FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sickles, Haley clinch berths in Jeg's Allstars with wins at Atlanta

COMMERCE, Ga. - In the final rounds of eliminations at Atlanta Dragway, John Haley and Jim Sickles took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Haley defeated number one qualifier Guy Kelly when Kelly crossed the centerline, disqualifying himself and giving the win to the Wadley, Ala. resident. Haley took out Don Fiorelli in round one and had a bye run in the semifinals before meeting up with Kelly in the final.

Sickles locked up his bid to represent the NHRA Southeast Division next month at the Jeg's Allstars in Chicago, and gained ground on Jay Payne for the division championship with a run of 5.728 seconds at 251.53 mph against Payne in the Funny Car final. Payne had the same troubles as Kelly, crossing the track centerline, disqualifying himself.

Local favorite Joe LoCicero grabbed the win in Super Stock in his '88 Camero over Matt Antobious with a run of 9.971 at 129.64 mph to Antobious' pass of 9.979, 133.68. Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., won in Comp Eliminator while Peter Biondo continued his year long dominance with a win in Stock.

Other winners were Billy Upton in his '63 Super Gas Corrvette, Len King in Super Comp, and Lamar Stevenson in Super Street in his '69 Camaro.

Jerry Baker took the win in the John Bleakley Motorhomes Top Sportsman class with his final round run over Tallapoosa, Ga. resident Billy Bridges.

The Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next and final stop of the year at Darlington International Dragway, October 3-5.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round one
3) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.776, 247.66 def.
4) Robert Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 7.042, 172.67;

5) John Haley, St. Louis, Minn., 5.561, 260.51 def. 
2) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.823, 239.87;

1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.537, 258.07 was unopposed;
 
Semifinals
Haley, 5.549, 259.51 was unopposed;
Kelly, 5.470, 260.97 def. Allen, 5.728, 248.84;
 
Final
Haley, 9.108, 87.39 def. Kelly, DQ-centerline.
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round one
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., Dodge Avenger, 5.766, 249.03 def. 
6) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., Dodge Daytona, broke;

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.935, 248.34 def. 
5) Gregory Beckner, Chester, Va., Chevy Corvette, 10.389, 84.48;

4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., Pontiac Firebird, 5.993, 244.83 def. 
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., Avenger, foul;
 
Semifinals
Payne, 5.759, 254.95 def. Lee, 12.391, 67.79;
Sickles, 21.601, 57.64 was unopposed;
 
Final
Sickles, 5.728, 251.53 def. Payne, DQ-centerline.
 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '03 Sunfire, A/SM, 8.052, 168.09 def. David Eaton, Merritt
Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, broke.
 
SUPER STOCK
Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '88 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.971, 129.64 def. Matt Antrobius, Bellbrook,
Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 9.979, 133.68.
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Peter Biondo, Mt Laurel, N.J., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.981, 114.65 def. Brian Rowe, New Bern,
N.C., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.544, 112.19
 
SUPER COMP
Len King, Langley, S.C., Dragster, 8.905, 158.07 def. Don Kraler, Jupiter, Fla., Dragster,
8.893, 163.33.
 
SUPER GAS
Billy Upton Jr, Taylors, S.C., '63 Corvette, 9.929, 146.40 def. Joe Rich, Windermere, Fla., '02
Trans Am, 9.924, 155.90.
 
SUPER STREET
Lamar Stevenson III, Montgomery, Ala., '69 Camaro, 10.872, 124.52 def. Greg Glenn, Cape Coral,
Fla., '93 S-10, foul.
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.347, 187.83 def. Billy Bridges, Tallapoosa, Ga., '03
Mustang, 7.597, 182.01.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sickles, Payne - head to head in two separate points battles

COMMERCE, Ga. - James Sickles grabbed the number one spot and the early advantage over Jay Payne in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Atlanta Dragway. Sickles currently leads the Jeg's Allstar division points battle over Payne, however, Payne leads the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points battle over Sickles.

This weekend's Lucas Oil Series Winnebego Industries Summer Sizzler will decide who represents the Southeast Division in the Jeg's Allstars next month in Chicago, as well as playing a major factor for the division championship.

Sickles and Payne ran both qualifying runs side by side with Sickles coming out on top with a run of 5.669 seconds at 253.71 mph with Payne a tenth of a second back at 5.762 at 253.90.

Guy Kelly is on top of the Top Alcohol Dragster category with a run of 5.467 at 259.26 mph and is followed by Don Fiorelli with a pass of 5.836, 239.57.

Glen Treadwell put his '23 roadster on top in Comp Eliminator while Chad Holland, Doug Patrick, and Larry Vickers grabbed the top spots in their respective categories.

Local racers from nearby Snellville, Ga. broke the top ten in qualifying with Joe LoCicero in seventh in Super Stock while Van Puckett sits in sixth in Comp.

Final time trails and qualifying begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with eliminations set for noon. Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 8 a.m. Round one of Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Car eliminations are scheduled for 3 p.m. For more information call the track, (706) 335-2301

Saturdays action also includes a Hot Rod car show and exhibition featuring some of the finest street rods in Georgia and the surrounding areas. Judging is set for noon with awards presentations to follow.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.467 seconds, 259.26 mph
2) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.836, 239.57
3) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.870, 233.84
4) Robert Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 7.481, 150.28
5) John Haley, St. Louis, Minn., 9.548, 86.92
 
First-round TAD pairings
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.467 seconds, 259.26 mph vs. Bye

2) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.836, 239.57 vs. 
5) John Haley, St. Louis, Minn., 9.548, 86.92

3) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.870, 233.84 vs. 
4) Robert Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 7.481, 150.28
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.669 seconds, 253.71 mph
2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.762, 253.90
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 5.931, 244.38
4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 6.076, 230.13
5) Gregory Beckner, Chester, Va., '02 Corvette, 6.927, 206.39
6) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., '95 Daytona, 7.081, 148.46
 
First-round TAFC pairings
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.669 seconds, 253.71 mph vs. 
6) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., '95 Daytona, 7.081, 148.46

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.762, 253.90 vs. 
5) Gregory Beckner, Chester, Va., '02 Corvette, 6.927, 206.39

3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 5.931, 244.38 vs. 
4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 6.076, 230.13

 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.521 seconds, -0.559 (under index)
2) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 7.020, -0.510
3) Tim Freeman, Roan Mtn, Tenn., '92 Camaro, H/SM, 9.282, -0.498
4) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '03 Sunfire, A/SM, 8.064, -0.476
5) Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.853, -0.447
6) Van Puckett, Snellville, Ga., '99 Firebird, H/AA, 9.160, -0.430
7) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.735, -0.415
8) Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., Dragster, A/ND, 7.338, -0.362
9) Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., '92 Cavalier, F/A, 8.480, -0.360
10) Tony Stephenson, Willow Sprg, N.C., '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.946, -0.354
 
SUPER STOCK
1) Chad Holland, Forest City, N.C., '02 Grand Am, GT/EA, 10.036 seconds, -0.914 (under index)
2) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.155, -0.895
3) Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '93 Acheiva, GT/BA, 9.661, -0.889
4) Arvester Faulkner, Stone Mountain, Ga., '82 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.235, -0.865
5) Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Chevy, SS/PA, 12.088, -0.862
6) Matt Antrobius, Bellbrook, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 9.975, -0.825
7) Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '88 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.939, -0.761
8) Jim Smiley, Springfield, Tenn., '91 Calais, SS/BM, 8.943, -0.757
9) Bob Earnhardt, Roebuck, S.C., '66 Chevy II, SS/IA, 10.246, -0.754
10) Larry Strunk, Odessa, Fla., '64 Comet, SS/MA, 11.411, -0.739
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, M/SA, 12.085 seconds, -1.065 (under index)
2) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.700, -1.000
3) Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Formula, G/FIA, 12.160, -0.990
4) Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '73 Nova, I/SA, 11.625, -0.975
5) Eric Wingo, Springfield, Tenn., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.771, -0.929
6) Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '94 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.774, -0.926
7) Jeff Hairrington, Perry, Ga., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.528, -0.922
8) John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 12.063, -0.887
9) Brian Rowe, New Bern, N.C., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.565, -0.885
10) George Tamasi Jr, Jupiter, Fla., '96 Trans Am, C/FIA, 11.133, -0.867
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Larry Vickers, Rogersville, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.095 seconds, 192.99 mph
2) Jeffrey Rudisill, Rutherford College, N.C., '92 Trans Am, 7.222, 190.81
3) Ronnie Davis, Lilburn, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.232, 193.24
4) Robert Sellers, Bunnell, Fla., '97 Avenger, 7.286, 184.42
5) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.343, 187.86
6) Jeff Wilkerson, Athens, Ala., '02 Trans Am, 7.429, 184.57
7) Jerry Duke Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., '00 Firebird, 7.482, 185.28
8) Greg Hinds, Arab, Ala., '63 Corvette, 7.491, 183.07
9) Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Camaro, 7.513, 182.21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil racers roll into Atlanta

COMMERCE, Ga. - Atlanta Dragway will host the Winnebago Industries Summer Sizzler, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, June 8 and 9. The two-day event will feature racers in eight categories, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, vying for points leading to divisional and national titles. The division's John Bleakely Motor Homes Top Sportsman class will run in conjunction with the event.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Tony Bartone will work to maintain his lead in the point standings over Jason Cannon and Michael Gunderson. Bartone, the defending division champ from Manhasett, N.Y., won the division's season opener in Gainesville, Fla., and has two semifinal round finishes on the season.

However, Cannon was runner-up at the division's last two events, in Montgomery, Ala., and in Reynolds, Ga. The Middleburg, Fla., racer is just 26 points behind Bartone.

Gunderson is another Middleburg, Fla., resident. He is in third place in the point standings with a runner-up finish in Gainesville and semifinal-round appearance in Montgomery. Gunderson is a former division champion with five titles to his credit.

Defending division Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Jay Payne is also in the points lead. Payne, a resident of Claremont, Calif., won an out-of-division race in Dallas and has been runner-up three times.

Just behind Payne is Jim Sickles of Caledonia, N.Y., who has earned wins in Gainesville and Reynolds and was runner-up in Montgomery. Both Sickles' wins were against Payne. Sickles has also been the No. 1 qualifier at the three races he has attended.

Peter Biondo, who competes in both Super Stock and Stock, has scored a win at all four of the division's races. In Super Stock he won in Gainesville, Orlando, Fla., and in Reynolds. He took the Stock win in Montgomery. The Mt. Laurel, N.J., racer is the defending division champion in Stock and is a former national champion. Currently, he is No. 1 in the division's Super Stock point standings and is tied for first on the national level. He is also third in the divisional Stock point standings.

Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 8 a.m. both days. Qualifying and time trials start at noon on Friday and continue Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Eliminations will start at 1 p.m. Saturday. Top Sportsman competitors will have two qualifying runs on Friday, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., and will have one more on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car drivers will qualify at 6 and 9 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, they are scheduled to run eliminations at 3, 6, and 9 p.m.

Tickets to the Winnebago Industries Summer Sizzler are $20 each day. A two-day ticket is $35. Children 6 to 12 are $10 each day and a two-day child's ticket is $15. Children 5 and under are admitted free. A free pit pass is included with each ticket.

Atlanta Dragway is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce, Ga., about 1 hour northeast of Atlanta, near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 441. For more information call the track, (706) 995-2301, or visit www.AtlantaDragway.com.

NHRA Southeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will finish out the season at Darlington Int'l Raceway in South Carolina. The race is Oct. 3-5.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Winnebago Industries Summer Sizzler, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the sixth of seven in Southeast Division competition. The division's John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. The track is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce, Ga., about 1 hour northeast of Atlanta, near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 441.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, Aug. 8-9, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Winnebago Industries Summer Sizzler:

FRIDAY, Aug. 8 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will qualify at 6 and 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 9 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to noon and eliminations start at 1 p.m. Top Sportsman will have a final qualifying run at noon and begin eliminations at 2:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled to run eliminations at 3, 6, and 9 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. A two-day ticket is $35. Children 6 to 12 are $10 Friday, $10 Saturday. A two-day pass for children is $15. For more information please call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 995-2301 or visit www.AtlantaDragway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: John Haley, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jay Payne, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Larry Pritchett, Comp Eliminator; Everett Keesley, Super Stock; Scott Welborn, Stock Eliminator; Todd Ewing, Super Comp; Jimmy Daniel, Super Gas; Ernest Griggs, Super Street

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2003 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

SEALED POWER LOW QUALIFIER BONUS -- a $215,500 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at the 45 Lucas Oil events and the 23 NHRA national events: $1,250 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $400 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $200 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 45 divisional events and 16 of 23 national events.)

JEG'S ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jeg's High Performance. The 2003 Jeg's Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2003 Jeg's Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

JOHN BLEAKLEY MOTOR HOMES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central Divisions.

FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.