FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bybee, Payne win in final Southeast Division event of season

BRISTOL, Tenn. - In the final NHRA Federal-Mogul Southeast Division event of the season, Billy Bybee and Jay Payne took the wins in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car at Bristol Dragway. Bybee almost missed the opportunity to compete in the final due to technical problems with his dragster. The McLean, Texas, resident and his crew were able to prep the dragster in time and have a 5.630-second, 254.33-mph pass to defeat Bill McCornack of Lexington, Ky.

Earlier in the day, Bybee set a new track record with a 5.531-second, 258.14- mph pass. In the Federal-Mogul Funny Car final, Von Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., had his best time of the weekend, but Payne edged Smith with a 5.750 second, 247.61 mph pass for the win lights.

"Jay is just running great right now, he's got his act together," said Smith. Payne came into the event having won the last two Southeast divisional events, and has three divisional and national event wins overall this season. The current division points leader is also second in points nationally, and is the defending NHRA Southeast Division Champion in his class.

With plenty of experience in the winner's circle, the Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer was rather calm before the final.

"Everything is great," said Payne. "I expect a good run in the final." With the win, the Claremont, Calif., resident forces Smith to win in Las Vegas, to win the Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car title.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the final NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series divisional event of the year, Nov. 2-4. This will be the last chance for racers across the country to gain points for divisional and national championships.

Winners in other categories are Brian Browell of Lafayette, Ind., in Comp; Woody Adcock of Columbus, Ga., in Super Stock; Bill Howell of Aiken, S.C., in Stock; Gary Trumble of Ormond Beach, Fla., in Super Comp; John Michaels of Oakdale, N.Y., in Super Gas; and Mike Giuliano of Wantagh, N.Y., in Super Street.

The following are Saturday's elimination results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Bristol Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., '99 Dragster, 5.599 seconds, 242.93 mph vs. BYE
2. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, '01 Dragster, 5.531, 258.14 def. 
7. Lou Novotny, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, '99 Dragster, 6.641, 211.30

3. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., '01 Dragster, 5.734, 243.24 def. 
6. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., '89 Dragster, BROKE

5. Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., '95 Dragster, 5.904, 226.32 def. 
4. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., '96 Dragster, 5.903, 240.12 

Semifinals
Bill McCornack, 5.712, 246.26 def. Marty Thacker, 5.849, 237.21
Billy Bybee, 5.769, 235.72 def. Artie Allen, 5.751, 243.63

Final
Billy Bybee, 5.630, 250.92 def. Bill McCornack, 5.660, 250.92

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1. Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.802 seconds, 221.34 mph def. 
6. William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '00 Corvette, 6.725, 211.59

2. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Pontiac, 5.844, 247.47 def. 
5. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 6.088, 231.91

4. Steve Harker, Brisbane, Quebec, CAN, '99 Avenger, 6.027, 238.55 def. 
3. Bruce Peterson Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.162, 230.02 

Semifinals
Jay Payne, '01 Camaro, 5.758, 246.71 vs. BYE
Von Smith, '00 Corvette, 5.870, 246.71 def. Steve Harker, 6.648, 151.60

Final
Jay Payne, '01 Camaro, 5.750, 247.61 def. Von Smith, '00 Corvette, 5.806, 248.34

COMP
Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind. '97 Chevy, D/D, 7.853 seconds, 131.33 mph def. 
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Grand Am, D/SM, BROKE 

SUPER STOCK
Woody Adcock, Columbus, Ga., '82 Firebird, GT/HA, 11.018 seconds, 120.29 mph def. 
Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Belair, SS/OA, 18.757, 41.07

STOCK
Bill Howell, Aiken, S.C., '70 Mustang, B/SA, 10.958 seconds, 116.59 mph def. 
Randy Parker, Four Oaks, N.C., '85 Camaro, L/SA, 12.440, 104.50

SUPER COMP
Gary Trumble, Ormond Beach, Fla., '00 Worthy, 8.995 seconds, 157.61 mph def. 
Sherman Adcock Jr., Columbus, Ga., '00 Ray Miller, 9.021, 152.35

SUPER GAS
John Michaels, Oakdale, N.Y., '70 Nova, 9.985 seconds, 137.60 mph def. 
Mark Payne, Waynesboro, Va., '96 Beretta, 9.984, 149.48

SUPER STREET
Mike Giuliano, Wantagh, N.Y., '67 Camaro, 11.015 seconds, 133.65 mph def. 
Mike Griggs, Ocala, Fla., '67 Chevy, 10.989, 125.05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Payne holds onto top spot after 2nd round of qualifying

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Racers from 15 different states patiently waited through morning showers to compete in the NHRA Southeast Division's final Federal-Mogul Drag Series event of the season, at Bristol Dragway, in Bristol, Tenn. This weekend's event is the final chance in the region for racers to compete for points leading to divisional and national championships as well as cash and contingency awards of $147,935, part of the $6.5 million, 43-race series.

Although Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla., and Mike Saye of Johnston, S.C., have already clinched Southeast Division titles in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Comp classes, division titles are wide open for six other categories including: Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.

Saye also enters this weekend looking to win his fourth consecutive Southeast Division event, and is currently first in the national standings. Overall, the Comp racer has won one national event and four divisional events this year.

"I actually didn't start the season well, but then, all of a sudden, I couldn't lose," said Saye. "Things just kind of fell into place."

Bill McCornack and Jay Payne are the number one qualifiers in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car after Friday's qualifying rounds. McCornack, of Lexington, Ky., ran a 5.593-second, 254.45 mph pass to take the top spot away from Billy Bybee, who held the number one qualifier position after round one. Payne bettered his first run with a 5.770-second, 248.84 mph pass to maintain the top position in Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

The Claremont, Calif., resident is currently first in divisional points, and is attempting to hold off Von Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., for the divisional title. If Smith wins the event this weekend, he will surpass Payne in points and win the division. Despite the possibility of being able to win the division by performing well this weekend, Smith does not feel any pressure.

"I've always believed that things just fall in to place for a reason," said the Federal-Mogul Funny Car racer.

Top Qualifiers in other categories are Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., in Comp; Bruce Campbell of Waynesville, N.C., in Super Stock; and Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., in Stock.

Final qualifying and time trials begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Eliminations begin at 1 p.m., with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car eliminations beginning at 5:30 p.m. Gates at Bristol Dragway open at 8 a.m. For more information call the track, (423) 764-3724.

The following are Friday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Bristol Dragway:

 FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., '99 Dragster, 5.593 seconds, 245.54 mph vs. BYE
2. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, '01 Dragster, 5.639, 254.38 vs. 
7. Lou Novotny, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, '99 Dragster, 6.321, 214.59

3. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., '01 Dragster, 5.809, 221.96 vs. 
6. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., '89 Dragster, 5.921, 238.81

4. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., '96 Dragster, 5.899, 239.95 vs. 
5. Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., '95 Dragster, 5.908, 238.60

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.743 seconds, 248.29 mph vs. 
6. William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '00 Corvette, 7.267, 196.82

2. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Pontiac, 5.873, 247.47 vs. 
5. Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 6.194, 228.77

3. Bruce Peterson Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.119, 232.39 vs. 
4. Steve Harker, Brisbane, Quebec, CAN, '99 Avenger, 6.173, 242.36

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Grand Am, D/SM, 8.166 seconds, -0.644 under index
2. Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '96 Grand Am, B/SMA, 8.986, -0.584
3. Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., '97 Chevy, D/D, 7.472, -0.548
4. George Gallimore, Memphis, Tenn., '32 Bantam, A/A, 6.817, -0.533
5. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 9.109, -0.491
6. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 Ford, A/EA, 7.637, -0.432
7. Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Ford, E/EA, 8.805, -0.415
8. Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, F/SM, 9.469, -0.411
9. Jerry Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '94 Lumina, B/A, 7.549, -0.341
10. Danny Holt, Powell, Tenn., '95 Beretta, C/EA, 8.701, -0.319

SUPER STOCK
1. Bruce Campbell, Waynesville, N.C., '88 Firebird, GT/KA, 10.779 seconds, -1.171 under index
2. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '97 Cutlass, SS/AX, 9.047, -1.123
3. Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Chevy, SS/K, 10.397, -1.093
4. Wes Leopold Jr., Bridgeville, Pa., '93 Daytona, SS/AS, 8.985, -1.085
5. Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.002, -1.078
6. Everett Hill, Fayettville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.666, -1.074
7. Matt Hensley, Knoxville, Tenn., '68 Barracuda, SS/A, 9.072, -1.048
8. Ken Vaughn, Columbia, Tenn., '68 Camaro, SS/D, 9.637, -1.043
9. Bob Dodson, Beaver Dam, Va., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.969, -0.981
10. Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., '68 Corvette, 9.855, -0.975

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '66 Chevelle, M/S, 12.073 seconds, -1.297 under index
2. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, D/SA, 10.924, -1.126
3. John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., '91 Camaro, K/SA, 12.062, -1.108
4. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 12.085, -1.085
5. Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '99 Firebird, C/SA, 10.868, -1.032
6. Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 12.178, -0.992
7. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mountain Valley, Ga., '94 Camaro, D/SA, 11.098, -0.952
8. Craig Couris, Atlanta, Ga., '97 Firebird, D/SA, 11.103, -0.947
9. Arnold Greene, Matthews, N.C., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.500, -0.940
10. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., '81 Malibu, V/SA, 15.179, -0.891