FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kosky and Ferro earn Northeast Division wins

ATCO, N.J. -In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Atco Raceway, Mike Kosky and Mickey Ferro claimed victories in Sunday afternoons final round competition.

After qualifying No. 2, behind NHRA national points leader Tony Bartone of Manhasset, N.Y., Kosky made his way to the Top Alcohol Dragster final by defeating N.J., natives Dave DeAngelis of Middlesex in round one and Karen Benkovich of Fanwood in the semifinals. In the final, Kosky met up with U.S. 13 Dragway winner Fran Monaghan Jr., of Meadowbrook, Pa. At the start, Monaghan went red, handing the win to Kosky, who coasted to a 36.244-second pass at 23.83 mph.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Ferro of Stanford, Conn., earned his first win of the year when he defeated No. 1 qualifier Bob Newberry in the class final. Ferro made his way to the final by swiftly defeating Dave Keddy of Ashland, Mass., in round one and Craig English in the semifinals. In the final, Ferro ran 5.826 seconds at 247.70 mph to defeat Newberry, who ran a 5.863-second pass at 251.20 mph. This was Newberry's sixth final round appearance of the year.

In Comp Eliminator, Frank Aragona Jr., of Franklin Square, N.Y., earned his first Northeast Division win of the year when he defeated Doug Harris of Millville, N.J., in the class final. Aragona's last win came only one week ago when he won at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.

In Super Stock, it was veteran racer Sam Biondo of Clarksburg, N.J., taking the win over East Quogue, N.Y., racer Joey Wintermyer. Ms. Wintermyer was also the runner-up at the K&N Filters NHRA Supernationals in May.

Taking the win for the second race in a row in Stock Eliminator was Billy Nees Jr., of Millmont, Pa. In the final Nees defeated former NHRA National and Divisional Champion Dan Fletcher of Churchville, N.Y.

For the second year in a row the Super Comp winner's circle featured the dragster of defending Northeast Division Champion Kent Hanley of Newtown, Conn. In the final Hanley defeated Valley Stream, N.Y., racer Ed Alessi, who was a finalist at Atco Raceway last year in Super Gas.

In Super Gas, Iggie Boicesco of Warminster, Pa., earned the win after defeating Lakeville, Mass., runner Justin Lopes. While in Super Street, the win went to Philadelphia's Jeff Livezey Jr., over Martin Ganjoin Jr., of Brick, N.J.

The next stop on the NHRA Northeast Division tour is Lebanon Valley Raceway in West Lebanon, N.Y., July 4-6. The event will be the fourth of seven events in the Division. For more information about the event log on to www.dragway.com or www.nhradiv1.com.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Atco Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
4) Fran Monaghan Jr., Meadowbrook, Pa., 5.585, 252.66 def. 
5) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 6.422, 193.90;

2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.557, 254.95 def. 
7) David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 12.560, 60.96;

1) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.422, 271.79 def. 
9) Douglas Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.520, 251.39;

3) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 6.507, 124.89 def. 
6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., foul;

Semifinals
Kosky, 5.514, 255.92 def. Benkovich, 5.958, 218.65;
Monaghan Jr., 5.529, 253.52 def. Bartone, 5.474, 262.33;

Finals
Kosky, 36.244, 23.83 def. Monaghan Jr., foul.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
7) Craig English, Mount Holly, N.J., Mustang, 6.185, 238.17 def. 
2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., Pontiac Firebird, 8.134, 116.39;

4) Scott Woodington, Delran, N.J., Chevy Camaro, 7.423, 168.30 def. 
5) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., Dodge Avenger, 9.991, 139.18;

3) Mickey Ferro, Stanford, Conn., Pontiac Trans Am, 5.956, 244.78 def. 
6) Dave Keddy, Ashland, Mass., Firebird, 17.902, 60.70;

1)Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., Camaro, 10.441, 102.81 was unopposed;

Semifinals
Ferro, 5.845, 242.36 def. English, 6.050, 241.07;
Newberry, 5.790, 250.18 def. Woodington, 6.631, 229.59;

Finals
Ferro, 5.826, 247.70 def. Newberry, 5.863, 251.20.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., Bantam, F/EA, 8.458, 149.38  def. 
Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.499, 158.09.

SUPER STOCK
Sam Biondo, Clarksburg, N.J., '00 Firebird, GT/GA, 10.363, 128.42  def. 
Joey Wintermyer, East Quogue, N.Y., '86 Monte Carlo, GT/HA, 10.584, 122.98.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Bill Nees Jr., Millmont, Pa., '70 Nova, U/SA, 14.463, 86.69  def. 
Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.620, 117.27.

SUPER COMP
Kent Hanley, Newtown, Conn., Dragster, 8.958, 161.83  def. 
Ed Alessi Jr., Valley Stream, N.Y., Dragster, 8.911, 164.39.

SUPER GAS
Iggie Boicesco, Warminster, Pa., '02 Corvette, 10.206, 123.76  def. 
Justin Lopes, Lakeville, Mass., '67 Camaro, 10.437, 152.90.

SUPER STREET
Jeff Livezey Jr., Philadelphia, '86 Cutlass, 10.889, 131.87  def. 
Martin Ganjoin Jr., Brick, N.J., '69 Camaro, foul.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Class veteran Kosky leads dragster qualifying

ATCO, N.J. -In the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Atco Raceway, Mike Kosky, Al Ackerman, Tim Worner and Tex Miller lead qualifying in their respective fields.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Kosky of Cuddy, Pa., earned the No. 1 spot after laying down a 5.513 second pass at 256.02 mph. Qualified second is Fran Monaghan Jr. of Meadowbrook, Pa. He's followed by Steven Cantrell of Wilmington, Del. Tony Bartone, who is currently the national points leader in the class, is currently 8th.

Fresh off a runner-up finish a week ago in Columbus, Ohio, Ackerman of Saddle Brook, N.J., took his dragster to the top spot in Competition Eliminator with a time of 8.141 seconds. In second is Columbus champion, Frank Aragona Jr., of Franklin Square, N.Y. Kevin Houghtaling of Ashland, Va., is third.

In Super Stock, Worner of Duncannon, Pa., claimed the top spot in his class with a 10.642-second pass. Qualified in second is Howard Barsky of Levittown, Pa. Third is Joe Santangelo of Marlborough, Conn.

In Stock Eliminator, Miller of Fayetteville, Pa., piloted his '72 Mustang to the No. 1 qualifying position after laying down a pass of 11.200 seconds. Claiming the second and third spots are New York natives Jim Marshall of Scottsville and John Shaul of Fultonham.

Gates at Atco Raceway will open tomorrow at 7 a.m. with final eliminations in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Final qualifying and final eliminations in the Alcohol classes is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. For more information please contact Atco Raceway at (856) 768-2167 or on the web at www.AtcoRace.com.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Atco Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.513 seconds, 256.02 mph
2) Fran Monaghan Jr., Meadowbrook, Pa., 5.641, 250.04
3) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.781, 243.81
4) Steve Lamplough, Severna Park, Md., 5.799, 243.24
5) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.928, 227.31
6) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.018, 225.37
7) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 6.293, 246.12
8) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 7.612, 114.53

Not Qualified
9) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 8.760, 97.01
10) Sheila Tafur, Middletown, Conn., 10.051, 48.44
11) Tom Pickett, Winchester, Mass., 16.577, 40.36
12) Douglas Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 21.920, 32.87

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., ProStart, F/D, 8.141 seconds, -0.629 (under index)
2) Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., Bantam, F/EA, 8.467, -0.613
3) Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, F/SM, 9.016, -0.484
4) Billy Griffin, Norwalk, Conn., '92 Camaro, F/AA, 8.297, -0.483
5) Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.540, -0.480
6) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '92 Camaro, E/SM, 8.864, -0.476
7) Richard Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Firebird, I/SM, 9.285, -0.455
8) Jonathan Aloisio, W Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, B/SM, 8.377, -0.453
9) Charlie Yannetti, Northvale, N.J., '32 Bantam, L/AA, 9.430, -0.450
10) Dennis Bartucci, Boothwyn, Pa., '94 Lumina, B/AA, 7.374, -0.426

SUPER STOCK
1) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.642 seconds, -1.108 (under index)
2) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.376, -1.074
3) Joseph Santangelo II, Marlborough, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.491, -1.009
4) Jeff Lawrence, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., '85 Mustang, GT/AA, 9.394, -1.006
5) Russ Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.306, -0.994
6) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '87 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.119, -0.981
7) Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '89 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.119, -0.981
8) Doug Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '96 Firebird, GT/LA, 10.890, -0.960
9) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.248, -0.952
10) Joe Mendillo, Hamden, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/G, 10.101, -0.949

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, G/SA, 11.200 seconds, -1.100 (under index)
2) Jim Marshall, Scottsville, N.Y., '80 Corvette, I/SA, 11.519, -1.081
3) John Shaul, Fultonham, N.Y., '64 Fury, A/SA, 10.225, -1.075
4) Evan Smith, Matawan, N.J., '93 Mustang, E/FI, 11.427, -1.073
5) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.937, -1.063
6) Art Leong, Brooklyn, N.Y., '91 Dodge, DF/SA, 14.538, -1.062
7) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.543, -1.057
8) David LeBrun, Uncasville, Conn., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.661, -1.039
9) Ken Kopecky, Edison, N.J., '71 Demon, F/SA, 11.114, -1.036
10) Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.421, -1.029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Worner and Miller tops in opening rounds of qualifying

ATCO, N.J. -In the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Atco Raceway, Super Stock driver Tim Worner and Stock Eliminator driver Tex Miller are leading their respective fields.

Worner of Duncannon, Pa., claimed the top spot in his class with a 10.642 second pass behind the wheel of his '88 Cutlass. Qualified in second is Howard Barsky of Levittown, Pa. Third is Joe Santangelo of Marlborough, Conn.

In Stock Eliminator, Miller of Fayetteville, Pa., piloted his '72 Mustang to the No. 1 qualifying position after laying down a pass of 11.200 seconds. Claiming the second and third spots are New York natives Jim Marshall of Scottsville and John Shaul of Fultonham.

Gates at Atco Raceway will open tomorrow at 7 a.m. with qualifying set to continue at 9 a.m. The opening round qualifying for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with eliminations set to follow in the afternoon.

For more information please contact Atco Raceway at (856) 768-2167 or on the web at www.AtcoRace.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at the Atco Raceway:

SUPER STOCK
1) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.642 seconds, -1.108 (under index)
2) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Bel Air, SS/NA, 11.376, -1.074
3) Joe Santangelo, Marlborough, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.491, -1.009
4) Jeff Lawrence, West Hampton Beach, N.Y., '85 Mustang, GT/AA, 9.394, -1.006
5) Russ Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.306, -0.994
6) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '87 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.119, -0.981
7) Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '89 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.119, -0.981
8) Doug Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '96 Firebird, GT/LA, 10.890, -0.960
9) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.248, -0.952
10) Joe Mendillo, Hamden, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/G, 10.101, -0.949

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, G/SA, 11.200 seconds, -1.100 (under index)
2) Jim Marshall, Scottsville, N.Y., '80 Corvette, I/SA, 11.519, -1.081
3) John Shaul, Fultonham, N.Y., '64 Fury, A/SA, 10.225, -1.075
4) Evan Smith, Matawan, N.J., '93 Mustang, E/FI, 11.427, -1.073
5) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.937, -1.063
6) Art Leong, Brooklyn, N.Y., '91 Dodge, DF/SA, 14.538, -1.062
7) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.543, -1.057
8) David LeBrun, Uncasville, Conn., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.661, -1.039
9) Ken Kopecky, Edison, N.J., '71 Demon, F/SA, 11.114, -1.036
10) Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.421, -1.029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atco Raceway to host NHRA Northeast Division Lucas Oil Series

ATCO, N.J. - NHRA's Northeast division will continue its 2003 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season at Atco Raceway with a three-day event June 20-22. The race is the third of seven in Northeast division competition and will feature more than 500 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national titles as well as a share of the $561,000 champion's purse.

Competing classes include 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) as well as Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street.

This year, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Frank Manzo is going for his 14th Northeast division championship and his eighth national title. In 2002, the Morganville, N.J., resident earned his sixth consecutive national championship and his eighth straight division crown.

Manzo dominated the Northeast last year winning six out of the seven events as well as four NHRA national events. However, this season it looks like the longtime rivalry between Manzo and Bob Newberry is heating up and Newberry could put the pressure on the champ.

Newberry, a Schenectady, N.Y., resident, has found some consistency and has fared well at the races he has attended.

The reigning Top Alcohol Dragster national champion is also from the Northeast division. Arthur Gallant won the title after a yearlong battle with Duane Shields of Las Vegas. The Boxboro, Mass., resident also claimed his first division title in 2002. En route to the championships, Gallant won four divisional races and two national events.

Gallant started 2003 with a first-round loss at an out-of-division race in Gainesville, Fla., but advanced to the semifinals at his next event. With a runner-up finish at his third race of the year, it seems that Gallant is back on track.

Typically, there are an abundance of quality TAD teams competing in the Northeast division but at this early date it remains to be seen who will challenge Gallant for the division title.

Gates at Atco Raceway open at 7 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 10 a.m. with TAD and TAFC running at 7 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 9:30 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run a final qualifying round at 1 p.m. and run all rounds of eliminations starting at 5 p.m. Racers in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will run first round of eliminations starting at 2 p.m. Eliminations will continue Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

General admission tickets are $15 Friday, $22 Saturday and $17 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Military personnel with proper ID will receive a $5 discount each day.

Atco Raceway is located at 1000 Jackson Drive in Atco. For more information call the track, (856) 768-2167, or visit the web site, www.AtcoRace.com.

The next Northeast division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is scheduled for Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon, N.Y., July 4-6.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the third of seven in Northeast Division competition.

WHERE: Atco Raceway, Atco, N.J. Track is located at 1000 Jackson Drive, Atco, N.J.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 20-22, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

FRIDAY, June 20 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 21 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have one qualifying run at 1 p.m. and run all rounds of eliminations beginning at 5 p.m. Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp and Super Gas will run first round of eliminations starting at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 22 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations continue at 8:30 a.m. Comp Eliminator will run first round of eliminations at 10:30 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $22 Saturday, $17 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Military personnel with proper ID will receive a $5 discount each day. For more information please call Atco Raceway, (856) 768-2167.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $162,495, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Arthur Gallant, Top Alcohol Dragster; Frank Manzo, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Gerry Russo, Comp Eliminator; Michael Barsky, Super Stock; Peter Biondo, Stock Eliminator; Kent Hanley, Super Comp; Tom Stalba, Super Gas; Robert Silfies, Super Street

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2003 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

SEALED POWER LOW QUALIFIER BONUS -- a $215,500 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at each of the 45 Lucas Oil events and the 23 NHRA national events: $1,250 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $400 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $200 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 45 divisional events and 16 of 23 national events.)

JEG'S ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jeg's High Performance. The 2003 Jeg's Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2003 Jeg's Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.