FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meyer gets back to winning ways

HALLSVILLE, TEXAS-The South Central Division Federal-Mogul event concluded today under overcast and windy weather conditions as drivers from as far away as Johnson, S.C., position themselves for divisional and national championships.

"When you come to a division four event, weather is always a challenge," said South Central Division director Craig Hutchinson. "This has been the best weekend, weather-wise, that we have had this year."

Making up for lost time and claiming his first victory of the year is Freeport, Texas, resident and consummate threat for the national championship, Jay Meyer. Meyer blasted through the field to beat Karl Brounkowski of Magnolia, Texas, in the final. Meyer outran the number seven seed by posting a time of 5.641 and a speed of 244.16 mph compared to Brounkowski's time of 6.364 at 212.29 mph.

Meyer's most impressive run of the weekend came against last year's winner of this event, Troy Buff. In a rematch of last season's final round here at Hallsville, Meyer narrowly beat Buff in crowd-pleasing fashion, by leading from start to finish and posting a track record time of 5.501 at 254.18 mph versus Buff's 5.615 and 253.52 mph.

In the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category, number one qualifier Jimmy Jones of Cleburne, Texas, was unable to make Sunday's elimination's after destroying his engine during Saturday's final round of qualifying. "We lost a head yesterday and could not get the car back in working order," said Jones. "This low qualifier money is going to come in handy in getting new parts."

Jones' misfortune left the door open for Richland, Texas, native and rookie Funny Car pilot Jody Austin. The driver of the 1997 Oldsmobile Federal-Mogul Funny Car took full advantage of his opportunity by out-gunning number nine qualifier Kebin Kinsley of Arlington, Texas. Austin recorded a time of 6.202 at 221.02 mph, while Kinsley ran a 6.248 at 231.60 mph.

"Someone needs to pinch me and make sure this really happened," said an excited Austin. "Making the field as the number two qualifier and winning this thing is great. I feel bad for Jimmy because he is a fried of ours and we hate to see him go out like this."

Winning his third divisional event in a row and securing the Super Stock All-Star entry at the same time was Jeffrey Miller of Pearland, Texas.

"I just want to thank Mike Bush for being such a great crew chief," said a happy Miller.

In the end there were nine winners. These include: Jay Meyer of Freeport, Texas, in Federal-Mogul Dragster, Jody Austin in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Mike Saye of Johnson, S.C., in Competition Eliminator, Jeffrey Miller of Pearland, Texas, in Super Stock, Ronnie Cardwell in Stock, Rodney Costlow of Dallas, Texas in Super Comp, Craig Anderson of Waxahachaie, Texas, in Super Gas, Ray Todd of Friendswood, Texas, in Super Street and Chris Jordan of San Marcos, Texas, in Motorcycle.

Others receiving awards this weekend include: R.J. Dorsett of La Porte, Texas, for his 1957 Chevy for Best Appearing Car. John Brener of Abita Springs, La., and his Brener & Metz Crew for the All-state R.V.-sponsored Best Appearing Crew award. Lastly, The Best Engineered car award was taken by Dallas, Texas resident Audie Wood for his 1969 Chevelle.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Hallsville Raceway in Hallsville, Texas:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
#1 Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.587 seconds, 259.81 mph def 
#8. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla. 6.798, 164.01

#4 Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.678, 232.07 def. 
#5 James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.764, 254.04

#7 Karl Brounkowski, Red Oak, Texas, 6.271, 204.60 def. 
#2 Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., Broke

#6 Nick Copeland, Magnolia, Texas, 6.928, 137.58 def. 
#3 Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 9.907, 72.88

Semifinals
Brounkowski, 8.311, 102.99 def Copeland, Broke
Meyer, 5.501, 254.18 def Buff, 5.615, 253.52

Finals
Meyer, 5.641, 244.16 def Brounkowski, 6.364, 212.29

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
** #9 Kebin Kinsley, Arlington, Texas, '90 Achieva, 6.368 seconds, 191.32 mph def. 
#8 E.J. Johnston, Violet, La., '96 Achieva, 6.475, 212.03

#4 Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 7.129, 143.11 def.
#5 Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 6.872, 149.28 (Foul)

#2 Jody Austin, Richland Hills, Texas, '97 Oldsmobile, 6.407, 218.97 def.
#7 Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.281, 241.24

#3 Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.146, 226.51 def. 
#6 Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '99 Pontiac, 6.219, 222.99

**#1 Qualifier, Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas was unable to make the field..

Semifinals
Kinsley, '90 Achieva, 6.146, 232.91 def. Dauzat, '96 Achieva, 6.373, 227.77
Austin, '97 Oldsmobile, 12.589, 64.40 def Stidham, '00 Camaro, Broke

Finals
Austin, '97 Olsmobile, 6.202, 212.02 def Kinsley, '90 Achieva, 6.248, 231.60
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
Mike Saye, Johnson, S.C., '92 Cutlass, 9.007, 147.96 def 
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac, 8.458, 159.74

SUPER STOCK
Jeffrey Miller, Pearland, Texas, '97 Firebird, 9.572, 138.63 def 
John Clegg, Victoria, Texas, '73 Firebird, 9.377, 139.67

STOCK
Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Pontiac, 11.929, 110.73 def 
Ricky Kyles, Forney, Texas, '65 Plymouth, 13.572, 96.62

SUPER COMP
Rodney Costlow, Dallas, Texas, 8.966, 159.16 def 
Ricky Kyles, Forney, Texas, 9.000, 174.03

SUPER GAS
Craig Anderson, Waxahachie, Texas, '63 Corvette, 9.913, 160.21, John
Brimer, Arlington, Texas, '86 Trans Am, 9.913, 150.43

SUPER STREET
Ray Todd, Friendswood, Texas, '68 Chevy II, 10.960, 116.12 def Bryan
Sandlin, Baytown, Texas, '78 Camaro, 10.927, 134.44

MOTORCYCLE
Chris Jordan, San Marcos, Texas, 9.742, 132.13 def Robert Sanders, Houston,
Texas, '89 Kawasaki, 8.499, 155.27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buff and Jones position themselves for victory

HALLSVILLE, Texas- The fifth of six South Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series events continued today at the very hot and humid east Texas track. With more than 100 cars arriving late last night, increasing the car count to nearly 400 total cars, competition is heating up for division titles.

"If we stay smart and don't try and over run the track, I think that we will be alright," said Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot Troy Buff.

Buff, who trails Tulsa, Okla., resident Shelly Howard by 31 points, remained the one to beat after Saturday's final round of qualifying. His GoFurniture.com-sponsored dragster took the Texas track in a time of 5.599 at 235.34 mph.

Earning Saturday's Sealed Power Low Qualifier money in Federal-Mogul Funny Car was Cleburne, Texas, resident Jimmy Jones. Jones went down the track straight as an arrow and claimed the number one position with a time of 5.995 seconds at 237.71 mph.

Others that took low qualifier honors were Mike Saye of Johnston, S.C. in Competition Eliminator. Saye drove his '92 Cutlass to the top of the field with and elapsed time of 8.944 and -0.646 under index. In Super Stock, Saturday's low qualifier was Lecompte, La., resident Brent Johnson, who took home the money with a pass of 11.276 seconds and -1.174 under index in his '66 Impala. Finally, Jeff Teuton of Houma, La., secured the low qualifier money in Stock with a time of 12.043 and -1.307 under index with his '97 Dodge truck.

The following are Saturday's final round qualifying results from the NHRA Federal Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Hallsville Raceway in Hallsville, Texas:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.599 seconds, 246.44 mph
2. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.600, 252.19
3. Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.618, 240.00
4. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.630, 246.30
5. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.667, 249.58
6. Nick Copeland, Magnolia, Texas, 6.137, 215.62
7. Karl Brounkowski, Red Oak, Texas, 6.361, 198.00
8. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 6.564, 204.29

Alternate
9. Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.680, 215.37


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Camaro, 5.995 seconds, 237.71 mph
2. Jody Austin, Richland Hills, Texas, '97 Oldsmobile, 6.066, 234.13
3. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.084, 236.59  
4. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 6.214, 233.64
5. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 6.274, 228.19
6. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '99 Pontiac, 6.300, 209.39
7. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.547, 203.55
8. E.J. Johnston, Violet, La., '96 Achieva, 6.596, 204.26
Alternates
9. Kebin Kinsley, Arlington, Texas, 7.015, 133.22
10. Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 7.221, 212.33
11. Ray Heffron, Fort Worth, Texas, '97 Camaro, 7.529, 165.54

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.944 seconds, -0.646 under index
2. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac, A/SM, 8.439, -0.641
3. Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., '97 Dragster, C/ED, 7.501, -0.599
4. Brad Warren, Texarkana, Texas, '98 Firebird, D/AA, 7.926, -0.534
5. Michael Johnson, Lowell, Ark., '95 Dragster, C/ED, 7.580, -0.520
6. Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '98 Lumina, C/AA, 7.676, -0.504
7. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., B/D, '91 Dragster, 7.068, -0.492
8. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '01 Grand AM, D/SMA, 8.314, -0.456
9. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 Dragster, A/ED, 6.998, -0.452
10. Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '96 Lumina, F/A, 8.760, -0.450

SUPER STOCK
1. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.276 seconds, -1.174 under index
2. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Pontiac, SS/JA, 10.332, -0.968
3. Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '98 Achieva, GT/BA, 9.597, -0.959
4. Mike Bogina, Olathe, Kan., '70 Baracuda, SS/EA, 9.694, -0.956
5. Jeffrey Miller, Pearland, Texas, '97 Firebird, GT/AA, 9.476, -0.924
6. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., '95 Achieva, GT/HA, 10.441, -0.909
7. Elisha Boyd, Sumral, Miss., '95 Achieva, GT/CA, 9.809, -0.891
8. Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, '86 Monte Carlo, GT/MA, 11.212, -0.838
9. Paul Blackmon, San Antonio, Texas, '91 Calais, GT/HA, 10.519, -0.831
10. Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.079, -0.821

STOCK
1. Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., '97 Dodge Ram, ET/SA, 12.043 seconds, -1.307 under index
2. Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., '95 Chevy S-10, GT/SA, 12.667, -1.283
3. Amy Faulk, Memphis, Tenn., '00 Pontiac, F/SA, 10.937, -1.213
4. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, '70 Chevy Nova, C/SA, 10.502, -1.198
5. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Pontiac, K/SA, 11.819, -1.131
6. Floyd Colley, Waco, Texas, '84 Daytona, CF/SA, 14.172, -1.128
7. George Cox, Memphis, Tenn., '97 Pontiac, E/SA, 10.877, -1.123
8. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Pontiac, K/SA, 11.873, -1.077
9. Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Pontiac, F/SA, 11.113, -1.037
10. Steven Hall, Sweeney, Texas, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.531, -1.019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA'S Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series invades east Texas

HALLSVILLE, TEXAS- Under overcast skies with the threat of rain looming, more than 300 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series competitors arrived today at the east Texas track in hopes of staking claim at more than $151,000 in cash and contingency awards.

Trying to collect her first Federal-Mogul Dragster Division Championship is Tulsa, Okla. resident, and current South Central Division points leader, Shelly Howard. Howard has appeared in the final round in three of the first four events, claiming victory twice, most recently at the Memphis divisional race. Right on her heels, however, are Jay Meyer and Troy Buff. Meyer, of Freeport, Texas, finished the 2000 racing campaign ranked number two nationally but has yet to have the same success this year. Spring, Texas, resident Buff has one victory to his credit this year coming against Howard at the season opening race in Houston.

Jackie Stidham is the low qualifier in Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

Leading the way in Friday's qualifying session were: Troy Buff of Spring, Texas in Federal-Mogul Dragster, running a stellar time of 5.599 seconds at 246.44 mph. Jackie Stidham of Chickasha, Okla., in Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a time of 6.084 seconds and 236.59 mph. Mike Saye of Johnston, S.C., raced to the top spot in Competition Eliminator. Next, Brent Johnson of Lecompte, La., climbed to the top of the field in the Super Stock category. Finally, Jeff Teuton of Houma, La., took Friday's top honors in Stock.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Hallsville Raceway in Hallsville, Texas:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.599 seconds, 246.44 mph
2. Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.618, 240.00
3. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.629, 249.16
4. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.667, 244.21
5. Karl Brounkowski, Red Oak, Texas, 6.361, 195.85
6. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 6.804, 143.14
7. Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.995, 207.37
8. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 7.163, 196.04

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.084 seconds, 236.59 mph 
2. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Camaro, 6.116, 222.40
3. Jody Austin, Richland Hills, Texas, '97 Oldsmobile, 6.281, 179.18
4. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.880, 147.41
5. E.J. Johnston, Violet, La., '96 Achieva, 7.059, 204.26
6. Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 7.221, 212.33
7. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 9.075, 190.59
8. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '99 Pontiac, 11.462, 68.83

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.944 seconds, -0.646 under index
2. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Pontiac, A/SM, 8.461, -0.619
3. Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '98 Lumina, C/AA, 7.676, -0.504
4. Brad Warren, Texarkana, Texas, '98 Firebird, D/AA, 7.966, -0.494
5. Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Springs, La., B/D, '91 Dragster, 7.068, -0.492
6. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '01 Grand AM, D/SMA, 8.314, -0.456
7. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 Dragster, A/ED, 6.998, -0.452
8. Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '96 Lumina, 8.760, -0.450
9. Alan Swindol, La Porte, Texas, '00 Pontiac, B/AA, 7.507, -0.403
10. Bob Haynes, Pilot Pointe, Texas, '96 Dragster, C/ED, 7.711, -0.403

SUPER STOCK
1. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.276 seconds, -1.174 under index
2. Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '98 Achieva, GT/BA, 9.597, -0.95
3. Jeffrey Miller, Pearland, Texas, '97 Firebird, GT/AA, 9.476, -0.924
4. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Pontiac, SS/JA, 10.380, -0.920
5. Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, '86 Monte Carlo, GT/MA, 11.212, -0.838
6. Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.079, -0.821
7. Gilbert Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.719, -0.781
8. Ronnie Marlow, Mabank, Texas, '68 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.291, -0.709
9. Jesse Knapp, Lakeland, La., '69 Coupe, SS/HA, 10.267, -0.633
10. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '00 Cougar, GT/KA, 11.161, -0.589

STOCK
1. Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., '97 Dodge Ram, ET/SA, 12.043 seconds, -1.307 under index
2. Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., '95 Chevy S-10, GT/SA, 12.717, -1.233
3. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, '70 Chevy Nova, C/SA, 10.502, -1.198
4. Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, E/SA, 11.010, -0.990
5. J. Allen Sherman, Donaldsonville, La., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.478, -0.972
6. David LeBlanc, Donaldsonville, La., '94 Camaro, D/SA, 10.890, -0.960
7. Leon Philpot, Grand Praire, Texas, '94 Chevrolet, D/SA, 10.910, -0.940
8. Gary Slaton, Liberty Hill, Texas, '97 Camaro, E/SA, 11.069, -0.931
9. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mountain Valley, Ga., '94 Camaro, 10.928, -0.922
10. Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Chevrolet, B/S, 10.583, -0.917