FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Champions crowned in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO - In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Sacramento Raceway, Ross Wilson, Jimmy DeFrank, Kyle Seipel, Jack Beckman, Kevin McClelland and Gary Thompson all emerged victorious in Sunday's final round competition.

In Competition Eliminator, No. 3 qualifier Ross Wilson of Alta Loma, Calif., took out low qualifier Ken Duttweiler of Ventura, Calif., in the class final. In the final, Wilson ran 8.834 seconds at 153.48 mph to Duttweiler's 9.535-second pass at 109.00 mph, to take the win.

In Super Stock, it was a family affair with brothers Jimmy and Tony DeFrank duking it out in the class final. In the final, older brother and two-time national champ, Jimmy, took the win over Tony, the defending NHRA Pacific Division Champion. The win was the second in a row for Jimmy. The Tarzana, Calif., native also won just over a month ago at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

In Stock Eliminator, San Lorenzo, Calif., racer Kyle Seipel earned his second NHRA Pacific Division win of the year when he defeated Vancouver, Wash., runner Tommy Gaynor in the class final. Seipel's first win was earned in Super Stock at the Pacific Division's opening race of the year at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Phoenix.

In Super Comp, North Hills, Calif., racer Jack Beckman earned the class title over Auburn, Wash., runner Dustin Hentges, after Hentges fouled. This is the second win this year for Beckman, who also won the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event in Pomona, Calif., in February.

Taking the win in Super Gas was Rohnert Park, Calif., runner Kevin McClelland. In the final, McClelland defeated Buffdale, Utah's Terry Keddington.

In Super Street, Gary Thompson of Santa Rosa, Calif., won his third NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of the year. In the class final Thompson defeated Famoso Raceway runner-up Jeff Fear of Sutter, Calif.

In other racing action this weekend at Sacramento Raceway, Scott Pollacheck of Medford, Ore., defeated Rancho Cordovia, Calif., racer Jack Holsey in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series. In Super Eliminator, Tom Hall of Guerneville, Calif., took out his nephew Dean in the class final.

In Saturday's final round competition in Top Alcohol Dragster, Joey Severance of Spanaway, Wash., defeated defending NHRA Pacific Division Champion Duane Shields of Las Vegas in the class final. In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Ron August Jr., of Pleasanton, Calif., took out two-time Pacific Division Champion Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Sacramento Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.455, 258.81 def. 
Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.581, 253.11

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '02 Chevy Camaro, broke  def. 
Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Pontiac Firebird, broke.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., '95 Achieva, D/SMA, 8.834, 153.48  def. 
Ken Duttweiler, Ventura, Calif., '96 Olds, BB/AT, 9.535, 109.00.

SUPER STOCK
Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.605, 106.31  def. 
Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/GA, 11.118, 85.95.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Kyle Seipel, San Lorenzo, Calif., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 11.556, 115.23  def. 
Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Firebird, J/SA, 11.805, 108.25.

SUPER COMP
Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., Dragster, 8.925, 167.00  def. 
Dustin Hentges, Auburn, Wash., Dragster, foul.

SUPER GAS
Kevin McClelland, Rohnert Park, Calif., '27 Ford T, 9.934, 143.82  def. 
Terry Keddington, Buffdale, Utah, '67 Camaro, 9.913, 142.04.

SUPER STREET
Gary Thompson, Santa Rosa, Calif., '86 Corvette, 10.910, 128.55  def. 
Jeff Fear, Sutter, Calif., '75 Vega, 10.966, 129.10.

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, 8.968, 140.55  def.
 Jack Holsey, Rancho Cordovia, Calif., '84 MC, 9.242, 137.64.

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Tom Hall, Guerneville, Calif., Dragster, 7.913, 167.70  def. 
Dean Hall, Guerneville, Calif., '55 Chevy , 7.881, 172.72.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Severance and August big winners at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO - In the final elimination results in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Sacramento Raceway, Joey Severance and Ron August Jr., both emerged victorious in their respective fields.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Severance, of Spanaway, Wash., began eliminations by taking out fellow NHRA Northwest Division racer Mitch Myers of Hermiston, Ore., in round one, before then meeting up with No. 1 qualifier Don Hudson in the following round. In his semifinal match-up with Hudson, Severance ran a 5.561-second pass at 259.11 mph to eliminate Hudson, who ran 5.600 seconds at 255.14 mph. In the final, Severance pulled out all the stops. The Washington racer ran low elapsed time of the weekend, 5.455 seconds at 258.81 mph, to eliminate defending Pacific Division Champion, Duane Shields in the class final.

In his first-round bout, August, of Pleasanton, Calif., defeated Chino Hills, Calif., racer Tom Bristow. Facing Whittier, Calif., racer Robert Lee in the semifinal round, August ran 5.843 seconds at 242.11 mph to Lee's 6.108-second pass at 188.55 mph. The 5.843-second pass was enough to defeat Lee and advance to the final. In the final, August would have a tough draw, defending division champ, Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif. At the start, the two cars left together, but as they neared the finish line Gasparrelli crossed the centerline, taking out the timing equipment. This gave the automatic win to August, his first of the year.

Eliminations in all remaining Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series categories will resume tomorrow at 10 a.m. In final qualifying in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock and Stock Eliminator, Ken Duttweiler of Ventura, Calif., Steven Wann of Modesto, Calif., and Robert Mulry of Hollister, Calif., top their fields. In Kerker Motorcycle Series action, Scott Pollacheck of Medford, Ore., is No. 1 qualifier in his class.

For qualifying in the top spot of their respective fields, Duttweiler and Wann each earned $400 from Sealed Power as part of their Low Qualifier Bonus Award. Stock Eliminator low qualifier, Robert Mulry, earned $200 for his No. 1 qualifying position.

Sunday's racing action will feature eliminations in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. Gates at Sacramento Raceway open Saturday at 8 a.m. with eliminations set to begin at 10 a.m. For more information please contact Sacramento Raceway at (916) 363-2653 or online at www.SacramentoRaceway.com.

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Sacramento Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
5) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.594, 251.44 def. 
4) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.692, 248.43

3) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.722, 242.10 def. 
6) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.864, 254.47

1) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.863, 230.10 def. 
8) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 23.080, 28.04

7) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.571, 259.22 def. 
2) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.591, 255.17

Semifinal
Shields, 5.512, 262.02 def. Miersch, 5.586, 254.43
Severance, 5.561, 259.11 def. Hudson, 5.600, 255.14

Final
Severance, 5.455, 258.81 def. Shields, 5.581, 253.11

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
5) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., Camaro, 5.908, 244.92 def. 
4) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., Pontiac Firebird, 6.026, 218.84

1) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.863, 239.31 def. 
8) Tom Bristow, Chino Hills, Calif., Firebird, 6.428, 190.04

2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., Firebird, 5.921, 246.98 def. 
7) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., Camaro, 6.368, 189.01;

3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., Chevy Corvette, 5.821, 238.93 def. 
6) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., Dodge Avenger, 5.999, 243.03

Semifinal
August Jr., 5.843, 242.11 def. Lee, 6.108, 183.55
Gasparrelli, 5.785, 241.11 def. Williamson, 5.769, 247.27

Final
August Jr., no time def. Gasparrelli, DQ

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Ken Duttweiler, Ventura, Calif., '96 Olds, BB/AT, 6.948 seconds, -0.712 (under index)
2) Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 7.072, -0.628
3) Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., '95 Achieva, D/SMA, 8.684, -0.616
4) Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '98 Lumina, G/A, 8.544, -0.606
5) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dakota, PST, 7.502, -0.598
6) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.760, -0.540
7) Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.733, -0.537
8) J.D. Zink, Chico, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 7.169, -0.531
9) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, Ariz., Frameworks, B/ED, 6.989, -0.521
10) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.755, -0.515

SUPER STOCK
1) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dakota, GT/TB, 10.030 seconds, -1.120 (under index)
2) Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/GA, 10.120, -1.080
3) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.305, -1.045
4) Brian McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.862, -1.038
5) Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., '92 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.542, -0.958
6) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/IA, 10.093, -0.907
7) Bill Blakeney, Bell, Calif., '68 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.001, -0.899
8) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '92 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.477, -0.873
9) Tim Smith, Loomis, Calif., '87 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.841, -0.859
10) Jim Caughlin, Woodburn, Ore., '78 Pinto, SS/CC, 12.405, -0.845

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Robert Mulry, Hollister, Calif., '74 Firebird, L/SA, 11.587 seconds, -1.413 (under index)
2) Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 D-150, FT/SA, 12.228, -1.272
3) Gene Buell, Hesperia, Calif., '70 Challenger, D/SA, 10.656, -1.194
4) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.540, -1.160
5) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, I/SA, 11.483, -1.117
6) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Satellite, I/SA, 11.494, -1.106
7) Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Firebird, J/SA, 11.680, -1.070
8) Staci Smith, Palmdale, Calif., , CT/SA, 11.830, -1.070
9) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dakota, DT/SA, 11.904, -1.046
10) Bryan Phillips, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., '67 Firebird, E/SA, 10.971, -1.029

SPORTSMAN  MOTORCYCLE
1) Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.014 (reaction time)
2) John Widmann, Garborille, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.018
3) Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, KMC, 0.018
4) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.023
5) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, Nev., '87 Ninja, KMC, 0.032
6) Greg Pfau, Redway, Calif., '02 Buell, KMC, 0.039
7) Ari Bernales, Santa Clara, Calif., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.044
8) Jerry Stinson, Medford, Ore., '84 Ninja, KMC, 0.045
9) Phillip Nasca, Citrus Heights, Calif., '02 Ninja, KMC, 0.046
10) Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.054

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hudson and August top qualifiers at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO - In the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Sacramento Raceway, Don Hudson and Ron August Jr., are the top qualifiers in their respective fields.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Hudson, of Stockton, Calif., is the leader with a 5.488 second pass at 258.74 mph. Qualified in the No. 2 spot is Tujunga, Calif., racer Chris Demke with a 5.510 second pass at 256.07 mph. Morgan Lucas, the current points leader in the class, is qualified sixth at a 5.616-second pass at 257.28 mph. He will face No. 3 qualifier Larry Miersch of Fullerton, Calif., in round one.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, August, of Pleasanton, Calif., drove his '02 Camaro to a 5.750-second pass at 242.30 mph to claim the top spot in the class. Defending NHRA Pacific Division Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion Steve Gasparrelli is second with a 5.782 second pass at 250.15 mph. A 5.801-second pass at 241.67 mph helped Campbell, Calif., driver Bret Williamson to take the third spot. Among those who are failed to qualify is current NHRA Pacific Division Top Alcohol Funny Car points leader Doug Gordon of Paso Robles, Calif. Defending division champ Gasparrelli is currently second in points.

In Competition Eliminator, renowned engine builder Ken Duttweiler of Ventura, Calif., took his turbo-charged Oldsmobile to the No. 1 spot in the class with a 6.948-second pass. Simi Valley, Calif., racer Wayne Ramay is second with his dragster. Alta Loma, Calif., runner Ross Wilson is third.

In other qualifying action, defending NHRA Pacific Division champ Tony DeFrank of Tarzana, Calif., leads in Super Stock, while Sarah Norsworthy of Santa Clara, Calif., leads in Stock Eliminator.

For qualifying in the top spot of their respective fields, Hudson and August each earned $1250 from Sealed Power as part of their Low Qualifier Bonus Award. The recipients of the $400 Low Qualifier Bonus Award in Competition Eliminator and Super Stock and $200 award in Stock Eliminator, will be decided on Saturday after final qualifying in those classes is complete.

Saturday's racing action will feature eliminations for the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, as well as the continuation of qualifying in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street, beginning at 1 p.m. Eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny are scheduled for 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday evening.

Gates at Sacramento Raceway open Saturday at 8 a.m. with qualifying set to continue at 1 p.m. Final eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car are scheduled for 5, 7 and 9 p.m. For more information please contact Sacramento Raceway at (916) 363-2653 or online at www.SacramentoRaceway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Sacramento Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.488 seconds, 258.74 mph
2) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.510, 256.07
3) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.527, 252.01
4) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.550, 250.05
5) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.554, 255.95
6) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.616, 257.28
7) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.618, 258.43
8) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 5.859, 248.06

Not Qualified
9) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 5.916, 219.70
10) Marshall Topping, Costa Mesa, Calif., 11.056, 83.76
11) Tony Meredyk, Stanton, Calif., 21.051, 32.67
12) Dennis Swearingen, Santa Clarita, Calif., 25.405, 24.68

First-round TAD pairings
1) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.488 seconds, 258.74 mph vs. 
8) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 5.859, 248.06

2) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.510, 256.07 vs. 
7) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.618, 258.43

3) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.527, 252.01 vs.
6) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.616, 257.28

4) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.550, 250.05 vs. 
5) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.554, 255.95

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.750 seconds, 242.30 mph
2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.782, 250.15
3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.801, 241.67
4) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.807, 244.24
5) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.828, 249.67
6) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.899, 246.33
7) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.084, 234.46
8) Tom Bristow, Chino Hills, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.174, 230.45

Not Qualified
9) Dale VanGundy, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Trans Am, 6.433, 227.35
10) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.442, 145.70
11) Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.590, 209.37

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.750 seconds, 242.30 mph vs.
8) Tom Bristow, Chino Hills, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.174, 230.45

2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.782, 250.15 vs. 
7) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.084, 234.46 

3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.801, 241.67 vs. 
6) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 5.899, 246.33

4) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.807, 244.24 vs. 
5) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.828, 249.67

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Ken Duttweiler, Ventura, Calif., '96 Olds, BB/AT, 6.948 seconds, -0.712 (under index)
2) Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 7.072, -0.628
3) Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., '95 Achieva, D/SMA, 8.684, -0.616
4) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dakota, PST, 7.502, -0.598
5) Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '98 Lumina, G/A, 8.607, -0.543
6) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.760, -0.540
7) J.D. Zink, Chico, Calif., Dragster, A/ND, 7.170, -0.530
8) Jim Cowan, Glendale, Ariz., '02 Grand Am, E/AA, 7.995, -0.505
9) Mike Willoughby, Huntington Beach, Calif., '99 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.804, -0.496
10) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.779, -0.491

SUPER STOCK
1) Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Grand Am, GT/GA, 10.207 seconds, -0.993 (under index)
2) Brian McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.913, -0.987
3) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.379, -0.971
4) Brian Tait, Frazier Park, Calif., '92 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.542, -0.958
5) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/IA, 10.093, -0.907
6) Bill Blakeney, Bell, Calif., '68 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.001, -0.899
7) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '92 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.477, -0.873
8) Tim Smith, Loomis, Calif., '87 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.841, -0.859
9) Joe Schwetgert, Ontario, Calif., '85 Chevy, SS/JA, 10.472, -0.828
10) Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '91 Probe, SS/BM, 8.896, -0.804

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 D-150, FT/SA, 12.228 seconds, -1.272 (under index)
2) Robert Mulry, Hollister, Calif., '74 Firebird, L/SA, 11.802, -1.198
3) Gene Buell, Hesperia, Calif., '70 Challenger, D/SA, 10.656, -1.194
4) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.540, -1.160
5) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, I/SA, 11.483, -1.117
6) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Satellite, I/SA, 11.501, -1.099
7) Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Firebird, J/SA, 11.680, -1.070
8) Bryan Phillips, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., '67 Firebird, E/SA, 10.971, -1.029
9) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Pontiac, I/FIA, 12.753, -0.997
10) Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., '71 Barracuda, B/SA, 10.578, -0.972

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) John Widmann, Garborille, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.036 reaction time
2) Ari Bernales, Santa Clara, Calif., '01 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.044
3) Phillip Nasca, Citrus Heights, Calif., '02 Ninja, KMC, 0.050
4) Jerry Stinson, Medford, Ore., '84 Ninja, KMC, 0.053
5) Gary Oaks, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, KMC, 0.054
6) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, Nev., '87 Ninja, KMC, 0.055
7) Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, KMC, 0.066
8) Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.066
9) Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.071
10) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.229

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento Raceway hosts NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - NHRA's Pacific Division will head to Sacramento Raceway Aug. 15-17 for the Western States Championships, the fifth of six races in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Competitors in eight classes, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, will compete for a share of the $158,145 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships.

The chase for the division title in Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) seemed to be between 19-year-old Morgan Lucas of Riverside, Calif., and Scottsville, Ariz., resident Mark Niver, who won his first race around the time Lucas was born. Lucas took the season opener in Phoenix but Niver won the next two, in Tucson, Ariz., and Bakersfield, Calif. In Tucson, Niver bested Lucas in the final. Lucas came back for the win at the last event on the schedule, in Sonoma, Calif. Shortly after that, Niver lost his race car in a crash at the national event at Infineon.

Defending division TAD champion Duane Shields has struggled this year, suffering three first-round losses on the divisional level and even failed to qualify in Sonoma. The Las Vegas racer did travel north of the border earlier this year to an out-of-division race in Mission, B.C., where he scored runner-up points. He is in third place in points behind Lucas and Niver.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) action, Paso Robles, Calif., racer Doug Gordon is atop the standings by 105 points over defending division TAFC champ Steve Gasparrelli. Gordon started the season with three straight wins, including at the first national event of the year in Pomona, Calif. Gordon then went on to win the division races in Phoenix and Tucson. At the event in Bakersfield, Calif., he lost in the first round but rebounded for a runner-up finish at an out-of-division race in Woodburn, Ore.

En route to winning his second consecutive division championship last year, Gasparrelli also finished second in the national point standings. But in 2003, the West Covina, Calif., racer has had a series of first-round losses on the division level. His best showing this season was in Tucson where he was runner-up to Gordon. However, Gasparrelli has won in Sacramento before, including at last year's event.

The division's Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring Sportsman Motorcycles, and the Korbel Super E class will run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Sportsman Motorcycle and Super E competitors will run qualifying and eliminations along with other classes throughout the weekend.

Gates at Sacramento Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin at 1 p.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will run all three of their qualifying sessions on Friday, at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Those two classes will run all rounds of eliminations on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. Eliminations for all other classes start Sunday at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $20 Friday (includes pit pass); $15 Saturday without a pit pass and $25 with a pit pass; and $25 Sunday (includes pit pass). A three-day ticket, including a pit pass, is $50. Children 11 and under are admitted free.

Sacramento Raceway is located at 5303 Excelsior Road in Sacramento. For more information call the track, (916) 363-2653, or visit www.SacramentoRaceway.com.

The final Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event on the Pacific division schedule is Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Western States Championships, 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 division's Korbel Super E class and the Kerker Motorcycle Series featuring Sportsman Motorcycles will also run in conjunction with the event. The race is the fifth of six in Pacific Division competition.

WHERE: Sacramento Raceway, Sacramento, Calif. Track is located at 5305 Excelsior Rd., Sacramento.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, August 15-17, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Western States Championships:

FRIDAY, Aug. 15 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5, 7 and 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 16 - Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials (in all classes except TAD and TAFC) are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all rounds of eliminations beginning at 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 10 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS - Friday: $20 (includes pit pass). Saturday: $25 with a pit pass, $15 without. Sunday: $25 (includes pit pass). A three-day ticket is $50 and includes a pit pass. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Sacramento Raceway, (916) 363-2653.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $158,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Don Hudson, Top Alcohol Dragster; Steve Gasparrelli, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Bob Lambeck, Comp Eliminator; Kyle Seipel, Super Stock; Don Durham, Stock Eliminator; Rick Beckstrom, Super Comp; Pete Bothe, Super Gas; Dennis Paz, 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.

FEATURES: More than 450 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.