FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bowler, Moats Drive Around Rain To Collect Wins At Nebraska Motorplex

SCRIBNER, Neb. - Bruce Bowler of Denver, Colo. made the Nebraska Motorplex his favorite track after collecting the $1000 Winston Top Qualifier Bonus, crushing the Federal-Mogul Dragster track e.t. record, and winning his second event of the year in his Phoenix Custom Apparel Federal-Mogul Dragster. In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Vern Moats of Des Moines, Iowa also collected his second win of the year in the NHRA West Central Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

Bowler took advantage of the cool track after the lengthy rain delay and reset the track record on three consecutive runs and set a new track speed record to make the NHRA West Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car championship points race a little tighter. Bowler got the advantage of a bye run in the first round after Ed Schmeeckle of Gothenburg, Neb. broke in Saturday's final round of qualifying. Bowler slayed the track record of 5.749 seconds set last year by Rob Wendland of Topeka, Kan. with a pass of 5.691 seconds at 235.04 mph. In the semifinals, Bowler met up with Northwest Division heavy hitter, Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash and proceeded to break the track e.t. record of 248.48 mph set last year by Mark kinser of Grimes, Iowa with a run of 5.646 seconds at 249.10 mph to advance to the final. Bowler met up with current West Central Division points leader, Billy Bybee of McLean, Texas in the final and again reset the track e.t. record with a pass of 5.563 seconds at 245.36 mph. Bybee gave Bowler a close race with a pass of 5.663 seconds at 248.68 mph.

"I am so happy, I wanted to win this race for my brother, Dale [Bowler] who died a few weeks back, I couldn't be more thrilled to win it for him," said a jubilant Bowler. "My brother just got into racing and made his first full pass just weeks before he passed away. I am so glad he got to know the feeling before he left us."

Moats drove his Kendall Motor Oil Federal-Mogul Funny Car to the Nebraska Motorplex championship with steady driving and little luck. Moats got some luck by having his opponent in all three rounds have to lift at half-track for one reason or another. Moats took out Kris Hool of Casper, Wy. in the first round after Hool got a little loose at half-track and had to lift. Moats beat a tire smoking Randy Fleming of Independence, Mo. In the semifinal with a pass of 6.361 seconds at 228.31 mph. The final pitted Moats against No. 1 qualifier, Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa and again Moats took the easy win over a tire smoking Chesterman with a winning pass of 6.222 seconds at 230.76 mph.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at the Nebraska Motorplex:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round
1) Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.691 seconds, 235.04 mph def.
   Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., Broke
2)   David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.854, 241.48 def.
   7) Ziggy Zivkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.086, 236.03
3)   Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.864, 242.78 def.
   6) Calvin Friesen, Headingly, Man., Canada, Broke
4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.784, 245.49 def.
   5) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 7.257, 133.17

Semifinals
Bowler, 5.646, 249.10 def. Hentges, 5.697, 246.71
Bybee, 5.698, 248.07 def. Wells, 5.832, 241.48

Final
Bowler, 5.563, 245.36 def. Bybee, 5.663, 248.68

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
First Round 
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac Trans Am, 6.086 seconds, 236.22 mph def.
   8) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Pontiac Firebird, 6.483, 189.95
2) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 6.170, 232.97 def.
   7) Kris Hool, Casper, Wy., '97 Firebird, 7.415, 129.55
3) Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.140, 237.02 def.
   6) Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Dodge Daytona, 6.415, 223.76
5) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Avenger, 6.169, 235.91 def.
   4) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Dodge Avenger, 16.186, 53.15

Semifinals
Chesterman, 7.039, 230.35 def. Williams, 7.175, 222.60
Moats, 6.361, 228.31 def. Fleming, 7.320, 122.69

Final
Moats, 6.222, 230.76 def. Chesterman, 13.633, 60.19

COMP ELIMINATOR
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.261, 159.09 def.
Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '99 Dragster, E/ED, 9.062, 117.09

SUPER STOCK
Kevin Nicks, Golden, Colo., '70 Plymouth Cuda, SS/FA, 10.430, 129.08 def.
Tom Cassen, Berrytown, Kansas, '98 Oldmobile Achieva, GT/BA, 9.940, 132.37

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Tony Wood, Tulsa, Okla., '69 Chevrolet Camaro, A/SA, 10.871, 119.25 def.
Nick Folk, Durand, Ill., '96 Camaro, G/SA, 11.953, 109.30

SUPER COMP
Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '93 Chevrolet Beretta, 9.004, 154.45 def.
Roger Hammerschmid, Manhattan, Kan., '00 Dragster, Foul--Red Light

SUPER GAS
Sheldon Gecker, Surprise, Ariz., '00 Dodge Dakota, 10.003, 147.29 def.
Mark Philbrick, Aurora, Colo., '98 Ford Mustang, 9.973, 150.62

SUPER STREET
Dolly Wilson, York, Neb., '72 Chevrolet Camaro, 11.004, 119.56 def.
Corey Rinas, Moorhaed, Minn., '74 Dodge Duster, 10.996, 124.10

SUPER BIKE
Brian Johnsen, Rumsey, Minn., '98 Suzuki GSXR, 9.438, 130.41 def.
Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '98 Katana, 9.069, 134.89

JR. DRAGSTER
Trista Henderson, 10.486, 59.98 def. Joe Ekart, Manhattan, Kan., 9.316, 71.14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bowler, Chesterman turn up the heat at Nebraska Motorplex Summer Sizzle

SCRIBNER, Neb. - After winning the first NHRA West Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka back in May, Bruce Bowler of Denver, Colo., has had some tough luck in his A/Fuel Federal-Mogul Dragster. His luck changed for the better in Saturday's qualifying for the Nebraska Motorplex Summer Sizzle as he collected the $1000 bonus check from Winston for capturing the No. 1 qualifying position in his Phoenix Custom Apparel Federal-Mogul Dragster.

Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa, was the only Federal-Mogul Funny Car to break the five-second barrier to secure the top qualifying position for Sunday's eliminations.

The first Federal-Mogul Dragster qualifying session was by far the quickest after the track was cooled by a 10-minute thunderstorm passed overhead. Bowler took advantage of the cool track and ran the quickest pass in the history of Nebraska Motorplex , 5.692 seconds at 246.57 mph to move into the Federal-Mogul Dragster No. 1 qualifying position. Bowler broke the record of 5.74 seconds set two years ago by Rob Wendland of Topeka, Kan. David Wells of LeMars, Iowa, also took advantage of the cool track to take the No. 2 qualifying position with a run of 5.751 seconds at 246.91 mph. In the second Saturday qualifying session no driver improved due to the 95-degree heat and 70 percent humidity.

"After the rain ended and the track cooled, we were in the staging lanes and Scott [Bowler, crew chief] was under the car changing the fuel system to a leaner set-up," said Bowler. "We have never been to this track before and I have to say this is now one of my favorite tracks and the fans are some of the best on the series.

Chesterman bettered his Friday qualifying attempt to keep his Coca-Cola Federal-Mogul Funny Car in the No. 1 qualifying position with a pass of 5.983 seconds at 242.52 mph. Defending West Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Champion, Vern Moats of Des Moines, Iowa, came the closest to knocking Chesterman out of the No. 1 position with a pass of 6.048 seconds at 237.71 mph.

The NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at the Nebraska Motorplex continues tomorrow with eliminations beginning at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Cars will begin first round of eliminations at 1 p.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.692 seconds, 246.57 mph vs. 
8) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 6.082, 226.30

2)   David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.751, 246.91 vs. 
7) Ziggy Zivkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.073, 236.15

3)   Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.769, 243.77 vs. 
6) Mark Kinser, Grimes, Iowa, 5.833, 242.91

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.804, 247.18 vs. 
5) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.830, 241.02

Alternate
Calvin Friesen, Headingly, Man., Canada, 7.434, 164.68

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac Trans Am, 5.983 seconds, 242.52 mph vs. 
8) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Pontiac Firebird, 6.413, 228.89

2) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 6.048, 237.71 vs. 
7) Kris Hool, Casper, Wy., '97 Firebird, 6.261, 230.88

3) Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.159, 235.23 vs. 
6) Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Dodge Daytona, 6.245, 230.41

4)   Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Dodge Avenger, 6.173, 231.95 vs. 
5) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Avenger, 6.232, 231.83

Alternates 
1.    Scott McVey, Winnepeg, Man., Canada, '96 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.515, 217.02
2. Michael Oliver, Evergreen, Colo., '81 Chevrolet Monza, 6.536, 213.06

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '99 Dragster, E/ED, 8.701 seconds (0.519-seconds under Index)
2. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.293 (-0.517)
3. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Roadster, A/EA, 7.683 (-0.467)
4. Jeff Perrella, Hibbing, Minn., '32 Roadster, A/EA, 7.796 (-0.354)
5. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., '97 Dragster, C/ED, 7.738 (-0.342)
6. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Oldsmobile Cutlass, B/A, 7.608 (-0.332)
7. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., '98 Dragster, A/ED, 7.115 (-0.315)
8. Bub Miller, Edwardsville, Kansas, '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, D/EA, 8.875 (-0.285)
9. Duane Robison, Gardner, Kansas, '97 Firebird, C/A, 8.007 (-0.283)
10. Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '97 Pontiac Firebird, B/A, 7.671 (-0.269)
11. Chad Brownlow, Rochester, Minn., '99 Dragster, C/ED, 7.842 (-0.238)
12. Al Bresch, Stonewall, Man., Canada, '92 Chevrolet Camaro, C/SM, 9.489 (-0.191)
13. Bill Harris, Nebraska City, Neb., '00 Chevrolet S-10, E/A, 8.792 (-0.178)
14.  Robert Baldwin, Aurora, Colo., '90 Camaro, B/SM, 10.155 (+0.705)

SUPER STOCK
1. Ernie Penner, Osborne, Man., Canada, '99 Pontiac Firebird, GT/JA, 10.744 seconds (1.086-seconds under Index)
2. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., '85 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/KA, 10.653 (-1.077)
3. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.263 (-0.977)
4. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '87 Pontiac Firebird, GT/EA, 10.160 (-0.960)
5. Rick Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.686 (-0.954)
6. Ted Romero, Denver, Colo., '98 Firebird, GT/KA, 11.002 (-0.928)
7. Randy Mans, Rogers, Minn., '88 Cutlass, SS/OA, 11.876 (-0.914)
8. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Nomad Wagon, SS/NA, 11.735 (-0.905)
9. Tom Cassen, Berrytown, Kansas, '98 Oldmobile Achieva, GT/BA, 9.860 (-0.850)
10. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb. '66 Chevrolet II, SS/K, 10.647 (-0.823)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., '85 Chevrolet, U/SA, 14.036 seconds (1.344-seconds under Index)
2. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dodge Dakota, DT/SA, 12.466 (-1.244)
3. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 11.993 (-1.157)
4. Marty Woffard, Gore Okla., '66 Chevrolet Nova, L/S, 11.915 (-1.135)
5. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '82 Oldsmobile Cutlass, U/SA, 14.252 (-1.128)
6. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kansas, '85 Chevrolet Camaro, J/S, 11.803(-1.037)
7. Steve Koppien, Sioux Falls, S.D., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.750 (-0.980)
8. John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Nova, G/S, 11.495 (-0.895)
9. Matt Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Torino, D/SA, 11.167 (-0.863)
10. Mike Smith, Osage Beach, Mo., '71 Plymouth, E/SA, 11.336 (-0.844)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bybee, Chesterman are hot at Nebraska Motorplex All-Star Summer Sizzle
SCRIBNER, Neb. - More than 400 racecars from the NHRA West Central Division took over the beautiful cornfields of Scribner, Neb., for its fifth stop on the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Billy Bybee of McLean, Texas, set the pace in Friday's Federal-Mogul Dragster qualifying and last year's Nebraska Motorplex Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa was quickest in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car field. Bybee and his Second Wind Federal-Mogul Funny Car team has dominated the NHRA West Central Division for the past two months by winning the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing events at Bandimere Speedway in Denver and Douglas International Raceway in Douglas, Wyo.

In Friday's first round of qualifying, Bybee again showed that he is the class of the Federal-Mogul Dragster field with a pass of 5.840 seconds at 241.22 mph. Heartland Park Topeka champion Bruce Bowler of Denver drove his Phoenix Custom Apparel Federal-Mogul Dragster to the No. 2 qualifying position with a pass of 5.871 seconds at 235.47 mph.

"The track is very good, I think we can pick up a little time in tomorrow's qualifying," said Bybee. "The track officials did a great job of getting the track into racing shape. With the track as quality as it is I think we can break some track records here tomorrow."

Chesterman drove his Coca-Cola Federal-Mogul Funny Car to the No. 1 qualifying position with a pass of 6.030 seconds at 240.25 mph. Chesterman is one of three drivers in a close race for the West Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car championship. Defending West Central Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Champion, Vern Moats of Des Moines, Iowa, Chesterman, and Kirk Williams of Glenwood, Iowa, are all within 64 points of each other. Williams and Moats qualified third and eighth, respectively, after Friday's qualifying.

Qualifying and time trials will continue at the Nebraska Motorplex on Saturday at 8 a.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will have qualifying sessions at 1 and 4 p.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.840 seconds, 241.22 mph
2. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.871, 235.47
3. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.902, 236.22
4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.929, 239.42
5. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.977, 238.15
6. Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 6.082, 226.30
7. Ziggy Zivkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.335, 176.81
8. Mark Kinser, Grimes, Iowa, 6.989, 138.46
9. Calvin Friesen, Headingly, Man., Canada, 11.939, 67.01

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac Trans Am, 6.030 seconds, 240.25 mph
2. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.159, 235.23
3. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Dodge Avenger, 6.232, 231.83
4. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Avenger, 6.273, 227.67
5. Kris Hool, Casper, Wy., '97 Firebird, 6.376, 224.55
6. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Dodge Daytona, 6.666, 219.78
7. Scott McVey, Winnepeg, Man., Canada, '96 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.993, 200.26
8. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 7.613, 113.29
9. Michael Oliver, Evergreen, Colo., '81 Chevrolet, 12.177, 65.26

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Roadster, A/EA, 7.731 seconds (0.419-seconds under Index)
2. Jeff Perrella, Hibbing, Minn., '32 Roadster, A/EA, 7.808 (-0.342)
3. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.474 (-0.336)
4. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., '98 Dragster, A/ED, 7.115 (-0.315)
5. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Oldsmobile Cutlass, B/A, 7.645 (-0.295)
6. Bub Miller, Edwardsville, Kansas, '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, D/EA, 8.875 (-0.285)
7. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., '97 Dragster, C/ED, 7.803 (-0.277)
8. Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '97 Pontiac Firebird, B/A, 7.732 (-0.208)
9. Chad Brownlow, Rochester, Minn., '99 Dragster, C/ED, 7.877 (-0.203)
10. Al Bresch, Stonewall, Man., Canada, '92 Chevrolet Camaro, C/SM, 9.489 (-0.191)
11. Bill Harris, Nebraska City, Neb., '00 Chevrolet S-10, E/A, 8.792 (-0.178)
12. Duane Robison, Gardner, Kansas, '97 Firebird, C/A, 8.113 (-0.177)

SUPER STOCK
1. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., '85 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/KA, 10.691 seconds (1.039-seconds under Index)
2. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.263 (-0.977)
3. Rick Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.709(-0.931)
4. Ernie Penner, Osborne, Man., Canada, '99 Pontiac Firebird, GT/JA, 10.902 (-0.928)
5. Randy Mans, Rogers, Minn., '88 Cutlass, SS/OA, 11.876 (-0.914)
6. Ted Romero, Denver, Colo., '98 Firebird, GT/KA, 11.044 (-0.886)
7. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Nomad Wagon, SS/NA, 11.787 (-0.853)
8. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '87 Pontiac Firebird, GT/EA, 10.291 (-0.829)
9. Bill Rowe, Eureka, Mont., '67 Chevrolet Nova, SS/GA, 10.227 (-0.793)
10. Tom Cassen, Berrytown, Kansas, '98 Pldmobile Achieva, GT/BA, 9.921 (-0.789)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., '85 Chevrolet, U/SA, 14.036 seconds (1.344-seconds under Index)
2. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dodge Dakota, DT/SA, 12.466 (-1.244)
3. Marty Woffard, Gore Okla., '66 Chevrolet Nova, L/S, 11.961 (-1.089)
4. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 12.063 (-1.087)
5. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '82 Oldsmobile Cutlass, U/SA, 14.313 (-1.067)
6. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kansas, '85 Chevrolet Camaro, J/S, 11.822 (-1.018)
7. Steve Koppien, Sioux Falls, S.D., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.804 (-0.926)
8. Mike Smith, Osage Beach, Mo., '71 Plymouth, E/SA, 11.336 (-0.844)
9. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., '88 Ford Mustang, M/S, 12.521 (-0.829) 
10. Dustin Lindsey, Evergreen, Colo., '64 Plymouth, A/SA, 10.669 (-0.801)