FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Weaver, Bernstein collect wins in NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Mother Nature smiled on Famoso Raceway today, sending clear, sunny skies and a slight breeze. After two day of cold damp weather, it was a welcome change and the action on the track showed it. In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Hanford, Calif., resident John Weaver carried his No. 1 qualifying position into the winner's circle. Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot Brandon Bernstein, son of Top Fuel legend Kenny Bernstein, joined him there.

Weaver, racing in front of the hometown crowd defeated Brett Williamson of Campbell, Calif., in the final round with a 6.015-second, 229.94 mph pass to Williamson's 6.497-second, 168.50 mph effort.

"This is great for me," beamed Weaver. "Our entire family works hard on our racing program and when we run here, they all get to come and see the fruits of their labor."

Bernstein drove his Jerry Darrien/Ken Meadows-owned rail past current division points leader, Mike Strasburg. Bernstein put down a 5.440-second, 261.24 mph pass in the final and Strasburg went 5.517 seconds at 255.17 mph. Bernstein is fresh off a win at the SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas.

"It's exciting winning two in a row. I never expected to have this much success this soon," said Bernstein. "But, of course, I owe it all to Jerry Derrien and the rest of the team. This will be an exciting year in this division with Strasburg and Henkelman running so well."

Joining Weaver and Bernstein in the winner's circle were John Chamberlain, who was No. 1 qualifier, in Competition Eliminator; Adam Emmer in Super Stock; Bryan Phillips in Stock; Jim Willoughby in Super Comp; Kevin McClelland in Super Gas; and Steve Domenici in Super Street. The Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Sacramento Raceway in Calif., May 18-20.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Famoso Raceway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.409 e.t., 227.04 mph def. BYE

2) Tony Merekdyk, Cypress, Calif., 13.897, 39.90 def. 
15) Ed Marx (no show)

3) Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forrest, Calif., 9.142, 96.98 def. 
14) Gary Anderson, Anaheim,Caif. (no show)

4) Paul Jones, CITY, 5.594, 217.75 def. 
13) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.591, 250.42

5) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.483, 258.17, def. 
12) Ed Marcum, Bellflower, Calif., 5.746, 237.52

6) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.569, 253.27 def. 
11) David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., 8.156, 113.40

7) Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.441, 261.44 def. 
10) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.921, 208.09 

8) Don Hudson, CITY, 5.799, 227.04 def. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.854, 221.94

Quarterfinals
Strasburg, 5.509, 258.02 def. Jones, 5.587, 255.02
Henkelman, 11.530, 65.21 def. Meredyk (no show)
Bernstein, 5.544, 257.58 def. Nicholson, 5.594, 253.44
Brown, 5.537, 255.38 def. Hudson, 5.735, 247.11

Semifinals
Strasburg, 5.494, 258.76 def. Brown, 5.485, 253.95
Bernstein, 5.458, 260.26 def. Henkelman, 5.514, 255.89

Final Round
Bernstein, 5.440, 261.24 def. Strasburg, 5.517, 255.17

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.904, 246.10 vs. BYE

2) Brett Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.958, 229.94 def. 
13) Dale VanGundy, Anaheim, Calif., '98 Camaro, 6.482 188.60

3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '00 Firebird, 5.932, 238.34 def. 
12) Pete Rivera, Mesa, Ariz., 7.226, 151.97

4) Jason Rupert, Anaheim, Calif., '00 Avenger, 6.125, 232.07, def. 
11) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Avenger, 7.135, 122.69

5) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.152, 204.31 def. 
10) Mike Drake, Colendora, Calif., '97 Olds, 7.020, 141.00

6) Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., '00 Camaro, 6.055, 222.48 def. 
9) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '01 Integra, 9.806. 85.60

8) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., 6.042, 241.92 def.
 7) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '00 Trans Am, 6.478, 179.73   

Quarterfinals
Rupert, 5.967, 234.80 def. Gordon, 6.010, 242.92
Weaver, 5.941, 228.18 def. Littlefield, 7.220, 134.88
Gallio, 7.194, 209.10 def. Gasparrelli, 7.941, 110.30
Williamson, 5.856, 243.284 def. BYE

Semifinals
Weaver, 5.937, 246.47 def. Rupert, 6.081, 236.59
Williamson, 5.932, 239.48 def. Gallio, 9.201, 81.60

Final Round
Weaver, 6.015, 229.94 def. Williamson, 6.497, 168.58

COMP ELIMINATOR
John Chamberlain, 7.030 e.t., -0.530 under index def. Fred Gross, 8.444, -0.446

SUPER STOCK
Adam Emmer, 10.243, +.013 def. Steve Wann, 10.970, +.050

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Bryan Phillips 10.994, -.014 def. Don Keen, 10.546, +.014

SUPER COMP
Jim Willoughby, 8.911 def. Justin Morgan, 8.907

SUPER GAS
Kevin McClelland, 9.909, def. Ed DeStute, 9.864

SUPER STREET
Steve Domenici, 10.946, +.046 def. Scott Rollins, 10.973, +.073

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elimination fields set for Famoso Raceway's NHRA event

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - In the final rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Famoso Raceway, Hanford, Calif., resident John Weaver was the top qualifier in Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Kevin Brown of Clearfield, Utah, took the pole in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Weaver's pass of 5.846 seconds at 248.68 mph in the first session was enough to carry him through the second and Brown's 5.342-second, 252.66 mph pass could not be touched throughout the rest of qualifying.

Rain delayed racing for a short time early in the day, forcing officials to put off first round of eliminations for F/M Dragster and F/M Funny Car until Sunday.

Top qualifiers in other classes were Don Studley of Orange, Calif., in Super Stock and John Sarrett of Phoenix in Stock. Final qualifying information for Competition Eliminator was not available.

Racing continues at Famoso Raceway Sunday at 8 a.m. F/M Dragster and F/M Funny Car are schedules to begin first round of eliminations of 16-car fields at 11 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children, 6-12. Children 5 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. For more information call the track, (661) 399-5351.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.342 e.t., 252.66 mph vs. BYE

2) Tony Meredyk, Cypress, Calif., 5.394, 264.16 vs. 
15) Ed Vickroy, Fontana, Calif., 9.796, 86.91

3) Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forrest, Calif., 5.461, 262.92 vs. 
14) Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.303, 224.43

4) Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.514, 237.52 vs. 
13) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 6.220, 174.35

5) Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.536, 257.43 vs. 
12) Charles Marcum, Bellflower, Calif., 5.837, 241.28

6) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.582, 249.79 vs. 
11) David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., 5.774, 261.09

7) Brandon Henkelman, San Jose, Calif., 5.587, 250.41 vs. 
10) Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 5.767, 225.62

8) Donald Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.636, 255.82 vs. 
9) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.662, 235.35

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) John Weaver, 5.846 e.t., 248.68 vs. BYE
2) Brett Williamson, 5.921, 243.96 vs. 13) Dale VanGundy, 14.04, 73.96
3) Steve Gasparrelli, 5.996, 241.80 vs. 12) Pete Rivera, 11.381, 65.09
4) Jason Rupert, 6.051, 210.32 vs. 11) Ed Marx, 11.197, 64.95
5) Doug Gordon, 6.075, 232.01 vs. 10) Mike Drake, 6.318, 229.70
6) Bob Gallio, 6.101, 237.34 vs. 9) Bernie Harrington, 6.300, 236.90
7) John Patton, 6.104, 213.67 vs. 8) Mert Littlefield, 6.121, 210.32

COMP ELIMINATOR
FINAL QUALIFYING NOT AVAILABLE

SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange, Calif., GT/TC, '99 Dakota, 10.269 e.t., -1.182 under index
2. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., SS/MA, '64 Comet, 11.134, -1.016
3. Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., SS/AA, '68 Cuda, 9.009, -0.991
4. Howard Thompson Jr., Wildomar, Calif., GT/EA, '95 Mustang, 9.960,  -0.990
5. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA, '01 Grand Am, 9.568, -0.982
6. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., SS/B, '69 Corvette, 9.229, -0.971
7. Tony Hewes, Reno, Nev., SS/GA, '69 Ford, 9.884, -0.966
8. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/FA, '98 Grand Am, 10.196, -0.931
9. Bill Blakney, Bell, Calif., SS/HA, '68 Camaro, 10.014, -0.886
10. Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., SS/BM, '91 Probe, 8.818, -0.882

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Jon Sarrett, Phoenix, V/SA, '77 Buick, 14.438 e.t., -1.362 under index
2. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA, '70 Plymouth, 10.539, -1.161
3. George Thomson, Canyon Country, Calif., H/SA, '73 Mustang, 11.361,  -1.089
4. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., ET/SA, '81 Dodge, 12.272, -1.078
5. Scott Hilton, Sun Valley, Calif., E/S, '67 Mustang, 10.887, -1.063
6. Dave Bridgewater, Devore, Calif., E/SA, '97 Pontiac, 10.938, -1.062
7. Daniel Missbrenner, San Ramon, Calif., E/SA, '71 Demon, 10.939,  -1.061
8. Robert Turner, Riverside, Calif., F/SA, '74 Dart, 11.102, -1.048
9. Gary Kestler, Las Vegas, B/SA, '70 Challenger, 10.502, -1.048
10. Don Little, Westley, Calif., A/SA, '70 Barracuda, 10.278, -1.022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mother nature cuts qualifying short at Famoso Raceway

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Rain, late in the afternoon, halted qualifying at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Famoso Raceway. All classes except Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car were able to make time trial or qualifying runs before the weather moved in so tomorrow's schedule will include two qualifying sessions for the alcohol-powered classes before they run first round of eliminations in the evening.

Top qualifiers after the initial rounds are John Edwards of Claremont, Calif., in Competition Eliminator; Don Studley of Orange, Calif., in Super Stock; and Jon Sarrett of Phoenix, in Stock.

Qualifying and time trials continue at Famoso Raceway Saturday at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars are scheduled to qualify at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and run first round of eliminations at 5 p.m.

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

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Did not run.

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Did not run.

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., C/EA, '96 Avenger, 8.394 e.t.,  -0.536 under index
2. Fred Gross, LaCrescenta, Calif., E/A, '97 Pontiac, 8.463, -0.447
3. Edward Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., C/SR, '34 roadster, 8.916, -0.434
4. Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., D/D, '97 dragster, 7.758, -0.322
5. Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, C/ED, 7.783, -0.317
6. Wade Edwards, Tracy, Calif., B/AA, '96 Olds, 7.742, -0.178
7. Mark Lelchook, Foresthill, Calif., B/D, '88 dragster, 7.392, -0.168
8. Al Sanford, Palmdale, Calif., A/D, '96 dragster, 7.209, -0.081
9. Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., A/ND, '01 dragster, 8.006, 0.006
10. Andy Manna, Laguna Nigel, Calif., G/SMA, '88 Chevy, 14.211, 4.101 

SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange, Calif., GT/TC, '99 Dakota, 10.311 e.t., -1.139 under index
2. Tony Hewes, Reno, Nev., SS/GA, '69 Ford, 9.884, -0.966
3. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., SS/MA, '64 Comet, 11.189, -0.961
4. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA, '01 Grand Am, 9.596, -0.954
5. Dick Carr, Clovis, Calif., SS/B, '69 Corvette, 9.290, -0.910
6. Howard Thompson Jr., Wildomar, Calif., GT/EA, '95 Mustang, 10.042, -0.908
7. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/FA, '98 Grand Am, 10.197, -0.903
8. Bill Blakney, Bell, Calif., SS/HA, '68 Camaro, 10.015, -0.885
9. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., GT/TD, '98 Dakota, 10.892, -0.858
10. Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., SS/BA, '65 Plymouth, 9.352, -0.848

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Jon Sarrett, Phoenix, V/SA, '77 Buick, 14.630 e.t., -1.170 under index
2. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA, '70 Plymouth, 10.588, -1.112
3. Dave Bridgewater, Devore, Calif., E/SA, '97 Pontiac, 10.982, -1.018
4. Gary Kestler, Las Vegas, B/SA, '70 Challenger, 10.536, -1.014
5. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., DT/SA, '98 Dodge, 12.166, -0.984
6. George Thomson, Canyon Country, Calif., H/SA, '73 Mustang, 11.468,  -0.982
7. Don Little, Westley, Calif., A/SA, '70 Barracuda, 10.330, -0.970
8. Gene Buell Hesperia, Calif., D/SA, '70 Dodge, 10.907, -0.943
9. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., J/SA, '75 Aspen, 11.810, -0.940
10. Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., I/SA, '76 Plymouth, 11.678, -0.922