FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gasparrelli, Snow grab wins in the Heartland

NOBLE, Okla. - Gene Snow in Top Alcohol Dragster and Steve Gasparrelli in Top Alcohol Funny Car captured wins at this weekend's Thunder in the Heartland Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Thunder Valley Raceway Park.

Snow ran 5.4 second runs all day to take home his second win of the year. Snow defeated Richard Putz of Earlville, Iowa, in the dragster final with a run of 5.433 seconds at 260.41 mph. Putz, who knocked off division point's leader Shelly Howard in round 1 and No. 1 qualifier David Wells, clocked in at 5.477 seconds at 262.23 mph.

This was Gasparrelli's first win of the season as the California resident ran 5.918 seconds at 247.79 mph in the final against division point's leader Jackie Stidham of Chickasha, Okla.

Oklahoma City racers Ron Morrison and Ron Rice both fell to defeat in round 1 with Morrison loosing to John Patton on a run of 6.084 seconds at 241.28 mph while Rice had troubles against Stidham with a run of 9.132 seconds, 104.59 mph.

Local favorite David Hensley of Norman, Okla., grabbed the win in the Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman class with a pass of 7.829 seconds at 157.34 mph in his '89 Trans Am.

Comp Eliminator racer Rodger Brogdon held off Todd Patterson with a lap of 8.082 seconds, 167.78 mph to Patterson's 8.094, 159.63 and James Kunkel put his '93 Achieva in the winner's circle defeating No. 1 qualifier Robert Cruzen in Super Stock.

Vernon Rowland of Blanchard, Okla., held off Lonnie Sumner in Super Gas running an 8.082 second pass at 167.78 mph to Sumner's 8.916, 181.78.

Other winners included Tommy Phillips in Stock over Stuart Goertzen; Ray Connolly of Elyria, Ohio, in Super Comp; Frank Nichols Jr. in Super Street; and Larry Eperjesi of Lake Dallas, Texas, in the Kerker Motorcycle class.

The NHRA South Central Division racers head to No Problem Raceway for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, October 15-17.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND ONE
5) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.498, 262.00 def. 
4) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., broke

3) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.576, 266.19 def. 
6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., foul

1) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 9.194, 90.90 def.
 9) Randy Eakins, Carson City, Nev., broke
 
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.415, 253.87 def. 
7) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.663, 261.09

SEMIFINALS
Putz, 5.506, 260.26 def. Wells, 5.571, 257.21
Snow, 5.469, 256.04 def. Thompson, 5.702, 247.18

FINAL
Snow, 5.433, 260.41 def. Putz, 5.477, 262.23

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND ONE
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.873, 244.16 def. 
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona, 9.132, 104.59

7) Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 6.116, 220.75 def. 
2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.957, 243.77

3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.874, 249.65 def. 
6) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.080, 246.84

4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Firebird, 6.051, 241.74 def. 
5) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.084, 241.28

SEMIFINALS
Gasparrelli, 5.892, 244.29 def. Alberty, broke 
Stidham, 5.889, 246.10 def. Patton, 6.017, 242.78
FINAL
Gasparrelli, 5.918, 247.79 def. Stidham, foul

COMP ELIMINATOR
Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.082, 167.78  def. 
Todd Patterson, Augusta, Kan., '33 Dodge, A/SR, 8.094, 159.63

SUPER STOCK
James Kunkel, Benton, Kan., '93 Achieva, SS/CM, 14.121, 70.47  def. 
Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.319, 127.62

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Tommy Phillips, Forney, Texas, '00 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.860, 123.05  def. 
Stuart Goertzen, Buhler, Kan., '67 Cougar, E/S, 11.062, 121.96

SUPER COMP
Ray Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, dragster, 8.905, 164.20  def. 
Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, dragster, 8.916, 181.78

SUPER GAS
Vernon Rowland, Blanchard, Okla., '76 Chevette, 9.904, 137.61  def. 
Lonnie Sumner, Austin, Texas, '97 Cutlass, 9.896, 167.31

SUPER STREET
Frank Nichols Jr., Grand Island, Neb., '91 Daytona, 10.899, 137.50  def. 
Chuck Wier IV, Haltom City, Texas, '71 Camaro, 10.883, 131.59

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, 7.825, 153.37  def. 
Ben Brown, Irving, Texas, '04 Hayabusa, 9.664, 144.43

TOP SPORTSMAN
David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Trans Am, 7.829, 157.34  def. 
Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '00 Firebird, foul

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Veterans Wells and Stidham on top at Thunder Valley

NOBLE, Okla. - In the final rounds of qualifying for this weekend's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Thunder in the Heartland David Wells held onto the number one spot in Top Alcohol Dragster while Jackie Stidham jumped to the No. 1 spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Wells, who is battling for the Lucas Oil National Championship, bettered his Friday qualifying time of 5.518 seconds with a pass of 5.482 seconds at 259.06 mph for the No. 1 position. Looking for his fourth win of the year, Wells is followed by Gene Snow with a pass of 5.492 seconds, 257.14 mph and James Thompson in third with a 5.511 second run at 265.09 mph.

Current South Central Division points leader Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla. is fourth at 5.538, 260.64.

Stidham, of Chickasha, Okla., leads the funny car field by more than four hundredths of a second running 5.904 seconds at 247.32 mph. Richard McClain and Steve Gasparrelli follow in the No. 2 and 3 positions respectively. McClain ran 244.10 mph covering the quarter mile in 5.945 seconds while Gasparrelli clocked in at 5.976 seconds at 243.70 mph.

Ron Morrison and Ron Rice, both of Oklahoma City, sit in the No. 5 and 8 qualifying spots.

Rick Senft, also of Oklahoma City, drove his '69 Camaro to the No. 1 position in the Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman class with a lap of 6.696 seconds at 204.68 mph. The local racer is followed by Earle Folse with a 7.084 second run at 200.13 mph in the No. 2 spot. David Hensley of Norman, Okla., sits eleventh going into Sunday's eliminations.

In Comp Eliminator it was Craig Bourgeois of Metarie, La., taking the top spot with a run of 7.034 seconds, 0.596 seconds under the index. Clint Sallee follows in the No. 2 spot at 6.812 seconds, 0.578 under.

Joining the number one qualifiers and taking home a share of Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power Low Qualifier award money is Robert Cruzen of Cleveland, Okla., in Super Stock and Ken Etter out of California in Stock.

The Kerker Motorcycle class is led by Larry Eperjesi who is followed by David Latino and Ben Brown. Defending South Central Division Champion Chris LeBouf is eighth.

Racing continues Sunday at 9:00. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, call Thunder Valley Raceway Park, (405) 872-3429.

The following are Friday's qualifying results and Saturday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.482 seconds, 261.85 mph
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.492, 257.14
3) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.511, 265.09
4) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.538, 260.64
5) Richard Putzer, Earlville, Iowa, 5.559, 257.06
6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.592, 255.31
7) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.710, 252.24
8) Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 5.901, 238.98 

Not Qualified
9) Randy Eakins, Carson City, Nev., 6.228, 234.00
10) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 6.358, 230.17
11) Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, Texas, 7.430, 183.52

First round TAD pairings
1) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.482 seconds, 261.85 mph vs. 
8) Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 5.901, 238.98

2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.492, 257.14 vs. 
7) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.710, 252.24

3) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.511, 265.09 vs. 
6) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.592, 255.31

4) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.538, 260.64 vs. 
5) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.559, 257.06

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.904 seconds, 247.32 mph
2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.945, 244.10
3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.976, 243.70
4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Firebird, 6.023, 243.24
5) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.063, 230.41
6) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.073, 244.43
7) Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 6.078, 235.29
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona, 7.793, 149.90

First round TAFC pairings
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.904 seconds, 247.32 mph vs. 
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona, 7.793, 149.90

2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.945, 244.10 vs. 
7) Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 6.078, 235.29

3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.976, 243.70 vs. 
6) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.073, 244.43

4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Firebird, 6.023, 243.24 vs. 
5) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.063, 230.41

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Craig Bourgeois, Metarie, La., '04 Chevy, A/ND, 7.034 seconds, -0.596 (under index)
2) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 6.812, -0.578
3) Richard Freeman, Pauls Valley, Okla., '04 Cavalier, E/SMA, 8.768, -0.572
4) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 7.915, -0.565
5) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.133, -0.527
6) Todd Patterson, Augusta, Kan., '33 Dodge, A/SR, 8.091, -0.499
7) Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '04 Sunfire, A/SMA, 8.162, -0.498
8) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.597, -0.483
9) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 7.040, -0.470
10) Greg Porter, Edmond, Okla., '03 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.738, -0.462

SUPER STOCK
1) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.329 seconds, -1.071 (under index)
2) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.482, -1.018
3) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '04 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.453, -0.997
4) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.871, -0.979
5) Jimmy DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.442, -0.908
6) Ken Howell, Baytown, Texas, '82 Firebird, GT/D, 9.763, -0.887
7) Tony Cowell, Weatherford, Texas, '81 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.730, -0.870
8) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.832, -0.868
9) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.739, -0.861
10) Korey Mawhee, Frisco, Texas, '95 Achieva, GT/DA, 9.973, -0.827

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.691 seconds, -1.059 (under index)
2) Dean Oliver, Stuttgart, Ark., '79 Malibu, K/SA, 11.932, -1.018
3) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 11.046, -0.954
4) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.607, -0.943
5) Stuart Goertzen, Buhler, Kan., '67 Cougar, E/S, 11.016, -0.934
6) Austin Ford, Spring, Texas, '67 Shelby, D/SA, 10.938, -0.912
7) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, F/SA, 11.257, -0.893
8) Jim Hale, Van Buren, Ark., '70 Challenger, B/SA, 10.662, -0.888
9) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.596, -0.854
10) Bobby Roper, Toad Suck, Ark., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.464, -0.836

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Rick Senft, Oklahoma City, '69 Camaro, 6.696 seconds, 218.44 mph
2) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., '86 Cutlass, 7.084, 200.13
3) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.182, 193.88
4) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Grand Am, 7.307, 189.79
5) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.365, 188.91
6) Keith Sasich, Highland Village, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.367, 186.06
7) T. J. Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.470, 187.30
8) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.507, 184.46
9) Todd Drummond, Bay St. Louis, Miss., '04 Monte Carlo, 7.526, 184.08
10) David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Trans Am, 7.789, 178.28

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) David Latino, Donaldsonville, La., '01 Suzuki, 0.002
3) Ben Brown, Irving, Texas, '04 Hayabusa, 0.003
4) Delbert Ready, Houston, '82 Kawasaki, 0.004
5) Gerald Jordon, Kyle, Texas, '92 Suzuki, 0.004
6) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '85 Suzuki, 0.005
7) Eddie Glaze, Houston, '90 Suzuki, 0.005
8) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, 0.006
9) Rich Gentili, Humble, Texas, '83 Suzuki, 0.007
10) Chris Oravecz, Canal Winchester, Ohio, '81 Suzuki, 0.008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHRA action kicks off at Thunder Valley

NOBLE, Okla. - In the first rounds of qualifying at Thunder Valley Raceway Park, Top Alcohol Dragster driver David Wells of Lemars, Iowa, and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot John Patton took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Wells outran the field with a pass of 5.518 seconds at 261.85 mph and is followed by Richard Putz in second with a run of 5.579 seconds at 255.89 mph. Oklahoma racer Larry Traugott is third with a lap of 5.635 seconds, 251.95 mph.

Patton clocked in at 6.023 seconds in his '03 Firebird funny car and is followed by California resident Steve Gasparrelli with a run of 6.038 seconds at 242.84 mph. A handful of Oklahoma racers round out the field with Ron Morrison of Oklahoma City in the No. 4 spot at 6.063 seconds at 230.29 mph while Bob Alberty of Muskogee, Okla., Jackie Stidham of Chickasha, Okla., and Ron Rice of Oklahoma City, are sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively.

Craig Bourgeois leads the Comp Eliminator field at 7.071 seconds, 0.559 seconds under the index and Ken Etter is No. 1 in Stock with a pass of 11.784 seconds. Robert Cruzen of Cleveland, Okla., is No. 1 in Super Stock with a lap of 10.436 second.

Rick Senft grabbed the No. 1 spot in Top Sportsman covering the quarter mile in 6.765 seconds at 208.18 mph and is followed by Greg Lair in second with a pass of 7.253 seconds at 192.59 mph. Larry Eperjesi leads the Kerker Motorcycle class with a perfect reaction time of 0.000 seconds with David Latino in second at 0.002 seconds.

Racing continues Saturday at Thunder Valley Raceway Park at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. For more information, call Thunder Valley Raceway Park at (405)872-3429.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Thunder in the Heartland event at Thunder Valley Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.518 seconds, 261.85 mph
2) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.579, 255.89
3) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.635, 251.95
4) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.935, 242.39
5) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.952, 220.37
6) James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 6.314, 169.74
7) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 6.358, 230.17
8) Randy Eakins, Carson City, Nev., 8.125, 93.01 

Not Qualified
9) Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 10.978, 62.00
10) Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, 12.732, 82.09

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Firebird, 6.023 seconds, 243.24 mph
2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.038, 242.84
3) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 6.053, 239.10
4) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.063, 230.29
5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.073, 241.67
6) Bob Alberty, Muskogee, Okla., '97 Firebird, 6.220, 226.47
7) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 6.444, 163.42
8) Ron Rice, Oklahoma City, '96 Daytona, 8.007, 149.90

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Craig Bourgeois, Metarie, La., '04 Chevy, A/ND, 7.071 seconds, -0.559 (under index)
2) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 7.954, -0.526
3) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 6.884, -0.506
4) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.162, -0.498
5) Richard Freeman, Pauls Valley, Okla., '04 Cavalier, E/SMA, 8.902, -0.438
6) Todd Patterson, Augusta, Kan., '33 Dodge, A/SR, 8.159, -0.431
7) Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, '04 Sunfire, A/SMA, 8.235, -0.425
8) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, PST, 7.663, -0.417
9) Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '99 Grand Am, B/SMA, 8.389, -0.401
10) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 7.121, -0.389

SUPER STOCK
1) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.436 seconds, -0.964 (under index)
2) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.922, -0.928
3) Jimmy DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.477, -0.873
4) Tony Cowell, Weatherford, Texas, '81 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.743, -0.857
5) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/IA, 10.661, -0.839
6) Ken Howell, Baytown, Texas, '82 Firebird, GT/D, 9.832, -0.818
7) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.789, -0.811
8) Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., '92 Camaro, GT/AA, 9.612, -0.788
9) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.783, -0.767
10) Ricky Ray, Savannah, Mo., '98 Firebird, SS/BS, 9.291, -0.759

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, J/SA, 11.784 seconds, -0.966 (under index)
2) Dean Oliver, Stuttgart, Ark., '79 Malibu, K/SA, 12.053, -0.897
3) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.643, -0.807
4) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 11.197, -0.803
5) Tommy Phillips, Forney, Texas, '00 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.922, -0.778
6) Martin Burke, Leonard, Texas, '69 Mustang, C/SA, 10.933, -0.767
7) Bob Unkefer, Pleasant Valley, Mo., '98 Trans Am, D/FIA, 11.555, -0.745
8) Gary Emmons, Friendswood, Texas, '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 11.272, -0.728
9) Harvey Emmons III, Friendswood, Texas, '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 11.293, -0.707
10) Bobby Roper, Toad Suck, Ark., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.604, -0.696

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Rick Senft, Oklahoma City, '69 Camaro, 6.765 seconds, 208.18 mph
2) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.253, 192.59
3) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., '86 Cutlass, 7.442, 187.11
4) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.519, 183.97
5) Todd Drummond, Bay St. Louis, Miss., '04 Monte Carlo, 7.526, 184.08
6) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.566, 183.97
7) T. J. Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.688, 182.74
8) David Hensley, Norman, Okla., '89 Trans Am, 7.828, 177.33
9) Ed Ridenhour, Fort Worth, Texas, '00 Trans Am, 7.970, 175.78
10) Joe Endzelis, Riverton, Ill., '00 Chevy, 7.987, 171.26

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) David Latino, Donaldsonville, La., '01 Suzuki, 0.002
3) Ben Brown, Irving, Texas, '04 Hayabusa, 0.005
4) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '85 Suzuki, 0.005
5) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, 0.009
6) Chris Oravecz, Canal Winchester, Ohio, '81 Suzuki, 0.009
7) Kelly Pulley, League City, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, 0.011
8) Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '88 Suzuki, 0.016
9) Delbert Ready, Houston, '82 Kawasaki, 0.017
10) Rob Bennett, Plano, Texas, '84 Suzuki, 0.018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Division 4 racers continue season at Thunder Valley Raceway

NOBLE, Okla. - Thunder Valley Raceway Park will host the Thunder in the Heartland, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 17-19. The event is the sixth of seven on the South Central Division schedule. Competitors in eight classes including 260 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will vie for a share of the $152,960 purse as well as points leading to national and divisional championships. 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.

Rookie Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) pilot Ashley Force, the 21-year-old daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, will try to reel in Shelly Howard in the 260 mph Top Alcohol Dragster category. Howard, who lives in Tulsa, is the current South Central Division Lucas Oil Series points leader with 250 tallies, while Force currently has 227.

Howard, a registered nurse, started out the season slowly back in March by not qualifying at Houston Raceway Park and going out in the opening round at Memphis Motorsports Park. In June, however, she took the winner's share of the out-of-division points available in Denver. Then she was runner-up at two rain-delayed events, one at Texas Motorplex in July and the other at State Capitol Dragway in Baton Rouge in August. It all adds up to a lead in the points.

Meanwhile, Force went to the semifinals at Houston and was runner-up at Memphis. She then picked up the pace by winning the inaugural Lucas Oil Series event at Cherokee County Motorsports Park in Rusk, Texas in June. The Yorba Linda, Calif., resident is driving the TAD owned by Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows. Several NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car drivers, including Gary Scelzi, Brandon Bernstein, and Morgan Lucas have occupied the same seat.

Texans Karl Brounkowski of Magnolia, Gene Snow of Ft. Worth, and Channelview's Lee Callaway also have been battling for top positions in the point standings.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), defending South Central Division Champion Tate Branch, and former champ Jackie Stidham, are locked in their usual battle for the title. Branch, who races out of Artesia, N.M., and Stidham, a veteran drag racer from Chickasha, Okla., have been in the final-round together at four South Central events this year. Branch took the win at Houston Raceway Park and was runner-up at Memphis, Cherokee County and Texas Motorplex. That's a pretty good season, but each time Branch was runner-up, Stidham was the winner.

Stidham also beat Richard McClain in Baton Rouge and now leads the points 399 to 303. Thus, it is vital that Branch gain substantial ground at Thunder Valley before the season finale comes along in October in Louisiana.

Prolific Sportsman racer Jeff Hefler of Mansfield, Texas has scored wins at all three of the division's early events. At Houston Raceway Park and Cherokee County he took titles in Super Stock. At Memphis Motorsports Park he won in Stock Eliminator. Hefler drives for the Buz Post Racing Team, and team owner Post, from Arlington, Texas, was runner-up to Hefler in Houston and took the Super Stock win in Memphis.

Gates at Thunder Valley Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying begins Friday at 10 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying scheduled at 5 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Top Sportsman racers are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Sunday. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. All military personnel and students with valid ID receive a $5 discount each day. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Thunder Valley Raceway is located at 10500 S. 48th Street in Noble, Okla. From Interstate 35, take Highway 9E (exit 108A) east to Highway 77 and go south. Follow the signs to the track. For more information call the track, (403) 872-3429, or visit www.okthunder.com.

NHRA South Central Division Lucas Oil Series racers will head to No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La., to finish up the 2004 campaign, Oct. 15-17.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Thunder in the Heartland event, 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 sixth of seven in South Central Division competition. The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series and Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Thunder Valley Raceway Park, Noble, Okla. Track is located off Highway 77 South, south of Highway 9E. From I-35 take exit 108A (Hwy. 9E) east to Highway 77 and go south. Follow the signs to the track.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, September 17-19, 2004

SCHEDULE: Time trials, qualifying and eliminations schedule for the Thunder in the Heartland:

FRIDAY, Sept. 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 18 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 19 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 6- to 12-years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. $5 Military & Student discount any day with ID. For more information please call Thunder Valley Raceway Park (405) 872-3429.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,960, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: David Wells, Top Alcohol Dragster; Robert Lee, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Brian Self, Comp Eliminator; Tim Cole., Super Stock; Jerry Emmons, Stock Eliminator; Steve Williams, Super Comp; Martin Brees, Super Gas; Tim Wilson, 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.

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 $14,800 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 2004, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $2,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $1,000.

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 seven 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 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.