FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Second South Central Division event in the books

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - More than 500 competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series converged on Memphis Motorsports Park this weekend for the second of six events in the NHRA South Central Division. Jeff Wilson took the win in Top Alcohol Dragster, while Kim Fritts won an anticlimactic Top Alcohol Funny Car final.

Wilson defeated defending South Central Division champion Lee Callaway of Channelview, Texas, to win the event. The Winfield, Mo., resident made a 5.395-second, 256.50-mph pass for the win.

In the Top Alcohol Funny Car final, both Fritts and Todd Simpson had damaged their motors in the earlier rounds and both had to scramble to come up with parts to repair them. At the starting line, they both fired their engines and did short burnouts. Simpson, a resident of Ponder, Texas, started heading for the staging beams when the engine shut down and smoke started pouring out from under the body. Greenup, Ill., resident Fritts managed to stage, idled off the line and shut the car down about 10 feet out.

Other winners this weekend were Sean Dodd of Lewisville, Texas, in Comp Eliminator; for the second straight event, Harvey Emmons III of Friendswoods, Texas, in Super Stock; Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., in Stock; Greg Brotherton, Mena, Ark., in Super Comp; Billy Torrance, Kilgore, Texas, in Super Gas; Robbie Mayse, Frost, Texas, in Super Street; Lisa Bennet, Plano, Texas, in Sportsman Motorcycle; and Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., in Top Sportsman.

South Central Division racers head to the Texas Motorplex in Dallas for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, April 25-27.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round One 
8) David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.494, 260.76 def. 
1) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 6.621, 146.24

2) Brian Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 8.426, 219.86 def. 
7) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 9.334, 139.60 

6) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.701, 252.14 def. 
3) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 6.956, 147.21 

4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.438, 263.20 def. 
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.400, 265.06

Semifinals 
Wilson, 5.436, 262.64 def. Wells, 9.999, 77.86 
Callaway, 5.534, 256.75 def. Badgett, 13.263, 83.37

Finals 
Wilson, 5.395, 256.50 def. Callaway, 5.475, 258.71

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round One 
1) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, Dodge Avenger, 5.911, 228.69 def. 
6) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., Avenger, 9.848, 86.69 

2) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., Pontiac Firebird, 5.910, 244.65 def.
5) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., Firebird, 9.159, 93.94 

3) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., Chevy Camaro, 6.120, 216.34 def. 
4) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., Firebird, 6.208, 236.09 

Semifinals 
Fritts, 5.950, 230.41 def. Morrison, 6.063, 237.46; 
Simpson, broke def. bye

Final
Fritts, broke def. Simpson, broke. 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 
Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 Camaro, D/AA, 7.770, 172.50 def. Robert
Freeman, Oklahoma City, '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.435, 176.10

SUPER STOCK 
Harvey Emmons III, Friendswood, Texas, '69 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.908, 120.23 
def. Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown, Ind., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.973, 129.01

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '68 Camaro, C/FIA, 10.941, 116.08  def.
Jerry Davis, Sante Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.295, 114.96

SUPER COMP 
Greg Brotherton, Mena, Ark., Dragster, 8.903, 165.11 def. 
Bart Nelson, La Porte, Texas, dragster, 8.941, 164.97

SUPER GAS 
Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, '97 Cutlass, 10.006, 144.09 def. 
Billy Papageorgeo, Bartlett, Tenn., '56 Chevy, 10.153, 142.46

SUPER STREET 
Robbie Mayse, Frost, Texas, '67 Camaro, 10.928, 135.43  def. 
Deborah Ridenhour, Fort Worth, Texas, '41 Willy's , 10.931, 138.14

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE 
Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '84 Suzuki, 9.924, 124.58 def. 
Tracy Hemhold, Morrison, Colo., '86 Kawasaki, 9.478, 135.48

TOP SPORTSMAN 
Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.642, 154.90 def. 
Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 17.490, 55.09.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fields set at Memphis; eliminations start Sunday

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In the final rounds of qualifying in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park, Alan Bradshaw took over the No. 1 position in Top Alcohol Dragster and Todd Simpson finished No. 1 in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

In the TAD qualifying, only the quick survived. Bradshaw's 5.271-second, 243.28 mph effort was enough to make him the top qualifier of the eight car field and anyone who did not run quicker than 5.521 seconds headed home. That group includes James Thompson who was the runner-up at the division's season opener in Houston two weeks ago.

Simpson moved from the No. 2 qualifying position yesterday to No. 1 today. The Ponder, Texas, resident made a 5.872 second, 242.02 mph pass for the No. 1 spot. In the first round of eliminations, he will face the division's defending champion, Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M. Branch won the event in Houston.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Brian Self, Spring, Texas, in Comp Eliminator; Gilbert Johnson Sr., Lecompte, La., in Super Stock; and Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., in Stock. Racing continues Sunday at Memphis Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations in all categories start at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run first round at noon. Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223.

The 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 Memphis Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.271 seconds, 243.28 mph
2) Brian Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 5.341, 261.67  
3) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg Fla., 5.393, 268.97
4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.423, 263.31
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.427, 262.18
6) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.464, 257.43
7) Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.468, 262.64
8) David Wells, LeMars Iowa, 5.521, 261.72
Not Qualified 
9) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 5.539, 255.82
10) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.822, 248.20 
11) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 6.086, 245.00 
12) Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 6.311, 230.84 
13) Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 6.602, 202.27 

Sunday's TAD Pairings
1) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.271 seconds, 243.28 mph vs. 
8) David Wells, LeMars Iowa, 5.521, 261.72

2) Brian Badgett, Maryland Hts., Mo., 5.341, 261.67 vs. 
7) Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 5.468, 262.64

3) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg Fla., 5.393, 268.97 vs. 
6) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.464, 257.43

4) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.423, 263.31 vs. 
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.427, 262.18

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.872 seconds, 242.02 mph 
2) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 5.893, 247.29
3) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.127, 231.99  
4) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '99 Firebird, 6.412, 226.13
5) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 8.165, 110.06
6) Tate Branch, Artesia, M.N., '99 Avenger, 10.049, 78.63

Sunday's TAFC Pairings
1) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 5.872 seconds, 242.02 mph vs.
6) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 10.049, 78.63 

2) Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 5.893, 247.29 vs. 
5) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 8.165, 110.06 

3) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.127, 231.99 vs. 
4) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '99 Firebird, 6.412, 226.13 
 
COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Brian Self, Spring, Texas, '02 S-10, B/T, 8.125 seconds, -0.695 under index 
2) Buddy Nickens, Spring, Texas, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.427, -0.693 
3) Bill Gibbs, Lufkin, Texas, '95 Daytona, L/A, 9.216, -0.664 
4) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.375, -0.655 
5) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '03 Cavalier, B/SM, 8.193, -0.647 
6) Douglas Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '03 Stratus, C/SMA, 8.411, -0.639 
7) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 Camaro, D/AA, 7.750, -0.630 
8) Greg Williams, Carthage, Texas, '02 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.422, -0.628 
9) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.677, -0.623 
10) Robert Freeman, Oklahoma City, Okla., '02 Cavalier, C/A, 7.398, -0.622 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Gilbert Johnson Sr, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.146 seconds,-1.304 under index 
2) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/JA, 10.377, -1.273 
3) Jerry Holman, Hendersonville, Tenn., '86 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.340, -1.210
4) Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.118, -1.182 
5) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.841, -1.159 
6) Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., '67 Chevy II, SS/G, 9.620, -1.130 
7) Don O'Malley, Decatur, Ill., '64 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.182, -1.118 
8) J.W. Hames, Madison, Miss., '66 Chevy II, GT/KA, 10.645, -1.105 
9) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.604, -1.096 
10) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.572, -1.078 

STOCK 
1) Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.351 seconds, -1.399 under index
2) Danny Byrd, Sikeston, Mo., '67 Chevy II, F/S, 10.829, -1.271 
3) Billy Lynn, Searcy, Ark., '95 S-10, GT/SA, 12.582, -1.268 
4) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '99 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.464, -1.236 
5) Sam Lusco Jr, Houma, La., '96 Dakota, CT/SA, 11.771, -1.229 
6) Austin Ford, Spring, Texas, '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.669, -1.181 
7) John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Nova, G/S, 11.023, -1.177 
8) Bill Bogues, Bethany, La., '69 Nova, I/SA, 11.445, -1.155 
9) Rob Turkal, Rapids City, Ill., '65 Malibu, K/S, 11.711, -1.139 
10) Patrick Courts, New Iberia, La., '87 Trans Am, H/FIA, 12.315, -1.135 

Top Sportsman 
1) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.143 seconds, 196.24 mph 
2) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '02 Grand Am, 7.191, 177.51 
3) Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '01 Avenger, 7.279, 188.75 
4) Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '95 Cutlass, 7.296, 189.36 
5) Jeff Wilkerson, Athens, Ala., '01 Trans Am, 7.322, 188.02 
6) Craig Hughes, Portales, N.M., '79 Charger, 7.502, 181.32 
7) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.512, 183.52 
8) Ed Ridenhour, Ft. Worth, Texas, '98 Trans Am, 7.521, 179.95 
9) Steve Wheeler, Ventress, La., '98 S-10, 7.528, 182.60 
10) John Sullivan, Macon, Tenn., '94 Beretta, 7.601, 159.48

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First rounds of NHRA Lucas Oil Series qualifying complete at Memphis Motorsports Park

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In the first rounds of qualifying in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Brian Badgett and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Ron Morrison took the no. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Badgett, of Maryland Hts., Mo., outran the field with a pass of 5.341 seconds at 261.67 mph. And Oklahoma City resident Morrison made a 6.213-second, 203.89 mph run to take the pole. Top qualifiers in other classes were David Rampy of Piedmont, Ala., in Comp Eliminator; Gilbert Johnson Sr., Lecompte, La., in Super Stock; and Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., in Stock.

Racing continues Saturday and Sunday at Memphis Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days and racing begins at 9 a.m. Tickets are $20 each day and a two-day pass is $30. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Brian Badgett, Maryland Hts, Mo., 5.341 seconds, 261.67 mph 
2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.423, 261.52 
3) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.441, 264.13 
4) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.562, 252.28 
5) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 6.247, 236.88 
6) Brian Ratliff, Hulbert, Okla., 6.602, 202.27 
7) Larry Becktold, Luther, Okla., 7.009, 176.86 
8) Tim Rudy, Mason, Ohio, 10.519, 87.09 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, Okla., '97 Camaro, 6.213 seconds, 203.89 mph 
2) Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '00 Avenger, 6.374, 219.04 
3) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 10.049, 78.63 
4) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 10.323, 77.76 
5) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., '99 Pontiac, 11.845, 69.14 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.375 seconds, -0.655 (under index) 
2) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 Camaro, D/AA, 7.759, -0.621 
3) Scott Tidwell, Moogy, Ala., '03 Grand Am, D/AA, 7.777, -0.603 
4) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '03 Cavalier, B/SM, 8.238, -0.602 
5) Jeffrey Miller, Pearland, Texas, '98 Grand Am, C/SMA, 8.451, -0.599 
6) Mike Johnson, Lowell, Ark., Dragster, C/ED, 7.422, -0.588 
7) Bill Gibbs, Lufkin, Texas, '95 Daytona, L/A, 9.317, -0.563 
8) Douglas Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '03 Stratus, C/SMA, 8.494, -0.556 
9) Don Baskin, Brighton, Tenn., '97 Cutlass, G/A, 8.638, -0.542 
10) Charlie Watson, Humble, Texas, '96 Lumina, H/A, 8.957, -0.513 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Gilbert Johnson Sr, Lecompte, La., '66 Impala, SS/NA, 11.158 seconds,-1.292 (under index) 
2) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/JA, 10.377, -1.273 
3) Jerry Holman, Hendersonville, Tenn., '86 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.340, -1.210
4) Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.118, -1.182 
5) Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., '67 Chevy II, SS/G, 9.633, -1.117 
6) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.609, -1.091 
7) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.572, -1.078 
8) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.006, -1.044 
9) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.465, -1.035 
10) Shaun LeBlanc, Bartlett, Tenn., '88 Mustang, GT/A, 9.276, -1.024 

STOCK 
1) Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.518 seconds, -1.232 (under index) 
2) Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '99 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.491, -1.209 
3) Danny Byrd, Sikeston, Mo., '67 Chevy II, F/S, 10.909, -1.191 
4) Bill Bogues, Bethany, La., '69 Nova, I/SA, 11.445, -1.155 
5) Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.801, -1.149 
6) Patrick Courts, New Iberia, La., '87 Trans Am, H/FIA, 12.315, -1.135 
7) Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '90 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.567, -1.133 
8) Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., '79 Aspen, H/SA, 11.322, -1.128 
9) Bert Morgan, Charleston, Ill., '75 Buick, R/SA, 13.226, -1.124 
10) John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Nova, G/S, 11.078, -1.122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Memphis Motorsports Park set to host NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

Memphis Motorsports Park will host the second of six NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events in NHRA's South Central Division Mar. 21-23. 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 Funny Car champion, Tate Branch, is off to a good start, having won the division's season opener at Houston Raceway Park in Texas. Branch ran the gauntlet, taking his No. 1 qualifying effort into the winner's circle. In the final, the Artesia, N.M., resident bested veteran racer Jay Payne, who was competing for out-of-division points. Branch also posted a career-best 5.580-second elapsed time in the final.

Branch's closest rival in the division, Jackie Stidham of Chicksha, Okla., qualified third in the event in Houston but at an extremely high cost. It seems the team blew their only motor on the qualifying pass and was unable to make the first-round call, giving Branch an early lead in the points standings.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, it looks like former division champion Shelly Howard, of Tulsa, Okla., has regained the form that led her to the title in 2001. She qualified in the top spot and won the event. Howard's dragster ran consistently all weekend and she posted the best elapsed time of the event at 5.429 seconds in the first round of eliminations.

The rivalry between Howard and defending division champion Lee Callaway should heat up this season. Callaway finished just 51 points ahead of Howard last year, posting three wins on the season. However, kicking off 2003, Howard defeated the Channelview, Texas, resident in the semifinals in Houston in a close side-by-side race.

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 Memphis Motorsports 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. 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. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and three-day pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Road in Millington, Tenn. For more information call the track, (901) 358-7223, or visit the web site at www.MemphisMotorsportsPark.com.

The division's third NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is scheduled for April 25-27 at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge, 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 second 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: Memphis Motorsports Park, Millington, Tenn. Track is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Road, in Millington, Tenn.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 21-23, 2003

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

FRIDAY, Mar. 21 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, Mar. 22 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, Mar. 23 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Sportsman begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and a three-day ticket is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223.

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: Michael Gunderson, Top Alcohol Dragster; Tate Branch, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Larry Pritchett, Comp Eliminator; Larry Stewart, Super Stock; Al Corda, Stock Eliminator; Dan Phelps, Super Comp; Jesse Glenn, Super Gas; Bryan Sandlin, 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.