FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BILL REICHERT AND JOHN LAWSON WIN TOP CATEGORIES IN ONE OF DRAG RACING'S BIGGEST SPORTSMAN EVENTS EVER AT IRP
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Bill Reichert of Owosso, Mich. and John Lawson of Joliet, Ill. were the winners in the premier categories as one of the biggest sportsman drag racing events in the country wound down on Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

It was the traditional NHRA North Central Division season opener for the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, presented by Kendall Motor Oil, and over 650 cars were on hand.

In the Federal-Mogul Dragster final, Reichert prevailed in an outstanding matchup with Don Devault of Kentland, Ind., covering the quarter-mile in 5.808 seconds and traveling 245.56 miles per hour at the finish line. Devault was just half a car length back with an elapsed time of 5.854 and a speed of 240.06.

"It must have been a heck of a drag race to watch," Reichert said after climbing out of his car. "I heard Don all the way down, and he was right there. I don't know the numbers, but it was a real race. This is a great way for the Bar's Leaks team to start out the season."

The Federal-Mogul Funny Car final saw Lawson run a 5.823 ET at 246.91 as Jeff Craig of Muncie, Ind. slowed to a 6.776 and 164.26 after experiencing some tire shake early in the run.

"I'm almost too happy to talk," Lawson said. "This is just great. After we qualified third when we were hoping for something better, and then to win the event, this is just terrific. I've got to thank everybody involved. God was with us all weekend."

Craig, who had lane choice in the final because of a better ET in the semi-final round, elected to start in the right lane after initially choosing the left. He reflected later, "We thought we would switch lanes and get the tire shake taken care of, but it didn't seem to work. We changed the transmission around, but she still shook the tires, and I guess we should have stayed in the left lane. If I had it to do over again, I'd be back in the left lane."

The Competition Eliminator final saw Bob Andrews of Cement City, Mich. and his E/Dragster earn the win, with an 8.401 ET and speed of 121.39 after Dave Dupps of Germantown, Ohio and his J/Altered machine left the starting line too early by 1/1000th of a second and turned on the red disqualification light. Dupps went on to run an 8.215 at 131.08.

Super Stock saw Rick Yanen of Glendale, W. Va. and his GT/CA Mustang earn the win, with a 10.556 ET and 100.42 speed, defeating Bo Butner of Floyd Knobs, Ind., and his SS/AM Pontiac, with an 11.396 and 82.72.

In the Stock Eliminator final, Edmond Richardson of Goodletsville, Tenn. and his I/SA Camaro ran a 12.149 at 97.91 with a better reaction time in the handicap start to beat Tim Ferguson of Amherstburg, Ont., whose H/SA Nova ran 11.593 at 110.62.

Super Comp's last round had Steve Eckard of Pataskala, Ohio run an 8.918 on the 8.90 index with a speed of 163.78 for the win, with runner-up Herbert Raymond of Johnstown, Ohio running an 8.921, 166.14.

Jeffrey Gerber of Massilon, Ohio, won in Super Gas, with a 9.904 on the 9.90 index at 147.20, while Southern Indiana resident Don Trabel broke out of the index by 1/1000th with a 9.899 at 125.47.

Super Street was an all IRP-final, with two regular competitors in the track's Team Kendall Challenge squaring off. Greg Dillman of Bargersville, Ind. won the double breakout match with a 10.882 on the 10.90 index, at 136.63. Rick Hughes, the track's 1997 champion, had the higher breakout at 10.859 at 128.20.

Special award presentations saw the Wittnauer Best Appearing Car trophy go to Don O'Malley of Decatur, Ill. and his GT/IA Firebird; the Comp Cams Best Engineering Award to the Super Gas 1963 Corvette of Doug Gumbert of Amelia, Ohio; and the Division Best Appearing Crew award to Scott Fitzgibbons of Lockport, Ill., and his South Holland Dodge Team in Super Comp.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHAWN BOWEN, MARC WHITE ARE TOP QUALIFIERS IN FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT PRESENTED BY KENDALL MOTOR OIL AT IRP
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Shawn Bowen and Marc White earned the top spots in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event presented by Kendall Motor Oil at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Saturday's qualifying action.

Bowen, of Montrose, Mich., covered the quarter-mile in 5.673 seconds and recorded a top speed of 250.76 to take the No. 1 spot in Federal-Mogul Dragster, while White, a resident of Glendale Heights, Ill., posted an elapsed time of 5.676 and a speed of 252.66 in Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

Bowen's chief rival, Bill Reichert of Owosso, Mich., could potentially meet in the final round of the event, as Reichert qualified third fastest in the closely-packed field, and they are in separate brackets on the Dragster ladder sheet. Bowen currently leads Reichert by a single point in the race for the spot on the NHRA North Central Division team in the Federal-Mogul All-Stars event, a $100,000 race to be contested at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio in June.

Bowen commented, "We hurt the motor a little yesterday (in Friday's first round of qualifying), and we were trying to soften up the tuneup a little so we don't hurt it again and can come back to race tomorrow (Sunday).

White expressed mile surprise with his time, saying, "It really didn't feel that good, and we threw a supercharger belt late in the run. My guys are finally getting a handle on this new car."

In Competition Eliminator, Doug Stewart of Edwardsburg, Mich. was the top qualifier for the 32-car field, recording an E.T. of 7.030 seconds, .590 below the index for his B/Econo Dragster.

Action gets underway at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, with the first round of eliminations in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car set for 1:00 p.m.

The event is the traditional season opener for the FMDRS in the NHRA North Central Division.

FEDERAL-MOTUL DRAGSTER
1. Shawn Bowen/Montrose, Mich.;  5.673, 250.76.
2. Denny Hummel/Clinton Township, Mich.; 5.688, 241.67.
3. Bill Reichert/Owosso, Mich.; 5.696, 247.93.
4. Don Devault/Kentland, Ind.; 5.706, 245.16.
5. Bill McCornack/Lexington, Ky.;  E.T. 5.714, speed 244.69.
6. Gary Ward/Cincinnati, Ohio; 5.717, 241.74.
7. Robin Samsel/Marion, Ind.; 5.719, 238.71.
8. Mike Miller/Okemos, Mich.; 5.768, 234.55.
 --- Not Qualified ---
9. Jeff Wilson/Winfield, Mo.; 5.771, 246.23.
10. Marty Thacker/Robinson, Ill.; 5.811, 234.98.

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Marc White/Glendale Heights, Ill.; 5.696, 252.66.
2. Todd Paton/Brantford, Ont.; 5.716, 250.34.
3. John Lawson/Joliet, Ill.; 5.788, 247.18.
4. Jeff Craig/Muncie, Ind.; 5.801, 246.23.
5. Chuck Cheesman/Galena, Ohio; 5.833, 248.96.
6. Danny Townsend/Muncie, Ind.; 5.840, 249.10.
7. Kim Fritz/Greeny, Ill.; 5.861, 244.23.
8. Mark Poyser/Fort Wayne, Ind.; 6.114, 227.50.
 --- Not Qualified ---
9. Jim Phillips/Evansville, Ind.; 6.179, 222.00.
10. Larry Bakke/Madison, Mich.; 6.216, 229.47.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1. Doug Stewart/Edwardsburg, Mich.; B/Econo Dragster, 7.030, -0.590
2. Dave Dupps/Germantown, Ohio; J/Altered, 8.095, -0.585.
3. Ed Bennett/Carleton, Mich.; AA/Altered, 7.117, -0.583.
4. Brian Browell/Lafayette, Ind.; D/Dragster, 7.460, -0.560.
5. Mike Wharram/Morton, Ill.; B/Econo Dragster, 7.066, -0.554.
6. Steve Ambrose/Woodhaven, Mich.; I/Altered, 7.937, -0.553.
7. Bob Andrews/Cement City, Mich.; E/Dragster, 7.532, -0.538.
8. Mike Farrell/Louisville, Ky.; B/Altered, 7.364, -0.536.
9. David Billingsley/Decatur, Ill.; C/Altered, 7.697, -0.533.
10. Jason Coan/Greentown, Ind.; F/Econo Dragster, 8.498, -0.532.

SUPER STOCK
1. Mark Nowicki/Gaylord, Mich.; 10.566, -1.084
2. Charlie Westcott/Parma, Mich.; 9.723, -1.077.
3. Joe Skinner/Columbia Station, Ohio; 9.836, -1.064.
4. Vincent Impastato/Shelby Township, Mich.; 9.655, -1.045.
5. Michael Beachy/Greentown, Ind.; 9.912, -1.038.
6. Dan Kyle/Lawrenceburg, Ind.; 10.074, -1.026.
7. Tim Cole/Collierville, Tenn.; 8.977, -1.023.
8. Jeff Sexton/Fairborn, Ohio; 8.980, -1.020.
9. Rock Running/Lapeer, Mich.; 10.632, -1.018.
10. Robin Brown/Madisonville, Ky.; 10.327, -0.973

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Charles Blossom/Woodbury, Minn.; 11.842, -1.208
2. Don Holmes/Dayton, Ohio; 11.793, -1.207.
3. Jennifer Dziorny/Wixom, Mich.; 12.157, -1.193.
4. Judy McCormack/Rochester Hills, Mich.; 12.387, -1.113.
5. Jonathan Tarrance/Bremen, Ky.; 14.721, -1.079.
6. Bernie Emling/Lagrange, Ohio; 10.872, -1.078.
7. John McCormack/Highland, Mich.; 12.288, -1.062.
8. Bert Morgan/Charleston, Ill.; 12.699, -1.051.
9. Rick Fuller/Louisville, Ky.; 13.751, -1.049.
10. Billy Baker/Lewis Center, Ohio; 11.257, -1.043.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“KENTUCKY THUNDER” DRAGSTER SETS FAST TIME FOR CATEGORY ON DAY BEFORE DERBY IN FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES AT IRP
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - There was a parallel situation between drag racing and horse racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday afternoon.

Going into the biggest weekend of the year for horse racing enthusiasts, a thoroughbred drag racing machine from the Bluegrass country set quick time in the Federal-Mogul Dragster category in the first round of qualifying for the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event presented by Kendall Motor Oil at IRP.

Bill McCornack of Lexington, Ky., driving his "Kentucky Thunder" supercharged alcohol-powered dragster, covered the quarter mile in 5.722 seconds and posted a top speed of 244.69 miles per hour.

Second quick time went to Don Devault of Kentland, Ind., who registered a 5.750 at 241.41.

In the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category, it was Marc White of Glendale Heights, Ill., who ended up on top of the list after the first round, with a 5.747 elapsed time at 250.41. Chuck Cheesman of Galena, Ohio is second in the order at 5.833 and 248.13.

Qualifying for all classes in the event, the traditional season opener for the FMDRS in the NHRA North Central Division, resumes on Saturday. The Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars have two sessions remaining to make the qualified eight-car fields, with those sessions scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

FEDERAL-MOTUL DRAGSTER
1. Bill McCornack/Lexington, Ky.;  E.T. 5.722, speed 244.69.
2. Don Devault/Kentland, Ind.; 5.750, 241.41.
3. Marty Thacker/Robinson, Ill.; 5.811, 234.98.
4. Bill Reichert/Owosso, Mich.; 5.842, 237.84.
5. Phil Mass/Gurnee, Ill.; 5.886, 234.07.
6. Shawn Bowen/Montrose, Mich.; 5.918, 185.03.
7. Jeff Wilson/Winfield, Mo.; 5.980, 178.92.
8. Chris Dakin/Tipp City, Ohio; 6.005, 231.48.
9. Denny Hummel/Clinton Township, Mich.; 6.094, 237.96.
10. Mike Miller/Okemos, Mich.; 6.114, 237.96.

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Marc White/Glendale Heights, Ill.; 5.747, 250.41.
2. Chuck Cheesman/Galena, Ohio; 5.833, 248.13.
3. Todd Paton/Brantford, Ont.; 5.855, 239.55.
4. Kim Fritz/Greeny, Ill.; 6.117, 209.88.
5. Jim Phillips/Evansville, Ind.; 6.179, 222.00.
6. Larry Bakke/Madison, Mich.; 6.216, 219.47.
7. Jeff Craig/Muncie, Ind.; 6.351, 238.60.
8. John Dunn/Monticello, Ill.; 8.903, 132.10.
9. Mark Poyser/Fort Wayne, Ind.; 18.708, 36.61.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1. Mike Hazlett/Indianapolis, Ind.; 7.369, -0.531
2. David Billingsley/Decatur, Ill.; 7.739, -0.491.
3. Scott Talco/Northfield, Ill.; 8.904, -0.476.
4. Dave Dupps/Germantown, Ohio; 8.210, -0.470.
5. Jon Bowman/Hebron, Ohio; 9.311, -0.469.
6. Bob Andrews/Cement City, Mich.; 7.609, -0.461.
7. Steve Ambrose/Woodhaven, Mich.; 8.030, -0.460.
8. Charlie Westcott/Parma, Mich.; 9.354, -0.426.
9. Jerry Arnold/Kalamazoo, Mich.; 8.747, -0.423.
10. Jason Coan/Greentown, Ind.; 8.613, -0.417.

SUPER STOCK
1. Charlie Westcott/Parma, Mich.; 9.723, -1.077
2. Joe Skinner/Columbia Station, Ohio; 9.850, -1.050.
3. Vincent Impastato/Shelby Township, Mich.; 9.655, -1.045.
4. Mark Nowicke/Gaylord, Mich.; 10.628, -1.022.
5. Jeff Sexton/Fairborn, Ohio; 8.980, -1.020.
6. Tim Cole/Collierville, Tenn.; 8.982, -1.018.
7. Michael Beachy/Greentown, Ind.; 9.937, -1.013.
8. Rock Running/Lapeer, Mich.; 10.642, -1.008.
9. Robin Brown/Madisonville, Ky.; 10.327, 0.973
10. Leonard Mattingly/Shepherdsville, Ky.; 8.948, -0.952.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Charles Blossom/Woodbury, Minn.; 11.842, -1.208
2. Jennifer Dziony/Wixoa, Mich.; 12.167, -1.183..
3. Judy McCormack/Rochester Hills, Mich.; 12.404, -1.096.
4. Don Holmes/Dayton, Ohio; 11.904, -1.096.
5. John McCormack/Highland, Mich.; 12.288, -1.062.
6. Bert Morgan/Charleston, Ill.; 12.699, -1.051.
7. Jonathan Tarrance/Bremen, Ky.; 14.807, -0.993.
8. Billy Baker/Lewis Center, Ohio; 11.317, -0.983.
9. Darwin Hardy/Muskegon, Mich.; 14.197, -0.953.
10. Ben Wenzel/Saginaw, Mich.; 10.849, -0.951.