FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos makes it a three-peat for the 2000 season

TUCSON, Ariz.- Rick Santos of San Leandro, Calif., takes his third consecutive win of 2000 in the Federal-Mogul Dragster category, while Larry Miner of Woodbridge, Calif., came out on top for his second win of the season in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category. Santos' final winning pass reaffirmed that he has what it takes to be a three-time world champion, after fighting for control of the dragster until half track to beat Mike Strasburg of Lindon, Utah, with a time of 5.499 seconds at 256.50 mph. Strasburg who showed consistent times all weekend lost with a respectable time of 5.578 seconds at 252.99 mph.

"We had some problems with tire shake throughout the entire weekend, but the crew really stepped it up a notch and gave me a quality race car," said Santos. "This is definitely a great track, we had a lot fans in the stands and the conditions were second to none, I look forward to racing here in the future."

Miner took his second win of the young season in the closest race of the day narrowly beating Doug Gordon of Paso Robles, Calif., with a run of 5.936 seconds at 247.70 mph against Gordon's run of 5.966 seconds at 244.87 mph.

"We got really lucky in the final round weaving from side to side the entire length of the track, but we'll take it," said a satisfied Miner.

Other winners at the inaugural Federal-Mogul Drag Series event at Southwestern International Raceway include: Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., Competition; Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., Super Stock; Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., Stock; Penny Dabbs, Garland, Taxas, Super Comp; John Steffen, Littleton, Colo., Super Gas; Jason Brink, Bay Point, Calif., Super Street; Mike MacBrair, Napa, Calif., Super Eliminator; Sean Conner, Boulder City, Nev., E.T. Motorcycle. The second event of the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series will take place at Fomoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. on April 28-30.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) 1) Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.417 seconds, 253.28 mph def. 
8) Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 12.994 seconds, 74.75 mph

2) Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.521, 240.47 def. 
7) Sergio Recio, El Paso, Texas, 5.878, 236.34 

3) Mike Strasburg, Lindon Utah, 5.518, 248.98 def.
6) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6.306, 210.57

5) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.837, 243.50 def.
4) Gary Ormsby, Granite Bay, Calif., 7.622, 119.89 Driver, City, St.,      
               

Semifinals
1) Santos, 5.465, 257.33 def. 5) Nuckols, 5.768, 245.49
3) Strasburg, 5.516, 253.71, def. 2) Henkelman, 5.574, 245.67

Final Round
1) Santos, 5.499, 256.50 def. 3) Strasburg, 5.578, 252.99

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., 5.808 seconds, 251.58  def. 
8) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., 6.034 seconds, 244.47 

2) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., 5.770, 249.67 def
7) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., 7.279, 61.97

3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., 6.055, 245.45 def. 
6) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., 6.117, 237.50

5) Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., 5.856, 247.11 def.
4) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., 5.857, 250.23

Semifinals
1) Miner, 5.736, 251.58 def. 5) Rod Alexander, 5.852, 245.54
3) Gordon, 6.093, 244.16 def. 2) Weaver, 7.717, 135.82

Final Round
1) Miner, 5.936, 247.70 def. 3) Gordon, 5.966, 244.87

COMP ELIMINATOR
Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., C/SR '34 Chevrolet, 9.277, 120.01 def.
Andy Manna Jr., Covina, Calif., C/SR '33 Ford, (foul) 15.316, 75.22 
 
SUPER STOCK
Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/FA '98 Grand Am, 10.51, 123.88 def. 
Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., SS/BM '90 Probe, 9.295, 142.29

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville Calif., B/SA '70 Barracuda, 11.018, 115.75 def.
Greg Luneack, Vista, Calif., A/SA '64 Plymouth, 10.841, 120.27

SUPER COMP
Penny Dabbs, Garland, Texas, '98 Dragster, 9.172, 162.37 def. 
Joe Ghyselinck, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Dragster, (foul) 9.145, 157.50

SUPER GAS
John Steffen, Littleton, Colo., '27 Roadster, 10.172, 141.37 def. Johnny
Gilbert, Hesperia, Calif., '91 Daytona, 10.147, 138.29  (Break out)

SUPER STREET
Jason Brink, Bay Point, Calif., '66 Nova, 11.215, 121.25 def. 
Greg Ventura, Garden Grove Calif., '66 Chevrolet II, 11.206, 125.67 (Break out)

SUPER ELIMINATOR 
Mike MacBrair, Napa, Calif., '96 Dragster, 8.151, 156.72 def.
Bill Weber, Golden Valley, Ariz., '00 Dragster, 8.153, 175.80

ET/MOTORCYCLE
Sean Conner, Boulder City, Nev., '99 Kawasaki, 9.122, 138.80 def.
Lonnie Woodruff, Bountiful, Utah, '78 Kawasaki, (foul) 15.365, 50.10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos, Miner continue winning ways at Southwestern International Raceway

TUCSON, Ariz. - With the first round of eliminations in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car category in the books, Rick Santos moved on to the semifinals in the Federal-Mogul Dragster category, as does Larry Minor in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category despite a day filled with tire shake.

With windy conditions for most of the day at Southwestern International Raceway, drivers battled with car setup in an attempt to tame the Tucson quarter-mile. Santos did not take advantage of the final qualifying session, but still came away with the $1000 Winston Top Qualifier Award. Santos came out in the first round of eliminations with run of 5.417 seconds at 253.28 mph to post the quickest time of the day and advance to the second round to meet Kent Nucklos of Albuquerque, N.M.

"We had to fight through a lot of tire shake up to half track but pedaled our way through it," said Santos. "We're going to make some changes to our transmission and if we remain consistent, we can win this race tomorrow."

Miner was also able to tame the warm Tucson track in the final round of qualifying with a run of 5.722 seconds at 250.04 mph to take back the No. 1 qualifying position and the Winston Top Qualifier Award away from John Weaver of Hanford, Calif. Weaver bettered Minor's Friday qualifying attempt of 5.77 seconds with a run on Saturday of 5.766 seconds at 248.66 mph. "With the wind conditions greatly improving, the car still shook hard, so we're going to need to make some clutch adjustments tonight if we want to stay on top for tomorrow," said Miner.

Eliminations begin Sunday in all categories at 9 a.m. Gates open at Southwestern International Raceway at 7:30a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car are scheduled to run at noon.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
 First round
1) Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.417 seconds, 253.28 mph def. 
8) Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 12.994 seconds, 74.75 mph

2) Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.521, 240.47 def. 
7) Sergio Recio, El Paso, Texas, 5.878, 236.34 

3) Mike Strasburg, Lindon Utah, 5.518, 248.98 def.
6) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6.306, 210.57

5) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.837, 243.50 def.
4) Gary Ormsby, Granite Bay, Calif., 7.622, 119.89 


Semifinals
1) Santos vs. 5) Nuckols
2) Henkelman vs. 3)Strasburg


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First round
1) Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., 5.808 seconds, 251.58 mph def.      
8) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., 6.034 seconds, 244.47 mph

2) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., 5.770, 249.67 def
7) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., 7.279, 61.97

3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., 6.055, 245.45 def. 
6) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., 6.117, 237.50

5) Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., 5.856, 247.11 def.
4) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., 5.857, 250.23 


Semifinals
1) Miner vs. 5) Alexander
2) Weaver vs. 3) Gordon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santos looks for third straight
TUCSON, Ariz. - Reigning Federal-Mogul Dragster champion Rick Santos took the top qualifying spot in Federal-Mogul Dragster category at the inaugural Southwestern International Raceway Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event in picture perfect racing conditions. Also, the current national record holder for speed in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Larry Miner of Woodbridge, Calif., followed up his win at the AutoZone Winternationals with the number one qualifying position at SIR.

Santos' second pass of the day was one of the top five quickest times set in a Federal-Mogul Dragster. Santos' first run of the day was still one tenth of a second quicker than the rest of the field, with Mike Strasburg of Lindon, Utah, coming closest with a run of 5.547 seconds at 248.80 mph.

"After the first run I knew that there was more in the car", said Santos, "We played with the transmission ratio and it seemed to pay off. This is now one of my favorite track. I'll tell you Sunday if this is my favorite track."

Miner secured the top spot in Federal-Mogul Funny Car with his second pass of the day running a lap of 5.722 seconds at 250.04 mph. This bettered his first qualifying attempt of the day,5.887 seconds at 247.75 mph.

"We're very pleased with our [qualifying] attempts today, since it was our first two attempts at this track," said a jubilant Miner. "This is a great track, and we'll definitely look forward to competing here more often." Qualifying resumes in all categories on Saturday. Gates open at Southwestern Int'l Raceway at 7:30 a.m. and competition begins at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars run at noon and 6 p.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
 1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.359, 258.07 mph
 2. Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.602, 249.49
 3. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.547, 248.80
 4. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.841, 241.28
 5. Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.947, 214.79
 6. Sergio Recio, El Paso, Texas, 5.904, 235.15
 7. Gary Ormsby, Granite Bay, Calif., 5.947, 232.25
 8. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.217, 224.28 
(Alternates)
 9. Charlie Marcum, Bellflower, Calif., 6.963, 189.76
10. Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 8.808, 101.10

 
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
 1. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Dodge, 5.722, 250.04 mph
 2. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '99 Chevrolet, 5.791, 247.88 
 3. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.791, 247.33
 4. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '98 Pontiac, 5.808, 244.74
 5. Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Dodge, 5.973, 241.58
 6. Bret Wiliamson, Campbell, Calif., '00 Corvette, 5.980, 239.65
 7. James Bartoli, Duarte, Calif., '97 Oldsmobile, 6.074, 216.41
 8. John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '98 Firebird, 6.220, 233.04

(Alternates)
 9. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., '97 Cutlass, 6.251, 226.54
10.  Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.646, 155.19 

COMP ELIMINATOR
 1. Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., J/A '99 Frameworks, 8.346 (1.664)
 2. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., A/SM '92 Camaro, 8.745(-0.645)
 3. John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., C/EA '96 Avenger, 8.501(-0.639)
 4. Tommy Brown, Westminster, Calif., F/ED '88 Weddle, 8.700(-0.620)
 5. Anda Manna, Covina, Calif., C/SR '33 Ford, 9.010(-0.610)
 6. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., C/SR '34 Chevrolet, 9.038(-0.582)
 7. Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., D/A '96 Firebird, 8.289-0.571)
 8. Steven Wilmoth, Peroria, Ariz., D/A '97 Firebird, 8.365(-0.495)
 9. Ralph VanPaepeghem, Boise, Idaho, A/EA '32 Chevy, 7.906(-.0454)
10. Daniel Rhoades, Glendale, Ariz., F/D '98 Frameworks, 8.843(-0.347)
11. Clarence Thomas, Las Vegas, Nev., B/A '97 Oldsmobile, 8.474(+0.384)

SUPER STOCK
 1. Terry Sherrill, Klammoth Falls, Ore., '57 Corvette, 8.733 (-1.177)
 2. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '00 Grand Am, 9.786(-1.154)
 3. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., '69 Corvette, 9.470(-1.110)
 4. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunes, N.M., '69 Camaro, 10.208(-1.102)
 5. Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '98 Achiva, 9.201(-1.069)
 6. John Schiess, North Hills, Calif., '91 Calais, 9.874(-1.066)
 7. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, 10.446(-1.064)
 8. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '87 Firebird, 10.302((-1.058)
 9. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta, 8.897(-1.013)
10.  Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro, 10.626(-0.994)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
 1. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., DT/SA '98 Dodge, 12.533 (-1.467)
 2. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., ET/SA '81 Dodge, 12.595(-1.467)
 3. John Gallina, Las Vegas Nev., M/SA '84 Buick, 12.423(-1.217)
 4. Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., B/SA '70 Barracuda, 10.878(-1.102)
 5. John Irving, Boulder City, Nev., E/SA '71 Dart, 11.350(-1.100)
 6. David Irvin, Glendale, Ariz., P/SA '65 Chevelle, 13.170(-1.090)
 7. John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., G/S '66 Nova, 11.577(-1.083)
 8. Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., Q/SA '99 Firebird, 13.563(-1.067)
 9. Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., D/SA '97 Pontiac, 11.227(-1.063)
10. Bob Pott, Cornville, Ariz., M/S '88 Mustang, 12.614(-1.026)