FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos wins again, Harrington upsets field

SONOMA, Calif. -- Three-time Federal-Mogul Dragster national champion Rick Santos made it three in a row at the Sears Point Raceway Festival of Fire. The Brentwood resident, who won this event in '98 and '99, took out number two qualifier Steve Faria in the final with a pass of 5.53 seconds at 252.49 mph to Faria's 5.56, 248.84.

"That was the toughest run of the day," said Santos of the final round. "We had a lot of tire shake and we smoked the tires a little. It wasn't pretty but we got the job done. We knew we had our hands full with Faria."

It was a Cinderella story for Bernie Harrington in Federal-Mogul Funny Car as he took out the number one, two, and three qualifiers on his way to victory. Harrington, the number eight qualifier, defeated the number one qualifier, Ed Marx, in round one with a holeshot win at 5.947 seconds to Marx's quicker 5.863.

Harrington then ran a 5.849-second pass to beat Pacific Division Champion Pete Swayne in the semifinals for the right to match up with Dennis Taylor in the final. Taylor lost traction off the starting line and Harrington streaked to the finish line with a run of 5.94 seconds at 237.59 mph. Taylor slowed to a 8.89 at just over 100 mph.

Jason Adams of West Sacramento, Calif., took home the win in Stock Eliminator taking out John Mason. Adams ran a 12.178-second pass at 97.28 mph. Mason broke off the start as Adams took the easy win.

The following are Sunday's final-round results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Sears Point Raceway.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.452 seconds, 259.44 mph def. 
8. Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 7.651, 117.31

2. Steve Faria, Tipton, Calif., 5. 494, 259.30 def. 
7. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.797, 245.60

3. David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., 5.641, 266.67 def.
6. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.783, 242.32

4. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.563, 240.95 def. 
5. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.729, 249.63

Round 2
1. Santos, 5.478, 251.14 def. 4. Hitchman, 5.657, 240.44
2. Faria, 5.781, 245.71 def. 3. Baca, 5.837, 230.51

Final Round
1. Santos, 5.537, 252.49 def. 2. Faria, 5.564, 248.84
 
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
8. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.947, 241.38 def.
1. Ed Marx, San Rafael, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.863, 248.26

2. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 5.841, 247.95 def. 
7. Steven Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, no time recorded

3. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.833, 239.45 def. 
6. Ron August, Danville, Calif., '00 Camaro, 11.323, 67.37

5. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 5.893, 237.98 def. 
4. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., '97 Cutlass, 6.526, 230.34

Round 2
8.   Herrington, 5.849, 242.48 def. 5. Swayne, 6.000, 245.23
3.   Taylor, 5.899, 247.68 def. 2. Parker, 5.966, 242.86

Final Round
8. Harrington, 5.947, 237.59 def. 3. Taylor, 8.899, 100.78

COMPETITION
Jeff Lion, Fresno, Calif., '97 Firebird, E/A, 8.361, 162.30 def. 
Alan Freese, Monterey, Calif., '96 Firebird, D/A, 8.117, 166.02

SUPER STOCK
Doug Broaddus, Anaheim, Calif., '89 Camaro, GT/AA, 9.788, 137.92 def. 
Steve Polack, Enumclaw, Wash., '92 Chevrolet, 10.455, 123.60 broke out

STOCK
Jesse Adams, W. Sacramento, Calif., '67 Chevelle, H/SA, 12.178, 97.28 def.
John Mason, Murrieta, Calif., '69 Camaro, A/SA, broke - no time recorded

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Pat Jones, Yorba Linda, Calif., '96 dragster, 7.950, 165.77 def. 
Mike MacBrair, Napa, Calif., '96 dragster, 7.967, 163.79

SUPER COMP
Steve Casner, Sheridan, Calif., '99 dragster, 8.957, 165.65 def. 
Kain Gallaugher, Whittier, Calif., 8.974, 160.66

SUPER GAS
Mike Henderson, Tacoma, Wash., '69 Chevrolet, 9.892, 153.57 def. 
Al Aquiar,Norwalk, Calif., '72 Vega, 9.870, 139.16 broke out

SUPER STREET
Keith Monague, Phoenix, Ariz., '63 Nova, 10.916, 130.81 def. 
Ron Cross, Springfield, Ore., '67 Camaro, 10.899, 127.19 broke out

MOTORCYCLE
Brian Hudson, Kennewick, Wash., '80 Suzuki, 9.063, 132.14 def. 
Kahea Woods, Las Vegas, Nev. '94 Suzuki, 8.726, 150.16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Locals on top at Sears Point's Festival of Fire

SONOMA, Calif. -- Rick Santos of Brentwood, Calif,. and Ed Marx of San Rafael, Calif., led the fields in the dragster and Funny Car categories respectively. Santos drove his Oakwood Homes/Jack O'Bannon dragster to a 5.476-second pass at 260.85 mph and is followed by Steve Faria with a 5.525, 253.59.

"We've won this event the last two years and would love to make it three in a row", said Santos. "We have a lot of people out here this weekend with this being our home track. Everything's working great, we should be in good shape for tomorrow."

Santos has two national event wins at Sears Point, '93 and '94, to go with his two Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series wins in '98 and '99.

David Baca, also from Brentwood, qualified third and set a new track speed record in Federal-Mogul Dragster crossing the finish line at 266.32 mph. The old record of 261.27 mph, set in August, 1999, was held by John Costansa.

Marx jumped to the top of the Funny Car field with a pass of 5.826 seconds at 251.09 mph. Marx is followed by Russ Parker and Dennis Taylor in second and third, respectively. Parker clocked in at 5.863 seconds, 245.76 mph, followed by Taylor with a run of 5.875 at 245.08 mph.

Super Gas racer Fred Kondratos had a wild ride when his '92 Firebird flipped upside down as he crossed the finish line and came to a rest on the car's hood. Kondratos climbed out of the car on his own, was taken to the medical center at the track, and was released with only minor injuries.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results and Sunday's pairings from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Sears Point Raceway.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.476 seconds, 260.85 mph vs.
8. Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.854, 197.80

2. Steve Faria, Tipton, Calif., 5.525, 253.59 vs.
7. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.813, 243.46
3. David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., 5.625, 266.32 vs.
6. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.745, 239.32

4. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.667, 231.44 vs.
5. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.719, 247.28

Not Qualified

9. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.916, 233.44
10. Chris Lane, San Leandro, Calif., 5.919, 196.02
11. Matthew Seltzer, Brea, Calif., 5.949, 235.96
12. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 6.097, 227.61
13. Mark Foster, Santa Cruz, Calif., 6.300, 228.55
14. Brad Hansen, Custer, Wash., 7.206, 194.23

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Ed Marx, San Rafael, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.826, 251.09 vs.
8. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.924, 239.72

2. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 5.937, 242.09 vs.
7. Steven Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.920, 248.59

3. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.875, 245.08 vs.
6.  Ron August, Danville, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.904, 243.19

4. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., '97 Cutlass, 5.875, 242.54 vs.
5. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 5.880, 247.95

Not Qualified
9.  Dan McGlone, Oregon City, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.064, 232.84
10. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Avenger, 5.937, 242.09
11. Mike Andreotti, Colusa, Calif., '92 Daytona, 6.217, 234.30
12. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.943, 244.33
13. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.974, 237.36
14. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.999, 229.70
15. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.007, 224.82
16. John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 6.051, 236.50
17. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.136, 241.11
18. Dale Van Gundy, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Camaro, 6.069, 227.03
19. Bret Willimason, Campbell, Calif., '00 Corvette, 6.119, 242.10
20. Jason Rupert, Placentia, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.144, 225.14
21. Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., '98 Achieva, 6.209, 232.95

COMPETITION
1. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.769 seconds, -0.591 under the index
2. Jeff Lion, Fresno, Calif., '97 Firebird, E/A 8.311, -0.579
3. Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., '90 Trans Am, D/EA, 8.503, -0.577
4. Nick Jondahl, Battleground, Wash., '92 Firebird, G/A, 8.990, -0.550
5. Ed Schuck Jr., Eugene, Ore., '00 dragster, C/ED, 7.477, -0.533
6. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Ore., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.212, -0.528
7. Fred Gross, La Crecenta, Calif., '96 Firebird, D/A 8.113, -0.507
8. John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., '88 dragster, B/D, 6.992, -0.488
9. Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '92 Lumina, F/A, 8.695, -0.475
10. Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '00 Pontiac, B/A, 7.401, -0.469

SUPER STOCK
1. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dakota, GT/TD, 10.535 seconds, -1.125 under the index
2. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif, '98 Calais, SS/CM, 8.825, -1.075
3. Doug Lambeck, Irvine, Calif., '92 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.000, -1.000
4. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., '64 Comet, SS/MA, 11.161, -0.989
5. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., '57 Corvette, SS/AM, 8.572, -0.978
6. Guy Czarniak, Redding, Calif., '69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.550, -0.950
7. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., '69 Corvette, SS/B, 9.265, -0.935
8. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/FA, 10.197, -0.903
9. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta, S/AM, 8.655, -0.895
10. Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '90 Probe, SS/BM, 8.817, -0.883

STOCK
1. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '98 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.138 seconds, -1.362 under the index
2. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., '81 Dodge, ET/SA, 12.157, -1.393
3. Don Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.204, -1.096
4. Dave Irvin, Glendale, Ariz., '65 Chevelle, P/SA, 12.673, -1.077
5. Fred Deuchar, Bruch Prairie, Wash., '65 Malibu, K/S, 11.774, -1.076
6. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.726, -0.974
7. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., '70 Challenger, B/SA, 10.505,-1.045
8.  Dwayne Scheitlin, Madera, Calif., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 10.562, -0.988
9. John Hennessay, Los Angeles, Calif., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.431, -1.019
10. Darrin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., '70 Barracuda, B/SA, 10.551,-0.999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Leandro's Santos takes pole, continues reign

SONOMA, Calif. -- Rick Santos continues his dominance in the Federal-Mogul Dragster category as he posted a qualifying time of 5.503 seconds at 255.26 mph at Sears Point Raceway for the fourth event in the NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Dennis Taylor joined Santos as he claimed the top qualifying position in the funny car category with a pass of 5.875 seconds, at 245.54 mph.

Santos is followed by Steve Faria, who put his dragster in the number two position with a run of 5.585 seconds at 248.15 mph. There is no one local favorite at Sears Point this weekend as David Baca of Brentwood, Calif. is qualified fifth and Chris Lane of San Leandro, Calif., is seventh. Baca covered the quarter mile in 5.891 seconds at 218.46 mph while Lane turned in a 6.036 second pass at 184.29.

Rod Alexander ran the identical time as Taylor, 5.875 seconds, but lands in the number two position as Taylor's 245.08 mph speed bettered Alexander's mph of 242.54. The faster mph gives Taylor the number one position. Danville, Calif.'s Ron August took the third spot with a pass of 5.904 seconds, 243.19 mph.

Qualifying resumes in all categories on Saturday. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. with competition beginning at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Cars will receive two qualifying runs, scheduled for 12 noon and 5:30 p.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.503 seconds, 255.26 mph.
2. Steve Faria, Tipton, Calif., 5.585, 248.15
3. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.667, 231.44
4. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.745, 239.32
5. David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., 5.891, 218.46
6. Matthew, Seltzer, Brea, Calif., 5.949, 235.96
7. Chris Lane, San Leandro, Calif., 6.036, 184.29
8. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 6.051, 219.39

9. Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 6.322, 159.94
10. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 6.473, 210.47
11. Brad Hansen, Custer, Wash., 7.239, 188.49
12. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 8.460, 103.44
13. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 12.224, 60.60

FEDERAL-MOUGL FUNNY CAR
1. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 5.875, 245.08
2. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., '97 Cutlass, 5.875, 242.54
3. Ron August, Danville, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.904, 243.19
4. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.976, 243.04
5. Ed Marx, San Rafael, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.976, 243.04
6. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '00Camaro, 5.999, 229.70
7. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.007, 224.82
8. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.038, 244.69

9. John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 6.051, 236.50
10. Dan McGlone, Oregon City, Ore., '99Camaro, 6.064, 232.84
11. Bret Willimason, Campbell, Calif., '00 Corvette, 6.119, 242.10
12. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.136, 241.11
13. Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., '98 Achieva, 6.209, 232.95
14. Mike Andreotti, Colusa, Calif., '92 Daytona, 6.217, 234.30
15. Dale Van Gundy, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Camaro, 6.241, 221.47
16. Jason Rupert, Placentia, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.242, 215.68
17. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '99 Camao, 6.323, 170.20
18. Steven Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, 7.023, 157.64
19. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Avenger, 7.081, 148.65
20. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 10.041, 103.35

COMPETITION
1. Jeff Lion, Fresno, Calif., '97 Firebird, E/A 8.311 seconds, -0.579 under the index
2. Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., '90 Trans Am, D/EA, 8.512, -0.568
3. Nick Jondahl, Battleground, Wash., '92 Firebird, G/A, 9.002, -0.538
4. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Ore., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.212, -0.528
5. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.840, -0.520
6. Fred Gross, LaCrecenta, Calif., '96 Firebird, D/A 8.113, -0.507
7. Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '92 Lumina, F/A, 8.695, -0.475
8. John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., '88 dragster, B/D, 7.007, -0.473
9. Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '00 Pontiac, B/A, 7.401, -0.469
10. Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., '97 dragster, D/ED, 7.804, -0.326

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif, '98 Calais, SS/CM, 8.874 seconds, -1.026 under the index
2. Doug Lambeck, Irvine, Calif., '92 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.005, -0.995
3. Terry Sherrill, Klamath, Falls, Ore., '57 Corvette, SS/AM, 8.636, -0.914
4. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/FA, 10.197, -0.903
5. Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '90 Probe, SS/BM, 8.817, -0.883
6. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., '64 Comet, SS/MA, 11.285, -0.865
7. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dakota, GT/TD, 10.907, -0.843
8. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.360, -0.840
9. Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.172, -0.828
10. Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Achieva, GT/HA, 10.525, -0.825

STOCK
1. Gary harper, San Jose, Calif., '81 Dodge, ET/SA, 12.157 seconds, -1.393 under the index
2. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '98 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.138, -1.362
3. Don Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Barracuda, A/SA, 10.204, -1.096
4. Dave Irvin, Glendale, Ariz., '65 Chevelle, P/SA, 12.673, -1.077
5. Fred Deuchar, Bruch Prairie, Wash., '65 Malibu, K/S, 11.774, -1.076
6. John Hennessay, Los Angeles, Calif., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.431, -1.019
7. John Irving, Boulder City, Nev., '71 Dart, E/SA, 11.001, -0.999
8. Dwayne Scheitlin, Madera, Calif., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 10.562, -0.988
9. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.726, -0.974
10. Steve Hanby, Salem, Ore., '85 Camaro, M/SA, 12.209, -0.941