FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges, Smith make it a double in NHRA Southeast divisional competition

ORLANDO, Fla. - Another beautiful day for the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Florida Nationals at Orlando Speed World Dragway. Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash., in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Von Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., in Federal-Mogul Funny Car made it two-for-two in NHRA Southeast Division competition after both took wins two weeks ago at Gainesville Raceway and today at Orlando Speed World Dragway.

Mark Henges

Hentges, the defending Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion, has had a perfect East Coast swing after winning his second race in three weeks in the state of Florida. After qualifying No. 2 , Hentges drove his AirTime Aviation Federal-Mogul Dragster to two consecutive 5.5-second runs in the first and semifinal rounds to beat Eric Edelmann of Clearwater, Fla., and Bill McCornack of Lexington, Ky., respectively. In the semi's, Hentges lost an engine and needed help to get back to run the final.

Billy Bybee's Federal-Mogul Dragster team, which lost in the first round, showed some sportsmanship and pitched in to help the man-short Hentges team change the engine. Hentges beat the clock and beat Arthur Gallant of Boxboro, Mass., on a holeshot. Hentges ran his slowest pass of the weekend with a run of 5.633 seconds at 254.52 mph with a .478 reaction time to Gallant's run of 5.603 seconds at 244.63 mph with a .542 reaction time.

Hentges' son, Randy Hentges, was competing in his first NHRA Jr. Dragster event at Seattle Int'l Raceway in a identical painted Thunder Dragster. Like father like son, Randy took home the championship with a win in his first Jr. Dragster race.

"We couldn't of won today without the help of [Billy] Bybee's team after the semi's and a local crew member we picked up yesterday, Barrymore George", said Hentges. "We are undefeated in our last four divisional events and my crew, Don Eason and Dustin Hentges has been running themselves ragged since early February. I hope our luck holds out and we can win our first national event next weekend in Gainesville."

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, former three-time IHRA Funny Car champion and NHRA rookie Smith won his second Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event in two tries. Smith beat another former IHRA Funny Car Racer, Mike Preslar of Arden, N.C., in the first round with a pass of 6.053 seconds at 242.71 mph to Preslar's run of 7.113 seconds at 144.69 mph to get the bye to the final round to face defending Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif. In the final, Smith car got the jump at the start with a reaction time of .495 to Payne's .542. At the 330 foot mark, Payne's Valvoline funny Car began to smoke the tires and that's all Smith needed for the win. Smith cruised to his quickest pass since coming to the NHRA with a run of 5.913 seconds at 247.04 mph.

Other winners at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Florida Nationals include: Gary Merrick of Girard, Ohio, in Comp; Anthony Bertozzi of Richmond, Va. In Super Stock; Scott Welborn of West Columbia, S.C., in Stock; Andy Stapleton of Douglas, Ga., in Super Comp; Ralph Barrett of Gainesville, Fla., in Super Gas and Kevin MacNicol of North Port, Fla., in Super Street.

The following are the final Results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at the Orlando Speed World Dragway:

 FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.656 seconds, 253.66 mph def. 
8) Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.626, 251.32 (.623 r/t)

2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.587, 255.24 def. 
7) Eric Edelmann, Clearwater, Fla., 6.195, 224.21

3) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.669, 246.30 def. 
6) Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.692, 259.66

4) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.532, 238.34 vs.
5) Dan Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 9.371, 93.19

Semifinals
Gallant, 5.549, 245.70 def. Gunderson, 5.713, 236.77
Hentges, 5.531, 254.09 def. McCornack,, 5.679, 247.66

Final
Hentges, 5.633, 254.52 (.478 r/t) def. Gallant, 5.603, 244.63 (.542 r/t)

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First Round
1) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Pontiac Firebird, 6.053 seconds, 242.71 mph def. 
6) Mike Preslar, Arden, NC, '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 7.113, 144.69

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '01 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.016, 233.28 def.
5) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Firebird, 6.696, 211.91

3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Oldsmobile Achieva, 6.228, 226.07 def. 
4) Dave Ryan, Palatka, Fla., 6.228, 226.07 

Semifinals
Smith, 11.840, 63.89 def. Bye
Payne, 5.887, 243.77 def. Billington, 6.122, 229.65

Final
Smith, 5.913, 247.04 def. Payne, 10.695, 69.89

COMP ELIMINATOR
Gary Merrick, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Ford Roadster, D/EA, 13.886, 75.80 def.
Mike Saye, Johnston, SC, '92 Oldsmobile Cutlass, G/A, Foul-red light

SUPER STOCK
Anthony Bertozzi, Richmond, Va., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.317, 138.78 def.
Joey Warren, Clinton, NC, '87 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/CA, 9.859, 135.19

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Scott Welborn, West Columbia, SC, '68 Chevrolet Chevelle, G/SA, 11.785, 110.59 def. 
Alan Peters, Bokeelia, Fla., '69 Chevrolet Camaro, K/S, 12.372, 106.57

SUPER COMP
Andy Stapleton, Douglas, Ga., '00 Dragster, 8.874, 165.77 def. 
Steve Deatherage, Cocoa, Fla., '96 Dragster, Foul-red light

SUPER GAS
Ralph Barrett, Gainesville, Fla., '00 Chevrolet Corvette, 9.898, 148.90 def. 
Greg Kamplain, North Salem, Ind., '27 Ford Roadster, 9.881, 150.40

SUPER STREET
Kevin MacNicol, North Port, Fla., '78 Pontiac Trans Am, 10.853, 126.81 def.
Clarence Woodham, '39 Chevrolet Roadster, Foul-red light

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gunderson, Smith take top honors at Orlando Speed World Dragway

ORLANDO, Fla. - The rain came and went overnight and the Orlando Speed World Dragway was left with picture perfect weather for the final day of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Florida Nationals. Multi-time NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla., made the quickest pass of the day to collect the No. 1 qualifying position for tomorrow's eliminations. In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, former IHRA World Champion Von Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., earned the top spot in his brand new Jensen Audio Pontiac Firebird.

Gunderson made only one run down the Speed World Dragway on Saturday, but it was a tenth quicker than the 10 other Federal-Mogul Dragsters in both qualifying sessions. Gunderson made a pass of 5.530 seconds at 245.43 mph to collect the $1,000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award. The fastest pass of the day went to the long distance award winner and Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash., with a run of 5.638 seconds at 254.02 mph.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Smith overpowered the small field of Funny Cars with a pass of 6.019 seconds at 235.54 mph to collect the $1,000 low qualifier check from Sealed Power. Smith made his NHRA debut two weeks ago at the Gainesville Raceway Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event by beating the defending Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion, Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J. Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Champion Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., captured the No. 2 qualifying position with a pass of 6.091 seconds at 230.41 mph.

"We are just happy to be racing and feel very fortunate to be winning", said Smith. "The NHRA is the top of our sport and to be successful here means so much to me and my team. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and keeping out good luck streak alive and well."

Eliminations will begin at the Orlando Speed World Dragway on Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will begin at 1 p.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at the Orlando Speed World Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.530 seconds, 245.43 mph vs. 
8) Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 6.380, 209.35

2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.638, 254.02 vs. 
7) Eric Edelmann, Clearwater, Fla., 6.295, 212.01

3) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.663, 245.23 vs. 
6) Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.935, 236.09

4) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.783, 208.52 vs. 
5) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.875, 244.29 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Pontiac Firebird, 6.019 seconds, 235.54 mph vs. 
6) Mike Preslar, Arden, NC, '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 16.234, 47.74

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '01 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.091, 230.41 vs. 
5) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Firebird, 15.115, 52.00

3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Oldsmobile Achieva, 6.142, 202.20 vs.
4) Dave Ryan, Palatka, Fla., 6.594, 210.77 

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, NY, '98 Dragster, G/ED, 8.345 (0.765-seconds under Index)
2. Mike Saye, Johnston, SC, '92 Oldsmobile Cutlass, G/A, 8.874 (-0.716)
3. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, I/SM, 8.304 (-0.666)
4. Santo Volpe, Addison, Mich., '63 Chevrolet Corvette, AA/A, 7.085 (-0.665)
5. Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Oldsmobile Calais, I/SM, 9.202 (-0.648)
6. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac Firebird, I/SM, 9.207 (-0.643)
7. Gerry Russo, Saddle River, NJ, '92 Chevrolet Camaro, C/SMA, 9.062 (-0.628)
8. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Roadster, A/EA, 7.446 (-0.624)
9. Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '00 Firebird, D/AA, 7.949 (-0.611)
10. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 Ford Roadster, A/EA, 7.460 (-0.610)

SUPER STOCK
1. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.415 (1.235-seconds under Index)
2. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Pontiac Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.816 seconds (-1.234)
3. Joe Scott, Sunbury, Pa., '01 S-10, GT/TD, 10.537 (-1.213)
4. Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '00 Chevrolet S-10, GT/TB, 10.018 (-1.182)
5. Bob Dodson, Beaver Dam, Va., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.580 (-1.170)
6. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., '96 Oldsmobile Achieva, SS/AM, 8.408(-1.142)
7. Richard Beshore, Mason, Mich., '68 Plymouth Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.865 (-1.135)
8. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac Grand-Am, GT/C, 9.396 (-1.104)
9. David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Chevrolet Corvette, SS/BA, 9.131 (-1.069)
10. Rock Running, Lapeer, Mich., '84 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/MA, 11.087 (-1.063)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '82 Oldsmobile Cutlass, U/SA, 13.613 seconds (1.537-seconds under Index)
2. Don Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Pontiac Firebird, K/SA, 11.595 (-1.355)
3. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, NC, '66 Malibu, M/S, 11.886 (-1.264)
4. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., '80 Dodge Malibu, V/SA, 14.556 (-1.244)
5. Art Leong, Brooklyn, NY, '91 Dodge, FF/SA, 14.787 (-1.213)
6. John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., '91 Chevrolet Camaro, K/SA, 11.774 (-1.176)
7. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '00 Camaro, D/SA, 10.691 (-1.159)
8. Bill Beaudin, Sterling Heights, Mich., '71 Plymouth Barracuda, B/SA, 10.392 (-1.158)
9. Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Firebird, F/SA, 11.001 (-1.149)
10. Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.563 (-1.137)
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday qualifying outruns the rain

ORLANDO, Fla. - More than 500 competitors from as far away as Washington State made their way to partly-sunny Orlando to take part in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Florida Nationals at Orlando Speed World Dragway on Friday.

Shortly after the final cars ran down the track the black clouds began to form and rain was imminent. Friday's events included qualifying for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, and Stock and time trials for Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car did not run on Friday but will get two passes in Saturday's qualifying.

The story of the day was Bob Dennis of Shorter, Ala., as he captured the No. 1 qualifying positions in Super Stock and Stock. Dennis drove his '97 Firehawk to the top of the Super Stock list with a run of 10.843 seconds on a 12.05 NHRA index. In Stock, Dennis drove his '82 Oldsmobile Cutlass to the No. 1 qualifying position with a pass of 13.724 seconds on a 15.15 NHRA index. If Dennis can keep the Super Stock and Stock No. 1 qualifying positions after tomorrows rounds of qualifying he will collect Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award bonus checks of $200 and $100 for his effort.

In Comp Eliminator, Frank Aragona of Franklin Square, NY drove his Subaru-powered dragster to the No. 1 qualifying position with a pass of 8.370 seconds which is 0.740 seconds under the NHRA index.

Qualifying and time trials will continue at the Orlando Speed World Dragway on Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will have qualifying sessions at 4 and 7 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at the Orlando Speed World Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Did not qualify

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Did not qualify

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, NY, '98 Dragster, G/ED, 8.370 (0.740-second under Index)
2. Mike Saye, Johnston, SC, '92 Oldsmobile Cutlass, G/A, 8.874 (-0.716)
3. Santo Volpe, Addison, Mich., '63 Chevrolet Corvette, AA/A, 7.092 (-0.658)
4. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac Firebird, I/SM, 9.207 (-0.643)
5. Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Oldsmobile Calais, I/SM, 9.216(-0.634)
6. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, I/SM, 8.345 (-0.625)
7. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Roadster, A/EA, 7.457 (-0.613)
8. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 Ford Roadster, A/EA, 7.497 (-0.573)
9. Van Puckett, Snellville, Ga., '97 Firebird, C/EA, 8.370, (-0.570)
10. Doug Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '00 Dragster, B/ED, 7.048 (-0.562)

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Pontiac Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.843 seconds (1.207 seconds under Index)
2. Joe Scott, Sunbury, Pa., '01 S-10, GT/TD, 10.559 (-1.191)
3. Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '00 Chevrolet S-10, GT/TB, 10.018 (-1.182)
4. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.493 (-1.157)
5. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., '96 Oldsmobile Achieva, SS/AM, 8.408 (-1.142)
6. Richard Beshore, Mason, Mich., '68 Plymouth Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.871 (-1.129)
7. Bob Dodson, Beaver Dam, Va., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.628 (-1.122)
8. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Pontiac Grand-Am, GT/C, 9.443 m(-1.057)
9. Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., '68 Dodge Dart, SS/AA, 8.947 (-1.053) 
10. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/EA, 9.897 (-1.053)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '82 Oldsmobile Cutlass, U/SA, 13.724 seconds (1.426seconds under Index)
2. Don Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Pontiac Firebird, K/SA, 11.690 (-1.260)
3. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., '80 Dodge Malibu, V/SA, 14.566 (-1.234)
4. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, NC, '66 Malibu, M/S, 11.968 (-1.182)
5. John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., '91 Chevrolet Camaro, K/SA, 11.788 (-1.162)
6. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '00 Camaro, D/SA, 10.691 (-1.159)
7. Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.563 (-1.137)
8. Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Firebird, F/SA, 11.023 (-1.127)
9. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.671 (-1.079)
10. Paul Mercure, White Lake, Mich., '68 Camaro, 10.195 (-1.055)