FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wells and Williams get their kicks at Route 66

JOLIET, Ill.-The NHRA's North Central division season opener came to a close today at the beautiful Route 66 Raceway. More than 550 drag racers took assault on the quarter mile track hoping to get a head-start for one of the eight racing championships that will be awarded at the end of the season.

Capping the weekend with a victory is long-time racer and Glenwood, Iowa, resident Kirk Williams. Williams posted a time of 5.897 seconds at more than 247 miles per hour in his Federal-Mogul Funny Car. He outgunned the number three qualifier Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa. Chesterman's run was good, but not good enough to over-take the veteran racer. Chesterman recorded a 6.075-second at 202.39-mph pass in his '99 Trans Am.

"This is such a great track and we could get used to running here," said an ecstatic Williams. "What a way to end the weekend!"

David Wells captured the Federal-Mogul Dragster title at Route 66 Raceway.

In one of the most exciting races of the weekend, Shawn Bowen of Montrose, Mich., and Lemars, Iowa, resident David Wells squared off in the Federal-Mogul Dragster final. Wells ran an elapsed time of 5.537 at more than 258 mph in his Blue Bunny Ice Cream-sponsored dragster to capture the victory over Bowen who took the track at 5.572 seconds and 260.81 mph.

Earning the Sealed Power Low Qualifier award was Bruce Bowler of Denver, Colo., in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill., took home the $1,000 check in Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a pass of 5.688 seconds and 251.25 mph in his '01 Firebird. Others taking home low qualifier money were: Richard Bourke of Old Tappan, N.J., in Competition Eliminator, Michael Mans of Rogers, Minn., in Super Stock and Bruce Parson of Lewisburg, Ohio, in Stock.

Taking home the Best Appearing Car award was Steve Hoyt of Fort Wayne, Ind., for his 1963 Corvette. The Best Engineered car award was given to "Hot" Rod Fuller for his '01 Corvette. Finally, Richard Haggard and his Heckler team from Lockport, Ill., earned the Best Appearing crew award.

The following are Sunday's final elimination results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
#8 Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 6.516 seconds, 234.37 mph def.
#1 Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 26.568, No Time

#4 David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.640, 236.13 def. 
#5 Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 9.383, 93.54

#7 Ken Perry, Gormley, Ont. Canada, 5.770, 207.78 def. 
#2 Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 11.504, 73.89

#3 Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.573, 259.36 def. 
#6 Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 12.623, 63.73

Semifinals
David Wells, 5.873, 237.63 def. Dave Hirata, 14.315, 67.78
Shawn Bowen, 5.583, 259.16 def. Ken Perry, Broke

Finals
Wells, 5.537, 258.07 def. Bowen, 5.572, 260.81

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
#1 Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.871 seconds, 240.94 mph def. 
#8 John Reikas, Glendale Heights, Ill., '96 Camaro, 6.342, 221.34

#5 Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Firebird, 5.955, 244.74 def. 
#4 Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 12.037, 45.21

#2 Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '98 Firebird, 5.758, 247.93, def. 
#7 Dave Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '00 Firebird, 6.126, 230.65

#3 Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans Am, 5.740, 252.66 def. 
#6 Mark Poyser, Fort Wayne, Ind., '98 Mustang, 6.065, 229.00

Semifinals
Kirk Williams, '97 Firebird, 5.880, 245.66 def Marc White, '01 Firebird, 5.908, 244.12

Finals
Williams, '97 Firebird, 5.897, 247.93 def. Chesterman, '99 Trans Am, 6.075, 202.39

COMP ELIMINATOR
David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, 7.568 seconds, 172.39 mph def. 
Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '98 Dragster, 8.559, 152.92

SUPER STOCK
Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, 10.110 seconds, 131.33 mph def.
Mike Cates, Milan, Tenn., '91 Calais, 9.416, 140.69

STOCK
Kyle Riley, Chicago, Ill., '77 LeMans, 12.505 seconds, 97.52 mph def. 
Jeff Potts, Minford, Ohio, '97 Camaro, 11.133, 117.42

SUPER COMP
Jeff Spierling, Streator, Ill., '95 Dragster, 8.896 seconds, 148.17 mph def. 
Josh Kamplain, North Salem, Ind., '95 Dragster, 8.893, 163.06

SUPER GAS 
John Vineyard, Almont, Mich., '33 Ford, 9.956 seconds, 145.22 mph def. 
Bob Zimmerman, Fon Du Lac, Wis. '92 Cavalier, 9.892, 141.11

SUPER STREET
Tim Gary, Cols, Ohio, '67 Barracuda, 10.959 seconds, 138.90 mph def. 
David Van Horne, Columbus, Ohio, '72 Nova, 10.896, 130.43

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bowler and White take charge at Route 66

JOLIET, Ill.-As Mother Nature graced the Route 66 Raceway with cool but, manageable weather conditions, the NHRA's Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series continued today with competitors from the eight racing categories vying for the top qualifying position.

Taking Saturday's top honors in Federal-Mogul Dragster is Denver, Colo., native Bruce Bowler. Bowler kept his Phoenix Custom Apparel dragster at the head of the field with Friday's blistering pass of 5.433 seconds at more than 263 miles per hour.

"The car loves running here," said Bowler. "To think, she has a whole lot more in her so tomorrow is going to be real exciting."

Marc White finished Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying in the No. 1 spot.

In the tight Federal-Mogul Funny Car field, Glendale Heights, Ill., resident Marc White drove away with the number one qualifying position in his '01 Firebird with an elapsed time of 5.688 seconds and 251.25 mph. Narrowly missing out on the top spot is Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio. Cheeseman drove his '98 Firebird down the 1,320-foot track to a time of 5.722 seconds at 248.83 mph.

"This is a real tough field, so to be sitting here as the low qualifier feels pretty good," said White. "Racing Chucky [Cheeseman] door handle to door handle was exciting. However, tomorrow is another day and anything can happen."

The gates will open at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow with eliminations set to begin at 8:00 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car eliminations are scheduled at 1:00 p.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.433 seconds, 263.36 mph
2. Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.494, 256.89
3. Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.520, 259.51
4. David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.523, 258.02
5. Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 5.545, 253.85
6. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.594, 247.47
7. Ken Perry, Gormley, Ont., Can., 5.630, 240.08
8. Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.678, 251.86
Alternates 
9. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.696, 257.09
10. Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.910, 214.79
11. T.J. Zizzo, Round Lake, Ill., 16.706, 41.98
12. Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., Can., 6.171, 215.17
13. Jeff Hamelink, Savage, Minn., 6.215, 209.98
14. Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 6.617, 178.87
15. Dana Stripe, Columbia, Mo., 9.380, 78.04
16. Tony Zizzo Sr., Praire View, Ill., 11.052, 71.01
17. Dave Hedges, Plainwell, Mich., 16.714, 71.54

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.688 seconds, 251.25 mph
2. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '98 Firebird, 5.722, 248.43 
3. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans AM, 5.759, 248.16
4. Vern Moats, Des Moines, '00 Firebird, 5.845, 243.77
5. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Firebird, 5.929, 249.72
6. Mark Poyser, Fort Wayne, Ind., '98 Mustang, 6.026, 228.42
7. Dave Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '00 Firebird, 6.042, 230.37
8. Wayne Butler, Manito, Ill., '98 Trans Am, 6.152, 224.10
Alternates 
9. John Reikas, Glendale Heights, Ill., '96 Camaro, 6.159, 226.05
10. Scott McVey, Winnipeg, Man., Canada, '97 Cutlass, 6.365, 218.27
11. Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 6.459, 231.56
12. Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., Can., '96 Firebird, 6.468, 221.89
13. Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '00 Avenger, 6.501, 225.60
14. Danny Crownhart, Sterling, Ill., '00 Corvette, 7.785, 123.55

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, NJ, '00 Dragster, A/D, 6.546 seconds, -0.744 under index
2. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., '97 Dragster, D/D, 7.351, -0.729
3. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '98 Dragster, E/ED, 8.492, -0.698
4. David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, C/AA, 7.526, -0.654
5. Billy Huff, Shepherdsville, Ky., '98 Pontiac, C/A, 7.560, -0.650
6. Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., '99 Dragster, A/ED, 6.834, -0.616
7. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Grand Am, F/SM, 9.166, -0.614
8. Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.010, -0.596
9. Chad Brownlow, Rochester, Minn., '99 Dragster, C/ED, 7.514, -0.586
10. Russ Kelley, Omaha, Neb., '98 Dragster, A/ED, 6.864, -0.586

SUPER STOCK
1. Michael Mans, Rogers, Minn., '00 Pontiac, GT/JA, 10.414 seconds, -1.236 under index
2. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.466, -1.184
3. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Grand Am, GT/E, 9.620
4. Dan Larson, Vadnais Heights, Minn., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.409, -1.141
5. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.902, -1.098
6. Willie DeVore, Rock Island, Ill., '85 Camaro, SS/K, 10.247, -1.053
7. Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.053, -1.047
8. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '97 Cutlass, SS/AX, 8.965, -1.035
9. Brad Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '87 Camaro, GT/H, 10.124, -1.026
10. Brian Olson, Peru, Ind., '67 Nova, SS/GA, 9.833, -1.017

STOCK
1. Bruce Parsons, Lewisburg, Ohio, '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.625 seconds, -1.325 under index
2. Brian Baker, Waterloo, Iowa, '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.385, -1.215
3. Jerry Stealy, East Moline, Ill., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.245, -1.215
4. John Ferguson, Easton Rapids, Mich., '98 Dakota, FT/SA, 12.464, -1.186
5. Bill Rink Jr., Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 11.787, -1.163
6. John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.593, -1.107
7. Rick Fuller, Louisville, Ky., '66 Bel Air, T/SA, 13.607, -1.093
8. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '00 Camaro, F/SA, 11.115, -1.035
9. Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 Buick, U/SA, 14.138, -1.012
10. Christopher Sniesak, Wales Township, Mich., '99 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.139, -1.011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Route 66 hosts Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series season opener

Bruce Bowler is the Friday qualifier leader in Federal-Mogul Dragster.

JOLIET, Ill.-The NHRA North Central Division got underway today at the beautiful Route 66 Raceway. The first of six divisional races is expected to have more than 650 competitors from as far away as West Virginia. With crystal blue skies as the backdrop, racers from eight racing categories will be competing for cash and contingency awards totaling more than $158,000.

"This is such as beautiful track and we have been pretty successful here," said Division 3 Federal-Mogul Funny Car champion, Chuck Cheeseman. "After a long winter it's just great to get back in the car."

Denver, Colo., resident and perennial winner Bruce Bowler drove to the head of the Federal-Mogul Dragster pack with an elapsed time of 5.433 seconds at 263.36 mph. Bowler's closest threat came from Bill Reiterate of Owosso, Mich., who ran a time of 5.494 seconds at 256.89 mph to end the first day of the 2001 season in the number two spot.

Friday's Federal-Mogul Funny Car leader is Chuck Cheeseman.

Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot and veteran racer Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio, drove his '98 Firebird down the quarter-mile track to earn top honors with an elapsed time of 5.782 seconds and 248.43 mph. Cheeseman hopes to remain ahead of the 12-car field and take home the $1,000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier check. Following closely behind is Division 3 rival, Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill., in his '01 Firebird with the time of 5.803 at 251.25 mph.

The gates will open at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow with final qualifying and time trials to begin at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 4 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.433 seconds, 263.36 mph
2. Bill Reiterate, Owosso, Mich., 5.494, 256.89
3. Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.520, 259.51
4. David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.558, 256.45
5. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.594, 247.47
6. Ken Perry, Gormley, Ont., Can., 5.630, 240.08
7. Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.678, 251.86
8. Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.910, 195.34
Alternates
9. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.095, 188.67
10. Jeff Hamelink, Savage, Minn., 6.215, 209.98
11. Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 6.830, 132.99
12. Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 7.582, 120.14
13. Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., Can., 10.714, 66.78
14. Tony Zizzo Sr., Praire View, Ill., 15.676, 45.50
15. T.J. Zizzo, Round Lake, Ill., 16.706, 41.98
16. Dave Hedges, Plainwell, Mich., DQ

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '98 Firebird, 5.782 seconds, 248.43 mph
2. Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01Firebirdd, 5.803, 251.25
3. Vern Moats, Des Moines, '00 Firebird, 5.948, 241.15
4. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Firebird, 6.015, 249.72
5. Mark Poyser, Fort Wayne, Ind., '98 Mustang, 6.202, 198.90
6. Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 6.459, 231.56
7. Wayne Butler, Manito, Ill., '98 Trans Am, 6.831, 224.10
8. Jeff Lancaster, Hamilton, Ont., Can., '96 Firebird, 7.007, 198.85
Alternates
9. Danny Crownhart, Sterling, Ill., '00 Corvette, 7.785, 123.55
10. Scott McVey, Winnipeg, MB, Ca., '97 Cutlass, 9.082, 94.06
11. Dave Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '00 Firebird, DQ
12. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans AM, DQ

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., '00 Dragster, A/D, 6.632 seconds, -0.658 under
2. Charlie Westcott Jr., Parma, Mich., '98 Grand AM, F/SM, 9.166, -0.614
3. Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., '99 Dragster, A/ED, 6.855, -0.595
4. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., '97 Dragster, D/D, 7.495, -0.585
5. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '98 Dragster, E/ED, 8.614, -0.576
6. Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.036, -0.564
7. Steve Johnson, Milwaukee, Wis., '97 Pontiac, E/A, 8.356, -0.544
8. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 Ford, A/EA, 7.479,  -0.501
9. Mike Lund, Bettendorf, Iowa, '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.291, -0.469
10. Chad Brownlow, Rochester, Minn., '99 Dragster, C/ED, 7.684, -0.416

SUPER STOCK
1. Michael Mans, Rogers, Minn., '00 Pontiac, GT/JA, 10.434 seconds, -1.216 under index
2. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.482, -1.168
3. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Grand AM, GT/E, 9.643, -1.157
4. Dan Larson, Vadnais Heights, Minn., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.417, -1.133
5. Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.057, -1.043
6. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '97 Cutlass, SS/AX, 8.987, -1.013
7. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.940, -1.010
8. Willie DeVore, Rock Island, Ill.'85 Camaro, SS/K, 10.296, -1.004
9. Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '01 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.512, -0.988
10. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 9.016, -0.984

STOCK
1. Bruce Parsons, Lewisburg, Ohio, '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.625 seconds, -1.325 under index
2. Brian Baker, Waterloo, Iowa, '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.466, -1.134
3. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 11.831, -1.119
4. Jim Petersen, Davenport, Iowa, '80 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.564, -1.086
5. John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.615, -1.085
6. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio '00 Camaro, F/SA, 11.122, -1.028
7. Bob Gipson, Bettendorf, Iowa, '65 Chevelle, N/S, 12.265, -0.985
8. Larry Wilson, Mt. Washington, Ky., '85 Camaro, J/S, 11.665, -0.985
9. Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro N/S, 12.268, -0.982
10. Christopher Sniesak, Wales Township, MI., '99 Dakota, 12.178, -0.972