FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Veterans cash in at Heartland Park

TOPEKA, Kan. - Veteran drag racers Bruce Bowler and Cy Chesterman picked up big victories and valuable points at this weekend's O'Reilly Auto Parts Championships. Bowler, the NHRA West Central Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion, ran 5.50s all day and took out number one qualifier Shelly Howard in the final. Howard, who ran great all weekend, had problems in the finals and had to shut the car off as Bowler streaked to the finish line at 5.571 seconds at 252.36 mph.

"We tried some new things this weekend and everything just came together" said Bowler after the win. "Topeka is good to us. We can't wait to come back for the nationals in a couple of weeks."

Chesterman, who has won numerous national and divisional events on the NHRA circuit, took out Bob Alberty with a pass of 5.880 seconds at 246.93 mph. Alberty broke at the starting line and could only watch as Chesterman disappeared into the night.

Prior to a lengthy rain delay, round one of the Dragster and Funny Car categories were completed, but not without a few surprises. The dragsters went as planned with Howard and Bowler both advancing to the semifinals. Not the same for the Funny Cars as defending West Central Division Champion Randy Fleming and racing veteran Vern Moats both fell to defeat.

Fleming, who got in the field as an alternate, lost to Scott Palmer who ran a 6.252 at 213.33 mph to Fleming's 8.250 at 116.19. Moats, the number three qualifier lost on a hole shot when Alberty left the starting line five one-hundredths of a second quicker which proved to be the difference as Alberty's 6.134 beat Moats' 6.124. The following are final round results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
Round 1
1. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.532 seconds, 254.38 miles per hour def.
9. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 6.010, 237.88

2. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.570, 257.28 def. 
7. Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.894, 240.47

6. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.697, 245.72 def. 
3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.821, 238.47

4. Sergio Redio, El Paso, Texas, 5.819, 244.87 def. 
5. Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 6.042, 239.02

Round 2
Howard, 5.536, 256.36 def. Recio, 5.593, 250.69
Bowler, 5.540, 256.65 def. Traugott, 6.302, 256.65

Final
Bowler, 5.571, 252.24, def. Howard, 13.687, 54.73

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans Am, 6.001 seconds, 243.68 mph def. 
8. Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 6.156, 231.95

2. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Pontiac, 6.148, 239.82 def. 
7. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.414, 171.71

6. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '99 Pontiac, 6.134, 228.31 def. 
3. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 6.124, 238.26

4. Scott Palmer, Highland, Mo., '98 Achieva, 6.252, 213.33 def. 
9. Randy Fleming, Independence, '99 Trans Am, 8.250, 116.19

Round 2
Chesterman, 5.899, 247.70 def. Palmer, 6.088, 236.67
Alberty, 6.133, 230.13 def. Williams, 6.998, 141.58

Final
Chesterman, 5.880, 246.93 def. Alberty, broke

COMPETITION
Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 dragster, A/ED, 8.809, 98.56 def.
Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., '98 dragster, A/ED, 13.237, 70.93 red light

SUPER STOCK
James Lee, Tulsa, Okla., '55 Chvrolet, SS/N, 11.590, 112.88 def. 
Jason Tinberg, Bonner Springs, Kan., '68 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.261, 128.32

STOCK
Brad Erb, Bazine, Kan., '69 Chevelle, A/SA, 10.842, 120.17 def. 
Marty Woffar, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, L/S, 11.769, 112.27

SUPER COMP
James, Kunkel, Benton, Kan., '99 dragster, 17.601, 54.18 def.
Michael Miller, Santa Fe, N.M., '01 dragster, 12.352, 66.42 red light.

SUPER GAS
Michael Burkhart, Dodge City, Kan., '34 Ford, 9.903, 151.29 def.
Martin,
 Brees, Lincoln, Neb., '88 Firenza, 9.905, 150.75 mph

SUPER STREET
Chuck Fergen, Brookings, S.D., '59 Corvette, 10.847, 123.93 def., 
Jeremy Lehrke, Waconia, Minn., '74 Vega, 10.847, 126.08

SUPER BIKE
Brian Johnson, Ramsey, Minn., '98 Suzuki, 9.288, 130.92 def. 
Carl Lewis, Topeka, Kan., '99 Suzuki, 7.991, 158.73

JR DRAGSTER
Ryan Curran, McPherson, Kan., '01 dragster, 8.507, 71.73 def. 
Alex Hefner, Topeka, Kan., '96 dragster, 10.064, 64.42

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fields set for O'Reilly championships

TOPEKA, Kan. - Mother Nature gave racing a break, and the fields were set for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Championships at Heartland Park Topeka as more than 400 racers prepare for Sunday's eliminations for the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

In the Federal-Mogul Dragster category, it was Shelly Howard's run of 5.558 seconds at 254.18 mph on Friday, that held on to the number one spot. Howard, of Tulsa, Okla., is followed by last year's event champion Bruce Bowler with a pass of 5.676 at 247.84 mph.

"We had some problems today and dropped a couple of tenths in our time," said Howard after Saturday's run. "We'll get it fixed and be ready for Sunday. We really like coming here to Topeka, and this weekend's event will get us ahead of the game for the nationals in a couple weeks." The NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series makes its annual stop at Heartland Park May 24-27.

Lawrence, Kan. resident Tim Baxter was unable to better his Friday pass of 8.177 seconds when his dragster would not start for Saturday's final qualifying session. Baxter was later bumped from the eight-car field, finishing in the number 11 spot.

Cy Chesteman jumped to the number one spot in Federal-Mogul Funny Car to take home the $1,000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier money. Chesterman's pass of 5.910 at 243.77 mph is more than a tenth quicker than the number two qualifier, Kirk Williams who clocked in at 6.015 seconds at 241.45 mph.

Vern Moats, defending event champion, put his Kendall-sponsored Firebird Funny Car in the three position with a run of 6.022 at 237.17. Defending NHRA West Central Division Champion Randy Fleming failed to make the field with a best pass of 6.233, 234.53 mph. The third qualifying attempt for both the dragster and the Funny Car categories was canceled as weather delayed the day's racing action by more than five hours.

Gates open at 8 a.m. on Sunday with round one of Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car scheduled for 12 noon.

The following are Sunday's pairings and final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
1. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.558 seconds, 254.18 miles per hour vs.
8. Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 6.467, 204.20

2. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.676, 247.84 vs. 
7. Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.945, 238.47

3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.686, 239.78 vs. 
6. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.940, 240.55 

4. Sergio Redio, El Paso, Texas, 5.793, 245.27 vs. 
5. Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.827, 242.93

Not qualified
9. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 6.596, 196.47
10. Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., 7.447, 187.73
11 Tim Baxter, Lawrence, Kan., 8.177, 109.80
12. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 11.094, 69.08
13. Chris Ricketts, Kansas City, Mo., DQ

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Trans Am, 5.910 seconds, 243.77 mph vs. 
8. Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 6.221, 226.96

2. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Pontiac, 6.015, 241.45 vs. 
7. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.205, 230.10

3. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 6.022, 237.17 vs. 
6. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '99 Pontiac, 6.203, 221.89

4. Scott Palmer, Highland, Mo., '98 Achieva, 6.038, 235.43 vs. 
5. Michael Heckert, Pittsburg, Kan., '97 Firebird, 6.098, 238.43

Not qualified
9. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.233, 234.53
10. Jody Austin, Richland Hills, Texas, '97 Cutlass., 6.287, 210.70
11. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Daytona, 6.372, 224.58
12. Kris Hool, Casper, Wy., '97 Firebird, 6.378, 233.14
13. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '01 Corvette, 6.397, 224.36
14. Scott McVey, Winnipeg, MB CAN, '97 Cutlass, 6.418, 218.72


COMPETITION
1. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '23 Chevrolet, A/A, 6.870 seconds, 0.540 under the index
2. Maryann Austin, Lowell, Ark., '97 dragster, C/ED, 7.598, -0.502
3. Doug Engels, Watertown, S.D., '98 dragster, D/D, 7.584, -0.496
4. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 dragster, A/ED, 6.999, -0.451
5. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Cutlass, B/A, 7.473, -0.427
6. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., '98 dragster, A/ED, 7.033, -0.417
7. Lucky Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '62 Sunbeam, D/A, 8.144, -0.456
8. Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., '95 dragster, C/ED, 7.672, -0.428
9. Paul Anderson, Eric, Colo., '98 dragster, C/ED, 7.673, -0.427
10. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., '98 dragster, B/A, 7.483, -0.417

SUPER STOCK
1. Ernie Penner, Osborne, MB CAN, '99 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.677 seconds, -0.973 under the index
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.487, -0.963
3. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.635, -0.915
4. Rick Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.537, -0.913
5. Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '01 Chevrolet, GT/TC, 10.688, -0.762
6. Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Chevrolet, SS/K, 10.550, -0.750
7. Mike Bogina, Olathe, Kan., '70 Barracuda, SS/EA, 9.921, -0.729
8. Bob Jaspersen, Lakeville, Minn., '67 Nova, SS/HA, 10.188, -0.712
9. Jim Voth, Buhler, Kan., '86 Monte Carlo, GT/F, 10.196, -0.704
10. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevrolet, SS/MA, 11.469, -0.681

STOCK
1. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova, L/S, 11.983, -1.017
2. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 11.938, -1.012
3. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '86 Camaro, I/S, 11.536, -0.964
4. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.603, -0.947
5. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.292, -0.858
6. Bill Feist, Maple Grove, Minn., '69 Mustang, C/S, 10.805, -0.845
7. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., '88 Mustang, M/S, 12.326, -0.824
8. Matt Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Torino, D/SA, 11.051, -0.799
9. Steve Hall, Sweeny, Texas, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.757, -0.793
10. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Mustang, D/SA, 11.064, -0.786

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Howard, Williams on top at Heartland Park

TOPEKA, Kan. - Action kicked off today for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Championships, the season opener in the NHRA West Central Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Shelly Howard, of Tulsa, Okla., grabbed the number one spot in the Federal-Mogul Dragster class with a run of 5.558 seconds at 254.18 mph. Howard is followed by the defending West Central Division Champion and event champion Bruce Bowler with a pass of 5.676, 247.84.

Local favorite Tim Baxter of Lawrence, Kan., is in the number eight spot with a run of 8.177 seconds at 109.80 mph. Where Baxter is currently in the show for Sunday's eliminations, he hopes to move up in the field during Saturday's final two qualifying sessions.

In the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category, it was Kirk Williams who took the early pole, covering the quarter-mile in 6.015 seconds at 241.45 mph. Vern Moats, with multiple NHRA Championships throughout his career, is in the number two spot with a 6.038 second, 239.27 mph pass. Randy Fleming who took the division championship away from Moats last year is in the number seven spot at 6.318 seconds, 227.00 mph.

Gates open tomorrow at 8 a.m. with racing scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars are scheduled to make final qualifying runs at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Following Saturday's qualifying on the quarter-mile dragstrip, the NASCAR weekly racing series with take action on the O'Reilly Auto Parts Speedway, Heartland Park's new 3/8th mile dirt oval.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER 
1. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.558 seconds, 254.18 miles per hour
2. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 5.676, 247.84
3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.686, 239.78
4. Sergio Redio, El Paso, Texas, 5.793, 245.27
5. Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.960, 237.59
6. Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 6.030, 198.41
7. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 6.838, 165.46
8. Tim Baxter, Lawrence, Kan., 8.177, 109.80
Not qualified
9. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 12.300, 59.57 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '97 Pontiac, 6.015 seconds, 241.45 miles per hour
2. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '00 Firebird, 6.038, 239.27
3. Scott Palmer, Highland, Mo., '98 Achieva, 6.038, 235.43
4. Michael Heckert, Pittsburg, Kan., '97 Firebird, 6.098, 238.43
5. Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '99 Pontiac, 6.240, 221.70
6. Jody Austin, Richland Hills, Texas, '97 Cutlass., 6.287, 210.70
7. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.318, 227.00
8. Scott McVey, Winnipeg, MB CAN, '97 Cutlass, 6.576, 212.03
Not qualified
9. Bruce Carlson, Frior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 6.724, 209.72
10. Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '01 Corvette, 7.277, 159.85
11. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Daytona, 8.211, 152.78
12. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 9.211, 84.38

COMPETITION
1. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '23 Chevrolet, A/A, 6.870 seconds, 0.540 under the index
2. Doug Engels, Watertown, S.D., '98 dragster, D/D, 7.584, -0.496
3. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, '99 dragster, A/ED, 6.999, -0.451
4. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Cutlass, B/A, 7.473, -0.427
5. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., '98 dragster, A/ED, 7.033, -0.417
6. Joe Swearengin, Overland Park, Kan., '97 Oldsmobile, D/EA, 8.636, -0.394
7. Joe Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, '96 dragster, F/ED, 8.621, -0.389
8. Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '99 Camaro, C/AA, 7.811, -0.359.
 9. Bill Hatcher, Satanta, Kan., '94 dragster, C/ED, 7.741, -0.359
10. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., '98 dragster, B/A, 7.570, -0.330

SUPER STOCK
1. Ernie Penner, Osborne, MB CAN, '99 Firebird, GT/JA, 10.677 seconds, -0.973 under the index
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., '56 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.487, -0.963
3. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.635, -0.915
4. Rick Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Cutlass, SS/NA, 11.537, -0.913
5. Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '01 Chevrolet, GT/TC, 10.688, -0.762
6. Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Chevrolet, SS/K, 10.550, -0.750
7. Bob Jaspersen, Lakeville, Minn., '67 Nova, SS/HA, 10.188, -0.712
8. Jim Voth, Buhler, Kan., '86 Monte Carlo, GT/F, 10.196, -0.704
9. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevrolet, SS/MA, 11.469, -0.681
10. David, Bogner, Kearney, Neb., '92 Daytona, GT/FA, 10.427, -0.673

STOCK
1. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 11.938, -1.012
2. Steve Brack, Lawrence, Kan., '86 Camaro, I/S, 11.543, -0.957
3. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.603, -0.947
4. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.292, -0.858
5. Bill Feist, Maple Grove, Minn., '69 Mustang, C/S, 10.805, -0.845
6. Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls, S.D., '88 Mustang, M/S, 12.326, -0.824
7. Matt Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., '69 Torino, D/SA, 11.051, -0.799
8. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Mustang, D/SA, 11.064, -0.786
9. Stuart Goertzen, Buhler, Kan., '67 Cougar, E/S, 11.184, -0.766
10. Bob Swan, Belle Fourche, S.D., '67 Shelby, D/SA, 11.183, -0.667