FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelly, Ferro go to winner's circle at Gainesville Raceway

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Guy Kelly finished his sweep through the Southeast Division by taking his fifth win in a row in Top Alcohol Dragster at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series showdown at Gainesville Raceway Saturday night. He came in a lock for the season title in the division and hopes that his victory will help him improve in the national standings as well. He was 12th coming in to Gainesville.

While Kelly was taking his victory, Mickey Ferro made his trip to Florida from his home in Stamford, Conn., pay off with a win in Top Alcohol Funny Car that will no doubt improve his standing in the NHRA Northeast Division.

With the Southeast Division TAD title sewed up and the division TAFC points leaders Jay Payne and Mark Billington not in attendance, a lot of the intrigue at Gainesville involved drivers from outside the division. For instance, low qualifier Mick Snyder of Indiana and fellow North Central Division TAFC ace Chuck Cheeseman of Ohio met in the second round and when the young Snyder took the win he locked up the NHRA North Central Division title. Racers in the Lucas Oil Series are allowed to earn a certain amount of points outside their home division and Snyder used that opportunity. He shook the tires and shut down the car in the final against Ferro or his outing would have been perfect.

What's more, the runner-up to Kelly was Marty Thacker from Illinois, who was also tracking down some North Central Division points.

This was the final of seven 2004 events for the Lucas Oil Racing Series in the Southeast Division.

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round One
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 7.250, 123.47 def. 
8) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., broke;

4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.547, 259.06 def. 
5) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.676, 247.18;

3) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.579, 257.06 def. 
6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.005, 221.23;

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.433, 258.91 def. 
7) Jeremy Haskett, Wilkesboro, N.C., 5.650, 242.58;

Semifinals
Thacker, 5.475, 260.71 def. Gunderson, 13.925, 76.73; 
Kelly, 5.567, 257.36 def. Cannon, 5.569, 260.04;

Finals
Kelly, 5.506, 259.74 def. Thacker, 8.829, 97.61

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round One
4) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.804, 250.48 def. 
5) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 5.825, 249.23;

3) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 5.990, 242.84 def. 
6) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Corvette, 6.449, 216.45;

2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '01 Camaro, 6.732, 201.07 def. 
7) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 6.588, 218.23;

1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.838, 249.16 was unopposed;

Semifinals
Snyder, 5.784, 249.93 def. Cheeseman, 5.895, 250.97;
Ferro, 5.796, 249.03 def. Hool, 5.963, 233.34;

Finals
Ferro, 5.913, 246.23 def. Snyder, 10.594, 79.33.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., '03 Cavalier, C/EA, 8.209, 163.45  def.
Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, H/A, 8.884, 150.35.

SUPER STOCK
Larry Stewart Jr, Clinton, Miss., '67 Nova, SS/HA, 10.187, 126.38  def.
Joe Tysinger Jr, Wrightsville Bch, N.C., '87 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.609, 122.00.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
David Lindsay, Fort Pierce, Fla., '95 Cobra, C/FI, 11.078, 118.79  def.
Bryan Merkle, Johnstown, Ohio, '02 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.616, 120.22.

SUPER COMP
Victor Fera Jr., Merrit Island, Fla., dragster, 8.902, 152.64  def.
Mike Fuqua, Hendersonville, Tenn., dragster, 8.919, 170.03.

SUPER GAS
Tracy Barnes, Jackson, Ga., '67 Corvette, 18.619, 59.48  def. 
Jonathan Womack, Houston, Texas, '00 Corvette, 10.459, 115.96.

SUPER STREET
Raymond Balian, Valley Stream, N.Y., '66 Chevelle, 10.883, 141.44  def.
Jimmy Fuller, Savannah, Ga., '68 Camaro, 10.874, 136.05.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '03 Grand Am, 7.345, 183.52  def. 
Scott Davis, Pompano Beach, Fla., '97 Cutlass, 7.652, 178.39.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gunderson, Snyder top Lucas Series qualifiers at Gainesville Raceway

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After the final rounds of qualifying for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Gainesville Raceway, Floridian Michael Gunderson leads the Top Alcohol Field into tomorrow's elimination rounds, covering the field by more than a tenth of a second with a 5.302-second shot at 273.22 mph in his nitro-fueled entry. Current Southwest Division points leader Guy Kelly is third on the list.

Meanwhile, Mick Snyder came from a lot farther away to take on the Alcohol Funny Car field. The Demotte, Ind., resident is hoping to boost his standing in the NHRA North Central Division standing by scoring a win in the Southeast. The former Jr. Dragster competitor is also currently seventh in the national points an hopes to move up on that roster as well. He will have a walkover in round one because of an odd number of cars in the field, so his No. 1 qualifying effort has already paid off for the young charger. Fellow North Central Division heavy-hitter Chuck Cheeseman is also in the field, hoping to top Snyder.

This is the final of seven Lucas Oil Series events for 2004 in NHRA's Southwest Division. The outcome will help determine not only the Gainesville Raceway event championships but the season championships as well. Also at stake are national titles. Points from Gainesville are a component of the national points chase as are points from the other six NHRA divisions. Thus, at this time of year, each round of racing can become monumental to the front runners in the points standings.

Gates open at Gainesville Raceway at 8 a.m. Saturday. Qualifying and time trials continue for many classes at 9:30 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 1 p.m., with the first rounds of action in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car scheduled for 4 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.302 seconds, 273.22 mph
2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.483, 260.26
3) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.514, 258.24
4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.533, 258.84
5) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.612, 248.41
6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.016, 227.67
7) Jeremy Haskett, Wilkesboro, N.C., 6.198, 161.89
8) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 6.603, 184.72 

Not Qualified
9) Cherissa Smallwood, Gainesville, Fla., 6.982, 186.68
10) Aaron Borgner, Deland, Fla., 7.241, 192.02
 
First-round TAD pairings
1) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.302 seconds, 273.22 mph vs. 
8) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 6.603, 184.72

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.483, 260.26 vs. 
7) Jeremy Haskett, Wilkesboro, N.C., 6.198, 161.89

3) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.514, 258.24 vs. 
6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.016, 227.67

4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.533, 258.84 vs. 
5) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.612, 248.41
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.790 seconds, 247.25 mph
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '01 Camaro, 5.834, 245.56
3) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 5.981, 242.52
4) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 6.131, 231.12
5) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.329, 185.83
6) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Corvette, 8.455, 129.38
7) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 9.571, 105.68
 
First-round TAFC pairings
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.790 seconds, 247.25 mph vs. Bye

2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '01 Camaro, 5.834, 245.56 vs. 
7) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 9.571, 105.68

3) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 5.981, 242.52 vs. 
6) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Corvette, 8.455, 129.38

4) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 6.131, 231.12 vs. 
5) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.329, 185.83
 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.840 seconds, -0.680 (under index)
2) Ian Landies Jr, Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.209, -0.571
3) Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '04 Sunfire, E/SMA, 8.720, -0.570
4) Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., '03 Cavalier, C/EA, 8.268, -0.562
5) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '04 Cavalier, G/AA, 8.507, -0.553
6) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.907, -0.543
7) Gary Wisecarver, Rustburg, Va., '04 Cavalier, H/SM, 9.240, -0.540
8) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.237, -0.533
9) Dick Maris, Valrico, Fla., dragster, C/D, 7.079, -0.531
10) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, H/A, 8.937, -0.523
 
SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.481 seconds, -1.269 (under index)
2) Johnny Fogle, Norway, S.C., '04 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.268, -1.132
3) Blair Patrick, Jasper, Tenn., '68 Mustang, SS/FA, 9.668, -1.082
4) Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., '67 Camaro, SS/FA, 9.696, -1.054
5) Richard Mace, Jacksonville, Fla., '01 Trans Am, GT/EA, 9.905, -1.045
6) Tony Cafaro, Brandon, Fla., '00 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.341, -1.009
7) Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.647, -1.003
8) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/JA, 10.622, -0.978
9) Phil Collins, Independence, Mo., '67 Coronet, SS/EA, 9.694, -0.956
10) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.595, -0.955
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John McCarthy Jr, Lyndon, Ky., '89 Safari, U/SA, 13.831 seconds, -1.319 (under index)
2) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.719, -1.231
3) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, L/SA, 11.782, -1.218
4) Arnold Greene, Matthews, N.C., '69 Camaro, C/S, 10.507, -1.143
5) Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '73 Nova, J/SA, 11.669, -1.081
6) Jeff Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.623, -1.077
7) Jeff Velde, Vero Beach, Fla., '68 Shelby, A/SA, 10.228, -1.072
8) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '95 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.641, -1.059
9) Peter Noriega, Hileah, Fla., '80 Malibu, V/SA, 14.743, -1.057
10) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.659, -1.041
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.865 seconds, 203.52 mph
2) Billy Bridges, Tallapoosa, Ga., '04 Mustang, 6.909, 200.53
3) Dave Saul, Winter Park, Fla., '96 Firebird, 7.073, 194.00
4) Jack Nunez, Daytona Beach, Fla., '63 Corvette, 7.121, 190.39
5) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '00 Firebird, 7.157, 171.33
6) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.252, 189.43
7) Doc Bilbrey, Willow Springs, N.C., '01 Sonoma, 7.272, 193.29
8) Larry Hutcheson Sr., Christmas, Fla., '02 Cavalier, 7.322, 181.89
9) Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '03 Grand Am, 7.332, 184.95
10) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 7.348, 186.45
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gainesville hosts Southeast Division's season-ending Lucas Oil event

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - NHRA Southeast division racers will close out the 2004 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season at Gainesville Raceway, Oct. 29-30. Originally scheduled to run at Darlington Int'l Dragway in North Carolina, the two-day race is the last of seven on the division schedule. It is the last opportunity for drivers to earn in-division points toward divisional and national championships. Racers may continue to collect points at out-of-division races. Southeast division champions in all classes will be honored at a banquet in Jacksonville in January 2005.

Wadley, Ala., racer Guy Kelly has driven his Top Alcohol Dragster to victory in the last four races. He defeated Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla., in Montgomery, Ala., and in Cecil, Ga. In Bristol, Tenn., he bested Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., and he beat Arthur Allen in Reynolds, Ga. Kelly currently has a hefty 163-point lead over second place racer Gunderson in the division standings. Defending division champion Jason Cannon, also of Middleburg, Fla., is No. 3 in the standings.

Former division Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion Jay Payne is in the No. 1 spot in the points. The Claremont, Calif., resident has been to the final round at five out of eight races this year. In Southeast division competition he won at the season-opener here as well as in Montgomery and Bristol. Payne scored runner-up points in Cecil and Reynolds and won an out-of-division race in Joliet, Ill. His closest competitor, Mark Billington of Norcross, Ga., is 93 points back.

Comp Eliminator racer Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., has made it to the final round at four out of the region's six races to date. He won here in February and in Bristol. He was runner-up in Orlando, Fla., and Montgomery. He currently leads the points over veteran Johnston, S.C., driver Mike Saye.

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

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Qualifying and time trials begins Friday at 10 a.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is scheduled at 4 and 7 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eliminations start at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car eliminations are at 4, 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $20 Friday and $20 Saturday.

Gainesville Raceway is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal Airport. For more information call the track, (352) 377-0046, or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

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 last of seven in Southeast Division competition. The division's Top Sportsman class will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. Track is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal airport.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, October 29-30, 2004

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

FRIDAY, Oct. 29 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify at 4 and 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 30 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eliminations begin at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car eliminations are scheduled at 4, 6:30 and 9 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,145, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Jason Cannon, Top Alcohol Dragster; Mark Billington, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Dennis from Darlington Mitchell, Comp Eliminator; Charles Clifford, Super Stock; Brien Bradley, Stock Eliminator; Int'l Dragway Steve Cohen, Super Comp; John Martin, Super Gas; Quentin Holloway, 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 2004 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 $109,000 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at the 46 Lucas Oil events: $1,000 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $200 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $100 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 46 divisional 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 2004 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 2004 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.

This year, event sponsor, Jeg's High Performance, has offered a "double up" bonus to Allstars competitors. Winners in each individual class who go on to win the national event will have their Allstars prize money doubled.

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.