FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges, Smith take home big wins at season opener

In the upset of the day, Von Smith, returning to NHRA Drag Racing for the first time in over three years, won the Federal-Mogul Funny Car class over Frank Manzo, who led the field in qualifying by nearly two tenths of a second. It was over at the start when Manzo broke an oil line and had to use every ounce of his driving experience to keep the car off the wall as the rear end fishtailed from side to side.

Smith, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., never looked back recording a run of 5.985 seconds at 240.96 mph as he crossed the finish line for the win at the season opener for the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series in NHRA's Southeast Division.

"It's a great way to come back over," commented Smith. "It definitely was not expected, especially against Manzo. He's the man. Our last time out with NHRA was in Reynolds, Ga., at Silver Dollar Raceway. I guess you have to take them the way they come." Smith will run a full schedule on the NHRA circuit with help from his new sponsor Jensen car stereos.

Mark Hentges came out from Federal Way, Wash., and cleaned up taking the number one qualifying spot on Saturday and the win today in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Hentges ran 5.40's and 5.50's all weekend with a 5.524 second pass at 248.48 mph in the final against Bill McCornack who tripped the clocks at 6.378, 179.56.

"We're having fun now! It was a great weekend," Hentges said waiting to enter the winner's circle. "We ran well all weekend. It was a real relaxed race. We wanted to get a jump on the points and we did.

Glen Treadwell took the win in Comp and Joey Warren won in Super Stock. The Stock title went to Jimmy Shepard, Len King won Super Comp, Jamie Crum grabbed Super Gas and Ed Wiley took the Super Street class.

The following are Sunday's final round results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.568 seconds, 253.66 miles per hour def. 
8. Atrie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla, 9.774, 97.21

7. Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.486, 253.23 def. 
2. Michael Gunderson,Middleburg, Fla., 5.690, 257,36

3. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.634, 248.61 def. 
6. Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.835, 229.94

4. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.683, 247.59 def. 
5. Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 9.254, 89.71

Semifinals
Hentges, 5.476, 257.80 def. Bybee, 11.468, 64.12
McCornack, 5.634, 249.58 def. Slagal, 5.748, 245.43

Final
Hentges, 5.524, 248.48 def. McCornack, 6.378, 179.56

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Avenger, 5.688 seconds, 253.02 miles per hour def. 
8. Greg Beckner, Chester, Va., '93 Corvette, 6.869, 198.01

2. Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '01 Camaro, 6.045, 238.15 def. 
7. William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '00 Corvette, 6.671, 216.24

3. Von Smith, Oal Ridge, Tenn., '01 Pontiac, 6.075, 238.66 def. 
6. Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 11.967, 75.58

5. Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Firebird, 5.899, 247.04 def.,
4. Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Achieva, 6.088, 229.47

Semifinals
Manzo, 5.735, 249.93 def. White, 5.905, 246.30
Smith, 5.981, 241.07 def. Payne, 5.981, 244.89

Final
Smith, 5.985, 240.96, def. Manzo, broke

COMPETITION
Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., E/EA, '23 Ford, 9.075, 114.94 def. 
Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., B/AA, '96 Cutlass, 7.792, 142.99 (foul)

SUPER STOCK
Joey Warren, Clinton, N.C., GT/LA '87 Camaro, 9.783, 132.88, def. 
Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., GT/TB, '01 S-10, 9.996, 130.85

STOCK
Jimmy Shepard, Kinston, N.C. I/SA, '86 Camaro, 11.557, 105.25, def. 
MerrillSchrimscher, Lake Mary, Fla., B/SA, '69 Camaro, 10.714, 122.39

SUPER COMP
Len King, Langley, S.C., '97 dragster, 8.902, 162.71, def. 
Scotty Richardson, Goodlettsville, Tenn., '01 dragster, 9.020, 143.38

SUPER GAS
Jamie Crun, Panacea, Fla., '92 Camaro, 10.047, 141.62, def. 
Ronnie Duke, Readyville, Tenn., '98 Beretta, 10.047, 142.54

SUPER STREET
Ed Wiley, Brooksville, Fla., '69 Camaro, 10.905, 119.79, def. 
Mike Giuliano, Wantagh, N.Y., '67 Camaro, 10.879, 139.66
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manzo jumps to the top of Funny Car field

Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion Frank Manzo jumped to the top of the field during a late night final qualifying session at the Gainesville Raceway Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event. Manzo jumped from the seventh position to number one with a 5.691 seconds pass at 249.44 mph. NHRA Southeast Division Champion Jay Payne held on for the number two spot in his Valvoline Funny Car with a 5.867 at 242.13 mph while Von Smith is in third with a 6.004, 239.80 in his first NHRA race in several years.

Defending Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion Michael Gunderson leaves the starting line on his way to a 5.621 seconds pass.

In the Federal-Mogul Dragster category, it was Mark Hentges taking the early lead and holding on to take home the Sealed Power Low Qualifier $1,000 with a run of 5.532 seconds at 256.04 mph. Michael Gunderson, defending event champion, is in the number two sport with a mark of 5.621, 264.39.

Mike Saye is the number one qualifier in Comp. Eliminator, covering the quarter-mile in 8.852 seconds, 0.738 seconds under his index. Larry Pritchett, David Rampy and Rob Slavinski follow in the two through four spots, respectively.

Bob Dennis of Shorter, Ala., held on to the number one spot in not one but two classes with his '82 Cutlass in Stock and his '97 Firehawk in Super Stock.

Gates open tomorrow at 8 a.m., eliminations begin at 9 a.m. with round one of Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Cars set for 1 p.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.532 seconds, 256.04 miles per hour
2. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.621, 264.39
3. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.654, 236.84
4. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.672, 241.93
5. Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.808, 186.18
6. Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.879, 236.28
7. Bill McCornack, Lexington, Ky., 5.883, 242.58
8. Cherissa Griggis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.126, 184.46
Not qualified
9. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla, 6.298, 214.95
10. Bob Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 7.941, 158.28
11. Keith Stark, Danville, Ill., 13.067, 74.04
12. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 15.328, 35.03

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '00 Avenger, 5.691 seconds, 249.44 miles per hour
2. Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.867, 242.13
3. Von Smith, Oal Ridge, Tenn., '01 Pontiac, 6.004, 239.80
4. Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '95 Achieva, 6.065, 228.42
5. Marc White, Glendale Heights, Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.269, 235.47
6. Edward Preslar, Arden, N.C., '00 Corvette, 6.504, 163.69
7. William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '00 Corvette, 6.671, 216.24
8. Greg Beckner, Chester, Va., '93 Corvette, 6.940, 206.46
Not qualified
9. Bobby Baucom, Charlotte, N.C., '97 Firebird, 7.388, 125.08
10. Kim Fritts, Greenup, Ill., '98 Firebird, 18.399, 41.63

COMPETITION
1. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A, '92 Cutlass, 8.852 seconds, -0.738 seconds under the index.
2. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., E/SM, '98 Grand Am, 8.274, -0.696
3. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA, '32 roadster, 7.445, -0.625
4. Rob Slavinski, Mundord, Tenn., B/AA, '96 Grand Prix, 7.298, -0.622
5. Bob Rossi, Woodbridge, N.J., A/A, '92 dragster, 6.810, -0.600
6. Wayne Hutton, Portland, Tenn., A/SM, '92 Olds, 8.497, -0.583
7. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., A/EA, '23 Ford, 7.493, -0.577
8. Doug Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., B/ED, '00 dragster, 7.078, -0.532
9. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., B/AA, '96 Cutlass, 7.401, -0.519
10. Dan Leveto, Meadville, Penn., B/A, '00 Firebird, 7.403, -0.497


SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA, '97 Firehawk, 10.830 elapsed time, 1.220 under the index.
2. Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., GT/TB, '01 S-10, 10.010, -1.190
3. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., SS/AM '96 Achieva, 8.391, -1.159
4. Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., SS/G, '67 Chevy II, 9.620, -1.130
5. Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, GT/JA, '00 Firebird, 10.529, -1.121
6. Joe Skinner, Colmbia Station, Ohio, GT/BA, '94 Calalier, 9.484, -1.066
7. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn., SS/AA '68 Dart, 8.946, -1.054
8. George Vignogna, Mahopac, N.Y., SS/AS, '97 Sebring, 8.846, -1.054
9. Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., GT/HA, '98 Avenger, 10.319, -1.031
10. Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA, '67 Camaro, 9.874, -1.026


STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., U/SA, '82 Cutlass, 13.659 seconds, -1.491 under the index.
2. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., M/S, '66 Malibu, 11.904, -1.246
3. John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., K/SA, '91 Camaro, 11.735, -1.215
4. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., M/SA, '85 Camaro, 11.940, -1.210
5. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., V/SA, '80 Malibu, 14.610, -1.190
6. Brandon Wood, Thomasville, Ga., M/SA, '85 Camaro, 11.968, -1.182
7. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA, '98 Firebird, 10.676, -1.174
8. Jimmy Shepard, Kinston, N.C., I/SA, '86 Camaro, 11.460, -1.140
9. Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., C/SA, '69 Camaro, 10.575, -1.125
10. Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., ET/SA, '97 Dodge, 12.236, -1.114

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2001 NHRA Southeast Division kicks-offs at Gainesville Raceway

Super Stock's Scotty Richardson with a wheelstand as he leaves the starting line.

NHRA's Southeast Division kicked off its 2001 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing season today at Gainesville Raceway. Racing action consisted of qualifying and time trials for the Comp., Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp., Super Gas, and Super Street Categories.

Mike Saye drove his '92 Cutlass to the number one qualifying spot in Comp. Eliminator with a pass of 8.852 seconds, 0.738 seconds under his index. Saye is followed by defending event champion and Southeast Division Champion Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn. who ran an 8.274 seconds at 0.969 under.

Bob Dennis of Shorter, Ala., sits at the top of two categories claiming the number one spot in both the Stock and Super Stock classes. Dennis campaigns an '82 Cutlass in Stock while running a '97 Firehawk in Super Stock.

Joe LoCicero heats up his tires before making his final qualifying pass down the Gainesville quarter mile in his Wittnauer Watch-sponsored Super Stock Camaro.

A number of Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars took to the track yesterday in a "test and tune" session. Reigning Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion Frank Manzo made three laps down the quarter mile with a best time of 5.88 seconds. Manzo, testing some new combinations, shook the tires on each of the three passes but hopes to have things figured out for Sunday's eliminations.

Manzo will make his first qualifying pass tomorrow with both the dragsters and funny cars running at 3 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. Four time defending Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Dragster Champion Michael Gunderson of Middleton, Fla., will have plenty of competition, as this is the first race of the season for most of the East Coast racers. Gates open tomorrow at 8 a.m. with racing scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway:

COMPETITION
1. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A, '92 Cutlass, 8.852 seconds, -0.738 seconds under the index.
2. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., E/SM, '98 Grand Am, 8.274, -0.696
3. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA, '32 roadster, 7.445, -0.625
4. Rob Slavinski, Mundord, Tenn., B/AA, '96 Grand Prix, 7.298, -0.622
5. Bob Rossi, Woodbridge, N.J., A/A, '92 dragster, 6.810, -0.600
6. Wayne Hutton, Portland, Tenn., A/SM, '92 Olds, 8.497, -0.583
7. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., A/EA, '23 Ford, 7.493, -0.577
8. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., B/AA, '96 Cutlass, 7.401, -0.519
9. Doug Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., B/ED, '00 dragster, 7.092, -0.518
10. Dan Leveto, Meadville, Penn., B/A, '00 Firebird, 7.403, -0.497

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA, '97 Firehawk, 10.830 elapsed time, 1.220 under the index.
2.  Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., GT/TB, '01 S-10, 10.010, -1.190
3. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, Ind., SS/AM '96 Achieva, 8.391, -1.159
4. Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., SS/G, '67 Chevy II, 9.649, -1.101
5. Joe Skinner, Colmbia Station, Ohio, GT/BA, '94 Calalier, 9.484, -1.066
6. Randy Hopkins, Scandia, Minn., SS/AA '68 Dart, 8.946, -1.054
7. George Vignogna, Mahopac, N.Y., SS/AS, '97 Sebring, 8.874, -1.026
8. Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., GT/HA, '98 Avenger, 10.319, -1.031
9. Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA, '67 Camaro, 9.874, -1.026
10. Ray Vignogna, Stormville, N.Y., GT/GA, '93 Daytona, 10.184, -1.016

STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., U/SA, '82 Cutlass, 13.659 seconds, -1.491 under the index.
2. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., M/S, '66 Malibu, 11.904, -1.246
3. John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., K/SA, '91 Camaro, 11.735, -1.215
4. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., V/SA, '80 Malibu, 14.610, -1.190
5. Brandon Wood, Thomasville, Ga., M/SA, '85 Camaro, 11.968, -1.182
6. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA, '98 Firebird, 10.676, -1.174
7. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., M/SA, '85 Camaro, 11.995, -1.155
8. Jimmy Shepard, Kinston, N.C., I/SA, '86 Camaro, 11.460, -1.140
9. Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., C/SA, '69 Camaro, 10.575, -1.125
10. Jeff Teuton, Houma, La., ET/SA, '97 Dodge, 12.236, -1.114