FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Branch, Howard notch first NHRA Lucas Oil Series wins of 2003

BAYTOWN, Texas - In a repeat performance of last year's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park, defending division Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Tate Branch took his No. 1 qualifying position through to the winner's circle. And in Top Alcohol Dragster it seems that former division champion Shelly Howard has regained the form that carried her to the title in 2001.

Branch, of Artesia, N.M., defeated veteran racer Jay Payne, from Claremont, Calif., in the final round. Branch's career-best 5.580-second, 255.53 mph effort was more than enough to cover Payne's 5.765-second, 253.90 mph run. Howard, a resident of Tulsa, Okla., was also the best qualifier in her class this weekend. In the final, she was to face James Thompson of Vernon, Texas, but Thompson had problems on the burnout and shut off, giving Howard a single. Even though she had the win in her pocket, Howard still made a 5.640-second, 232.95 mph pass.

Joining Branch and Howard in the winner's circle were Brian Self, Spring, Texas, in Comp Eliminator; Harvey Emmons III, Friendswood, Texas, in Super Stock; Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., in Stock; Ty Lafferty, Amarillo, Texas, in Super Comp; Lonnie Sumner, Austin, Texas, in Super Gas; Chuckie Weir, Haltom City, Texas, in Super Street; Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, in Sportsman Motorcycle; and Keith Raferty, Lake Charles, La., in Top Sportsman.

South Central Division racers head to Memphis Motorsports Park in Tennessee March 21-23for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
ROUND ONE 
1) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.429, 259.81 def. 
8) Erica Credeur, Lafayette, La., 5.696, 239.48

7) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.646, 234.98 def. 
2) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, broke

3) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.867, 207.46 def. 
6) Darryl Hitchman,Hanford, Calif., 12.279, 86.89

5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.661, 249.30 def. 
4) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, foul 

SEMIFINALS 
Thompson, 6.273, 222.51 def. Bradshaw, broke 

Howard, 5.480, 256.41 def. Callaway, 5.569, 257.73 

FINALS 
Howard, 5.640, 232.95 def. Thompson, broke 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
ROUND ONE 
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 8.748, 95.76 def. 
8) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, broke 


2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.847, 217.39 def. 
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, broke 

6) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.385, 165.33 def. 
3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, broke

4) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Camaro, 5.881, 245.72 def. 
5) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, foul 

SEMIFINALS 
Branch, 5.601, 250.88 def. Jones, 9.528, 87.65

Payne, 5.819, 212.59 def. McDow, 7.299, 130.83

FINALS 
Branch, 5.580, 255.53 def. Payne, 5.765, 253.90 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Brian Self, Spring, Texas, '02 S-10, B/T, 8.217, 148.97 def. Robert 
Freeman, Oklahoma City, '02 Cavalier, C/A, foul

SUPER STOCK
Harvey Emmons III, Friendswood, Texas, '69 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.817, 122.01
def. William McLemore, S. Houston, Texas, '69 Corvette, SS/EM foul

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.433, 112.50, def.
Donald Hough, Monroe, La., '69 Camaro, GT/SA, 11.653, 104.74 

SUPER COMP
Ty Lafferty, Amarillo, Texas, dragster, 8.942, 165.56 def. Glenn Stepan,
Houston, dragster, 8.908, 161.04 

SUPER GAS
Lonnie Sumner, Austin, Texas, '97 Cutlass, 9.911, 167.09 def. Ross 
Laris, Raceland, La., '57 Corvette, 9.885, 157.83 

SUPER STREET
Chuckie Wier, Haltom City, Texas, '70 Camaro, 10.897, 134.93 def. Rick
Arnold, Lumberton, Texas, '69 Corvette, 10.877, 132.74

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Suzuki, 8.009, 159.42 def. William
H. Keele Jr., San Antonio, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, 9.329, 134.08

TOP SPORTSMAN
Keith Raferty, Lake Charles, La., '00 Dodge, 7.651, 175.11 def. Phillip
Muse, Trumble, Texas, '92 Trans Am, 7.768, 168.39

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Howard, Branch move into eliminations with No. 1 qualifier status

BAYTOWN, Texas - In the final rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park, Shelly Howard regained the No. 1 Top Alcohol Dragster position while defending Top Alcohol Funny Car division champion Tate Branch maintained his top standing throughout qualifying.

Howard was on the pole after the first round of qualifying on Friday, but in today's first run the Tulsa, Okla., resident was bumped out by Karl Brounkowski of Magnolia, Texas. Howard improved enough on the final qualifying pass to push past Brounkowski. Howard's last run was 5.442 seconds at 260.71 mph.

Artesia, N.M., resident Branch stayed in the No. 1 position while improving on his initial numbers. He finished qualifying with a 5.659-second, 249.26 mph effort.

In other qualifying classes, Buddy Nickens of Spring, Texas, was No. 1 in Comp Eliminator; Shorter, Ala., resident Bobby Dennis was the best qualifier in Super Stock; and Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., was in the top spot in Stock. All three were No. 1 qualifiers in their classes Friday. In Top Sportsman, Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., claimed the No. 1 spot from Larry J. Smith of Ridgeland, Miss.

Racing continues Sunday at Houston Raceway Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations start at 9 .am. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children 5-12. For more information, call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 383-RACE or visit www.HoustonRaceway.com.

he following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.442 seconds, 260.71 mph 
2) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.472, 260.21 
3) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.538, 248.61 
4) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.562, 245.81 
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.564, 256.60 
6) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.585, 243.24 
7) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.635, 255.39 
8) Erica Credeur, Lafayette, La., 5.750, 224.96 
Not Qualified 
9) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 6.189, 241.41 
10) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Kan., 6.361, 197.16 
11) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.914, 209.14 

First-round TAD pairings 
1) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.442 seconds, 260.71 mph vs. 
8) Erica Credeur, Lafayette, La., 5.750, 224.96 

2) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.472, 260.21 vs. 
7) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.635, 255.39 

3) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.538, 248.61 vs. 
6) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.585, 243.24 

4) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.562, 245.81 vs. 
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.564, 256.60 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.659 seconds, 249.26 mph 
2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.749, 251.44 
3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.918, 193.24 
4) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Camaro, 6.038, 193.21 
5) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 6.073, 452.64 
6) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.120, 228.42 
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 7.321, 143.66 
8) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 9.035, 102.69 

First-round TAFC pairings 
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.659 seconds, 249.26 mph vs.
8) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 9.035, 102.69 

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.749, 251.44 vs. 
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 7.321, 143.66 

3) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.918, 193.24 vs. 
6) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.120, 228.42 

4) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Camaro, 6.038, 193.21 vs. 
5) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 6.073, 452.64 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 
1) Buddy Nickens, Spring, Texas, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.392 seconds, -0.728 (under index) 
2) Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, Okla., '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.378, -0.692 
3) Brian Self, Spring, Texas, '02 S-10, B/T, 8.130, -0.690 
4) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '99 Camaro, D/AA, 7.739, -0.641 
5) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '90 Firebird, B/SM, 8.217, -0.623 
6) Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., Dragster, C/ED, 7.410, -0.600 
7) Bob Haynes, Pilot Point, Texas, Framewrks, C/ED, 7.414, -0.596 
8) Bill Gibbs, Lufkin, Texas, '95 Daytona, L/A, 9.284, -0.596 
9) Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '96 Lumina, H/A, 8.885, -0.595 
10) Gary Wise, Odessa, Texas, '94 Lumina, D/EA, 8.431, -0.589 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Firebird, GT/KA, 10.470 seconds, -1.280 (under index) 
2) Steven Reynolds, Pasadena, Texas, '66 Impala, SS/OA, 11.331, -1.269 
3) Bill Cassil, Earlville, Iowa, '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.064, -1.236 
4) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.528, -1.172 
5) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.509, -1.141 
6) Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.205, -1.095 
7) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, GT/JA, 10.556, -1.094 
8) Ernie Price, Navarre, Ohio, '69 Camaro, SS/FM, 9.721, -1.079 
9) Ronnie Courtney, Johnston, S.C., '80 Sunbird, GT/F, 9.835, -1.065 
10) James Caro, Houma, La., '00 Avenger, GT/CA, 9.649, -1.051 

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.364 seconds, -1.636 (under index) 
2) Sam Lusco Jr, Houma, La., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.741, -1.259 
3) Jerry Davis, Sante Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, F/SA, 10.897, -1.253 
4) Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.780, -1.170 
5) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, C/FIA, 10.843, -1.157 
6) Austin Ford, Spring, Texas, '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.712, -1.138 
7) Sammy LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '87 Firebird, G/FIA, 12.035, -1.115 
8) Terry Landry, Baton Rouge, La., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.343, -1.107 
9) David Guidry, Belle Rose, La., '98 Camaro, D/FIA, 11.205, -1.095 
10) Jim Hanig, Houston, Texas, '70 Camaro, C/SA, 10.606, -1.094 

TOP SPORTSMAN 
1) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.394 seconds, 183.37 mph 
2) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.477, 182.65 
3) Steve Wheeler, Ventress, La., , 7.513, 180.55 
4) Keith Raferty, Lake Charles, La., '00 Dodge, 7.680, 175.32 
5) Phillip Muse, Trumble, Texas, '92 Trans Am, 7.702, 175.52 
6) Larry Edmoundson, Pasadena, Texas, '90 Probe, 7.743, 175.80 
7) Keith Susich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.766, 175.87 
8) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '93 Beretta, 8.054, 172.98 
9) Steve Benoit, Lafayette, La., '66 Chevy II, 8.273, 163.08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying under way at Houston Raceway Park

BAYTOWN, Texas - In the first rounds of qualifying at Houston Raceway Park's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Shelly Howard and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Tate Branch took the no. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Howard, a Registered Nurse from Tulsa, Okla., outran the field with a pass of 5.487 seconds at 240.04 mph. And defending division champion Branch, a resident of Artesia, N.M., made a 5.904-second, 186.23 mph run to take the pole.

Top qualifiers in other categories are Buddy Nickens of Spring, Texas, in Comp Eliminator; Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., in Super Stock; Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., in Stock; Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., in Top Sportsman; and Delbert Ready, Houston, in Sportsman Motorcycle.

Racing continues throughout the weekend at Houston Raceway Park. Saturday, gates open at 8 a.m. and racing starts a 9 a.m. Saturday's tickets, including pit pass, are $18 for adults and $10 for children 5-12. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Adult tickets are $22 and children are $12. For more information, call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 383-RACE.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Houston Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.487 seconds, 240.04 mph
2) Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.562, 245.81
3) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.667, 260.21
4) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.725, 204.08
5) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.796, 245.36
6) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 6.297, 218.80
7) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.914, 209.14
8) James Copeland, Red Oak, Texas, 13.209, 54.05                        
Not Qualified
9) Gary Cooper, Wichita, Texas, 13.312, 57.73

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '00 Avenger, 5.904 seconds, 186.23 mph
2) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.918, 193.24
3) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '98 Camaro, 6.038, 193.21
4) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.316, 177.46
5) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 6.823, 452.64

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Buddy Nickens, Spring, Texas, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.392 seconds, -0.728 (under index) 
2) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '99 Camaro, D/AA, 7.739, -0.641 
3) Brian Self, Spring, Texas, '01 S-10, B/T, 8.180, -0.640 
4) Bob Haynes, Pilot Point, Texas, Framewrks, C/ED, 7.414, -0.596 
5) Gary Wise, Odessa, Texas, '94 Lumina, D/EA, 8.431, -0.589 
6) Jeffrey Miller, Pearland, Texas, '98 Grand Am, C/SMA, 8.485, -0.565 
7) Donald Manichia, Houston, Texas, Boulton, A/ND, 7.199, -0.541 
8) Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '89 Cutlass, B/A, 7.262, -0.538 
9) Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '96 Lumina, H/A, 8.974, -0.506 
10) Bill Morse, McKinney, Texas, '99 Firebird, F/AA, 8.396, -0.484

SUPER STOCK 
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Firebird, GT/KA, 10.470 seconds, -1.280 (under index) 
2) Bill Cassil, Earlville, Iowa, '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.078, -1.222 
3) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.528, -1.172 
4) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.509, -1.141 
5) Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.205, -1.095 
6) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, GT/JA, 10.561, -1.089 
7) Ernie Price, Navarre, Ohio, '69 Camaro, SS/FM, 9.721, -1.079 
8) James Caro, Houma, La., '00 Avenger, GT/CA, 9.649, -1.051 
9) Ronnie Courtney, Johnston, S.C., '80 Sunbird, GT/F, 9.856, -1.044 
10) Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.977, -1.023 

STOCK 
1) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.468 seconds, -1.532 (under index) 
2) Sam Lusco Jr, Houma, La., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.741, -1.259 
3) Jerry Davis, Sante Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, F/SA, 10.897, -1.253 
4) Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.780, -1.170 
5) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, C/FIA, 10.843, -1.157 
6) Austin Ford, Spring, Texas, '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.714, -1.136 
7) Terry Landry, Baton Rouge, La., , H/SA, 11.343, -1.107 
8) David Guidry, Belle Rose, La., '98 Chevy, D/FIA, 11.210, -1.090 
9) Jim Hanig, Houston, Texas, '70 Camaro, C/SA, 10.610, -1.090 
10) Harvey Emmons III, Friendswood, Texas, '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.363, -1.087

TOP SPORTSMAN 
1) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.505 seconds, 182.48 mph
2) Phillip Muse, Trumble, Texas, '92 Trans Am, 7.702, 175.52 
3) Larry Edmoundson, Pasadena, Texas, '90 Probe, 7.743, 175.80 
4) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.749, 175.71 
5) Steve Benoit, Lafayette, La., '66 Chevy II, 8.288, 162.12 
6) Keith Raferty, Lake Charles, La., '00 Dodge, 8.446, 114.16 
7) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '93 Beretta, 8.454, 166.62 
8) Keith Susich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 8.720, 122.12 
9) Steve Wheeler, Ventress, La., , 10.850, 72.39 

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE 
1) Delbert Ready, Houston, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, reaction time 0.001 seconds
2) Michael Nash, Texarkana, Texas, , 0.006 
3) Roger Baugh, Dallas, Texas, '94 Ninja, 0.007 
4) Eddie Glaze, Houston, Texas, '90 Suzuki, 0.010 
5) Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '01 Kawasaki, 0.016 
6) Lee Peterson, Livingston, Texas, '85 Suzuki, 0.021 
7) Robert Sanders, Houston, Texas, '92 Kawasaki, 0.022 
8) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '86 Suzuki, 0.029 
9) John M. Paterson, Dickinson, Texas, '85 Suzuki, 0.031

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing headlines at Houston Raceway Park

BAYTOWN, Texas - Houston Raceway Park will host the first of six NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events in NHRA's South Central Division Feb. 28-Mar. 2. Competitors in eight classes including Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will vie for a share of the $155,520 purse as well as points leading to national and divisional championships.

The division's defending Top Alcohol Dragster Champion, Lee Callaway, will have to defend his crown against the likes of veteran racers Shelly Howard and Troy Buff. It's also possible that newcomer James Copeland of Red Oak, Texas, will give them all a run for their money.

Callaway, of Channelview, Texas, won three straight divisional events en route to his title. He won two out-of-division races, in Scribner, Neb., and in Earlville, Iowa. He then took the win at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La., to finish 51 points ahead of Shelly Howard. Howard, a registered nurse from Tulsa, Okla., was the division's 2001 Top Alcohol Dragster champion but she struggled in the middle part of last year. If she continues the momentum she began building toward the end of 2002, she will be a threat to take back her title.

Tate Branch earned his second division Top Alcohol Funny Car champion in 2002. This year, the Artesia, N.M., resident's toughest challenge will likely come from long-time rival Jackie Stidham. The pair battled all season and Branch ended up with a 26-point edge.

Branch made final-round appearances in all six of the South Central division Lucas Oil events, winning at Memphis Motorsports Park in Tennessee and at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas. He also took an out-of-division win at the very last divisional race of the season, in Las Vegas.

Stidham, a Chickasha, Okla., resident, has five division championships to his credit including the 2001 crown. Last year, he beat Branch in the two final rounds in which they faced off, at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge, La., and at No Problem Raceway.

The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series and the Kerker Motorcycle Series will be run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Top Sportsman and Sportsman Motorcycle competitors will run qualifying and eliminations along with the other classes throughout the weekend.

Gates at Houston Raceway Park open at 9 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying begins Friday at 10 a.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is scheduled at 4 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers will make two qualifying passes, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run first round at noon.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $18 Saturday and $22 Sunday. A three-day pass is $45. Children, 5 to 12, are $5 Friday, $10 Saturday and $12 Sunday.

Houston Raceway Park is located at 2525 FM 565 South. It is east of the Houston metro area, just south of I-10 and east of Highway 146. For more information call the track, (281) 383-RACE, or visit www.HoustonRaceway.com.

The second race on the South Central division's schedule is at Memphis Motorsports Park, Mar. 21-23, 2003.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: 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 first of six in South Central Division competition. The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas. Track is located at 2525 FM 565 South. It is east of the Houston metro area, just south of Interstate 10 and east of Hwy. 146.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, February 28-March 2, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

FRIDAY, Feb. 28 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, Mar. 1 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 2 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $18 Saturday, $22 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $45. Children, 5-12, are $5 Friday, $10 Saturday and $12 Sunday. For more information please call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 383-RACE, or visit www.HoustonRaceway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $155,520, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: James Copeland, Top Alcohol Dragster; Tate Branch, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Rodger Brogdon, Comp Eliminator; Terry Emmons, Super Stock; Kevin Helms, Stock Eliminator; Justin Allen, Super Comp; Bob Gulitti, Super Gas; David Robinson, 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 each of 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.

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $7,400 champions' purse posted by Kerker will be paid to first, second and third place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

The top four riders from each division in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will be invited to compete in the NHRA Kerker King of the Coast competition. In 2003, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Okla.. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $1,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

Currently, Sportsman Motorcycles are run in NHRA's South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific divisions.

SUNSET RACING ENGINES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships. The top points finisher will earn a year-end bonus of $1,000 and the runner-up will get $500. Top Sportsman racers may run the six South Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the Southeast or North 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.