FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gibson, Manzo pick up wins in Englishtown

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - In the final results from Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Billy Gibson and Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Frank Manzo took home the honors.

Gibson of Chapico, Md., took on Rich McPhillips of Phoenixville, Pa.., in the final and laid down a 5.652-second, 254.18-mph pass to take the win. Morganville, N.J., resident Manzo faced Newberry of Schenectady, N.Y. His 5.742-second run at 253.99 mph was enough to turn on the win light.

Winners in other categories are Don Stratton of Beloit, Ohio, in Comp; Peter Biondo of Mt. Laurel, N.J., in Super Stock; Lee Zane of Pittsgrove, N.J., in Stock; James Antonette of Valley Stream, N.Y., in Super Comp; Ed Alessi of Valley Stream, N.Y., in Super Gas; and Mike Giuliano of Wantagh, N.Y., in Super Street.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1 
1. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Penn., 5.572 seconds, 254.14 mph, def. 
8. Ken Winward, Wilmingon, Del., 6.118, 195.19 

2. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.651, 248.52 def. 
7. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.852, 241.11

3. Billy Gibson, Chapico, Md., 5.658, 253.95 def. 
6. Bruce Insinger, Dushore, Penn.,   5.881, 226.54

4. Tim Slagle, Fairplex, Va., 5.630, 250.60 def. 
5. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.921, 241.07

Round 2
Gibson, 5.642, 254.52 def. Bozzelli, 5.640, 250.83
McPhillips, 5.870, 243.99 def. Slagle, 6.854, 132.52

Final
Gibson, 5.652, 254.18 def. McPhillips, 5.801, 232.31


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Avenger, 5.785, 252.24 def. 
8. Jeffery McCulloch, Oshawa, Ontario CAN, '98 Camaro, n/a

7. Michael Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '99 Corvette, 6.404, 199.26 def. 
2. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 7.026, 133.74

3. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.921, 242.84 def. 
6. Scott Woodingon, Delran, N.J., '97 Achieva, 6.695, 175.94

5. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 6.002, 232.51 def. 
4. Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., 13.965, 77.55

Round 2
Manzo, 5.738, 254.52 def. Mullins, 6.001, 234.25
Newberry, 5.922, 244.34 def. Ferro, broke

Final
Manzo, 5.742, 253.99, Newberry, 9.272, 94.72
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, B/SR, '34 Chevrolet, 8.158, 157.58 def. 
Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., A/T, '01 S-10, 7.634, 176.60

SUPER STOCK
Peter Biondo, Mt. Laurel, N.J., G/FA, '00 Firebird, 10.186, 130.19 def.
Brad Huntzberry, Smithsburg, Md., SS/JA, '69 Camaro, 10.537, 125.66

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Lee Zane, Pittsgrove, N.J., I/SA, '73 Buick, 12.132, 107.27 def. 
Peter Biondo, Mt. Lourel, N.J., K/SA, '78 Firebird, 12.011, 107.50

SUPER COMP
James Antonette, Valley Stream, N.Y., '93 dragster, 8.895, 166.60 def. 
Tom Hunter, York, Penn., '00 dragster, 8.887, 164.15

SUPER GAS
Ed Alessi, Valley Stream, N.Y., '63 Pontiac, 9.907, 143.02 def. 
Scot Denoro, Langhorne, Penn., '83 Corvette, 9.869, 154.71

SUPER STREET
Mike Giuliano, Wantagh, N.Y., '67 Camaro, 10.937, 133.53 def. 
Glenn Winzer, Vernon, N.J., '93 Mustang, 10.937, 127.71

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McPhillips, Manzo on top in Englishtown resumption

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - Racing action resumed today from the rain delayed Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. In the final rounds of qualifying from the previously August 11-12 scheduled event, it was Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Rich McPhillips and Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Frank Manzo taking the top qualifier honors.

McPhillips made the quarter-mile run in 5.546 seconds at 253.33 mph to put him in the pole position. McPhillips is followed by Cliff Bozelli in the number two spot with a time of 5.624 seconds at 252.80 mph. Manzo recorded a 5.659-second 254.81 mph pass to put him at the top of his category. Paul Gill landed in the number two position with a 5.732 second pass at 251.53 mph. Eliminations are set for Saturday, with gates opening at 8 a.m. and racing scheduled for 10 a.m. Round 1 of Federal Mogul Dragster and Funny Car are set for 1 p.m.

The following are final qualifying results and first round parings from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rich McPhillips, 5.546 mph, 253.33 seconds vs. 
8. Ken Winward, 5.925, 229.35 

2. Cliff Bozelli, 5.624, 252.80 vs. 
7. Karen Benkovich, 5.883, 242.93

3. Billy Gibson, 5.697, 252.80 vs. 
6. Fred Ahrberg, 5.875, 235.43

4. Tim Slagle, 5.727, 243.46 vs. 
5. Steven Cantrell, 5.812, 243.15

Alternates
9. Bruce Isinger, 5.993, 239.78
10. Bruce Horner, 6.022, 234,86
11. John Headley, 6.067, 210.08
12. Sheila Tafur, 6.177, 219.36
13. David DeAngelis, 9.269, 89.10
14. Arthur Gallant, 10.393, 77.90
15. Tim Rudy, 15.679, 68.13
16. Jeff Veale, 19.647., 36.77

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Frank Manzo, '01 Avenger, 5.659, 254.81 vs. 
8. Jeffery McCulloch, '98 Camaro, 6.192, 224.14

2. Paul Gill, '01 Avenger, 5.732, 251.53 vs. 
7. Michael Ferro, '99 Corvette, m6.175, 196.27

3. Bob Newberry, '01 Avenger, 5.819, 249.16 vs. 
6. James Libby, '01 Camaro, 6.066, 233.16

4. Craig English, '93 Firebird, 5.925, 249.76 vs. 
5. Bruce Mullins, '98 Mustang, 6.000, 209.04

Alternates
9. Eric Lourie, '00 Camaro, 6.207, 238.01
10. Paul Lee, '01 Corvette, 6.265, 225.15
11. Kim McKean, '01 Avenger, 6.699, 172.56
12. Ed Fisher, '97 Firebird, 7.715, 166.39
13. John Fiorini, '93 Saab, 9.097, 104.35
14. Scott Woodington, 10.311, 75.08

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, B/SR, '34 Chevrolet, 8.029, -0.721 (under index)
2. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, NY, F/EA, '00 Bantam, 8.519, -0.711
3. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., E/SMA, '00 Grans Am, 8.363, -0.657
4. Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Penn., D/SM, '99 Grand Am, 8.085, -0.615
5. Robert Rossi, Woodbridge, NJ, A/A, '92 Achevia, 6.782, -0.558
6. Michele Costa, Freehold, NJ, G/D, '01 Dragster, 9.508, -0.552
7. Richard Schonberger, Philadelpia, Penn., G/SM, 9.360, -0.550
8. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Spitzer, D/D, 7.470, -0.540
9. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, NC, '01 S-10, A/T, 7.680, -0.530 
10. Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.084, -0.516 

SUPER STOCK
1. Richard Oaks, Woolwich, NJ, '92 Camaro, SS/DS, 10.332 seconds, -1.468(under index)
2. Howard Barsky, Levittown, Penn., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 11.350, -1.100
3. Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W. Va., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.997, -1.003
4. Ray Scardelli, , Manalapan, NJ, '97 Probe, GT/H, 10.176, -0.974
5. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.733, -0.967
6. Russell Linke, Old Bridge, NJ, '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.341,  0.959
7. Don MacCallum, Ontario, Canada, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.048, -0.952
8. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.404, -0.946
9. Dennis Steward, Dover, Penn., '91 Daytona, GT/EA, 10.017,-0.933 
10. Bob Hammel Jr., , NJ, '00 Firebird, NJ, GT/FA, 10.291, -0.909

 STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Art Leong, Brooklyn, NY, '91 Dodge, FF/SA, 14.312 seconds, -1.688 under index
2. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.765, -1.185 
3. Donald Quinn, Rahway, NJ, '78 Nova, J/SA, 11.583, -1.167
4. Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass. , '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.596, -1.154
5. Bill Belden, Linden, NJ, '64 Chevelle, M/S, 12.021, -1.129
6. Jeffery Jewell, Bangor, Penn., '84 Regal, O/SA, 13.644, -1.056
7. Lloyd MacKay, Cedar Grove, NJ, '00 Firebird, P/SA, 12.703, -1.047
8. James Boudreau, Tewsbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.656, -1.044
9. Sterling Simmons, Midlothian, Va., '97 Camaro, D/SA, 10.816, 1.034
10. Marty Bernard, Brewerton, NY., '66 Caprice, Q/S, 12.918, -1.032

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Event rained out racers to return in September

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ- After numerous attempts to dry the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park quarter-mile, the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event scheduled to conclude today has been postponed until September 7-8, due to rain.

"We were hoping to complete the event today, but with more wet weather set to move in a little later and a curfew, we felt that it would be fruitless to dry the track, if it only was going to rain on us again," said NHRA Northeast Division Services Manager Dave Mohn.. "Once it started raining again, we felt it would be best to reschedule the event until September and hope for drier weather."

Before the rains, the Sealed Power Low Qualifier awards were given to Comp Eliminator driver, Don Stratton, of Beloit, Ohio; Super Stock driver Richard Oakes, of Woolwich, N.J., and Art Leong, of Brooklyn, NY, in Stock Eliminator. Other honors went to William Roberts of Davidson, N.C., who won the Competition Photos Best Appearing Car award for his beautifully painted '01 Race Tech dragster. Taking home the Competition Photos award for Best Engineered Car was James Fizz of Santoga, Pa. The Best Appearing Crew award was collected by Jim Blake, of Winchendon, Mass. and his Follow A Dream Super Comp crew.

Time trails for Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street, as well as final qualifying for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will take place Friday, Sept. 7. Final eliminations in all categories will take place on Saturday, Sept. 8, with Sept. 9 scheduled as a rain date.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manzo and Gibson top Saturday qualifying in Englishtown

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ - In the finals rounds of qualifying at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, in Englishtown, NJ, defending NHRA Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion Frank Manzo and Billy Gibson lead Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Federal-Mogul Dragster after one run.

Frank Manzo

Frank Manzo, of Morganville, N.J., stunned the field with an impressive 5.659 second run at 254.81 mph to capture the top spot in Federal-Mogul Funny Car. So far this year, Manzo has a pair of Federal-Mogul Funny Car wins in NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event competition. In the number two spot is Paul Gill, of Brockton, Mass. Gill, who was the only driver to defeat Manzo in NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series competition last year, ran a 5.741-second pass at 250.60 mph.

In Federal-Mogul Dragster, Billy Gibson, of Chaptico, Md., took the top spot with a 5.697-second pass at 251.49 mph. Coming in just behind Gibson in the second spot is Tim Slagle, of Fairfax, Va. Slagle ran 5.727 seconds at 243.46 mph.

Top qualifiers in the other classes are Don Stratton Jr., of Beloit, Ohio, in Competition Eliminator; Richard Oakes, of Woolwich Twp., NJ, in Super Stock; and Art Leong, of Brooklyn, NY, in Stock Eliminator.

Gates will open tomorrow at 8 am. Eliminations begin Sunday at 10 a.m. in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, Super Comp and Super Street. Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Federal-Mogul will secure their fields tomorrow with first round to follow at 2 p.m.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J.:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
   1. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md. 5.697, 251.49 
   2. Tim Slagle, Fairplex, Va., 5.727, 243.46 
   3. Fred Ahrberg, Bergenfield, NJ, 5.875, 2325.43 
   4. Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.915, 229.35 
   5. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, NJ, 5.964, 232.43 
   6. Bruce Insinger, Dushore, Penn., 6.044, 233.96 
   7. Sheila Tafur, Middletown, Conn., 6.177, 219.36 
   8. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Penn., 6.518, 232.91 

     NOT QUALIFIED 
   9. Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, NJ, 9.269, 89.10 
  10. Art Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 10.393, 89.10 
  11. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, NJ, 14.363, 43.24 
  12. Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 15.679, 68.13 
  13. Jeff Veale, Hannon, Ontario, 19.647, 36.77 
  14. Steve Cantrell, DQ 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
   1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, NJ, '01 Avenger, 5.659, 254.81 
   2. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.741, 250.60 
   3. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, NY, '01 Avenger, 5.819, 249.16 
   4. Craig English, Mt. Holley, NJ, '93 Firebird, 5.925, 249.76 
   5. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 6.000, 209.04 
   6. James Libby, Kingston, Mass.,'01 Camaro, 6.066, 233.16 
   7. Jeff McCulloch, Oshawa, Ontario, 6.192, 224.14 
   8. Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, '01 Corvette, 6.265, 225.15 

     NOT QUALIFIED 
   9.Kim McKean, Shohola, Penn., '01 Avenger, 6.699, 172.56 
  10.Ed Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Firebird, 7.715, 166.39 
  11.Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '00 Camaro, 8.784, 117.88 
  12.John Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., '93 Saab, 9.097, 104.35 
  13.Scott Woodington, Delran, NJ, '97 Achieva, 10.311, 75.08 
  14.Michael Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '99 Corvette DQ 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 
   1. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, B/SR, '34 Chevrolet, 8.029, -0.721 (under index) 
   2. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, NY, F/EA, '00 Bantam, 8.519, -0.711 
   3. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., E/SMA, '00 Grans Am, 8.363, -0.657 
   4. Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Penn., D/SM, '99 Grand Am, 8.085, -0.615 
   5. Robert Rossi, Woodbridge, NJ, A/A, '92 Achevia, 6.782, -0.558 
   6. Michele Costa, Freehold, NJ, G/D, '01 Dragster, 9.508, -0.552 
   7. Richard Schonberger, Philadelpia, Penn., G/SM, 9.360, -0.550 
   8. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Spitzer, D/D, 7.470, -0.540 
   9. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, NC, '01 S-10, A/T, 7.680, -0.530 
  10. Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.084, -0.516 

SUPER STOCK 
   1. Richard Oaks, Woolwich, NJ, '92 Camaro, SS/DS, 10.332 seconds, 1.468(under index) 
   2. Howard Barsky, Levittown, Penn., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 11.350, -1.100 
   3. Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W. Va., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.997, -1.003 
   4. Ray Scardelli, , Manalapan, NJ, '97 Probe, GT/H, 10.176, -0.974 
   5. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.733, -0.967 
   6. Russell Linke, Old Bridge, NJ, '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.341,  0.959 
   7. Don MacCallum, Ontario, Canada, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.048, -0.952 
   8. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.404, -0.946 
   9. Dennis Steward, Dover, Penn., '91 Daytona, GT/EA, 10.017,-0.933 
  10. Bob Hammel Jr., , NJ, '00 Firebird, NJ, GT/FA, 10.291, -0.909 

 STOCK ELIMINATOR 
   1. Art Leong, Brooklyn, NY, '91 Dodge, FF/SA, 14.312 seconds, 1.688 under index 
   2. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.765, -1.185 
   3. Donald Quinn, Rahway, NJ, '78 Nova, J/SA, 11.583, -1.167 
   4. Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass. , '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.596, -1.154 
   5. Bill Belden, Linden, NJ, '64 Chevelle, M/S, 12.021, -1.129 
   6. Jeffery Jewell, Bangor, Penn., '84 Regal, O/SA, 13.644, -1.056 
   7. Lloyd MacKay, Cedar Grove, NJ, '00 Firebird, P/SA, 12.703, -1.047 
   8. James Boudreau, Tewsbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.656, -1.044 
   9. Sterling Simmons, Midlothian, Va., '97 Camaro, D/SA, 10.816, 1.034 
  10. Marty Bernard, Brewerton, NY., '66 Caprice, Q/S, 12.918, -1.032

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rain shortens Friday action in Englishtown

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ - The first round of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event being held at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park was postponed Friday due to heavy rains and lightning, allowing only one session of Stock and Super Stock each to be completed.

The gates to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park will open Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with qualifying and time trials set to begin at 10:00 am. Qualifying sessions in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car are scheduled for 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

The following are the results after one round of qualifying from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

SUPER STOCK 
 1. Richard Oaks, Woolwich, NJ, '92 Camaro, SS/DS, 10.332 seconds, -1.468 under index 
 2. Russell Linke, Old Bridge, NJ, '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.442, -0.858 
 3. Arnie Martel, Tewsbury, Mass., '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.854, -0.846 
 4. Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W Va., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.185, -0.815 
 5. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.539, -0.811 
 6. Ray Scardelli, Manalapan, NJ, '97 Probe, GT/H, 10.340, -0.810 
 7. Dennis Steward, Dover, Penn., '91 Daytona, GT/EA, 10.178,-0.772 
 8. James Zane, Bordentown, NJ, '99 S-10, SS/TD, 10.980, -0.770  
 9. Joe Mendillo Jr., Hamden, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/F, 10.153, -747 
10. Peter Biondo, Mt. Laurel, NJ, '00 Firebird, NJ, GT/FA, 10.354, -0.746 

 STOCK ELIMINATOR 
 1. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.930 seconds, -1.020 under index 
 2. Bill Belden, Linden, NJ, '64 Chevelle, M/S, 12.153, -0.997 
 3. Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass. , '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.761, -0.989 
 4. Jeffery Jewell, Bangor, Penn., '84 Regal, O/SA, 13.722, -0.978 
 5. James Boudreau, Tewsbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.816, -0.884 
 6. Jim Penta, Pawtucket, RI '97 Firebird, D/S, 10.928, -0.872 
 7. Lloyd McKay, Cedar Grove, NJ., '00 Firebird, P/SA, 12.893, -0.857 
 8. Jeff Coyne, Malden, Mass., '85 Iroc, L/S, 12.150, -0.850 
 9. Marty Bernard, Brewerton, NY., '66 Caprice, Q/S, 13.121, -0.829 
10.Billy Nees, Millmont, Penn.., '70 Nova, V/SA, 15.021, -0.779