FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manzo and Bozzelli roll to victories

RISING SUN, Md. - In the final results from Cecil County Dragway, Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Cliff Bozzelli and Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot Frank Manzo took home top honors.

Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J., took on Billy Gibson of Chaptico, Md., in the final and laid down a blistering 5.658-second, 249.44-mph pass to take the win.

"This is by far the toughest win to date," said Bozzelli. "We made a few changes to the engine and they paid off for us."

Morganville, N.J., resident Manzo faced Bruce Mullins of Fredericksburg, Va., in the final of Federal-Mogul Funny Car. Manzo drove his Kendall Motor Oil-sponsored '01 Avenger to victory with a 5.862-second pass at more than 247 mph.

Winners in other classes were Frank Aragona of Franklin Square, N.Y., in Comp; Dan Fletcher of Rochester, N.Y., in Super Stock; Robert Pare of Union Bridge, Md., in Stock; Jeff Livezey of Philadelphia in Super Comp; Darlene Staub of Dover, Pa., in Super Gas; and Bob Farrell of Pequannock, N.J., in Super Street.

Awards given out included Best Engineered Car, to Doug Harris and his '01 Chevy S-10 from Millville, N.J.; Best Appearing Car, to Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot Darryl Cox and his '97 Firebird from Whiteford, Md.; and Best Appearing Crew, to veteran Funny Car racer and past division champion Bob Newberry and his team out of Schenectady, N.Y.

The Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., Sept. 7-9 to conclude the rain-shortened event held in early August.

Following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Cecil County Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round
1. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.639 seconds, 249.44 mph
def. 8. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 12.608, 60.43

2. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.655, 251.53
def. 7. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.725, 243.90

3. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.635, 246.71
def. 6. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.815, 237.96

5. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.594, 247.43
def. 4. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.865, 238.68

Semifinals
Bozzelli, 5.742 seconds, 248.39 mph
def. McPhillips, 5.731, 248.98

Gibson, 5.623 seconds, 251.67 mph
def. Slagle, 5.622, 249.44

Final
Bozzelli, 5.658 seconds, 249.44 mph
def. Gibson, 5.678, 252.52

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
First Round 

1. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.792 seconds, 246.84 mph
def. 8. Ed Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Firebird, 6.753, 209.46

2. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.808, 247.93
def. 7. Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, Broke

3. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Avenger, 5.751, 247.61
def. 6. Jeff McCulloch, Oshawa, Ont., '98 Camaro, 6.715, 193.38

5. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 5.998, 232.95
def. 4. Bruce Peterson, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 5.978, 236.67

Semifinals
Manzo, '01 Avenger, 5.769 seconds, 248.11 mph
def. Newberry, '01 Avenger, 18.994, 41.24

Mullins, '98 Mustang, 5.987 seconds, 231.83 mph
def. Gill, '01 Avenger, 9.607, 88.53

Final
Manzo, '01 Avenger, 5.862 seconds, 247.38 mph
def. Mullins, '01 Mustang, 6.083, 209.10

COMP 
Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '00 Bantam, F/EA, 8.592 seconds, 151.29 mph
def. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 8.171, 156.64

SUPER STOCK
Dan Fletcher, Rochester, N.Y., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.098 seconds, 131.20 mph
def. Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '92 Trans Am, GT/IA, 10.767, 118.59

STOCK 
Robert Pare, Union Bridge, Md., '69 Camaro, E/SA, 11.142 seconds, 117.44 mph
def. John Heck, Fairmont, W.Va., '68 Camaro, A/S, 10.831, 123.11

SUPER COMP
Jeff Livezey, Philadelphia, 8.909 seconds, 162.94 mph
def. Dan Northrop, Doylestown, Pa., 8.919, 159.59

SUPER GAS
Darlene Staub, Dover Pa., '27 Ford, 9.917 seconds, 141.95 mph
def. Hank Smith, Kenhorst, Pa., '95 Camaro, 9.864, 141.56

SUPER STREET
Bob Farrell, Pequannock, N.J., '69 Camaro, 10.951 seconds, 131.47 mph
def. Ken Van Gorder, Kingston, N.Y., '70 Nova 10.866, 121.06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bozzelli and Gill race to the top

Rising Sun, Md. -- In the final rounds of qualifying at Cecil County Dragway, Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Cliff Bozzelli and Federal-Mogul Funny Car pilot Paul Gill took home top-qualifier honors.

Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J., made the quarter-mile pass in 5.588 seconds at 251.63 mph, putting him in the No. 1 position and earning the Sealed Power Low Qualifier check. Also taking home a $1,000 bonus check from Sealed Power was Brockton, Mass., resident Paul Gill. Gill made a 5.836-second, 244.92-mph run to lead the Funny Car category.

Top qualifiers in other classes were Michele Costa of Freehold, N.J., in Comp; Richard Oakes of Woolwich Township, N.J., in Super Stock; and Arthur Leong of Brooklyn, N.Y., in Stock. The five low qualifiers will share the $2,500 Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus money.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Gates at Cecil County open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car run at noon. For more information, call the track, (410) 879-1822.

Following are final qualifying results and first-round match-ups for the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Cecil County Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.588 seconds, 251.63 mph vs. 8. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.829, 237.38
2. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.653, 252.61 vs. 7. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.792, 233.52
3. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.655, 249.39 vs. 6. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.721, 245.32
4. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.665, 232.07 vs. 5. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.672, 239.06
Alternates
Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.916, 232.63
Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.990, 227.57
John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 5.995, 225.75
Bruce Insinger, Dushore, Pa., 6.125, 218.02
Douglas Monroe, Chesapeake, Va., 7.438, 155.96
Rich McPhillips, 12.793, 60.43

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.836 seconds, 244.92 mph vs. 8. Ed Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Firebird, 6.337, 219.69
2. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.866, 246.08 vs. 7. Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, 6.274, 229.08
3. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Avenger, 5.869, 249.26 vs. 6. Paul Lee, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Corvette, 6.187, 227.19
4. Bruce Peterson, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.009, 235.51 vs. 5. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 6.013, 233.84
Alternates
Kim McKean, Shohola, Pa., '01 Avenger, 6.490, 217.67
Jeffrey McCulloch, Oshawa, Ont., Canada, '98 Camaro, 6.958, 178.19
Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 11.714, 56.79

COMP
1. Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., '01 Dragster, G/D, 9.316 seconds, -0.744
under index
2. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 8.058, -0.692
3. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand AM, D/SM, 8.075, -0.625
4. Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, N.Y., '00 Bantam, F/EA, 8.605, -0.625
5. Richar Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Firebird, G/SM, 9.294, -0.616
6. Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '98 Grand AM, B/SMA, 8.881, -0.589
7. Doug Harris, Millville, N.J., '01 S-10, A/T, 7.625, -0.585
8. Frank Affronti, Ontario, N.Y., '99 Camaro, C/A, 7.626, -0.584
9. Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.049, -0.551
10. AL Ackernan, Saddlebrook, N.J., '94 Dragster, F/D, 8.292, -0.528

SUPER STOCK
1. Richard Oakes, Woolwich Township, N.J., '92 Camaro, SS/DS, 10.215
seconds, -1.585 under index
2. Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 11.259, -1.191
3. Joe Scott, Sunbury, Pa., '01 S-10, GT/TD, 10.570, -1.180
4. Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Pa., '99 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.654, -1.146
5. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., '99 S-10, SS/TD, 10.636, -1.114
6. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.669, -1.081
7. Michael Volkman, Moon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.426, -1.074
8. Steve Swirtzer, Jersey Shore, Pa., '92 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.080, -1.020
9. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.333, -1.017
10. Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W.Va., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.001, -0.999

STOCK
1. Arthur Leong, Brooklyn, N.Y., '91 Dodge, EF/SA, 14.095 seconds, -1.805
2. Gregory Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Trans AM, O/SA, 12.087, -1.363
3. Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., '77 Cadillac, R/SA, 12.997, -1.353
4. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.669, -1.281
5. William Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevelle, M/S, 11.869, -1.281
6. Donald Quinn, Rahway, N.J., '78 Nova, J/SA, 11.475, -1.275
7. Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Nova, V/SA, 14.533, -1.267
8. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.689, -1.261
9. Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.494, -1.256
10. Franklin DiBartolomeo, Lambertville, N.J., V/SA, 14.551, -1.249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bozzelli, Gill early leaders; Bartone makes FMDRS return

Rising Sun, Md. -- In the first rounds of qualifying at Cecil County Dragway, Cliff Bozzelli (Federal-Mogul Dragster) and Paul Gill (Federal-Mogul Funny Car) are at the top of their respective fields.

Dragster pilot Bozzelli, of Absecon, N.J., made a stellar 5.604-second, 250.60-mph run to put him atop of the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Brockton, Mass., resident Gill took the top spot in Federal-Mogul Funny Car with a 5.836-second, 244.92 mph pass in his '01 Dodge Avenger.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Don Stratton Jr. of Beloit, Ohio, in Comp; Richard Oakes of Woolwich Township, N.J., in Super Stock; and Arthur Leong of Brooklyn, N.Y., in Stock.

Making his return to Federal-Mogul competition was past national champion and NHRA record holder Tony Bartone. Bartone from Manhasset, N.Y., who normally pilots a Funny Car, stepped into the seat of his brother's dragster and qualified in the No. 5 position with an elapsed time of 5.830 seconds at 214.31 mph.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates at Cecil County open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car run at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. For more information call the track at (410) 879-1822.

Following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Cecil County Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.604 seconds, 250.60 mph
2. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.653, 252.61
3. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.655, 249.39
4. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.721, 245.32
5. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.830, 214.31
6. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 6.027, 211.53
7. John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 6.150, 209.04
8. Douglas Monroe, Chesapeake, Va., DQ

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.836 seconds, 244.92 mph
2. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.866, 246.08
3. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 6.013, 233.84
4. Bruce Peterson, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.153, 229.74
5. Paul Lee, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Corvette, 6.187, 227.19
6. Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '97 Firebird, 6.540, 183.10
7. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Avenger, 9.422, 93.51
8. Ed Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Firebird, DQ
9. Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, DQ

COMP 
1. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 8.058 seconds,
-0.692 under index
2. Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, N.Y., '00 Bantam, F/EA, 8.609, -0.621
3. Jonathan Aloiso, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand AM, D/SM, 8.098, -0.602
4. Frank Affronti, Ontario, N.Y., '99 Camaro, C/A, 7.651, -0.559
5. Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '98 Firebird, D/A, 8.049, -0.551
6. Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '98 Grand AM, B/SMA, 8.921, -0.549
7. Chip Banney, Staten Island, N.Y., '91 Camaro, G/A, 9.034, -0.506
8. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Dragster, D/D, 7.517, -0.493
9. Carl Miller, Stockholm, N.J., '89 Corvette, E/A, 8.429, -0.471
10. Al Ackernan, Saddlebrook, N.J., '94 Dragster, F/D, 8.359, -0.461

SUPER STOCK
1. Richard Oakes, Woolwich Township, N.J., '92 Camaro, SS/DS, 10.233
seconds, -1.567 under index
2. Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevrolet, SS/NA, 11.272, -1.178
3. Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Pa., '99 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.674, -1.126
4. Joe Scott, Sunbury, Pa., '01 S-10, GT/TD, 10.637, -1.113
5. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.698, -1.052
6. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., '99 S-10, SS/TD, 10.708, -1.042
7. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.335, -1.015
8. Wes Leopold Sr., McDonald, Pa., '87 Daytona, GT/GA, 10.239, -0.961
9. Steve Swirtzer, Jersey Shore, Pa., '92 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.141, -0.959
10. Michael Volkman, Moon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.544, -0.956

STOCK
1. Arthur Leong, Brooklyn, N.Y., '91 Dodge, EF/SA, 14.204 seconds, -1.696
2. Gregory Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Trans AM, O/SA, 12.087, -1.363
3. Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., '77 Cadillac, R/SA, 12.997, -1.353 
4. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.669, -1.281
5. William Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevelle, M/S, 11.869, -1.281
6. Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Nova, V/SA, 14.533, -1.267
7. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.689, -1.261
8. Donald Quinn, Rahway, N.J., '78 Nova, J/SA, 11.489, -1.261
9. Franklin DiBartolomeo, Lambertville, N.J., V/SA, 14.551, -1.249
10. Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.410, -1.190