FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain halts event before final rounds

Low qualifier Duane Shields will meet Brandon Bernstein in the rain-postponed final round of Federal-Mogul Dragster

The final rounds of eliminations in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series continued here at Southwestern International Raceway under cold and breezy conditions. Unfortunately, weather did not cooperate with the drivers and the fans.

Eliminations were postponed until a later date. Saturday's first round of eliminations in Federal-Mogul Dragster saw number one qualifier and Las Vegas resident Duane Shields move to the second round with a blistering run of 5.535 seconds and 255.87 mph over the number eight qualifier Larry Miersch of Fallbrook, Calif.

In addition, Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot and Sealed Power low qualifier award winner Steve Gasparrelli drove his '00 Firebird to a first round win over Peoria, Arizona resident John Patton with an elapsed time of 5.998 seconds at 240.04 mph. Patton's '99 Trans Am could not drive through severe tire shake, and as a result, recorded a time of 8.318 seconds and 115.67 mph.

The following are the Sunday's results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing series event at Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Arizona. The final results will be run at a later date.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Competition heats up in Arizona desert

The second day of qualifying and time trials resumed today at the beautiful Southwestern International Raceway. Under gorgeous skies, racers from ten categories: Federal-Mogul Dragster, Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Super Eliminator and Motorcycle try and take the 1,320 feet and position themselves for a run for the Wally on Sunday's eliminations.

Leading the way is Las Vegas resident Duane Shields in his Short Line Express Federal Mogul Dragster. Shields' time of 5.494 seconds and 259.21 mph was strong enough to hold up against the hard-charging newcomer, Brandon Bernstein of Lake Forest, California. Bernstein, the son of the five-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein, drove his Budweiser sponsored dragster to the number two qualifying position with a respectable run of 5.510 seconds at 262.23 mph. Also, making a strong qualifying run is Scottsdale, Ariz., resident Mark Niver who took the quarter-mile in 5.527 seconds and 251.11 mph, which placed him in the third overall position.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Steve Gasparrelli continued his dominating season with a pass of 5.788 seconds and 246.39 mph holding off last years division champion John Weaver of Hanford, California for the top qualifying spot. Weaver drove his '99 Dream Weaver Funny Car to the number two position with a run of 5.854 seconds and 241.54 mph. However, lurking in the shadows is four-time national champion Pat Austin of Tacoma, Washington. Austin solidified the number five position with a time of 5.927 seconds and 235.39 miles per hour.

In other racing action, earning the Sealed Power Low Qualifier awards are: Duane Shields of Las Vegas, Nevada, in Federal-Mogul Dragster, Steve Gasparrelli of Monrovia, Calif., in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, David Cook of Magnolia, Texas, in Comp Eliminator, Terry Sherrill of Klamath Falls, Oregon in Super Stock, and Neil Smedley of Phoenix, Ariz., in Stock.

Winning the Best Appearing Crew award was Lawren Jones and his Dash-4-Cash Federal-Mogul Funny Car team out of Albuquerque, N.M. The Best Engineered Car award went to Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., for his nostalgia dragster. Finally, The Best Appearing Car award went to the Federal-Mogul Funny Car of Team Eagle driven by Brett Williamson of Campbell, Calif.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying and first round results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event being held at Southwestern International Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.494 seconds, 259.21 mph
2) Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 5.510, 262.23
3) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.527, 251.11
4) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.604, 250.04
5) Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.607, 244.92
6) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.645, 248.20
7) Sergio Recio, El Paso, Texas, 5.782, 244.87
8) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 6.031, 232.15

FIRST ROUND
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.535 seconds, 255.87 def. 
8) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 6.475, 220.91

2) Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 5.496, 263.31 def. 
7) Sergio Recio, El Paso, Texas, 7.321, 125.74

3) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.848, 238.22 def. 
6) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.730, 245.54

4) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.657, 248.57 def. 
5) Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.551, 263.05, Foul

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1) Steve Gasparrelli, Monrovia, Calif., '00 Firebird, 5.788 seconds, 246.39 mph
2) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.854, 241.54
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.890, 242.36
4) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.919, 239.23
5) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.927, 235.39
6) Bob Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.990, 226.28
7) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '01 Camaro, 6.022, 235.60
8) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '01 Corvette, 6.109, 232.51
9) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 6.223, 232.15
10) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.232, 204.42
11) Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.428, 219.36
12) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 6.481, 206.39

FIRST ROUND
1) Steve Gasparrelli, Monrovia, Calif., '00 Firebird, 5.998, 240.04 def.
12) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 8.318, 115.67

2) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.964, 230.06 def. 
11) Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.239, 230.80

3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '00 Camaro, 5.985, 244.29 def. 
10) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.619, 154.79, DQ

4) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif, '01 Corvette, 5.988, 237.46 def 
9) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., 6.598, 166.05

5) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.941 e.t., 241.84 mph def. 
8) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '01 Corvette, 6.719, 180.45

6) Bob Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.040, 236.30 def. 
7) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '01 Camaro, 10.988, 71.14

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) David Cook Jr., Magnolia, Texas, '00 Dragster, B/D, 7.017 seconds, -0.753 under index
2) Jeff Gillette, Benica, Calif., '97 Dragster, B/ED, 7.098, -0.722
3) Robert Baldwin, Aurora, Colo., '90 Camaro, B/SM, 9.028, -0.652
4) Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '90 Camaro, A/SM, 8.696, -0.644
5) Andy Manna Jr., Laguna Niguel, Calif., '87 Camaro, G/SMA, 9.767, -0.633
6) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '32 Bantam, B/AA, 7.513, -0.627
7) Jeff McClintic, Albuquerque, N.M., '96 Dragster, B/D, 7.144, -0.626
8) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevrolet, C/SR, 8.995, -0.615
9) Randy Haggerty, Poway, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/PM, 6.604, -0.596
10) Edward Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, '96 Dragster, F/ED, 8.714, -0.566

SUPER STOCK
1) Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., '57 Corvette, SS/AM, 8.718 seconds, -1.192 under index
2) Dave Rayburn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.197, -1.173
3) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '01 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.769, -1.171
4) Howard Thompson Jr., Wildomar, Calif., '95 Mustang, GT/EA, 10.194,  -1.171
5) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.627, -1.143
6) Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta, SS/AM, 8.799, -1.111
7) Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Olsmobile, GT/HA, 10.667, -1.103
8) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dodge, GT/TD, 11.090, -1.100
9) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.317, -1.093
10) Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Pontiac, GT/FA, 10.423, -1.087

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Neil Smedley, Phoenix, Ariz., '81 Trans Am, Q/SA, 13.120 seconds, -1.510 under index
2) Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, K/SA, 12.032, -1.398
3) Marka Gallina, Las Vegas, Nev., '84 Regal, M/SA, 12.250, -1.390
4) Don Sarrett, Glendale, Ariz., '77 Ventura, V/SA, 15.019, -1.371
5) Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dodge, DT/SA, 12.296, -1.344
6) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, B/SA, 10.683, -1.297
7) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.476, -1.244
8) Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Aspen, J/SA, 12.017, -1.213
9) John Irving, Boulder City, Nev., '71 Dodge, E/SA, 11.259, -1.191
10) Wesley Libby, Mead, Wash., '70 Dodge, B/SA, 10.805, -1.175 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series thunders into Tucson

The NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series made its second stop in the Pacific Division today at the Southwestern International Raceway. More than 400 drivers, in eight racing categories, are expected to compete for cash and contingency awards of more than $143,000.

With the notable absence of four-time national champion, and last year's winner of this event, Rick Santos, the dragster class is anyone's for the taking. Said Las Vegas resident Duane Shields, "Performance-wise we have one of the best cars in the country. We're real proud of the performance of the car and we feel comfortable coming in here and making sure the combination is working on the track. Hopefully, if we keep the car on a straight arrow down the track and run a couple of rounds, we can leave here with our first win of the year."

Reigning Pacific Division Funny Car champion John Weaver of Hanford, Calif., is going to have his hands full with what is expected to be a very tough field. For instance, straight from a victory at the Phoenix national event is 73-time winner Pat Austin of Tacoma, Wash. In addition to winning last week, Austin has already claimed a victory at the Pacific Division season opener in late January. Also looking to claim their first win of the year is Steve Gasparrelli of Monrovia, Calif. His Prisms Unlimited team has twice finished as runner-up to Austin in as many races.

Qualifying and time trials will continue at Southwestern International Raceway on Saturday at 8 a.m. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Federal- Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car final qualifying session is scheduled at noon, with first round of elimination's at 6 p.m. The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.520 e.t, 259.21 mph
2) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.746, 236.55
3) Sergio Recio, El Paso, Texas, 5.782, 244.87
4) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.815, 230.65
5) Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 5.846, 259.66
6) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 6.399, 189.95
7) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 10.911, 81.89

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.927 e.t, 235.39 mph
2) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '98 Firebird, 5.955, 241.28
3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 6.063, 234.78
4) Steve Gasparrelli, Monrovia, Calif., '00 Firebird, 6.097, 237.67
5) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.239, 219.36
6) Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.428, 219.36
7) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '01 Camaro, 6.942, 136.54
8) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 8.532, 94.01
9) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '99 Trans Am, 9.003, 103.10
10) Lawren Jones, Albuquerque, NM, '01 Corvette, 11.288, 71.22
11) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Pontiac, 14.992, 76.04

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) David Cook Jr., Magnolia, Texas, '00 Dragster, B/D, 7.068 seconds, -0.753 under index
2) Jeff Gillette, Benica, Calif., '97 Frameworks, B/ED, 7.199, -0.651
3) Andy Manna Jr., Laguna Niguel, Calif., '87 Camaro, G/SMA, 9.790, -0.633
4) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '32 Bantam, B/AA, 7.5113, -0.627
5) Robert Baldwin, Aurora, Colo., '90 Camaro, B/SM, 9.135, -0.624
6) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevrolet, C/SR, 9.031, -0.614
7) Edward Shalkowski, Hawley, Texas, '96 Frameworks, F/ED, 8.714, -0.566
8) Scott Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '90 Camaro, A/SM, 8.813, -0.527
9) Vincent Deceglie, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., '01 S-10, A/A, 7.147, -0.473
10) Jeff McClintic, Albuquerque, N.M., '96 Dragster, B/D, 7.327, -0.458


SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Rayburn, Modesto, Calif., SS/AA, '68 Dart, 9.197 seconds, -1.173 under index
2) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA, '01 Grand Am, 9.769, -1.171
3) Terry Sherril, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM, '57 Corvette, 8.756, -1.171
4) Howard Thompson Jr., Wildomar, Calif., GT/EA, '95 Mustang, 10.235, -1.125
5) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA, '89 Camaro, 10.671, -1.099
6) Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., SS/AM, '90 Beretta, 8.830, -1.080
7) Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., GT/HA, '95 Oldsmobile, 10.696, -1.074
8) Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/FA, '98 Pontiac, 10.444, -1.066
9) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, NM., SS/IA, '69 Camaro, 10.354, -1.056
10) Bob Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., SS/CM, '98 Oldsmobile, 9.259, -1.011

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Marka Gallina, Las Vegas, Nev., M/SA, '84 Regal, 12.297 seconds, -1.343 under index
2) Neil Smedley, Phoenix, Ariz., Q/SA, '81 Trans Am, 13.298, -1.332
3) Don Sarrett, Glendale, Ariz., V/SA, '77 Ventura, 15.096, -1.294
4) Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., K/SA, '74 Pontiac GTO, 12.162, -1.268
5) Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., DT/SA, '00 Dodge, 12.386, -1.254
6) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., B/SA, '70 GTX, 10.773, -1.207
7) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, NM., A/SA, '69 Camaro, 10.553, -1.167
8) Dave Bridgewater, Devore, Calif., E/SA, 11.305, -1.145
9) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., DT/SA, '98 Dodge, 12.534, -1.106
10) Bob Turner, Riverside, Calif., F/SA, '74 Dart, 11.498, -1.102