Super Stock
Larry Stewart Jr., Clinton, Miss., '66 Chevy II, 10.00 dial, 0.523 reaction time, 10.742, 97.90  def. 
Keith Mawhee, Carrollton, Texas, '95 Oldsmobile Achieva, 10.07, 0.561, 11.489, 123.81.

Stock
Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Tenn., '93 Ford Mustang, 12.03, 0.505, 11.702, 113.11  def. 
R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Ford Fairlane, 12.03, 0.459n (foul), 12.056, 108.90.

Super Comp
Shannon Brinkley, Highlands, Texas, Dragster, 0.422, 8.965, 165.46 def. 
Lyndon Rutland, Spring, Texas, Dragster, 0.439, 8.959, 160.14.

Super Gas
Larry Nelson, Pasadena, Texas, '67 Chevy Camaro, 0.404, 9.958, 157.78 def. 
David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Pontiac Trans Am, 0.418, 9.957, 139.59.

Super Street
Cobb Ware, Terry, Miss., '69 Chevy Camaro, 0.557, 10.825, 129.01 def. 
G.S. Abbott, Strawn, Texas, '76 Chevy Vega, 0.499 (foul), 10.859, 142.19.

Sportsman Bike
Mike Hullett, Maypearl, Texas, '84 Suzuki, 9.91, 0.544, 9.844, 132.39  def. 
Shane Esperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '01 Kawasaki, 8.05, 0.490 (foul)
7.994, 161.11.

                 Results provided by the FastNews Network,
                    courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment
                     ** http://www.summitracing.com/ **

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain and cold temperatures cancel eliminations

BAYTOWN, Texas - Mother Nature once again took over Houston Raceway Park today with intermittent rain showers and cold temperatures that forced the cancellation of eliminations.

"We had some showers today that kept taking the heat out of the track and the last one we had around 5 p.m. eliminated any chance of racing tonight," said South Central Division Director Craig Hutchinson.

"With the air temperature dropping as quick as it was there wasn't any hope we could get the track temperature back up to a safe level to finish the event. We'll finish Federal-Mogul Dragster, Funny Car and Comp at the Dallas divisional race February 23 - 25, 2001. The remaining categories will finish up on May 12, 2001 here at Houston Raceway Park."

Shelly Howard was making her way through eliminations running consistent times the entire weekend. "We're running real well right now, I hoping it's an indication of things to come for us this season." said Howard.

In other Federal-Mogul Dragster action, Reigning Champion Jay Meyer's car went out of control during the first round of eliminations and collided with the wall just after the finish line. Meyer was transported to a local Baytown hospital where he is being treated for a fractured vertebra in the middle of his back. Meyer is doing well and should be back to normal in a few weeks.

The following is a list of Record runs that were set this weekend and are adjusted to sea level:
Charlie Watson, F/A 8.584 seconds, 156.50 mph
Brent Johnson, SS/NA 11.242, 116.56
Larry Mayes, SS/AM 8.288, 165.58
Jim Cimarolli, C/SA 10.427, 123.96

The following are the results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.455 seconds, 255.29 mph def. 
8. Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, 7.021, 247.02 

2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.572, 254.57 def. 
7. Allen Hartley, Omaha, Neb., 6.038, 208.81 

6. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 14.824, 46.35 def. 
3. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, DQ, Crossed Centerline  

4. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.697, 255.92 def. 
5. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 6.088, 221.09 

Semifinals 
1. Howard, 5.470, 254.47 def 3. Gunderson, 5.577, 266.64 

2. Buff, 5.638, 243.72 def. 6. Snow, 6.063, 198.09 

Final Round 
1. Howard vs. 2. Buff 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
1. Randy Fleming, Ind., Mo.,'99 Trans Am, 6.252 seconds 175.37 mph def. 
8. Bye Run 

2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 6.270, 196.16 def. 
7. Kebin Kinsley, Arlington, Texas, '98 Oldsmobile, 6.584, NSR 

6. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 6.299, 228.38 def. 
2. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.471, 237.59 

4. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.879, 239.40 def. 
5. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Camaro, 7.466, 121.14 

Semifinals 
4. Stidham, 6.051, 229.82 def. 1. Fleming, 7.314, 131.87 
2. Simpson, 5.876, 235.43 def.   6. Dauzat, 6.465, 197.45 

Final Round 
2. Simpson vs. 4. Stidham 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Howard, Fleming lead the way at South Central Division opener

BAYTOWN, Texas - The persistent rain and high winds that plagued Houston Raceway Park yesterday have passed and left rain-free skies with cold air. Making the most of the two qualifying sessions today were Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla., and Randy Fleming of Independence, Mo.

Howard's first attempt at the track had her rolling through the lights as she brought the RPM up. "I brought up the RPM like I always do and the brakes wouldn't hold the car and I rolled right through," said Howard. "Our second and final qualifying pass was solid from start to finish. The launch felt good but the tires shook and I had to short-shift high gear and it hooked up nicely."

With that pass the Howard Racing Team took home the Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award of $1,000 for the Federal Mogul Dragster category. Others taking home low qualifier bonuses were Randy Fleming, Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Maryann Austin; Comp., Larry Mayes; Super Stock, and Jeff Swanson; Stock.

Reigning West Central Division Champion Randy Fleming came out in his first qualifying pass of the season with the quickest time of the day in Federal-Mogul Funny Car posting a time of 5.852 seconds at 247.47 mph.

"We lifted the tires a little on the first pass, and thought that we could add some weight and make the second pass a little quicker," said Fleming. "We're fortunate that there aren't many PSI blown funny cars here this weekend. If there were, I don't think we would be in the position that we are currently."

Former South Central Division Champion and last week's Winternationals Top Fuel winner Darrell Russell came out for today's racing. Russell added color commentary to the race where he once competed and told friends what a Top Fuel pass felt like.

Gates to Houston Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. with eliminations in all categories beginning at 9 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
1. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.443 seconds, 252.90 mph vs. 
8. Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, 6.274, 256.60 

2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.446, 261.67 vs. 
7. Allen Hartley, Omaha, Neb., 6.129, 216.03 

3. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.480, 256.55 vs. 
6. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 6.044, 222.62 

4. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.523, 267.64 vs. 
5. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.583, 253.85 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Randy Fleming, Ind., Mo.,'99 Trans Am, 5.852 seconds 247.47 mph vs. 
8. Bye Run 

2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '99 Avenger, 5.914, 242.63 vs. 
7. Kevin Kinsley, Arlington, Texas, '98 Oldsmobile, 7.950, 176.30 

3. Richard Shaver, San Antonio, Texas, '99 Camaro, 5.920, 241.37 vs. 
6. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '96 Achieva, 6.445, 224.85 

4. Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.960, 235.64 vs. 
5. Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '97 Camaro, 5.997, 233.56 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1. Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., C/ED '97 Dragster, 7.404 seconds, (0.706 seconds under index) 
2. Scott Benham, Lagrange, Texas, D/A '96 Lumina, 7.912,(-0.688) 
3. Joe Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, F/ED '96 Dragster, 8.389,(-0.681) 
4. Pete Carberry, Odessa, Texas, B/A '89 Cutlass, 7.239,(-0.681) 
5. Roger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, A/T '01 S10, 7.549, (-0.681) 
6. Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, C/D '00 Dragster, 7.082, (0.668) 
7. Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, F/A '96 Lumina, 8.584,(-0.636) 
8. Keith Hall, Ravenna, Texas, B/SM '90 Camaro, 8.793,(-0.627) 
9. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., '96 Cutlass, 7.330, (-0.590) 
10. Joe Swindoll, Laporte, Texas, '63 Corvette, 7.335, (-0.585) 

SUPER STOCK 
1. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., SS/AM '96 Achieva, 8.288 seconds, (1.262 seconds under index) 
2. Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., SS/NA '66 Impala, 11.242, (-1.208) 
3. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA '56 Nomad, 11.258, (-1.192) 
4. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn., SS/AA '68 Dart, 8.887, (-1.113) 
5. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, SS/JA '96 Firebird, 10.190,(-1.110) 
6. Joe Teuton, Gray, La., SS/AA '68 Cuda, 8.935, (-1.065) 
7. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., GT/HA '95 Achieva, 10.305, (-1.045) 
8. Vic Penrod, Walters, Okla., SS/IA '69 Camaro, 9.966, (-1.034) 
9. Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., GT/GA '90 Camaro, 10.210, (-0.990) 
10.Elisha Boyd, Sumrall, Miss., GT/BA '95 Achieva, 9.579, (-0.971) 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1. Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Tenn., K/S '93 Mustang, 11.716 seconds,(-1.387 seconds under index) 
2. Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., M/SA '85 Camaro, 11.489,(-1.301) 
3. Jim Cimarolli, Sulphur Springs, Texas, C/SA '70 Nova,10.427,(-1.273) 
4. Martin Burke, Flower Mound, Texas, C/SA '69 Mustang, 10.434,(-1.266) 
5. Ronnie Cardwell, Ruston, La., K/SA '90 Firebird, 11.704, (-1.246) 
6. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., L/S '66 Nova, 11.764, (-1.236) 
7. Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., I/SA '73 Mustang, 11.369,(-1.231) 
8. Patrick Courts, New Iberia, La., O/SA '87 Trans Am, 12.277,(-1.173) 
9. Rusty Hall, Sweeny, Texas, B/SA '68 Mustang, 10.388,(-1.162) 
10.Floyd Colley, Waco, Texas, CF/SA '84 Daytona, 14.149,(-1.151) 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rain and high winds delay South Central Division opener

BAYTOWN, Texas - Mother Nature was the only thing to make it on the track today at the South Central Division opener at Houston Raceway Park. Persistent showers combined with gusty winds blew across Baytown leaving behind a myriad of puddles and mud throughout the facility.

"We held out as long as we reasonably could, but the track is too wet and the air too cold to dry the track sufficiently," said South Central Division Director Craig Hutchinson.

"Weather permitting, we're looking to start at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning with time trials and qualifying in all categories"

Gates to Houston Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Cars scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.