FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos takes the title, Bowler the race

NOBLE, Okla. - Rick Santos clinched his fourth straight Federal-Mogul Dragster National Championship when Jay Meyer lost to Bruce Bowler by virtue of a red-light in a semifinal match up, giving away his hopes of catching Santos in the points standing.

Santos, who qualified number one and set both ends of the track record in qualifying, took out Lee Callaway in round one with a pass of 5.454 seconds at 250.13 mph. Santos was then disqualified after his semifinal round win against Troy Buff when Santos and the Oakwood Homes team bypassed the weigh scales disqualifying themselves from competition.

"We came out here to win the championship, not to mess with the division points standings. We did what we came here to do which was win the championship," said Santos as to why the decision was made.

It was Bruce Bowler who went on to take home the win at Thunder Valley in the Federal-Mogul Dragster Category. Bowler, who out ran Meyer in the semi-final with a 5.567 to Meyers red-lighting 5.588, took out Troy Buff in the dragster final with a run of 5.582 seconds at 243.83 mph to Buff's 5.725, 247.11-mph pass.

Randy Fleming took his Federal-Mogul Funny Car from the No. 1 qualifying spot with a run of 5.887 seconds at 248.41 mph to a final round win over Lawren Jones at 5.834 second, 248.41 mph. Jones slowed to a 10.169 at 83.42 mph in the final. Fleming's 5.834 run in the final was low elapsed time of the event, which he added to his top event speed of 248.75 mph

The following are final results from the NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway Park.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.454 seconds, 250.13 miles per hour def. 
8. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.841, 239.61

2. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 6.015, 200.75 def. 
7. Joe Fuentes, Leander. Texas, broke

3. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.590, 249.93 def. 
6. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.825, 247.865

5. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.645, 254.23 def. 
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.648, 249.44

Round 2
Bowler, 5.567, 256.99 def. Meyer, 5.588, 251.11 red-light
Buff, 5.578, 254.38  def. Santos - disqualified

Final
Bowler, 5.582, 243.83 def. Buff 5.725, 247.11

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.209 seconds, 232.25 mph def. 
8. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '98 Pontiac, broke

2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.985, 238.22 def. 
7. Warren Dauzat,  Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 6.681, 198.98

6. Lawren Jones, Albuqurque, N.M., '00 Corvette, 6.441, 203.52 def. 
3. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.723, 204.45

4. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Pontiac, 6.063, 239.74 def. 
4. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., '97 Firebird, broke

Round 2
Fleming 6.054, 233.22, def. Williams, 6.562, 165.34
Jones, 20.667, 56.91 def. Simpson - broke

Final
Fleming, 5.834, 248.41 def. Jones 10.169, 83.42

COMPETITION
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn, '97 Grand Am, 8.223, 144.92 def. 
David Myers, Dallas, Texas, '99 Camaro, 7.690, 171.46

SUPER STOCK
Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzanna, Calif., '89 Camaro, 10.572, 120.56 def. 
Vic Penrod, Walters, Okla., '69 Camaro, 10.571, 123.52

STOCK
Pat Joffrion, Belle Rose, La., '94 Camaro, 11.086, 110.34 def. 
Rusty Hall, Sweeny, Texas, '68 Mustang, 10.730, 122.44

SUPER COMP
Mark Huckaby, Irving, Texas, '00 dragster, 8.923, 153.45 def.
Terry Sullivan, Richardson, Texas, '00 dragster, 8.942, 164.44

SUPER GAS
Mitch Truman, Hurst, Texas, '90 Oldsmobile, 10.002, 112.88 def. 
Carlton Graham, Fort Worth, Texas, '76 Vega, 9.945, 142.02 red ligth

SUPER STREET
Vernon Rowland, Newcastle, Okla., '76 Chevy, 10.945 def. 
Deborah Ridenhour, Fort Worth, Texas, '41 Willy's, 14.187 (no mph recorded for either driver)

MOTORCYCLE
Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, Suzuki, 8.006, 160.25 def. 
Buddy Robinson, Colorado Springs, Colo., Kawasaki, 13.044, 60.21 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos sets track records at Thunder Valley

NOBLE, Okla. - Rick Santos reset his own track elapsed time record set yesterday and established a new track speed record during today's final qualifying for the Thunder Valley Autumn Classic, the final event in the NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Santos, driving his Oakwood Homes Federal-Mogul Dragster, bettered yesterday's mark of 5.615 by nearly two tenths of a second with a pass of 5.421 seconds at 260.19 mph. His 260.19 mph blew out the old record of 253.09 mph set by Bobby Taylor in 1997.

Jay Meyer of Freeport, Texas, follows Santos in the number two spot with a run of 5.530 at 254.81. Meyer has already clinched the dragster championship in the South Central Division but is chasing Santos in the points battle for the national title. Meyers is in a must-win situation this weekend to keep his title hopes alive.

Local Favorite, Shelley Howard, of Tulsa, Okla., jumped to the number four spot in the dragster class with a final run of 5.559 at 255.31 mph. Howard is looking for her first win of the season and will meet up with Troy Buff in round one.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, it was Randy Fleming knocking off Todd Simpson for the number one spot and the $1000 Winston Top Qualifier money. The cool night air made for excellent racing conditions as Fleming covered the quarter-mile in 5.887 seconds at 248.75 mph. This is Fleming's first pole position in the Funny Car category.

Simpson who sat out the final qualifying session dropped to the number two spot with a time of 5.901, 241.41 mph. Tate Branch, who is expected to win the South Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Championship failed to qualify as he had traction problems in all three qualifying efforts and could only muster a best run of 7.345 seconds landing him in the No. 11 spot.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results and Sunday's pairings from the NHRA South Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway Park.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.421 seconds, 260.19 miles per hour vs. 
8. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.761, 241.80

2. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.530, 254.81 vs. 
7. Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, 5.738, 201.83

3. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.543, 252.38 vs. 
6. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.735, 252.52

4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.559, 255.31 vs. 
5.  Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.609, 255.10

Not qualified
9. Larry Traugott, Woodword, Okla., 5.861, 239.48
10. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.999, 216.45
11. Sergio, Recio, El Paso, Texas., 6.002, 236.65
12. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 6.012, 222.22
13. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 7.045, 190.96
14. Bill Ancona, Mansfield, Texas, 7.061, 125.40
15. James Thompson, Jr., Vernon, Texas, 8.357, 98.52

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 5.887 seconds, 248.75 mph vs. 
8. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '98 Pontiac, 6.406, 206.94

2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.901, 241.41 vs. 
7. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 6..390, 221.18

3. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.009, 242.98 vs. 
6. Lawren Jones, Albuqurque, N.M., '00 Corvette, 6.238, 208.47

4. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., '97 Firebird, 6.073, 199.60 vs. 
5. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Pontiac, 6.078, 241.02

Not qualified
9. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.407, 156.90
10. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Daytona, 6.454, 224.77
11. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 7.345, 139.21
12. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Cutlass, 7.465, 213.82
13. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Camaro, 7.957, 106.34

COMPETITION
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '97 Grand Am, D/SM, 8.128 seconds, -0.602 under the index
2. Brian Self, Houston, Texas, '00 S-10, A/T, 7.659, -0.521
3. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Cutlass, B/A, 7.392, -0.478
4. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 dragster, C/D, 7.195, -0.475
5. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '92 Camaro, D/SM, 8.257, -0.437
6. Jeff Naiser, Houston, Texas, '00 S-10, A/T, 7.714, -0.466
7. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '92 dragster, B/ED, 7.095, -0.455
8. Joe Shalkowski, Thornton, Colo., '96 dragster, F/ED, 8.575, -.445
9. Roger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '90 Trans Am, 8.286, -0.444
10. Arthur Sauceda, Deer Park, Texas, '00 dragster, C/D, 7.229, -0.441

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala. '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.135 seconds, -0.915 under the index.
2. John Clegg, Victoria, Texas, '99 Firebird, SS/AM8.702, -0.848
3. Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas, '98 Pontiac, SS/CM, 9.077, -0.823
4. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.631, -0.819
5. Buggs Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '88 Cutlass, SS/DA, 11.816, -0.784
6. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.597, -0.753
7. Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '91 Probe, SS/BM, 8.976, -0.724
8. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '97 Firehawk, GT/AA, 9.676, -0.724
9. Billy Ingels, Marnille, Mo., '74 Trans Am, SS/JA, 10.588, -0.712
10.  Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, '97 Trans Am, GT/IA, 10.790, -0710

STOCK
1. Verne Buchnan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, J/SA 11.711 seconds, -1.039 under the index.
2. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, '70 Nova, C/SA, 10.769, -0.931
3. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Texas, '69 Mustang, C/SA, 10.834, -0.866
4. Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '97 Trans Am, F/SA, 11.185, -0.865
5. Floyd Colley, Waco, Texas, '84 Daytona, BF/SA, 14.390, -0.860
6. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.712, -0.838
7. Marty Woddard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, L/S, 12.171, -0.829
8. Barron Gill, Winnsboro, La., '70 Nova, C/S, 10.834, -0.816
9. Martin Wilkes, Derby, Kan., '69 Fairlane, D/SA, 11.045, -0.805
10. Mike Cotton, Broken Arrow, Okla., '72 Duster, H/SA, 11.645, -0.805

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santos, Simpson on top at Thunder Valley

NOBLE, Okla. - Rick Santos and Todd Simpson lead qualifying for the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car categories respectively at Thunder Valley's Autumn Classic. Santos, the three-time national champion, set a new track E.T. record in the first round of qualifying with a pass of 5.615 seconds at 251.95 mph. The old record, 5.654 seconds, was set at this event last year by Darrell Russell.

"We definitely have more in the car, we got loose about 1000 feet,, said Santos. "We would really like to wrap up the (national) championship this weekend"

Santos is being chased by Jay Meyer in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Meyer, however, has his work cut out for him as he would need a win here this weekend and two more national events wins to catch Santos. Meyer qualified in the sixth position with a pass of 5.896, 236.28.

Simpson clocked in at 5.901 seconds, at 241.41 mph to lead the Funny Car filed. Simpson is currently third in points for this, the NHRA South Central Division. Simpson would like nothing more than a win in Noble.

"Tate (Branch) should have the division locked up, but we'd really like to win this one being the final divisional event. The run was nice and smooth, probably not quick enough to win this thing though. We'll need to step it up a bit." voiced Simpson, who won earlier this year in Dallas.

With three wins this season, Branch is looking for his first Divisional Championship. Branch won earlier this year in Houston, Baton Rouge, La., and Hallsville, Texas.

Qualifying continues Saturday at Thunder Valley Raceway Park at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car will make their final qualifying runs at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway Park.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.615 seconds, 251.95 miles per hour
2. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.658, 248.07
3. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.762, 242.78
4. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.808, 246.23
5. Joe Fuentes, Leander. Texas, 5.878, 229.76
6. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.896, 236.28
7. Larry Traugott, Woodword, Okla., 5.956, 235.72
8. Sergio, Recio, El Paso, Texas., 6.002, 236.65
Not Qualified
9. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.010, 237.90
10. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 6.137, 224.32
11. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 6.189, 211.56
12. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 7.045, 190.96
13. Bill Ancona, Mansfield, Texas, 19.336, 42.75 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.901 seconds, 241.41 mph.
2. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 5.904, 248.55
3. Lawren Jones, Albuqurque, N.M., '00 Corvette, 6.238, 208.47
4. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 6.484, 203.29
5. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Daytona, 6.511, 223.82
6. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '98 Avenger, 7.161, 142.26
7. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 7.435. 127.62
8. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Camaro, 7.957, 106.34
Not Qualified
9. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Pontiac, 8.234, 114.06
10. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 8.581, 103.51
11. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '98 Pontiac, 14.881
12. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Cutlass, 15.867, 60.25

COMPETITION
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '97 Grand Am, D/SM, 8.245 seconds, -0.485 under the index
2. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '92 Camaro, D/SM, 8.319, -0.411
3. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., '92 dragster, B/ED, 7.154, -0.396
4. Brian Self, Houston, Texas, '00 S-10, A/T, 7.789, -0.391
5. David Myers, Dallas, Texas, '99 Camaro, C/A, 7.831, -0.379
6. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Cutlass, B/A, 7.493, -0.377
7. Charlie Stewart, Srlington, Texas, '99 dragster, A/ED, 6.985, -0.375
8. Arthur Sauceda, Deer Park, Texas, '00 dragster, C/D, 7.333, -0.337
9. Alan Swindoll, LaPorte, Texas, '97 Pontiac, B/A, 7.551, -0.319
10. Dennis Smiley, Denver City, Texas, '98 Firehawk, B/ED, 7.250, -0.300

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala. '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.199 seconds, -0.851 under the index.
2. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.636, -0.814
3. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Chevy, SS/NA, 11.636, -0.812
4. Buggs Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '88 Cutlass, SS/DA, 11.829, -0.771
5. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.597, -0.753
6. Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas, '98 Pontiac, SS/CM, 9.180, -0.720
7. Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, '97 Trans Am, GT/IA, 10.790, -0710
8. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/FA, 10.415, -0.685
9. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.494, -0.656
10. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '97 Firehawk, GT/AA, 9.746, -0.654  

STOCK
1. Verne Buchnan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, J/SA 11.828 seconds, -0.922 under the index.
2. Marty Woddard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, L/S, 12.171, -0.829
3. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, '70 Nova, C/SA, 10.876, -0.824
4. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.775, -0.775
5. Barron Gill, Winnsboro, La., '70 Nova, C/S, 10.899, -0.751
6. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '85 Camaro, I/S, 11.753, -0.747
7. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Texas, '69 Mustang, C/SA, 10.954, -0.746
8. Martin Wilkes, Derby, Kan., '69 Fairlane, D/SA, 11.130, -0.720
9. Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '97 Trans Am, F/SA, 11.473, -0.677
10. FJ Acosta, Belle Rose, La., '96 Camaro, E/SA, 11.342, -0.658