FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meyer makes it two straight, Simpson scores first of 2000

Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot Jay Meyer made it two straight wins in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series as he defeated Mark Hentges by three tenths of a second. The Freeport, Texas resident laid down his third 5.47-second (5.478, to be exact) run of the weekend at 257.28 mph. Hentges, of Federal-Way, Wash., made a 5.507-second pass at 257.80 mph.

There was something of an upset in Federal-Mogul Funny Car action today. The upset was not so much the Ponder, Texas, resident Todd Simpson beat veteran and consummate funny car driver Pat Austin. The upset was that Austin, of Tacoma, Wash., red lit, effectively handing the win to Simpson in what promised to be a good battle from end to end. Simpson continued full-throttle down the track to a 5.791-second, 249.58 mph run.

"Maybe we got lucky when Austin red-lit," said Simpson. "But he smoked the tires right off the line, too, so I think we'd have had him. It would've been a good race, though."

In other action at the Motorplex, Brian Self of Houston won in Competition; Keith Mawhee of Carrollton, Texas, won in Super Stock; Ronnie West of LaFayette, La., won in Stock; Nathan Martin of Ft. Worth, Texas, won in Super Comp; Todd Drummond of Bay St. Louis, Miss., won in Super Gas; and Randy Paddock of Garland, Texas, won in Super Street.

The following are the final results from the O'Reilly Autoparts Dash for Cash, a round of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Texas Motorplex:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.772 e.t., 244.29 mph def. 
8) Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, no time recorded

2) Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.476 e.t., 254.52 mph def.
7) James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 11.793 e.t., 67.57 mph 

3) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.486 e.t., 256.41 mph def. 
6) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 6.551 e.t., 145.41 mph

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.456 e.t., 259.14 mph def. 
5) Kent Nuckols, Albuqueque, N.M., 5.704 e.t., 252.88 mph

Semifinals
Hentges, 5.507 e.t., 257.73 mph def. Howard, 5.649 e.t., 254.66 mph
Meyer, 5.452 e.t., 248.89 mph def. Hitchman, 5.523 e.t., 253.80 mph

Final Round
Meyer, 5.478 e.t., 257.28 mph def. Hentges, 5.507 e.t., 257.80 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Firebird, 5.712 e.t., 250.97 mph def. 
8) Richard Shaver (alternate), '95 Avenger, San Antonio, Texas, 6.170 e.t., 195.99 mph

2) Tony Bartone, Manhassett, N.Y., '99 Chevy, 5.747 e.t., 294.44 mph def.
7) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.866 e.t., 247.45 mph

3) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 5.855 e.t, 242.98 mph def.
6) Michael Heckert, Pittsburg, Kan., '97 Firebird, 5.898 e.t, 215.46 mph

4) Jimmy Jones, Cleburn, Texas, '97 Camaro, 9.192 e.t., 88.43 mph def. 
5) Randy Fleming (alternate), Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, broke

Semifinals
Austin, 5.710 e.t., 251.95 mph def. Jones, 7.237 e.t., 125.55 mph
Simpson, 5.742 e.t., 247.38 mph def. Bartone, (FOUL) 5.719 e.t., 252.17 mph

Final Round
Simpson, 5.791 e.t., 249.58 mph def. Austin,(FOUL) 14.007 e.t., 77.47 mph

COMP ELIMINATOR
Brian Self, Houston ('00 S-10) 7.649 e.t., 164.32 mph def.
Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La. (B/ED) 7.058 e.t., 187.18 mph

SUPER STOCK
Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas ('98 Pontiac) 8.918 e.t., 151.36 mph def.
Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb. ('56 Nomad Wagon) 122.483 e.t., 76.40 mph

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Ronnie West, LaFayette, La. ('64 Dodge) 10.684 e.t., 121.31 mph def. 
Harvey Emmons, Pasadena, Texas ('69 Chevy) 11.800 e.t., 111.27 mph

SUPER COMP
Nathan Martin, Ft. Worth, Texas (dragster) 8.890 e.t., 169.52 mph def.
Ty Lafferty, Amarillo, Texas (dragster) 8.886 e.t., 163.99 mph

SUPER GAS
Todd Drummond, Bay St. Louis, Miss. ('99 Firebird) 9.933 e.t., 152.10 mph def. 
Bret Tarver, Red Oak, Texas ('97 Firebird) 9.936 e.t., 151.43 mph

SUPER STREET
Randy Paddock, Garland, Texas ('72 Nova) 10.905 e.t., 131.38 mph def. 
Ray Todd, Friendswood, Texas ('68 Chevy II) 10.972 e.t., 121.90

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Howard, Austin lead final qualifying

ENNIS, Texas - A registered nurse who made a career-best run and a rookie driver in his first race will square off in round one of eliminations at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series O'Reilly Auto Parts Dash for Cash at the Texas Motorplex. Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla., peeled off a 5.414-second, 259.29 mph run in the first round of qualifying in Federal-Mogul Dragster. The number stood through the second round of qualifying, making her the top qualifier in the class. On the flip side of the ladder is Joe Fuentes of Leander, Texas. Fuentes, who only recently earned his license with the help of Spring Texas', Troy Buff, is in his first race in his Federal-Mogul Dragster. Ironically, Fuentes knocked Buff out of the eight-car show with his 5.757-second, 247.38-mph run in round two of qualifying.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car action, Pat Austin, fresh off a national event win in Phoenix a week ago, came out of the gate swinging. In the first run, the Tacoma, Wash., resident made a 5.684-second pass at 254.74 mph in the first session and then improved on that to 5.632 seconds at 257.21 mph. Tony Bartone, of Manhasset, N.Y., improved on his initial effort in the second round, but not enough to overtake Austin. Top qualifiers in other classes are Brian Self of Houston in Comp Eliminator; Randall Klein of Lincoln, Neb., in Super Stock; and Verne Buchanan of Conway, Ark., in Stock.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the O'Reilly Auto Parts Dash for Cash, a round of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Texas Motorplex, including first round pairings for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.416 e.t., 259.29 mph vs. 
8) Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, 5.473 e.t., 246.71 mph 

2) Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.473 e.t., 256.71 mph vs. 
7) James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.717 e.t., 247.18 mph

3) Darryl Hitchman, Hanfor, Calif., 5.530 e.t., 246.10 mph vs. 
6) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.676 e.t., 241.61 mph

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.611 e.t., 231.71 mph vs.
5) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.654 e.t., 252.10 mph

Alternates:
1. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.00 e.t., 179.74 mph
2. Bill Ancona, Mansfield, Texas, 6.018 e.t., 228.13 mph
3. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 6.315 e.t., 215.77 mph
4. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.884 e.t., 145.53 mph
5. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 13.505 seconds, 53.74 mph

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Firebird, 5.632 e.t., 257.21 mph vs. 
8) Scott Palmer, Highlandville, Mo., '97 Achieva, 5.971 e.t., 230.41 mph

2) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Chevy, 5.749 e.t., 251.88 mph vs.
7) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.938 e.t., 251.74 mph

3) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '98 Avenger, 5.784 e.t., 247.45 mph vs.
6) Michael Heckert, Pittsburg, Kan., '97 Firebird, 5.897 e.t., 237.21 mph

4) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Camaro, 5.832 e.t., 250.00 mph vs. 
5) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.862 e.t., 237.21 mph

Alternates:
9. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.083 e.t., 226.07 mph
10. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas., '95 Avenger, 6.095 e.t., 228.77 mph
11. Lyle Greenberg, Albuquerque, N.M., '93 Daytona, 6.144 e.t., 235.23 mph
12. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '99 Achieva, 6.433 e.t., 202.11 mph
13. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Avenger, 6.804 e.t., 154.05 mph
14. E.J. Johnnson, Violet, La., Achieva, 6.834 e.t., 194.67 mph
15. Kebin Kinsley, Kennedale, Texas, '97 Trans Am, 6.920 e.t., 209.88 mph
16. Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '98 Firebird, 7.233 e.t., 147.95 mph
17. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Cutlass, 9.906 e.t., 86.33 mph  

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Brian Self, Houston, C/A, '00 S-10, 7.568 e.t., -0.712
2. Jeff Naiser, Houston, C/A, '00 S-10, 7.586 e.t., -0.694
3. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., B/ED, '92 dragster, 6.911 e.t, -0.689
4. Arthur Sauceda, Houston, C/D, '99 dragster, 7.116 e.t., -0.654
5. Duane Robison, Gardner, Kan., C/A, '97 Firebird, 7.659 e.t., -0.621
6. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, B/A, '89 Cutlass, 7.276 e.t., -0.594
7. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 dragster, 6.879 e.t., -0.591
8. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, D/SM, '92 Camaro, 8.252 e.t., -0.578
9. Charlie Watson, Bumble, Texas, F/A, '96 Lumina, 8 e.t., -0.570
10. David Myers, Dallas, B/EA, '99 Camaro, 7.986 e.t., -0.564

SUPER STOCK
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA, '56 Nomad Wagon, 11.323 e.t., -1.127
2. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA, '66 Impala, 11.380 e.t., -1.070
3. Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas, SS/CM, '98 Pontiac, 8.553 e.t., -1.047
3. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/FA, '69 Mustang, 9.732 e.t., -1.018
4. Kirk Meal, Greenville, Miss., GT/FA, '89 Camaro, 10.070 e.t., -1.030
5. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/FA, '69 Mustang, 9.732 e.t., -1.008
6. Red LeBlanc, Memphis, Tenn., SS/G, '69 Mustang, 9.693 e.t., -1.003
7. John Clegg, Victoria, Texas, SS/AM, '73 Firebird, 8.552 e.t., -0.998
8. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., GT/HA, '95 Achieva, 10.369 e.t.,  -0.981
9. Roger Brogdan, Tomball, Texas, SS/G, '66 Corvette, 9.371 e.t.,  -0.979
10. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, SS/JA, '96 Firebird, 10.370 e.t.,  -0.930

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Vern Buchanan, Conway, Ark., J/SA, '73 Mustang, 11.529 e.t., -1.221
2. Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., K/SA, '79 Malibu, 11.789 e.t., -1.161
3. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., L/S, '66 Nova, 11.854 e.t., -1.146
4. Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Ind., K/S, '93 Mustang, 11.756 e.t., -1.094
5. Jim Cimarolli, Sulpher Springs, Texas, C/SA, '70 Nova, 10.614 e.t., -1.086
6. Floyd Colley, Waco, Texas, BF/SA, '84 Daytona, 14.168 e.t., -1.082
7. Greg Hill, Memphis, Tenn., I/SA, '71 Camaro, 11.531 e.t., -1.069
8. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA, '90 Pontiac, 11.900 e.t., -1.050
9. Mike Wenke, Corway Springs, Kan., B/SA, '69 Mustang, 10.530 e.t.,  -1.020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FMD, FMFC qualifying gives way to Mother Nature
ENNIS, Texas. - High winds at Texas Motorplex forced the cancellation of today's qualifying sessions for Federal-Mogul Dragster, Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Competition Eliminator. South Central Division director Craig Hutchinson made the decision after conferring with competitors in those classes.

"It's a tough call," said Hutchinson. "But with the way the wind whips across the track after the cars have passed the grandstands, we decided not to take any chances with cars that move as fast as those classes. There's no reason to risk it."

All three classes will get two qualifying runs as scheduled on Saturday and begin eliminations Sunday. Currently, there are 12 Federal-Mogul Dragsters and 17 Federal-Mogul Funny cars on the property with more expected to come in throughout the night.

Qualifying went on as scheduled in Super Stock and Stock, as did time trials in Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Each class got three passes down the track.

The O'Reilly Auto Parts Dash for Cash, a part of the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, continues Saturday at the Texas Motorplex. Gates open at 8 a.m. and qualifying and time trials continue at 9 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. For more information call Texas Motorplex, (972) 878-2641.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
session cancelled

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
session cancelled

COMP ELIMINATOR
session cancelled

SUPER STOCK
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA, '56 Nomad Wagon, 11.323 e.t., -1.127
 2. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA, '66 Impala, 11.380 e.t., -1.070
3. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, SS/FA, '69 Mustang, 9.732 e.t., -1.018
4. John Clegg, Victoria, Texas, SS/AM, '73 Firebird, 8.552 e.t., -0.998
5. Red LeBlanc, Memphis, Tenn., SS/G, '69 Mustang, 9.706 e.t., -0.994
6. Roger Brogdan, Tomball, Texas, SS/G, '66 Corvette, 9.434 e.t., -0.916
7. Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, GT/GA, '97 Firebird, 10.197 e.t., -0.903
8. Elisha Boyd, Sumrall, Miss., GT/BA, '95 Achieva, 9.664 e.t., -0.886
9. Ken Howell, Baytown, Texas, GT/D, '82 Firebird, 9.787 e.t., -0.863
10. Gilbert Johnson, Locompte, La., GT/KA, '91 Calais, 10.892 e.t., -0.858

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Ind., K/S, '93 Mustang, 11.75 e.t., -1.094
2. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., L/S, '66 Nova, 11.908 e.t., -1.092 
3. Jim Cimarolli, Sulpher Springs, Texas, C/SA, '70 Nova, 10.614 e.t.,-1.086
4. Stan Holt, Houston, F/SA, '67 Chevy II, 11.170 e.t., -0.980
5. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Texas, C/SA, '69 Mustang, 10.731 e.t., -0.969
6. Mike Cotten, Broken Arrow, Okla., G/SA, '73 Duster, 11.373 e.t.,  -0.927
7. Larry Owens, Carrolton, Texas, C/SA, '69 Nova, 10.773 e.t., -0.927
8. F.J. Acosta, Belle Rose, La., E/SA, '97 Camaro, 11.074 e.t., -0.926
9. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., D/SA, '98 Pontiac, 10.935 e.t., -0.915
10. Dean Oliver, Stuttgart, Ark., K/SA, '79 Malibu, 12.051 e.t., -0.899