FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McPHILLIPS, MANZO TAKE HOME WINS AT DIVISION OPENER

MOHNTON, Pa. - Local favorite Rich McPhillips of Phoenixville, Pa., beat Jeanie Booz away from the starting line and to the finish line in the final of the Federal-Mogul Dragster category at the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway Monday.

The event, delayed 24 hours because of persistent rain throughout the weekend, also had three-time defending NHRA national champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., claim the Federal-Mogul Funny Car title. McPhillips' pass of 5.730 seconds at 251.60 mph was enough to stay ahead of the quicker Booz who ran a 5.653 at 253.80 mph. McPhillips had more than three hundredths of a lead off the line, which made the difference at the finish stripe.

Manzo set a new track speed record on his way to his third straight victory at Coca-Cola Championships, using a speed of 256.84 mph to defeat Paul Gill in the final. Gill, the previous track speed record holder at 251.11 mph, could only muster a run of 5.93 seconds at 238.47 mph, no match for Manzo's winning 5.593-second lap.

The following are final results from the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway, the first round of six in the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Doug Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 6.064 seconds, 190.07 mph def. 8.
Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.83, 236.47 [red light]
2. Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.683, 251.32 def. 7. David DeAngelis,
Middleset, N.J., 7.152, 137.29
6. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.621, 250.41 def. 3. Cliff
Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.596, 251.74
4. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 6.428, 236.71 def. 5. Ken Winward,
Wilmington, Del., 6.092, 195.01

Semifinals
McPhillips, 5.653, 250.90 def. Foley, 10.493, 76.02 [broke]
Booz, 5.576, 253.95 def. Gunderson, 5.590, 247.38

Final
McPhillips, 5.730, 251.60 def. Booz, 5.653, 253.80


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1. Steve Harker, Brisbane, Australia, '99 Avenger, 5.847, 247.52 def. 8.
Jim Lape, Myerstown, Pa., '98 Camaro, 6.238, 226.87
2. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., '00 Camaro, 5.825, 244.89 def. 7.
Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '99 Avenger, 6.385, 189.35
3. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '96 Avenger, 5.751, 251.53 def. 6. Eric
Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '99 Camaro, 6.132, 213.27
5. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Avenger, 5.674, 253.44 def. 4. Craig
English, Mount Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 5.797, 248.00

Semifinals
Manzo, 5.651, 255.10 def. Harker 5.706, 252.24
Gill, 5.757, 254.81 def. Monaghan, 6.447, 160.34

Final 
Manzo, 5.593, 256.84 def. Gill 5.933, 238.47


COMPETITION
Erich Bollman, Newark, Del., D/A '92 Probe, 8.145, 164.47 def. Steve
Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., I/A '32 Ford, 7.963, 158.00

SUPER STOCK
Michael Barsky, Levittown, Pa., GT/MA '84 Camaro, 11.241, 117.43 def. Pat
Toomey, Cayuga, N.Y., GT/GA '83 Camaro, 10.589, 120.01

STOCK
Mark Dickerson, Baltimore, Md., F/SA '70 Duster, 11.245, 112.31 def. Billy
Leber, Buffalo, N.Y., L/SA '88 Cutlass, 12.381, 102.50

SUPER COMP
John DiBartolomeo, Lambertville, N.J., dragster, 8.909, 151.03, def. Thomas
Boyle, West Chester, Pa., dragster, 8.898, 158.33 [broke out]

SUPER GAS
Billy Leber, Buffalo, N.Y. '00 Corvette, 9.895, 146.62 def. Mark Payne,
Waynesboro, '96 Beretta, 9.866, 145.11 [broke out]

SUPER STREET
Jeffery Fisher, Medina, N.Y., '82 AMC, 10.844, 130.90 def. Robbie Welch,
Mechanicsville, Md., 10.886, 126.54 [red light]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain pushes Coca-Cola Championships to Memorial Day

MOHNTON, Pa. - Reigning three-time Federal-Mogul Funny Car national champion Frank Manzo led the field through the first round of eliminations with a 5.674 second pass at 253.44 mph and removed Craig English from the show. English tripped the clocks at 5.797, 248.00 mph. Manzo will face number one qualifier Steve Harker in the semifinals that have been delayed till Monday morning due to rain. In the other semifinal matchup, Fran Monaghan of Willow Grove, Pa., will take on last year's funny car event champion Paul Gill.

In Federal-Mogul Dragster it was Blooming Glen, Pa. resident Jeanie Booz with the top speed in round one, covering the quarter-mile in 5.683 seconds at 251.32 mph. Booz will face off with NHRA Southeast Division kingpin and defending event champion Michael Gunderson in the semi-finals. Gunderson beat a quicker Cliff Bozzelli when he left the starting line ahead of Bozzelli and held on for the win. No. 1 qualifier Doug Foley will do battle with Rich McPhillips of Phoenixville, Pa., in the other semifinal heat.

Gates will open at 8 a.m. with final eliminations scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

The following were first-round pairings and final qualifying results from the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway, the first round of six in the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Doug Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.657 seconds, 252.17 mph vs. 
8. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.855, 235.66

2. Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.710, 252.80 vs. 
7. David DeAngelis, Middleset, N.J., 5.853, 212.66

3. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.743, 206.89 vs. 
6. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5,.817, 242.39

4. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.757, 248.20 vs. 
5. Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.763, 238.91

Not Qualified
9. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.902, 227.61
10. Paul Sylvester, Rownsend, Del., 6.114, 201.56
11. Jeff Veale, Hannon, Ont., 6.285, 194.80
12. John Headley, Newport, Pa., 6.739, 172.14
13. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 7.270, 162.60
14. Stephen Newcomb, Pembroke, Mass., 9.734, 71.94

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Steve Harker, Brisbane Australia, '99 Avenger, 5.700 seconds, 250.90 mph vs. 
8. Jim Lape, Myerstown, Pa., '98 Camaro, 6.212, 299.35

2. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., '00 Camaro, 5.779, 246.30 vs. 
7. Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '99 Avenger, 6.199, 223.49

3. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '96 Avenger, 5.796, 244.23 vs. 
6. Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '99 Camaro, 6.132, 213.27

4. Craig English, Mount Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 5.954, 241.61 vs. 
5. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Avenger, 6.027, 254.30

Not Qualified
9. Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, 6.318, 219.51
10. John Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., '93 Saab, 6.445, 217.28
11. Sam Leland, Jarrettsville, Md., '98 Avenger, 8.015, 114.59
12. Rich Fenwick, Northfield, Conn'97 Achieva, 8.172, 115.28
13. Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., 97 Camaro, 12.153, 69.62

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain Delays Racing Action at Maple Grove

MOHNTON, Pa.-- The rains came earlier than expected and canceled most of Saturday's activities for the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway. Racers took to the track for three hours this morning before racing came to a stop at 11:00 a.m. Rain continued to fall when officials canceled the day's activities just after 5 p.m.

The fields have been set in all categories except for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car who will make two qualifying passes on Sunday with the first scheduled for 10 a.m. The eight quickest cars of the fifteen entered in both the dragster and funny car will pair off in the first round of eliminations Sunday afternoon.

David Fiore locked in the number one qualifying spot in Comp. Eliminator with a pass of 7.530 seconds, .670 seconds under his index. Steve Ambrose and Northeast Division Champion Dave Northrop follow in the second and third spots respectively.

James Zane of Bordentown, N.J. held on to the number one spot in Super Stock with a pass of 10.438 seconds, 1.312 seconds under his index. Zane will take home the $200 Winston Top Qualifier money and is followed by Joe Skinner in the number two position at 9.510 seconds, 1.290 under the index. Bob Horgan leads stock Eliminator in his '85 Camaro followed by Ray Valpreda in the number two position.

Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. with Super Street kicking off the action. Gate open at 8 a.m.

The following are final qualifying results from the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway, the first round of six in the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

COMPETITION
1. David Fiore, Altoona, Pa., D/ED '97 dragster, 7.530 seconds, (-0.670 seconds under index)
2. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., I/A '23 Ford, 7.931, (-0.659)
3. Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., D/A '96 Cutlass, 7.964, (-0.656)
4. Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., G/D '96 dragster, 9.410, (-0.630)
5. Greg Kozera, Fairfield, Conn., D/ED '98 dragster, 7.594, (-0.606)
6. Jeff Taylor, Lunberton, N.C., C/A '00 Camaro, 7.620, (-0.600)
7. Ian Landies, Chardon, Ohio, A/SR '34 Chevrolet, 8.087, (-0.593)
8. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., E/SM '98 Grand Am, 8.339, (-0.581)
9. Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A '95 Trans Am, 7.6769, (-0.551)
10. Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., F/SM '96 Trans Am, 9.308,(-0.542)

SUPER STOCK
1. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., SS/TD '99 S-10, 10.498 seconds, (-1.252 seconds under index)
2. Joe Skinner, Columbia Station, Ohio, GT/DA '95 Cavalier, 9.510, (-1.290)
3. Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA '67 Camaro, 9.768, (-1.132)
4. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., SS/BM '98 Grand Am, 8.595, (-1.105)
5. Michael Volkman, Pittsburg, Pa., GT/IA '00 Sebring, 10.396, (-1.104)
6. John Armstrong, Kingston, NS CAN, SS/BA '69 Camaro, 9.102, (-1.098)
7. Bucky Hess, Bunkerhill, W. Va., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.914, (-1.086)
8. Jim Boburke, Coraopolis, Pa., GT/DA '00 Firebird, 9.717, (-1.083)
9. Richard Diorio, South River, N.J., SS/PA '55 Chevrolet, 11.871, (-1.079)
10. Bob Hammel, West Babylon, N.Y. GT/GA '88 Thunderbird, 10.156, (-1.044)

STOCK
1. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., I/SA '85 Camaro, 11.396 seconds,(-1.204 seconds under index)
2. Ray Valpreda, Lawrenceville, N.J., ET/SA '98 Dakota, 12.408, (-1.142)
3. Bob Kemp, Carmel, N.Y., F/S '72 Mustang, 10.966, (-1.134)
4. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., M/SA '85 Camaro, 12.059, (-1.091)
5. Jim Penta, Pawtucket, R.I., D/S '98 Firebird, 10,718, (-1.082)
6. Dean Cook, West Warwick, R.I., F/S  '72 Mustang, 11.026, (-1.074)
7. Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., Q/SA '77 Cadillac, 13.054, (-1.046)
8. Emory, Stull, Woodbine, Md., E/S '67 Camaro, 10.906, (-1.044)
9. Billy Ness, Millmont, Pa., V/SA '70 Nova, 14.770, (-1.030)
10. Anthony Massari, Middletown, N.J., DF/SA '83 Riviera, 14.575, (-1.025)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIPS KICK OFF AT MAPLE GROVE
MOHNTON, Pa.- The NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series kicked off its 2000 season at Maple Grove Raceway with the now-traditional Coca-Cola Championships.

Qualifying took center stage Friday and David Fiore of Altoona, Pa., grabbed the number one qualifying position in the Competition Eliminator category with a pass of 7.530 seconds, 0.670-second under his class Index. The Comp cars receive their final qualifying session Saturday with the first round of eliminations scheduled for later in the afternoon.

James Zane and Bob Horgan pace the Super Stock and Stock categories, respectively, going into Saturday's final qualifying. With rain threatening to disrupt Sunday's eliminations, NHRA and Maple Grove Raceway officials may run late into Saturday night with the first, and possibly second-round eliminations for several of the categories. A final decision will be made Saturday morning. With more than 500 cars making qualifying runs Friday, there already have been five winners crowned in the race with-in a race 'Super Slam Special' series. Racers qualify for the eight-position Super Slam in five of the eight Federal-Mogul categories: Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street.

As the elimination ladders came down Jack Matyas of Bethlehem, Pa., out ran Toby Lang in the Super Slam Final of Stock with a pass of 11.094 seconds at 114.04 mph. Sam Biondo beat Lincoln Morehead in Super Stock, using a near perfect reaction time of 0.501-second (0.500 is perfect) to claim the win. Mike Sullivan was victorious in Super Comp, while Bernard Weaver won in Super Gas, and Mike Giuliano claimed the Super Street honors.

Qualifying continues for the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway Saturday with the Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars making their qualifying pass at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. with racing slated to begin at 8:30 a.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the Coca-Cola Championships at Maple Grove Raceway, the first round of six in the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

COMPETITION
1. David Fiore, Altoona, Pa., D/ED dragster, 7.530 seconds (-0.670)
2. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., I/A '23-T Ford, 7.931 (-0.659)
3. Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., D/A '96 Cutlass, 7.964 (-0.656)
4. Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., G/D dragster, 9.410 (-0.630)
5. Greg Kozera, Fairfield, Conn., D/ED dragster, 7.594 (-0.606)
6. Jeff Taylor, Lunberton, N.C., C/A '00 Camaro, 7.620 (-0.600)
7. Ian Landies, Chardon, Ohio, A/SR '34 Chevrolet, 8.087 (-0.593)
8. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., E/SM '98 Grand Am, 8.339 (-0.581)
9. Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., C/A '95 Trans Am, 7.679 (-0.551)
10. Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., F/SM '96 Trans Am, 9.308 (-0.542)

SUPER STOCK
1. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., SS/TD '99 S-10, 10.498 seconds (-1.252)
2. Joe Skinner, Columbia Station, Ohio, GT/DA '95 Cavalier, 9.572 (-1.228)
3. Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA '67 Camaro, 9.768 (-1.132)
4. Michael Volkman, Pittsburg, Pa., GT/IA '00 Sebring, 10.396 (-1.104)
5. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., SS/BM '98 Grand Am, 8.598 (-1.102)
6. John Armstrong, Kingston, NS CAN, SS/BA '69 Camaro, 9.113 (-1.087)
7. Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Pa., GT/DA '00 Firebird, 9.717 (-1.083)
8. Richard Diorio, South River, N.J., SS/PA '55 Chevrolet, 11.871 (-1.079)
9. Bucky Hess, Bunkerhill, W. Va., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.925 (-1.075)
10. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., GT/EA, '91 Daytona, 9.925 (-1.025)

STOCK
1. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., I/SA '85 Camaro, 11.438 seconds (-1.162)
2. Ray Valpreda, Lawrenceville, N.J., ET/SA '98 Dakota, 12.415 (-1.135)
3. Bob Kemp, Carmel, N.Y., F/S '72 Mustang, 10.966 (-1.134)
4. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., M/SA '85 Camaro, 12.059 (-1.091)
5. Jim Penta, Pawtucket, R.I., D/S '98 Firebird, 10,718 (-1.082)
6. Dean Cook, West Warwick, R.I., F/S '72 Mustang, 11.026 (-1.074)
7. Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., Q/SA '77 Cadillac, 13.054 (-1.046)
8. Emory Stull, Woodbine, Md., E/S '67 Camaro, 10.906 (-1.044)
9. Billy Ness, Millmont, Pa., V/SA '70 Nova, 14.77, (-1.030)
10. Anthony Massari, Middletown, N.J., DF/SA '83 Riviera, 14.575 (-1.025)