FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday titles for Cheeseman and Wilson

JOLIET, Ill. - The final round of elimination's were run as ominous weather lingered over the quarter mile track as the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series made its final stop of the 2000 season. In the end there were eight winners. In Federal-Mogul Dragster, Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Mo.; Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio; Competition Eliminator, Charlie Westcott of Parma, Mich.; Super Stock, Scott Richardson of Goodlettsville, Tenn.; Stock, Scott Dugdale of Circle Pines, Minn. Super Street, Justin Rosenbohn of Leclaire, Iowa; Super Gas, Tom Small of Indianapolis, Ind.; and Dave Dahlem of Tremont, Ill. in Super Comp.

Continuing to dominate in the Federal-Mogul dragster category and sure-fire winner of the division championship is Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Missouri. Wilson, who won for the fourth time this year with a run of 5.526 and 258.47 mph, is making a strong push to finish in the top three nationally. Said Wilson, "We can only take care of ourselves, the rest of the pieces will fall as they may." Also, collecting his second runner-up in the 2000 season is Cincinnati, Ohio resident Gary Ward. Ward, ran a 5.619 seconds and 246.30 mph to earn his second trip to the finals with a victory over sixth seeded Randy Bayne.

Working on his second division championship in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car class is veteran driver and long time competitor, Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio. Cheeseman, who last won a division championship in 1993, out-dueled a strong up-and-comer in New Lenox, Illinois, resident Dave "The Fonz" Kozar with a run of 5.885 seconds and 249.35 mph compared to 6.097 and 230.21. Kozar, making his first start in a final in only his third event that he has entered, beat number one qualifier Cy Chesterman. Chesterman, clearly the favorite, had the win with a stellar reaction time only to lose after blowing a motor at mid track.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Division Three's Route 66 Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.443 e.t., 259.91 mph def
  8) T.J. Zizzo, Prairieville, Ill., 5.811 e.t., 236.34 mph  
4) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 6.442 e.t., 201.10 mph def
  5) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., Broke- Red Light 
2) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.570 e.t., 252.43 mph def
  7) Phil Mass, Gurnie, Ill., 5.870 e.t., 237.71 mph
3) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.649 e.t., 232.83 def
  6) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind.., 5.856 e.t., 235.78 mph  

Semi-Finals  
Wilson, 5.460 e.t., 258.27 mph def. Hirata, 12.997 e.t., 66.31 mph
Ward, 5.619 e.t., 246.30 mph def. Shields, 6.838 e.t., 142.91 mph

Final Round
Wilson, 5.526 e.t., 258.47 mph def Ward, 5.647 e.t., 243.94 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, 5.710 e.t., 254.14 mph def.
  8) John Hart, Hicksville, Ohio, 6.580 e.t., 217.14 mph
2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, 5.706 e.t, 251.72 def
  7) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., 11.254 e.t., 66.90 mph
6) Fred Hagen, Chicago, Ill., 5.951 e.t., 250.41 def.
  3) Don Gerardot, Monroeville, Ill., 6.200 e.t., 226.01 mph
5) Dave Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., 6.093 e.t., 231.32 mph def
  4) John Reikas, Glendale Heights, Ill., 6.664 e.t., 209.10 mph

Semi-Finals
Cheeseman, 5.691 e.t., 250.64 mph def Hagen, 5.759 e.t., 255.92 mph
Kovar, 6.349 e.t., 242.00 def. Chesterman, 8.248 e.t., 106.52

Final Round
Cheeseman, 5.885 e.t., 249.35 mph def. Kovar, 6.097 e.t., 230.21 mph 

COMP ELIMINATOR
Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac, F/SM, 9.193 e.t., 147.65 mph, def.
Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.187 e.t., 160.18 mph

SUPER STOCK
Scott Richardson, Goodletsville, Tenn., '99 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.205 e.t., 123.8 mph, def.
Ricky Decker, Charleston, Ind., '94 Chevy , GT/CA, 9.747 e.t., 132.32 mph 

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Scott Dugdale, Circle Pines, Min., '67 Chevelle, H/SA, 12.467 e.t., 77.35 mph, def.
Mike Walter, Paris, Ohio, '67 Camaro, F/SA, Broke

SUPER COMP
Dave Dahlem, Tremont, Ill., '98 Dragster, 8.921 e.t., 151.48 mph,
def. Rod Fuller, Rogers, Ark., '98 Dragster,  8.932 e.t., 155.01 mph

SUPER GAS
Tom Small, Indianapolis, Ind., '66 Camaro, 9.928 e.t., 150.60 mph, def.
Greg Kamplain, North Salem, Ind., '27 Ford, 9.959 e.t., 148.09 mph

SUPER STREET
Justin Rosenbohn, Leclaire, Iowa, '73 Vega, 10.887 e.t., 125.25 mph, def.
Jeff Bowling, Hamilton, Ohio, '70 Dodge, 10.956 e.t., 125.42 mph 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilson leads the way as Mother Nature wrecks havoc on Route 66 Raceway

JOLIET, Ill.- The second day of qualifying at Route 66 Raceway got underway after mother nature decided to make her presence felt. After numerous rain and weather delays, more than 550 drivers tried to beat the clock and take the ¼ mile track before the torrential rains returned.

Federal-Mogul dragster pilot and perennial winner Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Missouri continues to lead the way as qualifications were shortened to one pass because of the weather. Wilson whose run of 5.484 seconds and 259.86 mph kept him atop the leader board for Sunday's round of elimination's. Additionally, fan favorite and last years Route 66 Raceway Champion Dave Hirata of Lowell, Indiana remains within striking distance with a run of 5.670 seconds and 262.85 mph. Hirata, who last week at the Reading, Pa., National event ran the fastest ever speed in Federal-Mogul Dragster with a scorching 270.86 miles per hour eclipsing Keith Stark's record that had stood for four years.

In the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category, Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa dominated the rain shortened session on Saturday with an elapsed time of 5.689 seconds and 255.68 miles per hour. In second place is Galena, Ohio resident Chuck Cheeseman who had a terrific run of 5.701 seconds at 253.04 mph. Said Funny Car pilot and division points leader Cheeseman, "The rain makes it hard to stay focused, trying to find the right set-up for the car takes 95% of our time, but what are you going to do? That's racing."

In competition Eliminator, Brian Browell of Lafayette, Indiana, overtook Friday's number one qualifier Mike Farrell of Louisville, Kentucky with an elapsed time of 7.363 seconds (-0.647 under index). Runner up after Saturday's qualifying is Decatur, Illinois resident, David Billingsley who ran a 7.572 e.t. (-0.638 under index).

Dayton, Ohio's own Don Holmes drove his '78 Firebird to the number one spot in the Stock Eliminator category with an elapsed time of 11.612 seconds and -1.338 under index. Meanwhile, Super Stock competitor Michael Beachy of Kokomo, Indiana drove his '82 Firebird faster than 80 other drivers to take the top qualifier bonus with a 9.730 e.t. and -1.220 under index. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car Elimination's scheduled at 1:00 p.m. at Route 66 Raceway. (Schedule subject to change)

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway:

Federal-Mogul Dragster
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.581 e.t., 256.02 mph
2) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.660 e.t., 244.92 mph
3) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.661 e.t., 248.71 mph
4) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.670 e.t., 262.85 mph
5) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.719 e.t., 253.52 mph
6) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 5.755 e.t., 239.95 mph
7) T.J. Zizzo, Prairie View, Ill., 5.884 e.t., 217.77 mph
8) Tony Zizzo, Prairie View, Ill., 6.007 e.t., 232.55 mph
Alternates
9) Dave Hedges, Plainwell, Mich., 6.439 e.t., 202.05 mph
10) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 13.918 e.t., 54.99 mph
11) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 15.413 e.t., 45.25 mph
12) Kenneth Perry, Gormley Ontario, Can., Did not Qualify

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans Am, 5.689, 255.68
2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '98 Firebird, 5.701, 253.04 
3) Don Gerardot, Monroeville, Ind., '99 Avenger, 6.059, 230.37
4) Roger Cutler, Galesburg, Mich., '99 Firebird, 6.093, 249.67 
5) Dave Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '99 Firebird, 6.141, 230.69
6) Fred Hagan, Chicago, Ill., '99 Avenger, 6.369, 188.15
7) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '99 Avenger, 6.374, 168.60
8) John Hart, Hicksville, Ohio, '00 Dodge, 6.546, 216.69
Alternates
9) John Freikas, Glendale Heights, Ill., '96 Camaro, 6.546, 216.69
10) Jeff Lancaster, Chicago, Ill., '97 Pontiac, 6.664, 203.61
11) John Hart, Hicksville, Ohio, '00 Dodge, 7.440, 130.15
12) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., Did not Qualify

Competition
1) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., '97 McKinney, D/D, 7.363, -0.647
2) David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, C/A, 7.572, -0.638
3) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.457, -0.623 
4) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., '97 Dragster, F/ED, 8.408, -0.612
5) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.469, -0.611
6) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Ford, I/A, 7.899, -0.611
7) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.533, -0.607
8) Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 T, A/EA, 7.486, -0.594
9) Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.155, -0.513
10) Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac, F/SM, 9.246, -0.564

Stock Eliminator
1) Don Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, 11.612, -1.338 (under Index)
2) Christopher Sniesak, Wales Township, Mich., '99 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.216, -1.284
3) Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, L/SA, 11.809, -1.191
4) Dave Edwards, Washington, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, L/SA, 11.838, -1.162
5) Jennifer McCormack, Wixom, Mich., '00 Dodge, DT/SA, 12.344, -1.156
6) Charles Blossom, Woodbury, Minn., '91 GMC, AT/SA, 11.923, -1.127
7) John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.589, -1.111
8) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Firebird, G/SA, 11.214, -1.086
9) Mike Baker, Waterloo, Iowa, '82 Dodge, GF/SA, 16.370, -1.080
10) Harry Doolittle, Grosse Isle, Mich., '85 Camaro, GF/SA, 11.525, -1.075

Super Stock
1) Michael Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.730, -1.220
2) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '86 Camaro, GT/FA, 9.900, -1.200
3) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '99 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.513, -1.137
4) Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '00 S-10, GT/TB, 10.150, -1.050
5) Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '97 Pontiac, GT/E, 9.753, -1.047
6) Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Camaro, SS/AX, 8.957, -1.043
7) Brian Olson, Peru, Ind., '67 Nova, SS/GA, 9.808, -1.042
8) Ernie Penner, Osbourne MB, Can., '99 Firebird, SS/GA, 10.627, -1.023
9) Gary Tompa, Saginaw, Mich., '84 Pontiac, SS/J, 10.093, -1.007
10) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/FA, '69 Mustang, 9.748, -1.002
11) Scott Richardson, Goodlettsville, Tenn., '99 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.182, -0.918

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Route 66 Raceway hosts Federal-Mogul Drag Racing event

JOLIET, Ill., - Drivers from within and outside of the North Central Division strapped on their helmets and donned their protective suits to take aim at more than $158,000 in cash and contingency awards at stake at the remarkable Route 66 Raceway located about 35 miles from downtown Chicago. With division championships on the line, more than 500 racers from eight classes try to closeout the final event of the 2000 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series on a winning note.

Leading the way in Federal-Mogul Dragster is division points leader Jeff Wilson. Wilson of Winfield, Missouri, blazed a trail in qualifying with a blistering time of 5.581 at 256.02 mph. Said Wilson, "With the low temperatures and the tires sticking to the track like bubble gum, we feel good about the race this weekend. Hopefully the rain will stay away long enough to get a full event in." Following closely in second place is Cincinnati, Ohio resident, Gary Ward with an elapsed time of 5.660 at 244.92 mph.

Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot and division points leader, Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio drove his '98 Pontiac Firebird to Friday's number one qualifying position as he out raced the nine other contestants with a time of 5.777 and 244.21 mph. Meanwhile, missing from Federal-Mogul Funny Car action is two-time division winner Marc White of Glendale Heights, Illinois. White, who is second in points, wrecked his car at last weekend's National event and is unable to compete in this category at Rocky Mountain Raceway.

In Competition Eliminator, Louisville, Ken., resident Mike Farrell held off a tough field and completed the quarter mile track with an elapsed time of 7.514 and -0.556 under index to lead all challengers on the first day of qualifying.

In the Stock and Super Stock categories, Don Holmes of Dayton, Ohio and Joey Wilkes of Zanesville, Ohio both remained on top of the leader board in their respective classes.

Gates open at 7:00 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul funny Car qualifying sessions scheduled at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Route 66 Raceway.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway:

Federal-Mogul Dragster
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.581 e.t., 256.02 mph
2) Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.660 e.t., 244.92 mph
3) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 5.661 e.t., 248.71 mph
4) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.670 e.t., 262.85 mph
5) Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.719 e.t., 253.52 mph
6) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 5.755 e.t., 239.95 mph
7) T.J. Zizzo, Prairie View, Ill., 5.884 e.t., 217.77 mph
8) Tony Zizzo, Prairie View, Ill., 6.007 e.t., 232.55 mph
9) Dave Hedges, Plainwell, Mich., 6.439 e.t., 202.05 mph
10) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 13.918 e.t., 54.99 mph
11) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 15.413 e.t., 45.25 mph
12) Kenneth Perry, Gormley Ontario, Can., Did not Qualify

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
1) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '98 Firebird, 5.777 e.t., 244.21 mph
2) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans Am, 5.785, 252.00
3) Dave Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '99 Firebird, 6.228, 227.88
4) Fred Hagan, Chicago, Ill., '99 Avenger, 6.369, 188.15
5) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '99 Avenger, 6.374, 168.60
6) John Freikas, Glendale Heights, Ill., '96 Camaro, 6.617, 209.01
7) Jeff Lancaster, Chicago, Ill., '97 Pontiac, 6.664, 203.61
8) John Hart, Hicksville, Ohio, '00 Dodge, 10.592, 78.89
9) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., Did not Qualify

Competition
1) Mike Farrell, Louisville, Ky., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.514 e.t., -0.566 (under index)
2) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Ford, I/A, 7.948, -0.562
3) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., '97 McKinney, D/D, 7.477, -0.533
4) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.618, -0.522
5) Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.227, -0.513
6) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., '97 Dragster, F/ED, 8.528, -0.492
7) Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac, F/SM, 9.320, -0.490
8) Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 T, A/EA, 7.595, -0.485
9) Jesse Plant, Terre Haute, Ind., '96 Dragster, D/ED, 7.645, -0.475
10) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.609, -0.471

Stock Eliminator
1) Don Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, K/SA, -1.333 (under Index)
2) Christopher Sniesak, Wales Township, Mich., '99 Dakota, DT/SA, -1.230
3) Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, L/SA, -1.148
4) Charles Blossom, Woodbury, Minn., '91 GMC, AT/SA, -1.127
5) John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, C/SA, -1.111
6) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Firebird, G/SA, -1.086
7) Harry Doolittle, Grosse Ile, Mich., '00 Firebird, Q/SA, -1.065
8) Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Camaro, F/SA, -1.025
9) Dave Colthorp, Breckenridge, Mich., '74 Pontiac, K/SA,  -1.021
10) Al Provoast, Whittemore, Mich., '79 Buick, N/SA, -1.008

Super Stock
1) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '86 Camaro, GT/FA, 9.900, -1.200
2) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '99 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.536, -1.114
3) Michael Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.838, -1.112
4) Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '00 S-10, GT/TB, 10.150, -1.050
5) Brian Olson, Peru, Ind., '67 Nova, SS/GA, 9.808, -1.042
6) Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '97 Pontiac, GT/E, 9.787, -1.013
7) Gary Tompa, Saginaw, Mich., '84 Pontiac, SS/J, 10.094, -1.006
8) Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Camaro, SS/AX, 9.009, -0.991
9) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/FA, '69 Mustang, 9.810, -0.940
10) Scott Richardson, Goodlettsville, Tenn., '99 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.182, -0.918