FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Yorkers Foley and Sickles cash in at Silver Dollar

REYNOLDS, Ga. - In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Silver Dollar Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Doug Foley and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jim Sickles both triumphed in their respective categories.

After qualifying in the No. 4 spot, Foley of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., made his way to the Top Alcohol Dragster final by defeating former division champ Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla., in round one and defending Division Champion Marty Thacker in the semifinals. In the final, Foley used a 5.623-second time at 252.19 mph to defeat Jason Cannon, who ran 6.172 seconds at 172.65 mph. This was Foley's first win of the year.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Sickles of Caledonia, N.Y., used a 5.859-second time at 243.63 mph to capture his second win of the year. In the final, Sickles defeated former division champ Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., who ran 5.969 seconds at 243.55 mph. The pair's last meeting came in the class final at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway in March. That match-up was also won by Sickles.

In Competition Eliminator, defending National Champion Mike Saye of Johnston, S.C., claimed his first win of the year. In the final, Saye, who was also the defending race champion, defeated Brunswick, Ga., racer Don Eberly.

In the Super Stock final, two-time National Champion Peter Biondo of Mt. Laurel, N.J., took the win over Jasper, Tenn., racer Blair Patrick. This was Biondo's third NHRA Southeast Division win of the year in Super Stock. This was an important win for Biondo, who is currently in a close battle for national championship points with NHRA Northwest Division racer Jeff Lane of North Bend, Wash.

The Stock Eliminator final featured another familiar face, Kevin Helms of Mineola, Texas, the defending National Champion in the class. In the final, Helms defeated the '78 Aspen of Jorge Carnero of Miami.

Taking the win in Super Comp was another former National Champion, Steve Cohen of Trilby, Fla. In the class final Cohen defeated Jim Perry of Orlando to take the class win. This was Cohen's second win of the year. The Florida native also won at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway in March.

Cruising to the win in Super Gas was Bryan Robinson of Iuka, Miss. In the final Robinson defeated Gainesville, Fla., racer Ralph Barrett for the win. While the Super Street class crown was awarded to James Barbera of Trenton, Fla. In the final he defeated Mike Griggs of Ocala, Fla.

In John Bleakley Motorhomes Top Sportsman action, Robert Sellers of Bunnell, Fla., drove his '97 Avenger to victory over Billy Vaughn of Knoxville, Tenn.

The next stop on the NHRA Southeast Division tour is Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn., July 18-19. The event will be the fifth of seven events in the Division. For more information about the event log on to www.bristoldragway.com or www.nhradiv2.com.

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Silver Dollar Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
4) Douglas Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.643, 251.25 def. 
5) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 6.921, 137.64

1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.956, 242.58 def. 
8) Duke Mc Donald, Gainesville, Fla., 6.834, 170.30

2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.627, 252.61 def. 
7) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.194, 205.98 

3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.546, 253.66 def. 
6) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 6.288, 165.72 

Semifinals 
Foley, 5.866, 216.17 def. Thacker, 11.564, 66.80 
Cannon, 5.584, 253.33 def. Kelly, 5.587, 252.52 

Final
Foley, 5.623, 252.19 def. Cannon, 6.172, 172.65 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.950, 227.34 def. 
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., Dodge Avenger, 6.351, 216.13

1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., Avenger, 5.869, 245.05 def. 
4) Brian Greer, Warner Robins, Ga., Olds, broke

Final 
Sickles, 5.859, 243.63 def. Payne, 5.969, 243.55

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.687, 154.35  def. Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., '96 Achieva, F/SMA, 9.131, 147.54 

SUPER STOCK
Peter Biondo, Mt Laurel, N.J., '00 Firebird, GT/GA, 14.417, 61.53  def. Blair Patrick, Jasper, Tenn., '68 Mustang, SS/FA, foul

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, B/S, 10.540, 124.38  def. Jorge Carnero, Miami, '78 Aspen, K/SA, 12.389, 105.83 

SUPER COMP
Steve Cohen, Trilby, Fla., Dragster, 8.899, 174.30  def. Jim Perry, Orlando, Fla., Dragster, 8.899, 161.63

SUPER GAS
Bryan Robinson, Iuka, Miss., '63 Corvette, 9.925, 156.25  def. Ralph Barrett, Gainesville, Fla., '02 Corvette, 9.925, 152.18

SUPER STREET
James Barbera, Trenton, Fla., '66 Chevy II, 10.897, 130.23  def. Mike Griggs, Ocala, Fla., '72 Camaro, 10.891, 133.88

TOP SPORTSMAN
Robert Sellers, Bunnell, Fla., '97 Avenger, 7.177, 173.07  def. Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 10.091, 79.08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rain washes out Friday at Silver Dollar Raceway

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.503 seconds, 258.02 mph
2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.540, 255.19
3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.562, 254.81
4) Doug Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.580, 256.45
5) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.848, 229.86
6) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.851, 241.07
7) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.910, 235.84
8) Duke Mc Donald, Gainesville, Fla., 9.888, 83.52

First-round TAD pairings
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.503 seconds, 258.02 mph vs. 
8) Duke Mc Donald, Gainesville, Fla., 9.888, 83.52

2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.540, 255.19 vs. 
7) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.910, 235.84

3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.562, 254.81 vs. 
6) Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., 5.851, 241.07

4) Doug Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.580, 256.45 vs. 
5) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.848, 229.86

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.799 seconds, 248.52 mph
2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.927, 244.83
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.044, 235.43
4) Brian Greer, Warner Robins, Ga., '98 Olds, 6.830, 174.62

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.799 seconds, 248.52 mph vs. 
4) Brian Greer, Warner Robins, Ga., '98 Olds, 6.830, 174.62

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.927, 244.83 vs. 
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.044, 235.43

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.525 seconds, -0.555 (under index)
2) Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., Dragster, A/ND, 7.243, -0.497
3) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.501, -0.489
4) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.694, -0.486
5) Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., '96 Achieva, F/SMA, 9.141, -0.459
6) Van Puckett, Snellville, Ga., '99 Firebird, H/AA, 9.285, -0.305
7) David Hornady, W Columbia, S.C., '68 Opel GT, C/A, 7.819, -0.181
8) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '91 Calais, H/SMA, 9.724, -0.176
9) Jim Kimbrough, Pace, Fla., Bos, C/ED, 7.827, -0.133
10) Martin Phillips, N Augusta, S.C., Horton, C/ED, 7.873, -0.087

SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.699 seconds, -1.051 (under index)
2) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.858, -1.042
3) Smylie Little, Crystal Sprgs, Miss., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.011, -1.039
4) Blair Patrick, Jasper, Tenn., '68 Mustang, SS/FA, 9.832, -0.918
5) Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., '67 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.936, -0.914
6) Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '99 Grand Am, SS/CM, 9.053, -0.897
7) Rick Young, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '71 Corvette, SS/CA, 9.455, -0.895
8) Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.012, -0.888
9) Peter Biondo, Mt Laurel, N.J., '00 Firebird, GT/GA, 10.332, -0.868
10) Arvester Faulkner, Stone Mountain, Ga., '82 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.262, -0.838

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.566 seconds, -1.134 (under index)
2) Jeff Velde, Vero Beach, Fla., '67 Shelby, A/SA, 10.243, -1.057
3) W.B. Hutto, Gainesville, Fla., '91 Camaro, G/FIA, 12.109, -1.041
4) Jeff Hairrington, Perry, Ga., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.434, -1.016
5) Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Formula, G/FIA, 12.148, -1.002
6) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, B/S, 10.521, -0.979
7) Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '73 Nova, I/SA, 11.622, -0.978
8) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, M/SA, 12.176, -0.974
9) Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '94 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.728, -0.972
10) John Livingston, Nashvile, Tenn., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.643, -0.957

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Robert Sellers, Bunnell, Fla., '97 Avenger, 7.109 seconds, 193.32 mph
2) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.161, 194.02
3) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.264, 190.57
4) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.355, 188.67
5) Corey Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.408, 185.26
6) Jeff Wilkerson, Athens, Ala., '01 Trans Am, 7.426, 185.00
7) Joe Baker, Milton, Fla., '99 Avenger, 7.495, 182.95
8) Steve Wheeler, Ventress, La., '98 S-10, 7.589, 181.23
9) Greg Hinds, Arab, Ala., '63 Corvette, 7.593, 182.90
10) Dale Ashley, Cape Coral, Fla., '00 Firebird, 7.640, 180.67

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Series continues at Silver Dollar Raceway

REYNOLDS, Ga. - Silver Dollar Raceway will host the Southeast division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, June 6-8, 2003. The event is the fourth of seven on the Southeast division schedule. Drivers in eight categories, including 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, are vying for points leading to divisional and national titles and a share of the $561,000 point fund.

A couple of former division Top Alcohol Dragster champions are currently battling it out for first place. Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla., and Manhasset, N.Y., resident Tony Bartone are in first and second place, respectively.

Bartone took the win over Gunderson at the season-opener in Gainesville, Fla., but Bartone skipped the race at Montgomery Motorsports Park in Alabama while Gunderson went to the semifinals at that event giving him the edge over Bartone. Both drivers have also each attended an out-of-division race, adding to their point totals.

Defending Top Alcohol Funny Car division champion Jay Payne has the points lead coming into Silver Dollar Raceway. The Claremont, Calif., resident was runner-up in Gainesville and scored well at two out-of-division races. Payne was runner-up in Houston and went on to win the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in Dallas.

TAFC competitor Jim Sickles of Caladonia, N.Y., has made final-round appearances at the two Southeast division races where Top Alcohol cars competed. He beat Payne in the final at Gainesville and was runner-up to Mark Billington in Montgomery. Sickles was also the No. 1 qualifier at both races.

Sickles is just behind Payne in the TAFC point standings and Billington, a resident of Apopka, Fla., is in third place.

Defending Southeast division Stock champion Peter Biondo of Mt. Laurel, N.J., has been to the winner's circle at all three of the Southeast division races this year. The streak started in Gainesville with a win in Super Stock. He drove his Super Stocker to another win at the second race on the schedule, in Orlando, Fla. In Montgomery, Biondo won in Stock.

The John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event. Participants will run qualifying and eliminations throughout the weekend.

Gates at Silver Dollar Raceway open at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and at 8 a.m. Sunday. General admission tickets are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $35 and a three-day pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free. A $10 discount is available to all military personnel with proper ID.

Qualifying and time trials get under way Friday at noon. TS qualifying is scheduled at 5:30 p.m., and TAD and TAFC will have qualifying sessions at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday.

A special concert event featuring music by Snakes in the Woodpile will follow racing.

Saturday, qualifying and time trials continue at 10 a.m. TS is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. TAD and TAFC will run all rounds of eliminations on Saturday starting at 6 p.m.

All other classes will run first round of eliminations Sunday starting at 10 a.m. TS drivers will run first round at 12:30 p.m.

Silver Dollar Raceway is located on State Highway 96 West, just west of US Highway 341. For more information call the track, (478) 847-4414 or visit the web site, www.SilverDollarRaceway.com.

The next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in the Southeast division is scheduled July 18-20 at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn.

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 fourth of seven in Southeast Division competition. The division's John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Silver Dollar Raceway, Reynolds, Ga. Track is located on state Highway 96 West, just west of US Highway 341.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 5-8, 2003

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

FRIDAY, June 6 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 5:30 p.m., and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. A special concert event featuring music by Snakes in the Woodpile will follow racing.

SATURDAY, June 7 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all rounds of eliminations beginning at 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 8 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman will begin eliminations at 12:30 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $35 and a three-day pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free. A $10 discount is available for all military personnel with proper ID. For more information please call Silver Dollar Raceway, (478) 847-4414 or visit www.SilverDollarRaceway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Marty Thacker, Top Alcohol Dragster; Von Smith, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Mike Saye, Comp Eliminator; Joe LoCicero, Super Stock; Lee Tuttle, Stock Eliminator; Frank Altilio, Super Comp; Jason Wood, Super Gas; Ernest Griggs, 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 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.

JOHN BLEAKLEY MOTOR HOMES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central Divisions.

FEATURES: More than 400 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.