FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event goes out with a bang

DELMAR, Del. - Nearly eight hours of racing and 400 racers later, the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway concluded Sunday with eight drivers taking home the NHRA "Wally" trophy. After three days of racing in perfect weather eight drivers -- Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot, Cliff Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J., Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver, Paul Lee of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., Competition driver, Don Stratton of Beloit, Ohio, Super Stock driver Peter Biondo of Mt. Laurel, N.J., Stock driver Wallace Dent Jr. of Walford, Md., Super Comp driver Thomas Stalba Jr. of Williamstown, N.J., Super Gas driver Jeff Brooks of Fredricksburg, Va. and Super Street driver Keith Bowers of Islp, N.Y. went home with a big check, trophy and a smile. The other 392 racers went home thinking about what could be at the next NHRA Northeast Division event June 22-24th at Atco Raceway in Atco, N.J.

In Saturday's Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car eliminations, broken parts were the story of the day. In dragster, Steve Cantrell of Wilmington, Del. Hurt his engine in the semifinals to give defending U.S. 13 Dragway Federal-Mogul Dragster champion, Bozzelli a repeat win at the famous Delaware dragstrip. Lee kept his Cape Codder Federal-Mogul Funny Car consistent all day and benefited from a broken axle from semifinal winner Bruce Peterson Jr. of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., to collect his first NHRA event win. Both drivers wanted to give the fans a show, so the first-ever dragster vs. funny car final in Federal-Mogul Drag Racing history went to a streaking Bozzelli with a pass of 5.714 seconds at 245.43 mph to Lee's pass of 6.433 seconds at 192.51 mph.

"We wanted to give the fans their moneys worth," said Bozzelli. "Paul and I decided that we both rather line up against another car-so we did. I think it gave everyone a thrill."

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER (completed on Saturday)
First Round 
1) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 6.128 seconds, 239.80 mph def. Bye

7) John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 6.173, 201.65 def. 
2) Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 6.871, 161.95

6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, De., 6.108, 180.46 def. 
3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., Broke

4) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.816, 243.83 vs.
5) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.975, 228.13

Semifinals
Bozzelli, 5.738, 245.36 def. Gibson, 6.046, 214.48
Cantrell, 6.121, 197.71 (.429 reation time) def. Headley, 6.045, 227.79 (.544 R/T)

Finals
Bozzelli, 5.714, 245.43 def. Cantrell, Broke

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR (completed on Saturday)
First Round
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.936 seconds, 244.89 mph def. Bye 

5) Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.426, 218.49 def. 
4) Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 18.810, 40.03

3) Bruce Peterson, Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.205, 223.93 def. 
4) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, 8.456, 100.10

Semifinals
Lee, 6.395, 205.05 def. Bye
Peterson Jr., 6.205, 223.93 def. Manzo, 18.416, 46.10

Final
Lee, 6.433, 192.51 def. Patterson Jr., Broke


COMP ELIMINATOR
Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.227 seconds,
160.19 mph def. Patrick Ross Sr., Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A,
8.114, 165.07

SUPER STOCK
Peter Biondo, Mt. Laurel, N.J., '00 Pontiac Firebird, GT/FA, 20.544
seconds, 53.24 mph def. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Dodge Daytona, GT/EA, Broke

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Wallace Dent Jr., Waldorf, Md., '69 Chevrolet Camaro, 11.885 seconds, 101.89 mph def. 
Lee Zane, Pittsgrove, N.J., '73 Buick Apollo, 12.411, 107.02 

SUPER COMP
Thomas Stalba Jr., Wiliamstown, N.J., '01 Dragster, 8.901 seconds, 164.68 mph def. 
Bryan Sorce, Orangeville, Pa., '00 Dragster, 8.921 seconds, 161.57

SUPER GAS
Jeff Brooks, Fredricksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 9.940 seconds, 148.00 mph def. 
Scott Roth, Perkasie, Pa., '63 Chevrolet Corvette, 9.951, 152.77

SUPER STREET
Keith Bowers, Islip, N.Y., '67 Plymouth Barracuda, 10.935 seconds, 128.38 mph (.519 reaction time) def. 
Stephen Taxis, Old Bridge, N.J., '67 Chevrolet Camaro, 10.928, 126.29 (.557 R/T)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lee wins first, Bozzelli repeats as U.S. 13 Dragway champion

DELMAR, Del. - It was a war of attrition in Saturday's Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car eliminations at the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway. Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Cliff Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J. and Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot Paul Lee of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., both had a free pass to the event championship due to their opposition breaking in the semifinals. Even though each had a bye run to the win they wanted to give the fans a show. So in the name of entertainment the final round pitted a Bozzelli's dragster against Lee's Funny Car. Bozzelli took the easy win with the quickest and fastest pass of the day-5.714 seconds at 245.43 mph to Lee's pass of 6.433 at 192.51 mph.

No. 1 qualifier Bozzelli had to make only one side-by-side pass down the track in Saturday's eliminations to collect his second consecutive U.S. 13 Dragway Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Championship. Bozzelli received a be in the first and final round but did meet up with Federal-Mogul Dragster newcomer, Billy Gibson of Chaptico, Md., in the semifinals and sent him home with a pass of 5.738 seconds at 245.36 mph to Gibson's run of 6.046 seconds at 214.48 mph. Steve Cantrell of Wilmington, Del. beat out John Headley of Newportville, Pa. in the semifinals to advance to the finals but lost an engine crossing the finish line and couldn't get it repaired before the final round. This is Bozzelli's second win of the 2001 season after winning the NHRA Matco Tools SuperNationals in May.

"The crew has been unbelievable all year," said a jubilant Bozzelli. "I feel I need to bring home the wins after all the hard work the crew puts in. Our goal this year was to win the Northeast Division Championship-We are well on our way."

Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Lee also only made one side-by-side pass down the track on Saturday to capture his first Federal-Mogul Funny Car victory. Lee received the automatic win over No. 2 qualifier Craig English of Mt. Holly, N.J. in the first round when English brushed the guardwall at half-track. Lee took the competition bye in the semifinals and was ready to face Bruce Peterson Jr. in the final, but Peterson broke and axle and brushed the wall in the semifinals after taking the win light over defending Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J. Manzo also broke an axle after going into violent tire shake at the start. "This has been a long time coming," said Lee. "We had a lot of luck today but we kept the car together and made three consistent laps. We didn't try and over power the track and it paid off."

The NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at U.S. 13 Dragway continues tomorrow with eliminations beginning at noon. Gates open at 10 a.m. The following are Saturday's Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car elimination results and Competition, Super Stock and Stock final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round 
1) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 6.128 seconds, 239.80 mph def. Bye

7) John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 6.173, 201.65 def. 
2) Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 6.871, 161.95

6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, De., 6.108, 180.46 def. 
3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., Broke

4) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.816, 243.83 vs.
5) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.975, 228.13

Semifinals
Bozzelli, 5.738, 245.36 def. Gibson, 6.046, 214.48
Cantrell, 6.121, 197.71 (.429 reation time) def. Headley, 6.045, 227.79 (.544 R/T)

Finals
Bozzelli, 5.714, 245.43 def. Cantrell, Broke

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First Round
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.936 seconds, 244.89 mph def. Bye 

5)    Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.426, 218.49 def. 
4) Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 18.810, 40.03

3) Bruce Peterson, Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.205, 223.93 def. 
4) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, 8.456, 100.10

Semifinals
Lee, 6.395, 205.05 def. Bye
Peterson Jr., 6.205, 223.93 def. Manzo, 18.416, 46.10

Final
Lee, 6.433, 192.51 def. Patterson Jr., Broke

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Richard Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Pontiac Firebird, G/SM, 9.295 seconds (0.675-seconds under Index)
2. Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.183 (-0.577)
3. Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., '01 Dragster, G/D, 9.507 (-0.553)
4. Patrick Ross Sr., Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.063 (-0.537)
5. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.182 (-0.518)
6. Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, G/A, 9.041 (-0.499)
7. Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., '95 Pontiac Trans Am, C/A, 7.715 (-0.495)
8. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '32 Roadster, F/EA, 8.826 (-0.474)
9. Jim Pursglove, Westmont, N.J., '92 Firebird, D/A, 8.133 (-0.467)
10. Gerry Russo, Saddle River, N.J., '92 Camaro, C/SMA, 9.154 (-0.466)

SUPER STOCK
1. Richard Oakes, Wollwich Twp, N.J., '92 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/DS, 10.044 seconds (1.756-seconds under Index)
2. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., '99 Chevrolet S-10, SS/TD, 10.601 (-1.149)
3. Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 11.327 (-1.123)
4. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Dodge Daytona, GT/EA, 9.957 (-0.993)
5. Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W.V., '68 Plymouth Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.021 (-0.979)
6. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Ford Mustang, SS/FA, 9.777 (-0.973)
7. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Oldsmobile Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.789 (-0.961)
8. Jeff Roell, Poughquag, N.Y., '93 Mustang, GT/FA, 10.169 (-0.931)
9. George Vignogna, Mahopac, N.Y., '97 Chrysler Sebring, SS/AS, 8.996 (-0.904)
10. Joey Warren, Clinton, N.C., '87 Camaro, 9.813, GT/CA, 9.813 (-0.887)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bill Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevrolet Chevelle, M/S, 11.895 seconds (1.225-seconds under Index)
2. Jon Presing, North Heledon, N.J., '88 Ford Mustang, L/S, 11.764 (-1.236)
3. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.558 (-1.192)
4. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Chevrolet Camaro, K/SA, 11.761 (-1.189)
5. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Camaro, 11.978, M/SA, 11.978 (-1.172)
6. Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., '77 Cadillac, Q/SA, 12.946 (-1.154)
7. Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Chevrolet Nova, V/SA, 14.653 (-1.147)
8. Gregory Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Pontiac Trans Am, O/SA, 12.324 (-1.126)
9. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.634 (-1.116)
10. Brian VanPoppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.343 (-1.107)
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Manzo, Bozzelli make New Jersey proud in Friday qualifying

DELMAR, Del. -Nearly 300 racers made there way to the scenic U.S. 13 Dragway on Friday for the Delaware 1st State Championships, the second round of the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. The New Jersey neighbors, defending Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion, Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., and Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot, Cliff Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J., overpowered their respective fields on their way to collecting the $1000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier Bonus.

For the last four years, Manzo has dominated the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category with four National Championships. However, the 2001 season has not been as successful as years past with only one win after five events. In today's qualifying he looked like the Manzo of old with the only five-second pass of the day. Manzo covered the field by nearly three-tenths of a second with a stellar pass of 5.993 seconds at 241.54 mph. Craig English of Mount Holly, N.J., took the No. 2 qualifying position with a run of 6.245 seconds at 224.88 mph.

Defending event champion Bozzelli not only captured the No. 1 qualifying position -- he made the fastest Federal-Mogul Dragster pass in U.S. 13 Dragway history. Bozzelli made a pass of 5.682 seconds at 247.79 mph to beat out Tim Slagle of Fairfax, Va.'s run of 5.774 seconds at 217.39 mph.

The NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at U.S. 13 Dragway continues tomorrow with time trials and qualifying beginning at 12 noon. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Car run eliminations at 6 p.m, 8p.m., and 10 p.m. The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 13 Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.682 seconds, 247.79 mph vs. Bye

2) Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.774, 217.39 vs. 
7) John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 6.207, 215.62

3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.790, 240.00 vs. 
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, De., 6.162, 203.61

4) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.928, 190.43 vs. 
5) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.043, 221.56

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Dodge Avenger, 5.993 seconds, 241.054 mph vs. Bye 

2) Craig English,  Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 6.245, 224.88 vs. 
5) Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 26.918, 41.49

3) Bruce Peterson, Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.361, 221.89 vs. 
4) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, 6.919, 168.19

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Richard Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Pontiac Firebird, G/SM, 9.295 seconds (0.675-seconds under Index)
2. Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.194 (-0.566)
3. Patrick Ross Sr., Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.075 (-0.525)
4. Tom Ekroth, Mahwah, N.J., '95 Pontiac Trans Am, C/A, 7.715 (-0.495)
5. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.206 (-0.494)
6. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '32 Roadster, F/EA, 8.826 (-0.474)
7. Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '01 Chevrolet S-10, A/T, 7.779 (-0.451)
8. Nelson Whitlock, Glen Mills, Pa., '93 Oldsmobile Cutlass, B/AA, 7.434 (-0.436)
9. Don Eckel III, Piscataway, N.J., '99 Dragster, C/D, 7.231 (-0.399)
10. Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, G/A, 9.147 (-0.393)

SUPER STOCK
1. Richard Oakes, Wollwich Twp, N.J., '92 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/DS, 10.044 seconds (1.756-seconds under Index)
2. Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 11.332 (-1.118)
3. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., '99 Chevrolet S-10, SS/TD, 10.773 (-0.977)
4. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Dodge Daytona, GT/EA, 9.978 (-0.972)
5. Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W.V., '68 Plymouth Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.032 (-0.968)
6. Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Ford Mustang, SS/FA, 9.814 (-0.936)
7. Jeff Roell, Poughquag, N.Y., '93 Mustang, GT/FA, 10.169 (-0.931)
8. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Oldsmobile Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.853 (-0.879)
9. Joseph Mendillo Jr., Hamden, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/F, 10.037 (-0.863)
10. Peter Biondo, Mt. Laurel, N.J., '00 Pontiac Firebird, GT/FA, 10.240 (-0.860)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bill Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevrolet Chevelle, M/S, 11.986 seconds (1.164-seconds under Index)
2. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Chevrolet Camaro, K/SA, 11.798 seconds (-1.152)
3. Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Chevrolet Nova, V/SA, 14.679 (-1.121)
4. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.638 (-1.112)
5. Brian VanPoppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.343 (-1.107)
6. Jon Presing, North Heledon, N.J., '88 Ford Mustang, L/S, 11.938 (-1.062)
7. Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., '77 Cadillac, Q/SA, 13.041 (-1.059)
8. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.708 (-1.042)
9. Doug Chervanik, Sunbury, Pa., '81 Camaro, O/SA, 12.431 (-1.019)
10. Donald Wilgis, Downingtown, Pa., '73 Plymouth Duster, H/SA, 11.449 (-1.001)