.513)
8. Patrick Hale, Glendale, Ariz., J/A ‘32 Bantam, 8.261, 155.55 (-0.459)
7. Rich Howell, Yorba Linda, Calif., B/A ‘32 Bantam, 7.485, 168.55 (-0.505)
9. Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., D/A ‘95 Firebird, 8.180, 163.29 (-0.440)
10. Phil Cocuzza, Van Nuys, Calif., B/EA ‘95 Pontiac, 8.186, 164.08 (-0.424)

SUPER STOCK
1. Doug Lambeck, Irvine, Calif. SS/BS ‘90 Camaro, 9.093 seconds, 146.85 (-1.077)
2. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA ‘96 Achieva, 9.682, 136.84 (-1.048)
3. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA ‘89 Camaro, 10.494, 127.09 (-1.046)
4. Gary McGlasson, Cuba, N.M., SS/HA ‘69 Chevrolet, 10.056, 130.53 (-1.024)
5. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., GT/BA ‘91 Calais, 9.709, 135.36 (-1.021)
6. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM ‘57 Corvette, 8.727, 154.92 (-0.983)
7. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., SS/AM ‘90 Beretta, 8.728, 156.58 (-0.982)
8. Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., SS/GA ‘69 Ford, 10.090, 130.18 (-0.940)
9. Ritch Ahrens, Greely, Colo., GT/EA ‘80 Pontiac, 10.204, 129.38 (-0.926)
10. Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., SS/CM ‘96 Oldsmobile, 9.160, 147.53(-0.910)

STOCK
1. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA ‘71 Dodge, 10.566, 124.31 (-1.174)
2. Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., F/SA ‘74 Dodge, 11.187, 116.63 (-1.163)
3. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA ‘69 Camaro, 10.331, 126.46 (-1.159)
4. Stewart Triggs, Fremont, Neb., GF/S ‘83 Dodge, 16.135, 82.36 (-1.155)
5. Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., Q/SA ‘99 Pontiac, 13.243, 100.20 (-1.097)
6. Jim Meador, Yorba Linda, Calif., D/SA 67 Camaro, 11.013, 119.15 (-1.037)
7. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., J/SA ‘76 Dodge, 11.928, 110.83 (-1.032)
8. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., FT/SA ‘83 Dodge Truck, 12.955, 99.94 (-1.025)
9. Gary Kestler, Las Vegas, Nev., C/SA ‘70 Challenger, 10.892, 120.26 (-1.008)
10. Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., I/S ‘72 Nova, 11.716, 112.52 (-0.994)