FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilson and Snyder win opener at IRP

INDIANAPOLIS - In the final eliminations from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park, defending Top Alcohol Dragster division champ Jeff Wilson and Funny Car driver Mick Snyder scored wins in their respective categories.

In the Top Alcohol Dragster final, Wilson of Winfield, Mo., used a significant starting line advantage to take out defending race champ Bill Reichert of Owosso, Mich. In the final round bout with Reichert, Wilson recorded a 5.557-second pass at 259.41 mph to take the win, his first of the year.

Starting from the No. 1 qualifying position, Snyder of Demotte, Ind., defeated Don DeVault and Bruce Carlson en route to his final round match-up with No. 3 qualifier, Danny Townsend of Muncie, Ind. In the final, Snyder ran 6.037-seconds at 242.54 mph to eliminate Townsend, who slowed shortly after his launch, running an off-pace 9.891-second pass at 88.91 mph.

Other winners at the event were Robert Bailey of Wabash, Ind., in Competition Eliminator; Jeff Dona of Gordonville, Mo., in Super Stock; Micci Walter of Paris, Ohio in Stock Eliminator; Jeff Markkula of Becker, Minn., in Super Comp; Jeff Klomps of Bayfield, Ont., in Super Gas and Ray Miller II of Mansfield, Ohio in Super Street. The winner in Top Sportsman, which ran in conjunction with the event this weekend, was Keith McPherson of Leonard, Mich.

The next stop for racers on the NHRA North Central Division tour is Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich., June 18-20. Additional information about the event can be obtained by logging on to www.MidMichMotorplex.com or www.NHRA.com.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, event being held at Indianapolis Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
5) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.504, 257.28 def. 
4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.652, 258.47 

8) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.765, 249.72 def. 
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 7.645, 125.45 

2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.441, 263.05 def. 
7) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.855, 222.51

6) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.569, 248.98 def. 
) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.524, 258.37 

Semifinals
Wilson, 5.646, 215.58 def. Samsel, 15.779, 49.93
Reichert, 5.988, 243.37 def. Perry, 10.482, 77.48 

Final
Wilson, 5.557, 259.41 def. Reichert, 5.515, 260.26 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1 
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., Firebird, 5.806, 247.70 def. 
8) Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., Dodge Avenger, foul

4) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., Firebird, 5.834, 238.81 def. 
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., Firebird, 5.991, 245.63 

2) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., Firebird, 5.822, 252.52 def. 
7) John Bojec, Chardon, Ohio, Avenger, 6.249, 222.36

3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., Dodge RT, 5.799, 250.51 def. 
6) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., Firebird, 6.311, 230.06 

Semifinals 
Townsend, 5.953, 245.23 def. Lee, foul 
Snyder, 5.878, 245.23 def. Carlson, 6.172, 197.39 

Final
Snyder, 6.037, 242.54 def. Townsend, 9.891, 88.51 
 
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.728, 200.86  def. 
Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.263, 182.21

SUPER STOCK
Jeff Dona, Gordonville, Mo., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.025, 126.53  def. 
Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.759, 134.97

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Micci Walter, Paris, Ohio, '67 Camaro, E/SA, 11.122, 117.40  def. 
Bill Sempsrott, Middletown, , Ohio, '66 Nova, J/S, foul

SUPER COMP
Jerry Markkula, Becker, Minn., dragster, 8.940, 154.94  def. 
Jeremy Jensen, Clarksville, , Tenn., dragster, 8.979, 144.13

SUPER GAS
Jeff Klomps, Bayfield, Ont., '02 Corvette, 9.978, 134.35 def. 
Chris Yates, Lambertville, Mich., '34 Chevy, 10.016, 142.32

SUPER STREET
Ray Miller II, Mansfield, Ohio, '77 Monza, 11.703, 91.66  def. 
Tim Shuck, W. Lafayette, Ohio, '67 Camaro, foul

TOP SPORTSMAN
Keith McPherson, Leonard, Mich., '63 Corvette, 7.577, 183.19  def. 
Aaron Glaser, Louisville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.247, 187.86.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thacker and Snyder remain on top; Cheeseman fails to qualify

INDIANAPOLIS - In the final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Marty Thacker and Funny Car driver Mick Snyder qualified No. 1 in their respective fields.

Thacker recorded a time of 5.420 seconds at 263.67 mph to take to top spot in dragster. Following Thacker closely in second is defending division champion Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Mo., with a time of 5.436 seconds at 260.66 mph. Other qualifiers in the field include Indiana racers Robin Samsel of Marion and Dave Hirata of Lowell, who claimed in the No. 6 and 7 positions.

Snyder, who lead Friday's qualifying with a 5.780 second pass at 247.11 mph remained on top, while former division champion, Danny Townsend of Muncie, Ind., slid into third just behind Gaithersburg, Md., racer Paul Lee.

Distinctly absent from the eight-car field is five-time North Central Division champ and the defending race champion, Chuck Cheeseman. The Galena, Ohio driver, who last year qualified No. 1 at five-consecutive races within the division, finished here outside the field in the No. 13 spot.

As a reward for qualifying No. 1, Thacker and Snyder both received $1000 from Sealed Power as part of their Low Qualifier Bonus program at each of the 46 Lucas Oil Drag Series events.

In other qualifying action, Friday's top qualifiers Ian Landies Jr., of Chardon, Ohio, as well as fellow Ohio racers Dave Layer of Dayton and Joey Wilkes of Zanesville stayed on top of their respective fields. For qualifying in the No. 1 spot in Competition Eliminator and Super Stock, Landies and Layer were awarded $200 from Sealed Power, while Wilkes received $100 as part of the bonus. In the Top Sportsman class, which runs in conjunction with the event, Chris Ray of Louisville, Ky., who was also the Friday's low qualifier in the class, also remained on top.

Sunday's racing action will feature eliminations in all categories beginning at 8 a.m. Eliminations for Top Sportsman are at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin eliminations at noon.

Gates open Sunday at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. General admission tickets, including a pit pass, are $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

For more information please contact Indianapolis Raceway Park at (317) 291-4090 or visit them on the web at www.irponline.com.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, event being held at Indianapolis Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.420 seconds, 263.67 mph
2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.436, 260.66
3) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.492, 260.71
4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.540, 257.43
5) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.553, 253.52
6) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.585, 242.19
7) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.592, 258.22
8) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.654, 260.81

Not Qualified
9) Roger Beernaert, Brooklyn, Mich., 5.879, 251.58
10) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.900, 225.67
11) Timothy Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 5.911, 246.30
12) Daniel Mercier, St. Timothee, Quebec, 5.975, 249.81
13) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., 6.104, 233.96
14) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.149, 213.98
15) Jeff Veale, Stony Creek, Ont., 10.979, 69.61

First-round TAD pairings
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.420 seconds, 263.67 mph vs. 
8) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.654, 260.81

2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.436, 260.66 vs. 
7) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.592, 258.22

3) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.492, 260.71 vs. 
6) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.585, 242.19

4) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.540, 257.43 vs. 
5) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.553, 253.52

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.780 seconds, 247.11 mph
2) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.845, 250.00
3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 RT, 5.868, 249.63
4) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 5.878, 246.98
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 5.988, 244.74
6) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Firebird, 6.078, 236.59
7) John Bojec, Chardon, Ohio, '03 Avenger, 6.098, 229.63
8) Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 6.157, 232.31

Not Qualified
9) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.355, 221.38
10) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.367, 224.17
11) Rick Cortino, Wheaton, Ill., '97 Firebird, 6.501, 206.16
12) John Riekas III, Glendale Heights, Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.617, 217.32
13) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 7.665, 122.89
14) Russell Mudd, Fairdale, Ky., '98 Mustang, 9.106, 100.02

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.780 seconds, 247.11 mph vs. 
8) Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 6.157, 232.31

2) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 5.845, 250.00 vs. 
7) John Bojec, Chardon, Ohio, '03 Avenger, 6.098, 229.63

3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 RT, 5.868, 249.63 vs. 
6) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Firebird, 6.078, 236.59

4) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 5.878, 246.98 vs. 
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 5.988, 244.74

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.216 seconds, -0.624 (under index)
2) Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.184, -0.596
3) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., Dragster, F/ED, 8.406, -0.584
4) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., Dragster, A/ED, 6.719, -0.571
5) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.441, -0.569
6) Mike Lund, Bettendorf, Iowa, '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 8.083, -0.547
7) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.732, -0.538
8) Ray Vierheller III, Barberton, Ohio, '92 Cutlass, I/A, 8.328, -0.532
9) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., McKinney, D/D, 7.299, -0.531
10) Jesse Plant, Terre Haute, Ind., Dragster, D/ED, 7.476, -0.524

SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.103 seconds, -1.397 (under index)
2) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.760, -1.190
3) Larry Wilson, Mt Washington, Ky., '66 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.277, -1.173
4) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.681, -1.169
5) Chuck Gallagher, Holly, Mich., '94 Sunbird, SS/AM, 8.381, -1.169
6) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.414, -1.136
7) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.602, -1.098
8) Ken Shawver, Defiance, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.453, -1.097
9) Ronnie Terrell, Hebron, Ky., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.458, -1.092
10) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.073, -1.077

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '02 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.314 seconds, -1.386 (under index)
2) David Edwards, Washington Court House, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.270, -1.330
3) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, J/SA, 11.433, -1.317
4) Steve Polhill, Landon, Ont., '82 Escort, DF/S, 16.526, -1.224
5) Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 13.967, -1.183
6) Chuck Beach, Delaware, Ohio, '69 Barracuda, G/SA, 11.119, -1.181
7) Dennis Dunlap, Paris, Ill., '79 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.575, -1.175
8) Jason McCormack, Oxford, Mich., '66 Belvedere, B/S, 10.335, -1.165
9) John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.394, -1.156
10) Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro, G/FI, 11.996, -1.154

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '99 Firebird, 7.032 seconds, 195.76 mph
2) Tom Stultz, Terra Haute, Ind., '92 Firebird, 7.148, 193.60
3) Greg Clevenger, Camden, Mich., '92 Cutlass, 7.201, 191.29
4) Don Boerma, Tinley Park, Ill., '53 Corvette, 7.240, 191.92
5) Anthony Muno, Arlington Hieghts, Ill., '97 Lumina, 7.282, 190.22
6) Dean Stevens, S. Bloomingville, Ohio, '03 Neon, 7.300, 188.15
7) Ryan Kuykendall, St. Louis, Mo., '99 Dakota, 7.330, 184.75
8) Aaron Glaser, Louisville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.340, 182.72
9) Jarod Wenrick, Tippicanoe City, Ohio, '37 Ford, 7.343, 188.46
10) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Firebird, 7.401, 184.60

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thacker and Snyder leading at North Central Division season opener at IRP

INDIANAPOLIS - Nearly 700 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors turned out today for the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA North Central division's season opener taking place this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

After the opening rounds of qualifying in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, former NHRA Southeast Division champ Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., and Mick Snyder of Demotte, Ind., are in the No. 1 spot of their fields.

Thacker laid down a pass of 5.420 seconds at 263.67 mph to take to top spot in dragster. Other qualifiers in the field include Indiana racers Robin Samsel of Marion and Dave Hirata of Lowell, who currently hold in the No. 5 and 6 positions.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Snyder leads his field with a time a 5.780 seconds at 247.11 mph. Qualified second is former division champion and seasoned class veteran, Danny Townsend of Muncie, Ind., with a time of 5.916-seconds at 249.63 mph. Rounding out the eight-car field is defending division champ Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio.

In other qualifying action, Ian Landies Jr., of Chardon, Ohio leads the Competition Eliminator field, while fellow Ohio racers Dave Layer of Dayton and Joey Wilkes of Zanesville are tops in Super Stock and Stock Eliminator. In the Top Sportsman class, which runs in conjunction with the event, Chris Ray of Louisville, Ky., is leading the field.

Saturday's racing action will feature a pair of qualifying attempts for the 250-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, Super Street and Top Sportsman.

Gates at Indianapolis Raceway Park open Saturday at 7 a.m. with qualifying set to begin at 8 a.m. Qualifying sessions in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

General admission tickets, including a pit pass, are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and $15 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please contact Indianapolis Raceway Park at (317) 291-4090 or visit them on the web at www.irponline.com.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.420 seconds, 263.67 mph
2) Todd Datweiler, Herscher, Ill., 5.492, 260.71
3) Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.540, 256.06
4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.568, 253.52
5) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.585, 242.19
6) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.878, 202.36
7) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.900, 225.67
8) Roger Beernaert, Brooklyn, Mich., 5.922, 218.83

Not Qualified
9) Timothy Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 6.000, 213.57
10) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.149, 213.98
11) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 6.288, 184.85
12) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., 6.870, 204.23
13) Daniel Mercier, St. Timothee, Quebec, 7.184, 134.66
14) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 9.433, 88.63
15) Jeff Veale, Stony Creek, Ont., 10.979, 69.61
16) Robert Ginther, Lansing, Mich., (no time)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.780 seconds, 247.11 mph
2) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 Dodge, 5.916, 249.63
3) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 6.043, 242.63
4) Paul Lee, Gaithersburg, Md., '98 Firebird, 6.119, 229.12
5) John Bojec, Chardon, Ohio, '03 Avenger, 6.169, 229.63
6) John Riekads III, Glendale Heights, Ill., '97 Camaro, 6.705, 184.30
7) Rick Cortino, Wheaton, Ill., '97 Firebird, 6.903, 206.16
8) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 8.537, 107.66

Not Qualified
9) Don DeVault, Kentland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 8.546, 99.44
10) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, (no time)

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Ian Landies Jr., Chardon, Ohio, '02 Cavalier, F/A, 8.221 seconds, -0.619 (under index)
2) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.447, -0.563
3) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., McKinney, D/D, 7.299, -0.531
4) Mike Lund, Bettendorf, Iowa, '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 8.101, -0.529
5) George Gallimore Jr., Memphis, Tenn., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 7.011, -0.519
6) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.778, -0.492
7) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Ford, J/AA, 7.973, -0.477
8) William Riemenapp, La Crosse, Wis., '99 Firebird, C/EA, 8.385, -0.455
9) Bill Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '92 Camaro, F/SM, 9.026, -0.454
10) Ray Vierheller III, Barberton, Ohio, '92 Cutlass, I/A, 8.414, -0.446

SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.103 seconds, -1.397 (under index)
2) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '92 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.760, -1.190
3) Larry Wilson, Mt Washington, Ky., '66 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.277, -1.173
4) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.681, -1.169
5) Chuck Gallagher, Holly, Mich., '94 Sunbird, SS/AM, 8.437, -1.113
6) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.440, -1.110
7) Ken Shawver, Defiance, Ohio, '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.453, -1.097
8) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.608, -1.092
9) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.073, -1.077
10) Michael Lyons III, Leonard, Mich., '02 Cavalier, GT/GA, 10.128, -1.072

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '02 Pontiac, B/FIA, 10.317 seconds, -1.383 (under index)
2) David Edwards, Washington Court Heights, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.287, -1.313
3) Donald Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '78 Firebird, J/SA, 11.444, -1.306
4) Steve Polhill, Landon, Ont., '82 Escort, DF/S, 16.526, -1.224
5) Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 13.967, -1.183
6) Dennis Dunlap, Paris, Ill., '79 Trans Am, J/SA, 11.575, -1.175
7) Jason McCormack, Oxford, Mich., '66 Belvedere, B/S, 10.335, -1.165
8) John Foxbower, Franklin, Ohio, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.394, -1.156
9) Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro, G/FI, 11.996, -1.154
10) Brent Darroch, Monaca, Pa., '94 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.812, -1.138

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '99 Firebird, 7.119 seconds, 179.14 mph
2) Tom Stultz, Terra Haute, Ind., '92 Firebird, 7.189, 191.51
3) Don Boerma, Tinley Park, Ill., '53 Corvette, 7.240, 191.92
4) Anthony Muno, Arlington Heights, Ill., '97 Lumina, 7.282, 189.79
5) Ryan Kuykendall, St. Louis, Mo., '99 Dakota, 7.435, 183.05
6) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Pontiac, 7.475, 185.64
7) Jarod Wenrick, Tippicanoe City, Ohio, '37 Ford, 7.488, 183.97
8) Billy Thoman, Louisville, Ky., '97 Firebird, 7.539, 179.02
9) Greg Kain, Kettering, Ohio, '96 Ford, 7.566, 183.10
10) Keith McPherson, Leonard, Mich., '63 Corvette, 7.574, 183.44

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRP to host NHRA North Central Division's Lucas Oil season opener

INDIANAPOLIS - NHRA's North Central Division will kick off its 2004 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season at Indianapolis Raceway Park with a three-day event April 16-18.

The race is the first of six in North Central Division competition and will feature more than 600 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national titles as well as a share of the $561,000 champion's purse.

Classes that will run include 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) as well as Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

In Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Bill Reichert is currently leading the points. The Owosso, Mich., racer headed south to some Lucas Oil events early this season and made a semifinal round appearance in Gainesville, Fla., and won the race in Baytown, Texas. However, defending division TAD champion Jeff Wilson has not yet made an appearance at a divisional race. The event at IRP is likely to be the first of the year for the Winfield, Mo., resident. Robinson, Ill., TAD racer Marty Thacker should also be ready to kick off the season at IRP. Thacker finished second in the North Central division TAD points and Reichert was third. Both drivers have division titles to their credit.

In the division's Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) class, defending division champion Chuck Cheeseman won at IRP a year ago on his way to five straight divisional victories. In fact, the only North Central division race Cheeseman didn't win in 2003 was the season-opener at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., where he lost in the first round. It is likely that the Galena, Ohio, racer will face challenges from veteran TAFC driver Danny Townsend of Muncie, Ind., and Kim Fritts of Greenup, Ill. Townsend sat out the last couple of seasons but the former division champion always poses a threat.

Gates at Indianapolis Raceway Park open at 7 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 9 a.m. with Top Sportsman qualifying at 3 p.m. and TAD and TAFC running at 4 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman is scheduled to run at noon and 3:30 p.m. and TAD and TAFC will run at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Some categories will run first round of eliminations Saturday starting at 2 p.m. and eliminations continue Sunday at 8 a.m. On Sunday, first round of eliminations for Top Sportsman is scheduled at 10 a.m. and TAD and TAFC will run first round at noon.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and $15 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Indianapolis Raceway Park is located on Indiana Highway 136, four miles west of Interstate 465 at exit 16. For more information call the track, (317) 291-4090, or visit the web site, www.irponline.com.

The next NHRA North Central Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is scheduled for June 18-20 at Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich.

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 North Central Division competition. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis. Track is located on Indiana Highway 136, four miles west of Interstate 465 at exit 16.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 16-18, 2004

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

FRIDAY, April 16 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 3 p.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 17 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman will qualify at noon and 3:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Some categories will run first round of eliminations beginning at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 18 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations continue at 8 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Sportsman is scheduled at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin first round at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Indianapolis Raceway Park, (317) 291-4090 or visit www.irponline.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $162,010, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Bill Reichert, Top Alcohol Dragster; Chuck Cheeseman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Mike Farrell, Comp Eliminator; Joe LoCicero, Super Stock; Anatol Denysenko, Stock Eliminator; Steve Dillman, Super Comp; Barry Crane, Super Gas; Linn Bebout, 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 each of 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.

NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION TOP SPORTSMAN CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship.

Top Sportsman racers may run the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the Southeast or South Central Divisions.

The North Central Division Top Sportsman year-end champion will earn $2,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.

FEATURES: More than 600 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.