FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Booz, Payne ease into winner's circle

DINWIDDIE, Va. - In the final rounds from Virginia Motorsports Park, Jay Payne increased his points lead over Mark Billington for the Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car championship. And Jeanie Booz won her second event in two weeks to break the points tie in the Northeast Division's Federal-Mogul Dragster championship chase.

Payne, of Upland, Calif., came into the event with a 100-point lead over Apopka, Fla.'s, Billington. The pair met in the final round and Payne outran Billington with a 5.854-second, 244.12-mph pass. This is Payne's third win of the season.

"Boy, it took some time to get that first win," said Payne, who only started driving a funny car last year after 13 years in a Federal-Mogul Dragster. "Now I'm feeling a little more comfortable but I've still go a lot to learn with in this class."

Booz, who may well have wrapped up her first division title (Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., can claim points from one more race, but would have to win it in order to achieve a tie), beat McPhillips in the semi-finals and went on to defeat Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va. Booz made a run of 5.697 seconds at 247.97 mph to take the win.

Winners in other classes were David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., in Comp; Joe LoCicero, Lithonia, Ga., in Super Stock; Mark Dickerson, Baltimore, Md., is Stock; Tom Dauber, Clarksburg, N.J., in Super Comp; Dan Northrop, Doylestown, Pa., in Super Gas; and Gary Johnson, Sarasota, Fla., in Super Street.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.820 seconds, 229.08 mph def. 
8) Bill Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 18.462, 36.16

2) Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.964, 240.47 def. 
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., no show

6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.000, 229.39 def. 
3) Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 6.039, 232.55

5) Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.774, 247.88 def. 
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., no show

Semifinals
Booz, 5.686, 247.07 def. McPhillips, 5.837, 231.40 
Slagle, 5.837, 242.41 def. Fiorelli, 6.156, 203.80

Final Round
Booz, 5.697, 247.97 def. Slagle, 5.867, 241.97

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Jay Payne, Upland, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.867 seconds, 236.71 mph def. 
8) bye

2) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Achieva, 6.245, 214.96 def. 
7) Philip mHooper, Chesterfield, Va., '97 Camaro, 7.106, 202.97 

3) Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 6.063, 236.67 def. 
6) Bunny Burkett, Sterling, Va., '99 Avenger, 7.154, 131.27

5) William Fulford, Virginia Bch., Va., '00 Corvette, 7.045, 220.33 def. 
4) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '99 Avenger, no show

Semifinals
Payne, 5.992, 242.06 def. Fulford, 6.323, 218.90
Billington, 6.213, 224.70 def. English, no show

Final Round
Payne, 5.854, 244.12 def. Billington, 6.165, 225.97

COMP ELIMINATOR
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '97 roadster, A/EA, 7.643, 146.89 def. 
Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, N.Y., '98 dragster, G/ED, 9.206, 101.39

SUPER STOCK
Joe LoCicero, Lithonia, Ga., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 14.228, 61.48 def. 
Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '00 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.385, 127.92

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Mark Dickerson, Baltimore, Md., '70 Duster, F/SA, 11.434, 115.43 def. 
Whip Wilson, Mechanicsville, Va., '67 Camaro, E/S, 11.723, 105.31

SUPER COMP
Tom Dauber, Clarksburg, N.J., '97 dragster, 8.926, 163.63 def. 
Steve Cohen, Trilby, Fla., '00 dragster, 8.921, 158.37

SUPER GAS
Dan Northrop, Doylestown, Pa., '75 Vega, 9.908, 133.03 def. 
Jeff Szilagyi, Bethlehem, Pa., '27 roadster, 9.883, 145.11 

SUPER STREET
Gary Johnson, Sarasota, Fla., '68 Camaro, 10.883, 121.04 def. 
Robbie Welch, Mechanicsville, Md., '66 Fairlane, 10.883, 125.95

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain washes out Saturday's qualifying at Virginia Motorsports Park

DINWIDDIE, Va. - The final time trials and qualifying sessions at the Virginia is for Lovers Thunder Weekend, a round of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, were cancelled today due to rain.

The event will continue Sunday, weather permitting. The action will begin at 10 a.m. with first round of eliminations for Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. At 11 a.m., Federal-Mogul Dragster, Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Comp Eliminator, each of which had only one run Friday, will each get one qualifying pass before continuing with eliminations for all classes.

Gates at Virginia Motorsports Park open at 9 a.m. Tickets, including a pit pass, are $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For more information please call Virginia Motorsports Park, (804) 862-3174.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park. No time trials or qualifying runs were made Saturday due to rain:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.646 seconds, 230.49 mph
2. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.701, 244.38
3. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.725, 240.70
4. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.143, 236.05
5. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 6.462, 225.22
6. Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 9.285, 88.97
7. Bob Levertich, Marysville, Mich., 9.409, 88.93 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Jay Payne, Upland, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.780 seconds, 248.66 mph
2. Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Achieva, 6.031, 229.74
3. Bunny Burkett, Sterling, Va., '99 Avenger, 6.312, 223.69
4. Philip Hooper, Chesterfield, Va., '97 Camaro, 28.00, 14.42
5. Melinda, Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '99 Avenger, no time recorded

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '98 dragster, G/ED, 8.314 seconds, -0.786 under index
2. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '97 roadster, A/EA, 7.410, -0.670
3. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.907, -0.633
4. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 dragster, D/ED, 7.510, -0.610
5. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, E/SM, 8.316,   -0.604
6. Allen Stanfield, Fredericksville, Va., '97 Trans Am, F/SM, 9.316,   -0.494
7. Pam Miskovsky, Quakertown, Pa., '94 dragster, C/D, 7.217, -0.453
8. Dave Stouse, Morganville, N.J., '97 Cutlass, B/A, 7.430, -0.440
9. Keith Roberts, Mooresville, N.C., '96 Cutlass, C/EA, 8.488, -0.402
10. Steve Szupka, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., '98 dragster, C/ED, 7.631,  -0.379

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dodson, Beaverdam, Va., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.543 seconds,  -1.207 under index
2. Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.271, -1.179
3. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, Pa., '93 LeBaron, GT/HA, 10.292, -1.058
4. Bruce Riley, Lake Echo, NS, Can., '71 Chevelle, SS/EA, 9.626, -1.024
5. Bob Cupp, Alexandria, Va., '65 Chevelle, SS/KA, 10.536, -1.014
6. Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.490, -1.010
7. Joe LoCicero, Lithonia, Ga., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.763, -0.937
8. Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '93 Achieva, GT/BA, 9.624, -0.926
9. Larry Jewell, Ulysses, Pa., '67 Corvette, SS/DA, 9.607, -0.893
10. Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '00 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.222, -0.878

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. James Waibel, Lakeland, Fla., '82 Cutlass, U/SA, 13.891 seconds,  -1.259 under index
2. Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '85 Camaro, M/SA, 11.942, -1.208
3. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '91 Camaro, K/SA, 11.752,   -1.198
4. John Presing, North Haledon, N.J., '88 Mustang, L/S, 11.812, -1.188
5. Dean Cook II, West Warwick, R.I., '72 Mustang, F/S, 10.913, -1.187
6. Brian VanPoppel, Perry Hall, Md., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.419, -1.181
7. Bill Hawk, Manassas, Va., '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.709, -1.141
8. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Berlinetta, 12.010, -1.140
9. Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Pontiac, 12.314, -1.136
10. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.620, -1.130

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying kicks off at Virgininia Motorsports Park

DINWIDDIE, Va. - In the first rounds of qualifying at the Virginia is for Lovers Weekend Thunder event, a round of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Virginia Motorsports Park, Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Rich McPhillips and Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot Jay Payne took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

McPhillips, of Phoenixville, Pa., outran the field with a pass of 5.646 seconds at 230.49 mph. And Upland, Calif., resident Payne made a 5.780-second, 248.66-mph run to take the pole.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Frank Aragona Jr. of Franklin Square, N.Y., in Competition Eliminator; Bob Dodson of Beaverdam, Va., in Super Stock; and James Waibel of Lakeland, Fla., in Stock.

Gates open at 9 a.m. at Virginia Motorsports Park Saturday. Qualifying and time trials continue at 10 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car are scheduled to run at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets, including pit pass, are $15 and children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

For more information please call Virginia Motorsports Park, (804) 862-3174.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.646, 230.49
2. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.701, 244.38
3. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.725, 240.70
4. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.143, 236.05
5. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 6.462, 225.22
6. Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 9.285, 88.97
7. Bob Levertich, Marysville, Mich., 9.409, 88.93 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Jay Payne, Upland, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.780, 248.66
2. Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Achieva, 6.031, 229.74
3. Bunny Burkett, Sterling, Va., '99 Avenger, 6.312, 223.69
4. Philip Hooper, Chesterfield, Va., '97 Camaro, 28.00, 14.42
5. Melinda, Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '99 Avenger, no time recorded

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Frank Aragona Jr,, Franklin Square, N.Y., '98 dragster, G/ED, 8.314, -0.786
2. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '97 roadster, A/EA, 7.410, -0.670
3. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.907, -0.633
4. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 dragster, D/ED, 7.510, -0.610
5. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, E/SM, 8.316,  -0.604
6. Allen Stanfield, Fredericksville, Va., '97 Trans Am, F/SM, 9.316, -0.494
7. Pam Miskovsky, Quakertown, Pa., '94 dragster, C/D, 7.217, -0.453
8. Dave Stouse, Morganville, N.J., '97 Cutlass, B/A, 7.430, -0.440
9. Keith Roberts, Mooresville, N.C., '96 Cutlass, C/EA, 8.488, -0.402
10. Steve Szupka, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., '98 dragster, C/ED, 7.631,  -0.379

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dodson, Beaverdam, Va., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.543, -1.207
2. Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.271, -1.179
3. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, Pa., '93 LeBaron, GT/HA, 10.292, -1.058
4. Bruce Riley, Lake Echo, NS, Can., '71 Chevelle, SS/EA, 9.626, -1.024
5. Bob Cupp, Alexandria, Va., '65 Chevelle, SS/KA, 10.536, -1.014
6. Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.490, -1.010
7. Joe LoCicero, Lithonia, Ga., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.763, -0.937
8. Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '93 Achieva, GT/BA, 9.624, -0.926
9. Larry Jewell, Ulysses, Pa., '67 Corvette, SS/DA, 9.607, -0.893
10. Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '00 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.222, -0.878

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. James Waibel, Lakeland, Fla., '82 Cutlass, U/SA, 13.891,  -1.259
2. Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '85 Camaro, M/SA, 11.942, -1.208
3. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '91 Camaro, K/SA, 11.752, -1.198
4. John Presing, North Haledon, N.J., '88 Mustang, L/S, 11.812, -1.188
5. Dean Cook II, West Warwick, R.I., '72 Mustang, F/S, 10.913, -1.187
6. Brian VanPoppel, Perry Hall, Md., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.419, -1.181
7. Bill Hawk, Manassas, Va., '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.709, -1.141
8. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Berlinetta, 12.010, -1.140
9. Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Pontiac, 12.314, -1.136
10. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.620, -1.130