FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Win at Cecil County makes for milestone weekend for Manzo

RISING SUN, Md. - In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Cecil County Dragway, reining NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., earned his 75th Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series career win over first time Lucas Oil finalist Todd Veney of Indianapolis.

In the final, Manzo ran a sluggish 8.684-second pass at 103.64 mph to take the win over Veney, who after breaking in the semifinals, was unable to show for the final.

With his win today, Manzo continues to build momentum and his points total, toward his 7th consecutive Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Funny Car Championship. Today also marks Manzo fourth win of the year in the Northeast Division. Yesterday, Manzo won the delayed Lucas Oil Event from Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, over Bob Newberry of Schenectady, N.Y.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Rich McPhillips, a long-time NHRA Northeast Division competitor, earned his first divisional win in three years when he defeated Richard Bourke of Old Tappan, N.J. In the final, McPhillips used a 5.583-second run at 252.66 mph to defeat Bourke, who ran a tire smoking 5.980 second pass at 203.92 mph. Cecil County Dragway is also the site of McPhillips' last Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series win which came in August of 2000.

"We had such a tough year last year," said McPhillips. "We broke a lot of parts. It's nice to finally get a win," he added.

Earning his second NHRA Northeast Division Competition Eliminator win of the year was Santo Volpe of Cocoa, Fla. In the final, Volpe defeated Allen Stanfield of Fredericksburg, Va., after the veteran driver red-lighted.

In Super Stock, Billy Leber Jr., of Tonawanda, N.Y., defeated Rustburg, Va., racer Gary Wisecarver. In the finals from Old Bridge Township Raceway Park run yesterday afternoon, Leber was the class runner-up.

In Stock Eliminator, John Gray Jr., of Hudson, Mass., defeated Brian Rowe of New Bern, N.C. While in Super Comp., Jim Fizz of Sanatoga, Pa., won over Thomas Oliver of Old Bridge, N.J.

In Super Gas, Glen Emig, Bethlehem, Pa., won behind the wheel of his '72 Vega over Thomas Stalba Jr., of Williamstown, N.J. Like Leber, Stalba was a finalist yesterday in the delayed Old Bridge Township Raceway Park event, but in his final round bout took the win over Cooperstown, Pa., driver Jim Smulligan.

In Super Street, Steve Taxis of Old Bridge, N.J., won over Philadelphia driver Don Garbinski of Philadelphia. In the final Taxis ran 10.898 seconds at 124.12 mph.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Cecil County Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND 1
4) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.554, 251.81 def. 
5) Fran Monaghan Jr, Meadowbrook, Pa., 8.734, 101.97

1) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.445, 265.01 def. 
8) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.415, 266.58 

2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.537, 258.42 def. 
7) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.653, 230.57

3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.476, 250.51 def. 
6) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.636, 251.06 

Semifinals
McPhillips, 5.606, 243.72 def. Kosky, 6.661, 146.04 
Bourke, 5.438, 261.32 def. Bozzelli, 5.513, 259.01
Final
McPhillips, 5.583, 252.66 def. Bourke, 5.980, 203.92 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND 1
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., Pontiac Firebird, 5.682, 250.13 def. 
8) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., Daytona, broke

3) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., Dodge Avenger, 5.847, 247.61 def. 
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., Camaro, 6.439, 229.08 

2) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., Avenger, 5.943, 244.38 def. 
7) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., Olds Cutlass, 6.363, 192.25

5) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., Firebird, 6.389, 210.34 def. 
4) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., Chevy Camaro, 20.485, 37.67 

Semifinals
Manzo, 5.747, 249.12 def. Cox, 5.958, 235.51 
Veney, 5.867, 225.30 def. Gill, 8.893, 86.83 

Final
Manzo, 8.684, 103.05 def. Veney, broke

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Santo Volpe, Cocoa, Fla., '63 Corvette, A/SR, 8.799, 110.21  def. 
Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., '99 Grand Am, F/SM, foul 

SUPER STOCK
Bill Leber Jr., Tonawanda, N.Y., '03 S-10, SS/TB, 9.220, 138.78  def. 
Gary Wisecarver, Rustburg, Va., '66 Nova, SS/CS, 9.841, 138.30 

STOCK ELIMINATOR
John Gray Jr., Hudson, Mass., '72 Nova, H/SA, 11.084, 116.23  def. 
Brian Rowe, New Bern, N.C., '69 Camaro, H/SA, foul

SUPER COMP
Jim Fizz, Sanatoga, Pa., Dragster, 8.915, 157.03  def. 
Thomas Oliver, Old Bridge, N.J., Dragster, 8.869, 158.71

SUPER GAS
Glen Emig, Bethlehem, Pa., '72 Vega, 9.904, 144.26  def. 
Thomas Stalba Jr, Williamstown, N.J., '63 Corvette, 9.912, 150.33

SUPER STREET
Steve Taxis, Old Bridge, N.J., '67 Camaro, 10.898, 124.12  def. 
Don Garbinski, Philadelphia, '71 Challenger, 10.886, 134.34

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bourke and Manzo tops at Cecil County Dragway

RISING SUN, Md. -In the final rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Cecil County Dragway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Richard Bourke and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Frank Manzo both qualified No. 1 in their respective fields.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Bourke of Old Tappan, N.J., laid down a 5.417-second pass at 264.75 mph to take the top spot in the class and earn his first No 1 of the year. Qualified in second with a 5.503 second pass at 258.96 mph is Cuddy, Pa., racer Mike Kosky. Rich McPhillips of Phoenixville, N.J., is third.

Among the surprise non-qualifiers in the class were current NHRA Northeast Division points leader Doug Foley of Sewell, N.J., and former NHRA Southeast Division champ Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla.

Manzo, of Morganville, N.J., took his '03 Firebird to the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car after thundering to a 5.651-second pass at 255.58 mph. Qualified second with a 5.735 second pass at 250.13 mph is Brockton, Mass., racer Paul Gill. Todd Veney of Indianapolis is third at a 5.820-second pass at 250.04 mph. This is the fourth time this year that Manzo, the defending national and divisional champ in the class, has qualified in the No. 1 spot.

In Competition Eliminator, Michele Costa, of Freehold, N.J., recorded a 9.016-second pass behind the wheel of her Volkswagen powered dragster to take the lead in the class. Qualified in the second and third spots are Maspeth, N.Y., runner, Sal Biondo and Al Ackerman of Saddle Brook, N.J.

Anthony Cretella of Newington, Conn., drove his '86 Camaro to a 9.436-second pass to claim the No. 1 spot in Super Stock. Billy Leber Jr. of Tonawanda, N.Y., is qualified second, while South River, N.J., racer Richard Dioro is third.

In Stock Eliminator, John Ruth of Baltimore piloted his '77 Omega to the No. 1 qualifying position after laying down a pass of 13.056 seconds. Claiming the second spot is Brian Van Poppel of Perry Hall, Md. Tim Abbazia of Greenwich, Conn., is currently third.

As a reward for their qualifying efforts, Bourke and Manzo each earned $1250 as part of the Sealed Power Low Qualifier Bonus. Costa and Cretella earned $400 each, while Ruth earned $200 as part of the bonus from Sealed Power.

In addition to qualifying for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors, Cecil County Dragway fans were also treated to 200-mph, side-by-side Pro Modified exhibitions and Jet Cars. In the Pro Modified exhibition qualifying, Kent Ferrell of Aberdeen, Md., qualified in the top spot with a 6.348 second pass at 223.32 mph. Cecil County track owner Jim Halsey qualified second with a 6.381 second pass at 221.24 mph.

Gates at Cecil County Dragway open Sunday at 8 a.m. with eliminations in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street are set to continue at 9 a.m. Eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car are scheduled for noon. For more information please contact Cecil County Dragway at (410) 287-6280 or visit them on the web at www.CecilCountyDragway.com

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Cecil County Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.417 seconds, 264.75 mph
2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.503, 258.96
3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.538, 252.57
4) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.556, 253.42
5) Fran Monaghan Jr., Meadowbrook, Pa., 5.586, 258.37
6) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.615, 250.23
7) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.630, 252.10
8) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.672, 256.75

Not Qualified
9) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.676, 225.15
10) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.679, 245.09
11) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.684, 248.20
12) Douglas Foley, Sewell, N.J., 5.712, 216.62
13) Steve Lamplough, Severna Park, Md., 5.852, 203.09
14) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 9.967, 91.79
15) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., (no time)

First-round TAD pairings
1) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.417 seconds, 264.75 mph vs. 
8) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.672, 256.75

2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.503, 258.96 vs. 
7) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.630, 252.10

3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.538, 252.57 vs. 
6) David De Angelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.615, 250.23

4) Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.556, 253.42 vs. 
5) Fran Monaghan Jr., Meadowbrook, Pa., 5.586, 258.37

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.651 seconds, 255.58 mph
2) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.735, 250.13
3) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '00 Avenger, 5.820, 250.04
4) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '03 Camaro, 5.922, 227.80
5) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '00 Firebird, 6.021, 230.53
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '99 Camaro, 6.099, 234.53
7) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '98 Cutlass, 6.146, 230.80
8) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., Daytona, 6.558, 160.06

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.651 seconds, 255.58 mph vs. 
8) Bobby Martindale, Chester, Va., Daytona, 6.558, 160.06

2) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.735, 250.13 vs. 
7) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '98 Cutlass, 6.146, 230.80

3) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '00 Avenger, 5.820, 250.04 vs. 
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '99 Camaro, 6.099, 234.53

4) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '03 Camaro, 5.922, 227.80 vs. 
5) Darrel Cox, Whiteford, Md., '00 Firebird, 6.021, 230.53

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., Capraun, G/D, 9.016 seconds, -0.714 (under index)
2) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, D/EA, 8.402, -0.618
3) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., ProStart, F/D, 8.214, -0.556
4) Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.754, -0.546
5) Patrick Ross Sr, Avon Lake, Ohio, '03 Grand Am, F/A, 8.342, -0.498
6) Billy Griffin, Norwalk, Conn., '92 Camaro, E/AA, 8.041, -0.459
7) Tommy Ciccarone Jr., West Chester, Pa., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.853, -0.447
8) Jonathan Aloisio, W Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, B/SM, 8.403, -0.427
9) Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., '99 Grand Am, F/SM, 9.073, -0.427
10) Santo Volpe, Cocoa, Fla., '63 Corvette, A/SR, 8.214, -0.426

SUPER STOCK
1) Anthony Cretella, Newington, Conn., '86 Camaro, GT/BA, 9.436 seconds, -1.114 (under index)
2) Bill Leber Jr., Tonawanda, N.Y., '03 S-10, SS/TB, 9.158, -1.092
3) Richard Dioro, South River, N.J., '55 Chevy, SS/PA, 11.880, -1.070
4) Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '89 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.045, -1.055
5) Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W.V., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.967, -1.033
6) Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.072, -1.028
7) Larry Mohar, Hagerstown, Md., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.010, -0.990
8) Joseph Santangelo II, Marlborough, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.512, -0.988
9) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '87 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.981, -0.969
10) Greg Gay, Westminster, Vt., '97 Dakota, SS/MA, 11.192, -0.958

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Ruth, Baltimore, Md., '77 Omega, R/SA, 13.056 seconds, -1.294 (under index)
2) Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.182, -1.268
3) Tim Abbazia, Greenwich, Conn., '62 Corvette, F/S, 10.837, -1.263
4) John Gray Jr., Hudson, Mass., '72 Nova, H/SA, 11.222, -1.228
5) Greg Philley, Taberg, N.Y., '80 Mustang, W/SA, 15.743, -1.207
6) Lee Zane, Pittsgrove, N.J., '74 Apollo, K/SA, 11.788, -1.162
7) Bob Mullaney, Rockaway, N.J., '84 Cutlass, K/SA, 11.793, -1.157
8) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.845, -1.155
9) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '97 Firebird, B/FI, 10.502, -1.148
10) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.462, -1.138

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying underway at Cecil County

RISING SUN, Md. - In the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Cecil County Dragway, Al Ackerman, Anthony Cretella and Tim Abbazia are leading their respective fields.

In Competition Eliminator, Ackerman, of Saddle Brook, N.J., ran 8.335 seconds behind the wheel of his dragster to take the top spot in the class. Sal Biondo of Masbeth, N.Y., is second, while class newcomer Tommy Ciccarone, Jr., of West Chester, Pa., is third.

In Super Stock, Cretella, of Newington, Conn., took his '86 Camaro to the No. 1 spot in the class. Qualified second is Bunker Hill, W. Va., driver Bucky Hess with his '68 Barracuda. John Baughman of York, Pa., is third.

In Stock Eliminator, Abbazia, of Greenwich, Conn., ran a 10.963 second pass to take the lead in the class. Qualified in the second and third spots are Hampden, Mass., racer Dave Casey and Perry Hall, Md., runner Brian Van Poppel.

Saturday's racing action will feature 260-mph action in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, as well as the continuation of qualifying in Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The remaining eliminations from the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event originally scheduled to conclude two weeks ago at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, will also be run tomorrow afternoon.

Gates at Cecil County Dragway open Saturday at 8 a.m. with qualifying set to begin at 9 a.m. The opening round of qualifying for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. For more information contact Cecil County Dragway at (410) 287-6280 or visit them on the web at www.CecilCountyDragway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, event being held at Cecil County Dragway:

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., '94 Dragster, F/D, 8.335 seconds, -0.435 (under index)
2) Sal Biondo, Masbeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, D/EA, 8.598, -0.422
3) Tommy Ciccarone Jr., West Chester, Pa., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.896, -0.404
4) Doug Harris, Millville, N.J., '02 S-10, PST/A, 7.909, -0.391
5) Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, F/SM, 9.124, -0.376
6) Billy Griffin, Norwalk, Conn., '92 Camaro, E/AA, 8.137, -0.363
7) Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, B/SM, 8.509, -0.321
8) Steven Szupka, Huntington Valley, Pa., '98 Dragster, C/ED, 7.649, -0.311
9) Allen Stanfield, Fredricksburg, Va., '98 Grand Am, F/SM, 9.197, -0.303
10) Erich Bollman, Newark, Del., '92 Ford Probe, F/A, 8.539, -0.301

SUPER STOCK
1) Anthony Cretella, Newington, Conn., '86 Camaro, GT/BA, 9.583 seconds, -0.967 (under index)
2) Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill, W. Va., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 9.042, -0.958
3) John Baughman, York, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.050, -0.950
4) Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '89 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.162,-0.938
5) Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '00 Firebird, , GT/FA, 10.167, -0.933
6) Joe Santangelo II, Marlborough, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/IA, 10.575, -0.925
7) Frank Lupo, North East, Md., '96 Achieva, GT/GA , 10.284, -0.916
8) Michael Volkman, Moon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.604, -0.896
9) Joseph Mendillo Jr., Hamden Conn., '90 Camaro GT/G, 10.181, -0.869
10) Larry Mohar, Hagerstown, Md., '69 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.132, -0.868
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Tim Abbazia, Greenwich, Conn., '62 Corvette, F/S, 10.963 seconds, -1.137 (under index)
2) Dave Casey, Hampden, Mass., '86 Camaro, H/S, 11.207, -1.093
3) Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.358, -1.092
4) John Gray, Hudson, Mass., '72 Nova, H/SA, 11.384,-1.066
5) Evan Smith, Matawan, N.J., '93 Mustang, E/FI, 11.436, -1.064
6) Victor Guilmino III, Martinsburg, W.Va., '71 Mustang, D/SA, 10.802, -1.048
7) Ray Golonka, Colonia, N.J., , '77 Cadillac, Q/SA, 13.054, -1.046
8) Emory Stull Jr., Woodbine, Md., '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.994, -1.006
9) George Cottell, Clarks Summit, Pa., B/S, '69 Camaro, 10.494, -1.006
10) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '95 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.002, -0.998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA'S Northeast Division closes out Lucas Oil Series season at Cecil County Dragway

RISING SUN, Md. - Cecil County Dragway will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Nationals Aug. 22-24. The event is the last of seven in NHRA Northeast division competition. Drivers in eight categories, including 260 mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), will run for valuable points leading to divisional and national championships. A Pro Mod exhibition will run in conjunction with the event.

Gates at Cecil Dragway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials start at 10 a.m. Friday with TAD and TAFC scheduled at 7 and 9 p.m. Pro Mod will qualify after each TAD and TAFC session. Qualifying and time trials continue Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Racers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will run one round of eliminations starting at 3 p.m. TAD and TAFC will run all rounds of eliminations, at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. Pro Mod will also run all rounds of eliminations after each round of the alcohol categories. Sunday, eliminations for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street resume at 9:30 a.m.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Nationals are $15 each day and include a pit pass. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Cecil County Dragway is located 2.5 miles off Interstate 95, exit 100. Follow the signs to Cecil County Dragway on Theodore Road. For more information call the track, (410) 287-6280 or visit www.CecilCountyDragway.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Finals, 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 last of seven in Northeast Division competition.

WHERE: Cecil County Dragway, Rising Sun, Md. Track is located 2.5 miles off Interstate 95, exit 100. Follow signs to Cecil County Dragway on Theodore Road.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 22-24, 2003

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

FRIDAY, Aug. 22 -- Gates open at 8 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 and 9 p.m. Exhibition Pro Mod cars will qualify at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 23 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will run one round of eliminations starting at 3 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled to run all rounds of eliminations at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. Pro Mod will run all three rounds of eliminations at 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 24 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations continue at 9:30 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Cecil County Dragway, (410) 287-6280 or visit www.CecilCountyDragway.com.

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: Art Gallant, Top Alcohol Dragster; Bob Newberry, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Don Stratton, Comp Eliminator; Angelo DiTocco, Super Stock; Brian Van Poppel, Stock Eliminator; Frank Cicarale, Super Comp; Marc Combs, Super Gas; Steve Feller, 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 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.