FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strasburg, Parker are dealt a Royal Flush at Gambler Nationals

LAS VEGAS, Nev.- Mike Strasburg of Lindon, Utah collected his first Federal-Mogul Dragster win of the 2000 season at the Federal-Mogul Gambler Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Russ Parker of Salem, Ore. won his second race of the year and career.

After qualifying No. 3, Strasburg met John Shoemaker of Sacramento, Calif. in round one and put him on the trailer with a pass of 5.571 seconds at 255.92 mph. In the semifinals, Strasburg took on Las Vegas national event Federal-Mogul Dragster champion Darren Nicholson of Mission Viejo, Calif.

Strasburg won this race on the starting line with a reaction time of .425 to Nicholson's .469. Strasburg took the win light with a pass of 5.526 seconds at 256.65 mph to Nicholson's 5.597 seconds at 254.52 mph.

The final pitted Strasburg's Cornwell Tools Dragster against Las Vegas resident Duane Shields and his Short Line Express Dragster. Strasburg again took the big advantage at the start with a reaction time of .415 to Shields' .489. Strasburg didn't look back and took the win light going away with a run of 5.602 seconds at 254.38 mph to Shields' 7-cylinder pass of 5.862 seconds at 233.12 mph.

"I can't believe we made it to the winner's circle with such tough competition," said a delighted Strasburg. "It's been a while since our last win, but it won't be that long again-this feels to good."

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car it wasn't in your best interest to be one of the top four qualifiers as each one lost in the first round. Russ Parker qualified his Centennial Batteries/Oregon Dairy Farmers Funny Car in the No. 6 position in a tough all 5-second field. Parker knocked out No. 3 qualifier, Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif. in round one with a holeshot. Parker's reaction time of .444 was good enough to hold off Gasparrelli's reaction time of .527. Parker got the bye to the final after John Patton couldn't make the call after blowing an engine in round one.

In the final, Parker took on John Weaver of Hanford, Calif. and again took the advantage off the start and took the win light with a pass of 5.883 seconds at 242.89 mph to Weaver's run of 6.166 seconds at 181.96 mph.

"This is a great win because we beat 15 very strong Pacific Division Funny Cars," said Parker. This is my second win and it just gets better each time."

The following are final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
8) Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 5.755 seconds, 239.36 mph def 
1) Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 9.151, 88.78

4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.545, 257.38 def 
5) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.694, 252.0

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.563, 255.73 def 
7) Bob Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.791, 244.29

3) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.571, 255.92 vs. 
6) John Shoemaker, Sacramento, Calif., 6.000, 171.18

Semifinals
Shields, 5.554, 245.54 def Carlson, 6.449, 162.24
Strasburg, 5.526, 256.65 def Nicholson, 5.597, 254.52

Finals
Strausberg, 5.602, 254.38 def Shields, 5.862, 233.12

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
8) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '00 Camaro, 7.379, 135.09 def 
1) Mike Andreotti, Colusa, Calif., '92 Daytona, 9.884, 92.61

5) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.838, 252.85 def 
4) Ed Marx, Stockton, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.801, 246.30

7) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Firebird, 6.109, 195.11 def 
2) Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., 6.783, 240.08

6) Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 5.944, 244.21 def 
3) Steve Gasparrelli, Covina, Calif., 5.863, 247.38

Semifinals
Parker, 5.841, 245.67 def Patton, Broke--Did Not Run
Weaver, 5.908, 249.72 def Littlefield, 6.009, 222.69

Finals
Parker, 5.883, 242.89 def Weaver, 6.166, 181.96

COMP ELIMINATOR
Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Oldsmobile Cutlass C/EA, 8.521, 158.13
def Andy Manna Jr., Covina Calif., '90 Pontiac Trans Am D/EA, 8.624, 153.40

SUPER STOCK
Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta SS/AM, 8.912, 142.55 def John
Scheiss, North Hills, Calif., '91 Calais, 9.864, 130.77

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., '70 Barracuda, 10.838, 121.79 def Don
Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Barracuda, 10.583, 121.67

SUPER COMP
Michael Miller, Santa Fe, N.M., '98 Dragster, 9.064, 158.13 def Greg
Carillo, Phoenix, Ariz., '99 Dragster, 9.044, 167.34

SUPER GAS
Bob Herr, Sacramento, Calif., '63 Corvette, 10.071, 154.97 def Ron Freedle,
Ontario, Calif., '85 Camaro, 10.050, 140.46

SUPER STREET
Jimmy Band, Boise, Idaho, '57 Chevrolet, 11.167, 136.48 def Keith Manogue,
Phoenix, Ariz., '63 Nova, 15.008, 77.67

PRO SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Jake Geisser, West Valley City, Utah, '85 Suzuki, 8.204, 158.41 def Rick
Newport, West Valley City, Utah, '97 Suzuki, 8.432, 157.61

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Bill Webber, Kingman, Ariz., '00 Dragster, 8.058, 177.74 def Scott Wells,
Glendale, Ariz., 8.146, 175.59 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former Northwest Division champ back on top in Federal-Mogul Dragster

LAS VEGAS, Nev.- Former Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Dragster champion and "semi-retired" racer, Rick Henkelman of San Jose, Calif. drove his sons Federal-Mogul Dragster to the No. 1 qualifying position at the Gambler Nationals event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Mike Andreotti of Colusa, Calif. captured the No. 1 qualifying position in the final qualifying session.

Henkelman in his first race back after his self-imposed retirement showed the 19 other Federal-Mogul Dragster drivers why he was a former division champion. Henkelman took the reins of his sons Henkelman Motorsports dragster because Brandon Henkelman had previous college obligations back at Santa Clara University, where he is earning his Masters Degree in Finance. Henkelman made the trip to Las Vegas to test some new parts for Brandon's 2001 season.

Rick Hankelman took half the day off on Saturday after posting the quickest and fastest run in Friday's qualifying session with a pass of 5.485 seconds at 263.31 mph. Las Vegas resident, Duane Shields qualified his Short Line Express Markets Federal-Mogul Dragster in the No. 4 position with his best run of the weekend, 5.591 seconds at 254.28 mph.

"We just made the trip from San Jose [Calif.] to test new parts, set-ups, and configurations for the 2001 season," said Rick Henkelman. "Our No. 1 qualifier position is just icing on the cake." In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Andreotti came from nowhere in the final qualifying session to capture his first $1000 Winston Top Qualifier Bonus of the 2000 season.

Andreotti made the quickest pass of qualifying in his '92 Dodge Daytona Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a run of 5.751 seconds at 240.96 mph. The SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, Rod Alexander of Simi Valley, Calif. qualified No. 2 with a pass of 5.783 seconds at 250.23 mph. Eliminations will begin at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday at 8 a.m.

Gates open at 7 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will begin eliminations at 11 a.m.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif. 5.485 seconds, 263.31 mph vs. 
8) Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 5.703, 243.33

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.539, 255.97 vs. 
7) Bob Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.676, 246.21

3) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.557, 255.92 vs. 
6) John Shoemaker, Sacramento, Calif., 5.662, 239.53

4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.591, 254.28 vs. 
5) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.632, 251.49

Alternates
1. Steve Faria, Tipton, Calif., 5.732, 250.69
2. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.764, 228.92
3. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.799, 237.42
4. Cliff Bingham, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.866, 242.45
5. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.879, 225.63
6. Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.960, 237.46
7. Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 6.304, 165.60
8. Fred Notzka, Ventura, Calif., 6.576, 178.19
9. Ed Vickroy, Fontana, Calif., 6.984, 157.04
10. J. Marshall Topping, Costa Mesa, Calif., 7.085, 152.33
11. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 10.312, 91.57

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Mike Andreotti, Colusa, Calif., '92 Daytona, 5.751, 244.96 vs. 
8) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.926, 238.51

2) Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 5.783, 250.23 vs. 
7) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Pontiac Firebird, 5.918, 242.54

3) Steve Gasparrelli, Covina, Calif., '99 Pontiac Firebird, 5.814, 246.39 vs. 
6) Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.902, 245.45

4) Ed Marx, Stockton, Calif., '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.817, 247.88 vs. 
5) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.851, 250.74 

Alternates
1. James Bartoli, Duarte, Calif., '97 Cutlass, 5.940, 237.92
2. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.952, 243.28
3. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.967, 245.36
4. Lyle Greenberg, Albuquerque, N.M., '93 Dodge Daytona, 5.993, 242.10
5. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '00 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.067, 232.47
6. Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.069, 229.24
7. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.088, 234.00

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., '90 Pontiac Trans Am, D/EA, 8.570 (0.670-seconds under Index)
2. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 Dragster, C/D, 7.154 (-0.646)
3. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevrolet Roadster, C/SR, 8.899 (-0.621)
4. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '95 Chevrolet Camaro, A/SM, 8.621 (-0.599)
5. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '97 Trans Am, C/EA, 8.443 (-0.597)
6. Rich Howell, Yorba Linda, Calif., '00 Dragster, C/D, 7.204 (-0.596)
7. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Oldsmobile Cutlass, C/EA, 8.462 (-0.578)
8. John Chamberlain, Napa, Calif., '88 Dragster, B/D, 7.017 (-0.573)
9. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Pontiac Firebird, C/SM, 9.188 (-0.572)
10. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, Calif., '00 Chevrolet S-10, A/T, 7.753 (-0.567) 

SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dodge Dakota, GT/TD, 10.688 (1.352-seconds under index)
2. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dodge Avenger, GT/TD, 10.819 (-1.221)
3. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '98 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/CM, 9.067 (-1.083)
4. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/FA, 10.314 (-1.066)
5. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '00 Pontiac Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.748 (-1.062)
6. Dave Rayburn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dodge Dart, SS/AA, 9.192 (-1.058)
7. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., '64 Mercury Comet, SS/MA, 11.426 (-1.024)
8. John Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '87 Buick Regal, SS/DX, 8.820 (-1.020)
9. Howard Thompson, Wildomar, Calif., '95 Ford Mustang, GT/EA, 10.221 (-0.999)
10. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Chevrolet Beretta, SS/AM, 8.795 (-0.995)
                                                   
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dodge Dakota, DT/SA, 12.323 (1.517-seconds under Index)
2. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '98 Dodge Dakota, DT/SA, 12.346 (-1.494)
3. Scott North, West Valley, Utah, '84 Buick Riviera, AF/SA, 14.241 (-1.179)
4. Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '84 Buick Regal, L/SA, 12.167 (-1.153)
5. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Ford Mustang, D/SA, 11.007 (-1.143)
6. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Ford Fairlane, A/S, 10.405 (-1.125)
7. Don Little, Westley, Wash., '70 Plymouth Cuda, A/SA, 10.482 (-1.098)
8. Scott Hilton, Sun Valley, Calif., '67 Ford Mustang, E/S, 11.171 (-1.079)
9. Richie Pauley, Newhall, Calif., '68 Ford Mustang, C/SA, 10.920 (-1.070)
10. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Dodge Aspen, J/SA, 12.017 (-1.053)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rick Henkelman, Marx make The Strip their personal playground

LAS VEGAS, Nev.- Nearly 700 racers made their way to Las Vegas for the inaugural Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Rick Henkelman of San Jose, Calif. and Ed Marx of Stockton, Calif. captured the No. 1 qualifier honors after the first round of qualifying in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car, respectively.

Former Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion, Rick Henkelman of San Jose, Calif. made his 2000 season debut on Friday with a run of 5.485 seconds at 263.31 mph. Rick Henkelman is back in to the car because after his son, Brandon Henkelman had previous college engagement for this weekend. Brandon Henkelman, currently No. 2 in the NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Dragster points battle was happy to have his father return to the Henkelman Motorsports Dragster cockpit to give him some blocking help. Brandon Henkelman needs the blocking help because No. 3 and No. 4 in the points battle, Duane Shields of Las Vegas and Dale Carlson of Olympia, Wash. are on hand at The Strip to try and move up in the points race.

Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash. has already clinched the Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Dragster championship.

Ed Marx of Stockton, Calif. made the quickest and fastest Federal-Mogul Funny Car pass of the day with a run of 5.817 seconds at 247.88 mph. The only other sub six-second Federal-Mogul Funny Car pass of the night session was Bob Gallio of Fullerton, Calif., who qualified No. 2 with a run of 5.996 seconds at 240.64 mph.

Qualifying and time trials will continue at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will have qualifying sessions at 1 and 7 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Henkelman, San Jose, Calif. 5.485 seconds, 263.31 mph
2. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.557, 255.92
3. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.632, 251.49
4. John Shoemaker, Sacramento, Calif., 5.662, 239.53
5. Bob Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.676, 246.21
6. Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.730, 207.08
7. Steve Faria, Tipton, Calif., 5.772, 244.69
8. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.799, 237.42

Alternates
9. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.835, 232.63
10. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.908, 229.98
11. Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.960, 237.46
12. Cliff Bingham, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.981, 227.80
13. Fred Notzka, Ventura, Calif., 6.576, 178.19
14. J. Marshall Topping, Costa Mesa, Calif., 7.085, 152.33
15. Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 8.924, 95.90
16. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 10.315, 77.97
17. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 13.891, 71.17
18. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., No time recorded

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Ed Marx, Stockton, Calif., '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.817, 247.88
2. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., '00 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.996, 240.64
3. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.008, 246.12
4. John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Pontiac Firebird, 6.123, 238.34
5. Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.131, 225.22
6. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.192, 181.32
7. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.370, 232.87
8. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, 6.479, 181.18

Alternates 
9. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.699, 148.95
10. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 8.414, 105.06
11. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Dodge Avenger, 9.606, 102.20
12. James Bartoli, Duarte, Calif., '97 Cutlass, 11.616, 66.87
13. Mike Andreotti, Colusa, Calif., '92 Dodge Daytona, 12.272, 65.12

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., '90 Pontiac Trans Am, D/EA, 8.570 (-0.670)
2. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevrolet Roadster, C/SR, 8.899 (-0.621)
3. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '97 Trans Am, C/EA, 8.450 (-0.590)
4. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Oldsmobile Cutlass, C/EA, 8.462 (-0.578)
5. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., '00 Dragster, C/D, 7.224 (-0.576)
6. John Chamberlain, Napa, Calif., '88 Dragster, B/D, 7.017 (-0.573)
7. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Pontiac Firebird, C/SM, 9.188 (-0.572)
8. Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., '00 Dragster, C/D, 7.235 (-0.565)
9. Phil Cocuzza, Acton, Calif., '95 Pontiac Firebird, D/A, 8.148 (-0.552)
10. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, Calif., '00 Chevrolet S-10, A/T, 7.779 (-0.541) 

SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dodge Dakota, GT/TD, 10.688 (-1.352)
2. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dodge Avenger, GT/TD, 10.819 (-1.221)
3. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '98 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/CM, 9.067 (-1.083)
4. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '00 Pontiac Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.748 (-1.062)
5. Dave Rayburn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dodge Dart, SS/AA, 9.192 (-1.058)
6. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., '64 Mercury Comet, SS/MA, 11.450 (-1.000)
7. Howard Thompson, Wildomar, Calif., '95 Ford Mustang, GT/EA, 10.221 (-0.999)
8. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Chevrolet Beretta, SS/AM, 8.795 (-0.995)
9. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., '69 Chevrolet Corvette, SS/B, 9.468 (-0.982)
10. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/FA, 10.402 (-0.978)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dodge Dakota, DT/SA, 12.323 (-1.517)
2. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '98 Dodge Dakota, DT/SA, 12.346 (-1.494)
3. Scott North, West Valley, Utah, '84 Buick Riviera, AF/SA, 14.241 (-1.179)
4. Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '84 Buick Regal, L/SA, 12.167 (-1.153)
5. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Ford Mustang, D/SA, 11.007 (-1.142)
6. Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Ford Fairlane, A/S, 10.405 (-1.125)
7. Don Little, Westley, Wash., '70 Plymouth Cuda, A/SA, 10.482 (-1.098)
8. Richie Pauley, Newhall, Calif., '68 Ford Mustang, C/SA, 10.920 (-1.070)
9. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Dodge Aspen, J/SA, 12.017 (-1.053)
10. John Hennessay, Los Angeles, Calif., '69 Chevrolet Camaro, H/SA, 11.707 (1.053)