After the first day of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-
Mogul Drag Racing Series at Lebanon Valley Dragway, Rich
McPhillips and Bob Newberry lead the Federal-Mogul Dragster
and Funny Car categories, respectively. Rich McPhillips is
currently seated in the provisional top qualifying spot in
Federal-Mogul Dragster with a track record-setting 5.53-
second, 234-mph run.  In Federal-Mogul Funny Car Bob Newberry
is the early leader with a 5.88-second, 244-mph pass.

The Federal Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars receive two more
qualifying laps on Saturday, at 3 and 6 p.m., before final
elimination rounds on Sunday.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, PA, 5.536, 234.25
2. Cliff Bozelli, Absecon, NJ, 5.723, 241.28
3. Ron Still, Smyrna, DE, 5.790, 237.59
4. Ned Ott, Bristol, PA, 5.868, 224.55
5. John Speelman, Manassas, VA, 5.915, 236.28
6. Wayne Celko, Sayerville, NJ, 5.924, 236.15
7. Bill Reichert, Owosso, MI, 5.944, 209.88
8. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, DE, 6.510, 181.05

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1, Bob Newberry, Schenectady, NY, 5.888, 244.76
2. Phil Burkart, Yorkville, NY, 6.023, 232.25
3. Fran Monaghan Jr., Willow Grove, PA, 6.060, 239.25
4. Frank Manzo, Morganville, NJ, 6.080, 217.86
5. David Rowe, Seabrook, NH, 6.274, 223.88
6. Ronnie Taylor, Shrewsbury, MA, 6.334, 216.97
7. Skip Gladstone, West Chester, PA, 6.335, 216.34
8. Jim Sickles, Caledonia, NY, 6.473, 229.12

FIREWORKS, THUNDER, ACTION
RECORDS FALL AT LEBANON VALLEY DRAGWAY

When Rich McPhillips came to Lebanon Valley Dragway, he hoped to do
well. A thought never passed through his mind that he would soon
smash the long-standing track record by more than a quarter-second,
running one of the quickest runs ever, a 5.53 second pass, on his
very first run of the event in his Federal-Mogul Dragster.

43-year old McPhillips, from Phoenixville, PA, has been drag racing
for 27 years, working his way through the ranks as a crewman,
driver and now team owner. In 1994 he got the "nitro bug" and began
driving a nitromethane-powered dragster for Frank Colineri.
Earlier this year he switched his own supercharged alcohol entry
over to nitro-power and has been on a path to success ever since.

Rich credits his success to his crew for their hard work, and to
Top Fuel tuner Bob Ottow, who's tuning advice has aided in his
progression through the sport.

Saturday Qualifying Final:

Final qualifying results Saturday from Lebanon Valley
Dragway, the fourth of six events in the Northeast Division
in the 1997 NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series:

After the second day of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-
Mogul Drag Racing Series at Lebanon Valley Dragway,
Rich McPhillips and Frank Manzo are the top qualifiers
in the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car categories,
respectively. McPhillips remains number one in Federal-
Mogul Dragster with his track record-setting 5.53-second,
234-mph run.  In Federal-Mogul Funny Car Frank Manzo is
seated in the number one position with a 5.86-second,
near 247-mph pass.

The Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars begin
elimination's Sunday at noon.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, PA, '96 Jinkins, 5.536, 234.25
2. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, NJ, '93 Jinkins, 5.723, 241,28
3. Jeremy Torstveit, Phoenix, AZ, '96 Uyehara, 5.744, 239.74
4. Bill Reichert, Owosso, MI, '97 Bowen, 5.747, 238.47
5. Ron Still, Smyrna, DE, '89 S&W, 5.790, 237.59
6. Ned Ott, Bristol, PA, '96 Hadman, 5.868, 224.55
7. Wayne Celko, Sayerville, NJ, '96 Heads-Up, 5.887, 227.15
8. Jeanie Booz, Blooming Glen, PA, '96 Dragster, 5.891, 232.19

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, NJ, '97 Avenger, 5.863, 246.98
2. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, NY, '97 Avenger, 5.888, 24.76
3. Fran Monaghan Jr., Willow Grove, PA, '97 Avenger, 5.977, 240.25
4. Phil Burkart, Yorkville, NY, '93 Achieva, 6.012, 235.35
5. David Rowe, Seabrook, NH, '94 Cutlass, 6.151, 217.65
6. Paul Zgoda, Cheekowaga, NY, '94 Achieva, 6.153, 229.18
7. Rich Fenwick, Northfield, CT, '97 Avenger, 6.168, 232.73
8. Craig Gleason, Union, ME, '95 Cutlass, 6.206, 221.67

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
 1. Allyn Armstrong (K/A), Kingston, NS/CAN, '72 Opel GT, 9.222
 2. Kevin Robb (D/ED), Mohnton, PA, '96 Precision, 7.637
 3. Tom Ekroth (C/A), Mahwah, NJ, '94 Trans Am
 4. Jonathan Aloisio (E/SM), West Chester, PA, '92 Camaro, 8.617
 5. Sal DiPaolo (D/A), Bedford, NY, '92 Lumina, 8.115
 6. Don Eckell III (C/D), Piscataway, NJ, '91 Meng, 7.312
 7. George Supinski (D/A), Leonardo, NJ, '96 Firebird, 8.140
 8. Sal Biondo (C/SR), Maspeth, NY, '27 Ford, 9.074
 9. Bob Rossi (A/A), Woodbridge, NJ, '96 Olds, 6.976
10. Kent Ritter (A/EA), Wellsville, NY, '94 Daytona, 7.707
11. Chip Ippolito (E/A), Laconia, NH, '95 Cutlass, 8.518
12. Carl Miller (E/A), Stockholm, NJ, '89 Corvette, 8.529
13. Ray Smith (A/EA), S. Hadley, MA, '32 Bantam, 7.725
14. Frank Aragona (C/ED), Franklin Square, NY, '94 Keir, 7.649
15. Al Ackerman (F/D), Saddlebrook, NJ, '94 Dragster, 8.526
16. Tony DeCarlo (E/SM), Providence, RI, 8.793

SUPER STOCK
 1. John Armstrong (SS/DA), Kingston, NS/CAN, '69 Camaro, 9.471
 2. Andrew Smith (GT/DA), Prince Edward Island, CAN, 9.905
 3. Brian Tilburg (GT/JA), Trout Run, PA, 10.779
 4. Joe Scott (GT/IA), Sunbury, PA, '97 Firebird, 10.630
 5. Vic Santos (GT/HA), North Reading, MA, '85 Firebird, 10.532
 6. Peter Biondo (GT/FA), Clarksburg, NJ, '97 Firebird, 10.285
 7. Pete Zawadzki (GT/GA), Sodus, NY, '97 Trans Am, 10.387
 8. Ed Hawkins (GT/EA), Marion, NY, '87 Camaro, 10.141
 9. John Gunn (GT/JA), LeGrangeville, NY, '93 Cierra, 10.853
10. Vincent Frank (GT/JA), Rome, NY, '88 Cutlass, 10.871
11. Bob Herman (GT/CA), Brewster, NY, '95 Achieva, 9.929
12. Bob Hertline (SS/GA), Whitesboro, NY, '68 Camaro, 10.088
13. Richard Moat (GT/AA), Kitchener, ON/CAN, 9.651
14. Steve Sweitzer (GT/FA), Jersey Shore, PA, '96 Firebird, 10.351
15. Tom Boucher (GT/CA), Byfield, MA, '87 Camaro, 9.951
16. Dan Fletcher (SS/JA), Rochester, NY, '69 Camaro, 10.570

STOCK ELIMINATOR
 1. Jim Marshall (K/SA), Rochester, NY, '78 Corvette, 12.010
 2. Dennis Martins (J/SA), New Bedford, MA, '86 Firebird, 11.856
 3. Butch DiLorenzo (M/SA), Masoeth, NY, '78 Firebird, 12.288
 4. Barry Parker (H/SA), Westfield, MA, '69 Camaro, 11.614
 5. Tom Baird (B/S), Blue Point, NY, '69 Camaro, 11.614
 6. Tex Miller (G/SA), Fayetteville, PA, '72 Mustang, 11.495
 7. Jim Conte (C/SA), Tappan, NY, '69 Mustang, 10.896
 8. Jim Roberts (I/S), Portsmouth, RI, '69 Camaro, 11.697
 9. Kenneth Miele (C/SA), Pleasantville, NJ, '68 Mustang, 10.921
10. George Cottell (B/S), Clarks Summit, PA, '69 Camaro, 10.724
11. Brian Van Poppel (J/SA), Baltimore, MD, '85 Camaro, 11.976
12. Dave Casey (H/S), Hampden, MA, 11.546
13. Charlie Sousa (I/SA), Bristol, RI, '69 Chevelle, 11.854
14. John Rodnite (N/SA), Maspeth, NY, '77 Le Mans, 12.558
15. Jack Matyas (E/SA), Bethlehem, PA, '97 Formula, 11.259
16. Anthony Sanicola (O/SA), Franklin Square, NY, '77 Grand Prix, 12.710

Final round results Sunday from Lebanon Valley Dragway,
the fourth of six events in the Northeast Division in the
1997 NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series:

Advancing from the number three qualifying position, Dr.
Jeremy Torstveit won the Federal-Mogul Dragster category
at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at
Lebanon Valley Speedway Sunday. Joining Torstveit in the
winners' circle was Bob Newberry who claimed the Federal-
Mogul Funny Car crown.

Facing top qualifier Rich McPhillips in the final round
of Federal-Mogul Dragster, Dr. Jeremy Torstveit won with a
5.71-second, 243-mph pass. Bob Newberry was given a solo
run in the final round of Federal-Mogul Funny Car category
when his opponent, number one qualifier Frank Manzo,
suffered a dramatic finish-line engine fire in the semi-
final round and was unable to make it to the final round
call. Manzo was uninjured in that incident.

WEST LEBANON RESULTS
DIVISION 1 INSTANT STATS
Lebanon Valley Dragway, West Lebanon, N.Y.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
W: Jeremy Torstveit (BAE) — 5.71, 243.90
R/U: Rich McPhillips (BAE) — 6.95, 127.02 (foul)
Low e.t. — 5.53 (McPhillips)
Top speed — 246.23 (McPhillips)

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
W: Bob Newberry ('97 Avenger) — 5.89, 243.83
R/U: Frank Manzo ('97 Avenger) — broke
Low e.t. — 5.86 (Manzo)
Top speed — 246.98 (Manzo)

Competition
W: Kevin Robb (D/ED) — 7.66, 173.21
R/U: Allyn Armstrong (K/A '72 Opel GT) — 9.18, 141.93

Super Stock
W: Dan Fletcher (SS/JA '69 Camaro) — 10.51, 126.20
R/U: John Armstrong (SS/DA '69 Camaro) — 9.42, 139.29

Stock
W: Joe DeMarzo (H/SA '69 Chevy) — 11.64, 112.38
R/U: Ralph Conte (A/SA '64 Plymouth) — 10.66, 117.30

Super Comp
W: John Bruzzo (dragster) — 8.90, 166.60
R/U: Marty Krohn (dragster) — 8.83, 161.03

Super Gas
W: Tom Seemann ('92 Firebird) — 9.90, 137.82
R/U: Todd Beam ('76 Vega) — 9.91, 135.25

Super Street
W:  Wes McCracken ('66 Chevy II) — 10.88, 123.06
R/U: Dennis Territo ('69 Nova) — 10.92, 134.91 (foul)