FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meyer clinches Federal-Mogul Allstar berth with fifth win

ERWINVILLE, La.- Jay Meyer took out division rival Troy Buff for his fifth win of the season and clinched a birth in the Federal-Mogul Allstars to be held in June in Columbus, Ohio. Meyer ran 5.60s all day in his Federal-Mogul Dragster giving him lane choice as he worked his way through the field. Meyer's 5.629-second run at 248.96 mph outpowered Buff's 5.713, 247.72.

"We haven't been here at State Capitol (Dragway) since 1995 or 1996 and it's a tough track," said and exhausted Meyer.

"We had the car dialed in and walked the tight rope this weekend. I'm totally worn out right now. Stacy McLemore and the crew did a great job along with some help we got from Tom Conway."

Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M. took out local favorite Warren Dauzat, then streaked away from a tire smoking Todd Simpson in the final round of Federal-Mogul Funny Car. Branch crossed the finish line at 6.174 seconds at 238.91.

"It was a strange weekend," saided Branch in the Winner's Circle. "We had a fuel line come off on two of the three qualifying runs (one producing a fireball that was quickly extinguished) but ran a 5.97 and 5.98 today then the 6.174 in the final. It just all came together today."

Branch won the season opener in Houston to go along with this his second win of the 2000 season. Like Meyer, this race qualifies him for the Allstars in June. Branch says he needs to talk to the sponsor prior to making any commitments for Columbus.

A couple of local racers made trips to the winner's circle today with Joe Tueton of Houma, La., taking the win in Super Stock in his '68 Cuda and Robert Cool from La Place, La., who took out New Orleans' Vasil John in the Super Street final.

The following are final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at State Capitol Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER

ROUND 1
1. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.606 seconds, 250.13 miles per hour def. 
8. Larry Becktold, Luther, Oka., 6.394, 213.16

2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.614, 252.31 def. 
7. Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, 6.163, 219.45

3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 9.312, 263.10 def. 
6. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., broke

4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Oka., 5.679, 249.37 def. 
5. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 7.651, 123.67

ROUND 2
1. Meyer, 5.628, 249.30 def. Howard, 5.836, 246.23
2. Buff, 5.730, 250.41 def. BYE

FINAL
1. Meyer, 5.629, 248.96 def. 2. Buff, 5.713, 247.72


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR

ROUND 1
1. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '93 Achieva, 6.605 seconds, 240.77 miles per hour vs. bye

2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.073, 198.45 def. 
5. EJ Johnson, Violet, La., '99 Achieva, 8.642, 95.58 

3. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.977, 242.39 def. 
4. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Cutlass, 15.525, 46.14 broke

ROUND 2
3. Branch, 5.987, 243.90 def. 1. Dauzat, 7.421, 201.02
2. Simpson, 6.273, 228.83 def. Bye

FINAL
3. Branch, 6.174, 238.91 def., Simpson, 15.604, 49.15 smoked tires

COMPETITION
Buddy Nickens , Houston, Texas, C/A '97 Avenger, 7.678, 163.30 def. Mike
Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, D/SM '92 Camaro, 8.353, 151.74

SUPER STOCK
Joe Teuton, Houma, La., SS/AA '68 Cuda, 9.198, 136.11 def. Gilbert Johnson,
Lecompte, La., GT/KA '91 Cutlass, 11.019, 119.30

STOCK
Harvey Emmons III, Pasadena, Texas, H/SA '69 Camaro, 11.828, 108.74 def.
Larry Hudson, Ruston, La., H/S '69 Nova, 11.839, 112.00

SUPER COMP
Greg Rucker, Lindsay, Oka., '00 dragster,8.958, 146.19 def. Leon, Philpot,
Grand Prairie, Texas, '00 dragster, BROKE

SUPER GAS
Robert Cool, La Place, La., '70 Barracuda, 15.981, 69.66 def. BYE

SUPER STREET
Mark Clark, Laurel, Miss., '67 Camaro, 10.928, 133.92 def. Mike Frederick,
Beaumont, Texas, BROKE

MOTORCYCLE
Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, 8.200, 153.11 def. John
Paterson, League City, Texas, '00 Suzuki, 10.034, 120.57

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dauzat remains No. 1 after wild ride

ERWINVILLE, La.- With temperatures in the mid 80's and plenty of sunshine, it was a perfect day for the fans, but not so for the racers and crew chiefs at the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Warren Dauzat came into today's final qualifying at State Capitol Dragway in the number one position after Friday's run of 5.986 seconds. The Baton Rouge resident was unable to better his time or speed of 243.90 mph but gave the crowd plenty of excitement when his Federal-Mogul Funny Car made a hard right-hand turn 60 feet into his run and headed for the wall.

"We spun the tires right at the start," said Dauzat of his run, "but I had racing on my mind and got right back in the gas. That's when the rear end came around on me, and when I knew I had to shut the car off. We're real happy going into eliminations in the number one position, although (Todd) Simpson gave us a scare on that final pass of his"

Simpson, came out in the heat of the day and raced to a 5.99 second pass at 238.03 mph to jump into the number two spot. The Federal-Mogul Dragster class had little change from Friday's qualifying, as Jay Meyer held on to the top spot with a run of 5.626 seconds at 248.07 mph followed by Troy Buff, of Spring, Texas, with a pass of 5.672 at 249.51 mph. Buff will face off against new teammate Joe Fuentes in a first round match-up who is number seven with a run of 6.143, 225.50. Greg Roberts of Kenner, La. and the defending event Federal-Mogul Dragster champion, landed in the number six position with a pass of 5.878 seconds at 212.91 mph.

In an afternoon starting line presentation, long time NHRA South Central Certification Crew Member Jerry Dykes was inducted into the South Central Hall of Fame. Dykes joined the division in 1967 and has been a strong supporter and drag racing family member ever since. Cary Menard, V.P. of Business and Legal Affairs, and Joe Tuton, veteran South Central Division racer, were joined by Division Director Craig Hutchinson and nearly 100 racers to make the presentation. Dykes moved to Houma, La. back in 1963 where he still lives.

Eliminations begin at State Capitol Dragway on Sunday morning with round one of Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars at 12:00 noon. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. with racing beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The following are final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at State Capitol Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.626 seconds, 248.07 miles per hour vs. 8.
	Larry Becktold, Luther, Oka., 6.362, 214.95
2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.672, 249.51 vs. 7. Joe Fuentes, Leander,
	Texas, 6.143, 225.50
3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.769, 226.24 vs. 6. Greg Roberts, Kenner,
	La., 5.878, 212.91
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Oka., 5.770, 243.30 vs. 5. Lee Callaway,
	Channelview, Texas, 5.797, 240.44

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '93 Achieva, 5.986 seconds, 243.90
	miles per hour vs. bye
2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '98 Avenger, 5.996, 238.38 vs. 5. EJ
	Johnson, Violet, La., '99 Achieva, 6.294, 212.21
3. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 6.131, 214.33 vs. 4. Ron
	Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Cutlass, 6.225, 223.38

COMPETITION
1. Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, D/SM '90 Trans Am, 8.219 seconds, (-0.601)
2. Donald Manichia, Houston, Texas, '92 dragster, 8.639, (-0.581)
3. Buddy Nickens, Houston, Texas, C/A '97 Avenger, 7.688, (-0.562)
4. Scott Benham, Lagrange, Texas, D/A '96 Lumina, 8.072, (-0.548)
5. David Myers, Dallas, Texas, C/A '99 Camaro, 7.740, (-0.510)
6. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, B/A '89 Cutlass, 7.393, (-0.477)
7. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '96 dragster, 7.086, (-0.464)
8. Alan Swindoll, Laporte, Texas, '97 Firebird, 7.436, (-0.434)
9. Larry Doggett, Austin, Texas, B/ED '00 dragster, 7.142, (-0.408)
10. Dennis Smiley, Houston, Texas, B/ED '98 dragster, 7.144, (-0.406)

SUPER STOCK
1. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA '66 Impala, 11.345 seconds, (-1.105)
2. Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas, SS/CM '98 Grand Am, 8.843, (-1.057)
3. Kirk Neal, Greenville, Miss., GT/FA '89 Camaro, 9.942 (-1.056)
4. Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., SS/G '67 Chevy II, 9.665, (-1.035)
5. Tony Matracea, Memphis, Tenn., GT/B '91 Calais, 9.413, (-0.987)
6. Sid Bonnecarrere, Gary, La., SS/AA '68 Dart, 9.021, (-0.979)
7. Billy Moravits, San Antonio, Texas, GT/KA '87 Trans AM, 10.804, (-0.946)
8. Bobby Cassard, Donaldsonville, La., SS/KA '87 Firebird 10.632, (-0.918)
9. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., GT/HA '95 Achieva, 10440, (-0.910)
10. Rodger Borgdon, Tomball, Texas, SS/C '66 Corvette, 9.454, (-0.896)

STOCK
1. Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., E/SA '97 Camaro, 10.741 seconds, (-1.259 )
2. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA '90 Firebird, 11.699, (-1.251)
3. Marty Woffard, Gore, Oka., L/S '66 Nova, 11.832, (-1.168) 
4. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., J/SA '73 Mustang, 11.607, (-1.143)
5. Joey Teuton, Houma, La., ET/SA '97 Ram Truck, 12.434, (-1.116)
6. Any Faulk, Memphis, Tenn., D/SA '00 Trans Am, 10.743, (-1.107)
7. Andy Thornburg, Wilmer, Ala., K/SA '78 Volare, 11.851, (-1.099)
8. Sharla Joffrion, Belle Rose, La., D/SA '94 Camaro, 10.757, (-1.093)
9. Debbie Cardwell, Rustin, La., K/SA '90 Trans Am, 11.862, (-1.088)
10. Steven Hall, Sweeny, Texas, B/SA '68 Mustang, 10.473, (-1.077)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL DRIVER TAKES POLE, SETS NEW TRACK RECORD
ERWINVILLE, La.- Warren Dauzat of Baton Rouge set a new track record at State Capitol Dragway on his way to the number one qualifying position in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category. Dauzat, coming off a big win in Reynolds, Ga., three weeks ago, set the track speed record with a pass of 243.90 miles per hour in 5.986 seconds. The old track record of 240.25 mph was set in March 1997, by Todd Paton. Dauzat is just two hundredths off the elapsed time record of 5.965, also set by Paton in 1997.

"We wanted that 5 (second run) tonight" exclaimed Dauzat, "and the mph record added the finishing touch. We have a lot of hometown fans out here this weekend; we really want to do well here at State Capitol, our home track. The car shook a little in second gear but it ran great in high gear. She's got a little more in her, we just need to see if we can find it."

Red hot National and Divisional Series points leader Jay Meyer led the Federal-Mogul Dragster class as he covered the quarter mile in 5.626 seconds at 248.07 miles per hour. Meyer's, has already scored four wins this year with divisional victories in Houston, Dallas, and Memphis, Tenn. and a national event win at the Mac Tools Gatornationals last month in Gainesville, Fla.

Dauzat was not alone in setting a track record today as Meyer's 5.626 broke Troy Buff's one year old record of 5.703 seconds. Buff landed in the number two spot with a pass of 5.672 at 249.51 mph.

Qualifying continues at State Capitol Dragway, the fourth of six events in the NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, Saturday with the Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars receiving two more qualifying laps, at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. with racing beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at State Capitol Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.626 seconds, 248.07 miles per hour
2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.672, 249.51
3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.796, 226.24
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Oka., 5.770, 243.30
5. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., 5.878, 212.91
6. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 6.185, 232.37
7. Larry Becktold, Luther, Oka., 6.468, 208.23
8. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 6.534, 206.51

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '93 Achieva, 5.986 seconds, 243.90 miles per hour
2. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Cutlass, 6.225, 223.38
3. EJ Johnson, Violet, La., '99 Achieva, 6.294, 212.21
4. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.304, 233.46
5. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 6.362, 226.92 

COMPETITION
1. Buddy Nickens, Houston, Texas, C/A '97 Avenger, 7.692 seconds, (-0.558)
2. David Myers, Dallas, Texas, C/A '99 Camaro, 7.740, (-0.510)
3. Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, D/SM '90 Trans Am, 8.318, (-0.502)
4. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, B/A '89 Cutlass, 7.410, (-0.460)
5. Larry Doggett, Austin, Texas, B/ED '00 dragster, 7.142, (-0.408)
6. Steve Benoit, Lafayette, La., F/ED '88 dragster, 8.623, (-0.397)
7. Donald Manichia, Houston, Texas, '92 dragster, 8.831, (-0.389)
8. Greg Houge, Aledo, Texas, D/ED '99 dragster, 7.821, (-0.379)
9. Dennis Smiley, Houston, Texas, B/ED '98 dragster, 7.195, (-0.355)
10. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '96 dragster, 7.216, (-0.334)

SUPER STOCK
1. Kirk Neal, Greenville, Miss., GT/FA '89 Camaro, 9.942 seconds (-1.158)
2. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA '66 Impala, 11.392, (-1.058)
3. Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas, SS/CM '98 Grand Am, 8.902, (-0.998)
4. Bobby Cassard, Donaldsonville, La., SS/KA '87 Firebird 10.632, (-0.918)
5. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., GT/HA '95 Achieva, 10.508, (-0.842)
6. Rodger Borgdon, Tomball, Texas, SS/C '66 Corvette, 9.564, (-0.786)
7. Elisha Boyd, Sumrall, Miss., GT/BA '96 Achieva, 9.804, (-0.746)
8. Tim Hebert, Thibodaux, La., SS/BA '64 Belevedere, 9.467, (-0.733)
9. James Caro, Houma, La., GT/CA '00 Avenger, 9.970, (-0.730)
10. Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., GT/CA '98 Achieva, 9.983, (-0.717) 

STOCK
1. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA '90 Firebird, 11.827 seconds, (-1.123)
2. Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., E/SA '97 Camaro, 10.904, (-1.096)
3. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., J/SA '73 Mustang, 11.684, (-1.066) 
4. Debbie Cardwell, Rustin, La., K/SA '90 Trans Am, 11.894, (-1.056)
5. Andy Thornburg, Wilmer, Ala., K/SA '78 Volare, 11.915, (-1.035)
6. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., K/SA '90 Camaro, 11.926 (-1.024)
7. Joey Teuton, Houma, La., ET/SA '97 Ram Truck, 12.535, (-1.015)
8. Any Faulk, Memphis, Tenn., D/SA '00 Trans Am, 10.859, (-0.991)
9. Steven Hall, Sweeny, Texas, B/SA '68 Mustang, 10.567, (-0.983)
10. Sharla Joffrion, Belle Rose, La., D/SA '94 Camaro, 10.882, (-0.968)