FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain stops long enough to finish racing

Baytown, Texas--The Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park concluded Monday due to inclement weather on Sunday evening.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Sportsman Challenge event at Houston Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER

Round 1
1. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, (Time not Availiable) 
def. 8. Eric Edelmann, Clearwater, Fla., (Red Light)

2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.556, 253.30  
def. 7. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., 6.539, 147.63

3. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 6.023, 231.48 
def. 6. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 6.017, 214.03

4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.503, 254.23 
def. 5. Bill Ancona, Mansfield, Texas, 9.050, 86.68

Round 2
1.  Meyer, 5.521, 256.11, def.  4.  Howard, 5.954, 196.33 (red light)
2.  Buff, 5.607, 253.16 def. 3.  Bybee, (Broke)

Final Round
1.  Meyer, 5.415, 256.77, def.  2.  Buff, 5.591, 254.16  


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Dodge, 5.762, 249.58 
def. 8. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, 2000 Chevrolet, 5.924, 249.51
  
2. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '2000 Chevrolet 5.920, 245.83 
def. 7. Kevin Richardson, Winnipeg, MB CAN, '96 Oldsmobile, 15.300, 65.55 

3. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Chevrolet, 5.801, 248.20 
def. 6. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Pontiac, 5.829, 243.83

4. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '98 Dodge, 14.081, 60.15 
def. 5. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Chevrolet, (Red Light)

Round 2
1. Branch, 5.742, 250.55 def. 4.  Simpson, 5.820, 245.16
3. Bartone, 5.820, 243.83 def.  2.  Stidham, 5.876, 247.11

Final Round
1. Branch, 5.786, 250.00 def. Bartone, 5.974, 229.94 

COMP ELIMINATOR
Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '92 Dragster, 8.497, 90.43 
def. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '88 Oldsmobile, 8.400, 106.46

SUPER STOCK
Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Pontiac, 10.284, 127.20 
def. Isaac Caswell, Houston, Texas, '88 Oldsmobile, no time recorded

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Ford, 11.508, 113.83 
def. Greg Hill, Memphis, Tenn., '71 Chevrolet, 11.457, 113.79

SUPER COMP
Frank Kohutek, Mesquite, Texas, 8.938, 163.72 
def. Phillip Levatino, La Place, La., 8.899, 164.14

SUPER GAS
Joe Harper, Florence, Miss., '86 Dodge, 9.875, 153.88 
def. Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '77 Chevrolet, 9.868, 143.26

SUPER STREET
David Robinson, Denham Springs, La., '69 Chevrolet, 10.919, 120.82 def.
Kevin Huckaby, Red Oak, Texas, '76 Chevrolet, 10.896, 121.47

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jay Meyer sets the pace at Houston Raceway Park

HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK, Baytown, Texas--In the final round of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park, Freeport, Texas' Jay Meyer scorched the track with the fastest run of the weekend, a 5.443-second run at 258.69 miles per hour.

"It feels good right now, but tomorrow's another day," stated Meyer after making his final qualifying pass. Following Meyer in the number two position is Spring, Texas' local favorite, Troy Buff. Buff covered the quarter-mile in 5.525 seconds at a speed of 257.28 miles per hour.

Tate Branch was the top qualifier in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category with a quarter-mile pass in 5.714 seconds at 254.59 mph.

Two-time event winner Tate Branch held on to the top qualifier position in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category. Branch's last pass of the day ended with him covering both lanes of the track, knocking out the timing cones.

"We're happy with where we are. We stepped it up a little on the final pass; things didn't go as planned so we'll go back to what we did earlier. We know where were at."

Eliminations begin in all categories Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates at Houston Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. and F/M Dragster and F/M Funny Cars are scheduled to run at noon.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results and pairings for Sunday's eliminations from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Sportsman Challenge event at Houston Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.443, 258.69 
Vs. 8. Eric Edelmann, Clearwater, Fla., 5.736, 245.90

2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.525, 257.28 
Vs. 7. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., 5.710, 241.54

3. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.623, 255.82 
Vs. 6. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.674, 241.74

4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.625, 254.38 
Vs. 5. Bill Ancona, Mansfield, Texas, 5.660, 236.09

(Alternates)
9. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.829, 239.48
10. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.863, 238.85
11. James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 6.0075, 198.01
12. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 6.338, 216.65


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., 5.714, 254.59 
Vs. 8. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., 6.027, 233.03

2. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., 5.757, 248.20 
Vs. 7. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, 5.959, 233.88	
				
3. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.775, 248.75 
Vs. 6. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., 5.923, 234.86

4. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, 5.830, 245.09 
Vs 5. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, 5.836, 247.93

(Alternates)
9. Kevin Richardson, Winnipeg, MB CAN, '96 Oldsmobile, 6.204, 221.23
10. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, 2000 Corvette, 6.626, 161.20
11. Kevin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '97 Pontiac, 6.742, 220.96

COMPETITION
1. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '92 Chassis Craft, 6.964 seconds,(-0.676)
2. Taylor Lastor, Austin, Texas, '97 Chevrolet S-10, 7.614, (-0.666)
3. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Oldsmobile, 7.271, (-0.659)
4. Arthur Sauceda, Houston, '99 Chassis Craft, 7.125, (-0.645)
5. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '92 Chevrolet, 8.210,(-0.620)
6. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., '99 Bantam, 7.515, (-0.615)
7. Charles Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 dragster, 6.870, (-0.600)
8. Buddy Nickens, Houston, '95 Dodge, 7.689, (-0.591)
9. Ben Coates, Cypress, Texas, '99 Chassis Craft, 7.055, (-0.585)
10. Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., '97 Clack, 7.505, (-0.585)

SUPER STOCK
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Chevrolet, 11.333, (-1.117)
2. Sid Bonnecarrere, Gray, La., '68 Dodge, 8.950, (-1.050) 
3. John Clegg, Victoria, Texas, '73 Pontiac, 8.533, (-1.017)
4. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Chevrolet, 11.594, (-1.006)
5. Roger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '66 Chevrolet, 9.357, (-0.993)
6. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '97 Pontiac, 9.416, (-0.984)
7. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Pontiac, 10.354, (-0.946)
8. Red Leblanc, Memphis, Tenn., '69 Ford, 9.808, (-0.942)
9. Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, '97 Pontiac, 10.168, (-0.932)
10. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., '95 Oldsmobile, 10.423, (-0.927)

STOCK
1. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Ford, 11.527, (-1.223)
2. Greg Hill, Memphis, Tenn., '71 Chevrolet, 11.477, (-1.123)
3. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, '70 Chevrolet, 10.603, (-1.097)
4. Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Chevrolet, 12.060, (-1.090)
5. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Pontiac, 11.871, (-1.079)
6. Steven Hall, Sweeny, Texas, '68 Ford, 10.507, (-1.043)
7. Stan Holt, Houston, Texas, '67 Chevrolet, 11.111, (-1.039)
8. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Tx., '69 Ford, 10.729, (-0.971)
9. Sammy Pizzolato, Houma, La., '72 Oldsmobile, 11.184, (-0.966)
10. F.J. Acosta, Belle Rose, La., '97 Chevrolet, 11.040, (-0.960)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two-time Event Champion Tate Branch leads Funny Car qualifying
HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK, Baytown, Texas -- In the first rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park, Spring, Texas, native Troy Buff and defending two-time event winner Tate Branch, are early leaders on the Dragster and Funny Car categories, respectively.

The Swindoll brothers racing team was out in force in Baytown this weekend. The team is running nine cars: one Super Stock, three Super Gas, four Super Comp, and one Comp eliminator. Team owners and brothers Alan and Joe Swindoll stated they're planning on to compete in 15 or 16 races for the 2000 season.

NBA star Tom Hammonds of the Minnesota Timberwolves was out today and will be throughout the weekend testing his Pro Stock Chevy Camaro. Hammonds first and only complete run of the day was 7.041 seconds at 196.16mph.

Qualifying resumes in all categories Saturday. Gates at Houston Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. and competition begins at 9 a.m. F/M Dragster and F/M Funny Cars are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Sportsman Challenge event at Houston Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES
First day qualifying positions at Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas, the first of six events in the 2000 NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Troy Buff, Spring, Tex., 5.538, 257.28
2. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Tex., 5.574, 253.16
3. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., 5.710, 241.54
4. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Tex., 5.747, 237.84
5. Bill Ancona, Mansfield, Tex., 5.749, 224.10
6. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.774, 243.63
7. Kent Nuckols, Alburquerque, NM., 5.863, 238.85
8. Billy Bybee, McLean, Tex., 5.893, 247.66
9. Eric Edelmann, Clearwater, Fla., 16.203, 44.23


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Tate Branch, Spring, Tex., 5.714, 254.59
2. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, NY., 5.811, 248.75
3. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Tex., 5.839, 245.03
4. Ron Morrison, Oaklahoma City, Okla., 6.027, 233.03
5. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., 6.702, 170.19
6. Kevin Kinsley, Kennedale, Tex., 6.742, 220.96
7. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., 6.764, 148.09
8. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Tex., 6.831, 145.84
9. Vern Moats, De Moines, Iowa, 7.458, 140.55

COMPETITION
1. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Tex., '92 Chevrolet, 8.210 seconds, (-0.620)
2. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Tex., '89 Oldsmobile, 7.324, (-0.606)
3. Buddy Nickens, Houston, Tex., '95 Dodge, 7.689, (-0.591)
4. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '92 Chassis Craft, 7.055, (-0.585)
5. Donald Manichia, Houston, Tex., '92 Neil & Parks, 8.638, (-0.582)
6. Arthur Sauceda, Houston, Tex., '99 Chassis Craft, 7.188, (-0.582)
7. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., '00 Bantam, 7.551, (-0.579)
8. Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., '97 Clack, 7.528, (-0.562)
9. Charlie Watson, Humble, Tex., '96 Chevrolet, 8.682, (-0.538)
10. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Tex., '99 Dragster, 6.934, (-0.536)


SUPER STOCK
1. Gilbert Johnson Jr., Lecompte, La., '91 Oldsmobile, 10.947 seconds, (-3.003)
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb, '56 Chevrolet, 11.333, (-1.117)
3. Sid Bonnecarrere, Gray, La., '68 Dodge, 8.950, (-1.050) 
4. John Clegg, Victoria, Tx., '73 Pontiac, 8.533, (-1.017)
5. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Chevrolet, 11.594, (-1.006)
6. Roger Brogdon, Tomball, Tex., '66 Chevrolet, 9.357, (-0.993)
7. Frank Weaver, Waco, Tex., '97 Pontiac, 10.168, (-0.932)
8. Red Leblanc, Memphis, Tenn., '69 Ford, 9.822, (-0.928)
9. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Tex., '97 Pontiac, 9.485, (-0.915)
10. Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '98 Oldsmobile, 9.708, (-0.842)

STOCK
1. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Ford, 11.540 seconds, (-1.210)
2. Greg Hill, Memphis, Tenn., '71 Chevy, 11.503, (-1.097)
3. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Tex., '69 Ford, 10.729, (-0.971)
4. Sammy Pizzolato, Houma, La., '72 Oldsmobile, 11.184, (-0.966)
5. John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Chevrolet, 11.266, (-0.934)
6. F.J. Acosta, Belle Rose, La., '97 Chevrolet, 11.066, (-0.934)
7. Jarrod Granier, Labadieville, La., '97 Pontiac, 11.293, (-0.857)
8. Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Tex., '97 Pontiac, 11.299, (-0.851)
9. Jimmy Hildago, Donaldsville, La., '97 Chevrolet, 11.198, (-0.802)
10. Dale Hulquist, Crosby, Tex., '71 Chevrolet, 11.112, (-0.738)