FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cheeseman scores second straight, Thacker wins his first of the year

STANTON, Mich. - Racers from NHRA's North Central division completed their third of six races on the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule. Nearly 500 racers converged on Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich., for the event, which was presented by Bar's Leaks. In the end, Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) driver Chuck Cheeseman made it two in a row and Marty Thacker drove his Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) to the winner's circle for the first time this year.

Galena, Ohio's Cheeseman, the defending division TAFC champion, ran very well all weekend and ended with a single run in the final when his opponent, Steve Addleman of Fishers, Ind., had to be shut off when he began leaking oil after his burnout. Cheeseman started out on a quick run but when his car moved toward the centerline, he shut off.

"A win's a win," said Cheeseman after the run. "The main thing at any race is to get down the track every time."

During qualifying Saturday, Thacker, who lives in Robinson, Ill., set the track speed record at 259.89 mph. In today's final round, he beat Ken Perry of Toronto, Ont., with a 5.656-second, 249.51-mph pass. For Perry, it was second runner-up finish in three races.

Winners in the other NHRA Lucas Oil Racing Series classes were Tom Schmitdt, Linstrom, Minn., in Comp Eliminator; Jim Harness Jr., Peru, Ind., in Super Stock; Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., in Stock; Todd Burks, Kalamazoo, Mich., in Super Comp; Sean Graham, Gahonne, Ohio, in Super Gas; and Steve Mesik, Plainwell, Mich., in Super Street.

The winner in the division's Top Sportsman class was Bill Gibson of Steiger, Ill.

North Central Division racers head to Edgewater Sports Park in Cleves, Ohio, for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, August 1-3. The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Bar's Leaks at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round One
4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.617, 246.91 def. 
5) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 5.637, 256.19

1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 19.013, 34.08 def. 
14) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., broke

2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.581, 257.14 def. 
7) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 6.340, 179.74 

3) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.700, 250.83 def. 
9) Shawn Bowen, Grand Blanc, Mich., broke 

Semifinals 
Thacker, 6.899, 139.72 def. Bohr, 19.387, 40.87 
Perry, 5.911, 191.85 def. Wilson, 8.558, 105.04 

Finals
Thacker, 5.656, 249.51 def. Perry, 5.956, 205.47 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round One
2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., Dodge R/T, 5.905, 247.04 def. 
7) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., Pontiac Firebird, 6.243, 227.50 

3) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, Firebird, 5.806, 244.49 def. 
6) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., Firebird, broke 

1) Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, Firebird, 6.342, 218.97 def. 
8) Rick Krafft, Union Mills, Ind., Dodge Avenger, foul 

4) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., Firebird, 6.045, 240.83 def. 
5) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., Pontiac Trans Am, 6.272, 228.13
 
Semifinals 
Addleman, 6.137, 236.53 def. Brand, foul 
Cheeseman, 5.872, 240.89 def. Craig, 8.647, 103.14 

Finals
Cheeseman, 9.867, 86.45 def. Addleman, broke 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '33 Ford, C/SR, 8.823, 146.46 def. 
Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., Dragster, E/ED, 8.570, 153.47 

SUPER STOCK
Jim Harness Jr., Peru, Ind., '66 Chevy II, SS/KA, 10.942, 120.01 def. 
Brad Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '87 Chevy Camaro, GT/J, 10.602, 129.88 

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., '01 Pontiac Firebird, A/FIA, 10.437, 128.77  def. 
Clint Blezien, Bensenville, Ill., '91 Chevy Camaro, F/FIA, 12.280, 104.79

SUPER COMP
Todd Burks, Kalamazoo, Mich., Dragster, 8.939, 162.36 def. 
Tim Cmar, Goodletsville, Tenn., Dragster, 8.947, 147.58 

SUPER GAS
Sean Graham, Gahanna, Ohio, '63 Chevy Corvette, 9.941, 149.72 def. 
Peter Pawlak, Menasha, Wis., '02 Pontiac Firebird, 9.944, 147.73
 
SUPER STREET
Steve Mesik, Plainwell, Mich., '67 Chevy Nova, 10.926, 105.80  def. 
Gordy Stineback, Otsego, Mich., '89 Ford Mustang, 10.931, 130.89.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Pontiac Grand Am, 7.641, 159.37 def. 
Philip Montgomery, Owensboro, Ky., '00 Pontiac Trans Am, 8.223, 157.09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilson, Brand make record-setting passes to set the pace

STANTON, Mich. - Qualifying is complete at Mid-Michigan Motorplex's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Bar's Leaks. In Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) the No. 1 position changed hands twice but in the end, Jeff Wilson took the top spot. In Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), Dale Brand took the honors away from Jeff Craig.

Wilson, a former division champion out of Winfield, Mo., made a 5.450-second, 255.89 mph pass to beat out Thacker, who wound up in the No. 2 spot. Wilson's time was enough to reset the track record, which Thacker had just set in Friday's qualifying session. However, Thacker, a Robinson, Ill., resident, did reset the track speed record at 259.89 mph.

Brand, of Sully, Iowa, reset both ends of the track's TAFC record with his 5.837-second, 248.11-mph run. Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., was just behind Brand at 5.844 seconds and 246.50 mph.

In Comp Eliminator, Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., was the No. 1 qualifier. And Super Stocker Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., was in the top spot in his class. Due to technical problems, final qualifying for Stock was not available.

Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., took the win in the division's Top Sportsman Showdown, which features the quickest four qualifiers in the class vying for a $500 prize. Corn was the No. 1 qualifier.

Racing continues Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates at Mid-Michigan Motorplex open at 7 a.m. TAD and TAFC run first round at 1 p.m. Tickets are $20. Children 6 to 12 are $5. For more information, call Mid-Michigan Motorplex, (989) 762-5043. The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Bar's Leaks at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.450 seconds, 255.89 mph
2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.464, 259.89
3) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.616, 251.25
4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.620, 242.00
5) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 5.689, 251.18
6) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.783, 248.48
7) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.797, 251.60
8) Robert Ginther, Lansing, Mich., 5.909, 226.92

Not Qualified
9) Shawn Bowen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 5.958, 246.37
10) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 6.112, 190.07
11) Timothy Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 6.117, 229.41
12) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., 6.203, 226.01
13) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 6.311, 159.15
14) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.330, 203.66
15) Bryan Weber, Vemillion, Ohio, 10.167, 78.24

First-round TAD pairings
1) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.450 seconds, 255.89 mph vs. 
8) Robert Ginther, Lansing, Mich., 5.909, 226.92

2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.464, 259.89 vs. 
7) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.797, 251.60

3) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.616, 251.25 vs.
6) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.783, 248.48

4) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.620, 242.00 vs. 
5) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 5.689, 251.18

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, '03 Firebird, 5.837 seconds, 248.11 mph
2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.844, 246.50
3) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.858, 245.29
4) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.985, 240.00
5) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Trans Am, 6.273, 224.38
6) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.289, 221.07
7) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.300, 223.82
8) Rick Krafft, Union Mills, Ind., '98 Avenger, 6.344, 219.78

Not Qualified
9) Don DeVault, Kenland, Ind., '01 Avenger, 6.561, 210.28
10) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '01 Firebird, 6.909, 169.01
11) Fred Hagen, Chicago, Ill., '01 Avenger, 7.856, 138.44

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, '03 Firebird, 5.837 seconds, 248.11 mph vs. 
8) Rick Krafft, Union Mills, Ind., '98 Avenger, 6.344, 219.78

2) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.844, 246.50 vs. 
7) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.300, 223.82

3) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.858, 245.29 vs. 
6) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.289, 221.07

4) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 5.985, 240.00 vs. 
5) Andrew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Trans Am, 6.273, 224.38

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.495 seconds, -0.585 (under index)
2) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Roadster, J/AA, 7.900, -0.560
3) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.516, -0.554
4) Jack Slagle, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, D/SMA, 8.799, -0.551
5) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '33 Ford, C/SR, 8.723, -0.547
6) Charlie Westcott Jr., Parma, Mich., '98 Grand Am, F/SM, 9.032, -0.468
7) Ralph Hope, London, Ont., '23 Roadster, J/A, 8.095, -0.465
8) Rod Dorsey, North Judson, Ind., '95 Achieva, H/SMA, 9.443, -0.457
9) Eddie Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '63 Corvette, G/AA, 8.766, -0.454
10) Ed Bennett, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.361, -0.439

SUPER STOCK
1) Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '98 Grand Am, GT/E, 9.665 seconds, -1.135 (under index)
2) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.259, -1.091
3) Alex Denysenko, Lyons, Ill., '65 Mustang, SS/MA, 11.068, -1.082
4) Mike Cates, Milan, Tenn., '64 Comet, SS/M, 10.827, -1.073
5) Michael Beachy, Kokomo, Ind., '82 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.751, -1.049
6) Mike Lyons, Leonard, Mich., '02 Cavalier, GT/GA, 10.168, -1.032
7) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.819, -1.031
8) Jim Pancake, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.971, -1.029
9) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.128, -1.022
10) Mike Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.988, -1.012

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '01 Avenger, 7.271 seconds, 187.93 mph
2) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Trans Am, 7.312, 188.63
3) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '03 Cavalier, 7.324, 189.71
4) Paul Mann, Jasper, Minn., '90 Firebird, 7.415, 183.33
5) Todd Burks, Kalamazoo, Mich., '97 Cutlass, 7.428, 187.89
6) Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.463, 185.64
7) Aaron Glaser, Shepherdsville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.487, 184.38
8) Rod Burgoyne, Colma, Mich., '93 Lumina, 7.709, 175.91
9) Paul Wolf, Olivet, Mich., '55 Bel Air, 7.761, 170.55
10) Ryan Koener, Morton, Ill., '01 Firebird, 7.776, 176.19

TOP SPORTSMAN SHOWDOWN-FINAL
Rick Corn, Benton, Ill., '01 Dodge Avenger, 7.250, 188.63 def. 
Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '03 Chevy Cavalier, 7.294, 189.43. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Initial qualifying complete at Mid-Michigan

STANTON, Mich. - In the first rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Bar's Leaks at Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver Marty Thacker and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) pilot Jeff Craig took the no. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

In TAD qualifying, Thacker stood out resetting the track time record. The Robinson, Ill., racer made a 5.464-second, 258.76-mph pass to take the top qualifying spot and the record. Jeff Wilson's 5.532-second, 253.02-mph effort was enough to put him in second place. Craig, a resident of Muncie, Ind., ran 5.844 seconds at 266.50 mph. He was the last TAFC to go down the track and he took the No. 1 qualifying spot from Dale Brand of Sully, Iowa, who ran 5.978 seconds at 246.50 mph. The top qualifier in Comp Eliminator was Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla. Due to technical problems, the qualifying information for Super Stock and Stock was not available.

Racing continues Saturday at Mid-Michigan Motorplex. Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials start at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman will run at 4 and 7 p.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run at 5 and 8 p.m. An array of exhibition classes, including the Bar's Leaks Exhibition and Pro Stock Snowmobiles, will run throughout the evening beginning at 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m.

Tickets are $25 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day. For more information call Mid-Michigan Motorplex, (989) 762-5043.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Bar's Leaks at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.464 seconds, 258.76 mph
2) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.532, 253.02
3) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.616, 251.25
4) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.783, 248.48
5) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.797, 251.60
6) Robert Ginther, Lansing, Mich., 5.909, 226.92
7) Ken Perry, Toronto, Ont., 5.932, 185.45
8) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 6.112, 190.07

Not Qualified
9) Shawn Bowen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 6.196, 236.93
10) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.444, 194.84
11) Bryan Weber, Vemillion, Ohio, 11.971, 66.47
12) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., (no time)
13) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., (no time)
14) Timothy Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., (no time)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jeff Craig, Muncie, Ind., '01 R/T, 5.844 seconds, 246.50 mph
2) Dale Brand, Sully, Iowa, '03 Firebird, 5.978, 235.91
3) Greg Elliott, Bedford, Ind., '96 Firebird, 6.289, 221.07
4) Rick Krafft, Union Mills, Ind., '98 Avenger, 6.357, 218.81
5) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.415, 188.99
6) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 7.367, 127.53
7) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '01 Firebird, 7.447, 124.80

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.495 seconds, -0.585 (under index)
2) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 Roadster, J/AA, 7.900, -0.560
3) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., '32 Bantam, E/ED, 8.516, -0.554
4) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '33 Ford, C/SR, 8.723, -0.547
5) Charlie Westcott Jr, Parma, Mich., '98 Grand Am, F/SM, 9.032, -0.468
6) Ralph Hope, London, Ont., '23 Roadster, J/A, 8.095, -0.465
7) Rod Dorsey, North Judson, Ind., '95 Achieva, H/SMA, 9.443, -0.457
8) Eddie Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '63 Corvette, G/AA, 8.766, -0.454
9) Mike Clarahan, Farmington Hills, Mich., '32 Bantam, A/AA, 7.011, -0.399
10) Ed Bennett, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.430, -0.370

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA racers continue Lucas Oil season at Mid-Mich Motorplex

STANTON, Mich. - Mid-Michigan Motorplex will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Bar's Leaks, the third of six races in NHRA North Central Division competition, June 20-22. The event will feature more than 400 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national championships.

Classes will include 250-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. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

After a slow start in his Bar's Leaks-backed Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Bill Reichert is back on track and leading the divisional point standings. Reichert started the season at an out-of-division race in Gainesville, Fla., where he failed to make the eight-car field. But in the North Central division's season opener in Joliet, Ill., he went to the semifinals and at the next event in Indianapolis he took the win. En route to the winner's circle, the Owasso, Mich., driver made the quickest run of the event, covering the quarter-mile in 5.356 seconds. He also had the fastest lap of the weekend, 272.61-mph.

Just off the pace in second place in the TAD standings is Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Mo. Wilson started out the season with a win at an out-of-division race in Memphis, Tenn., but in Joliet he lost in the first round. Wilson is the defending event champion at Mid-Michigan Motorplex.

With a win and a semifinal round appearance in two races, Jeff Craig is tied with Marc White of Glendale Hts., Ill., for the Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) points lead. White, who pilots the TAFC backed by Bar's Leaks and owned by Newaygo, Mich., resident George Etterman, suffered first-round losses in Memphis and in Joliet but was runner-up to defending division champion Chuck Cheeseman in Indianapolis. At last year's event here, White defeated Craig in the final.

Galena, Ohio, racer Cheeseman is just 11 points behind the TAFC leaders. He lost in the first round in Joliet but won the next race. In 2002, he won his fourth North Central division TAFC title - his third in a row. Cheeseman's semifinal round finish here last year was the worst he did all year. The veteran driver won the other five races on the division schedule.

Gates at Mid-Michigan Motorplex open at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday and at 7 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at noon with Top Sportsman qualifying at 5 p.m. and TAD and TAFC running at 6 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman is scheduled to run at 4 and 7 p.m. while TAD and TAFC will qualify at 5 and 8 p.m. An array of exhibition classes, including the Bar's Leaks Exhibition and Pro Stock Snowmobiles, are scheduled throughout the evening beginning at 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 8 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at 1 p.m.

General admission tickets are $15 Friday, $25 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and 5 and under are admitted free.

Mid-Michigan Motorplex is located 50 miles northeast of Grand Rapids at 2589 N. Wyman Road, off M-66. For more information call the track, (989) 762-5043, or visit the web site, www.MidMichMotorplex.com.

NHRA North Central division racers will head to Cincinnati for the next Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The three-day race at Edgewater Sports Park is scheduled Aug. 1-3.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Bar's Leaks, 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 six in North Central Division competition. The division's Top Sportsman class will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Stanton, Mich. Track is located 50 miles Northeast of Grand Rapids at 2589 N. Wyman Rd., off M-66.

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

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Bar's Leaks:

FRIDAY, June 20 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Sportsman will qualify at 5 p.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 21 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 4 and 7 p.m. while Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 and 8 p.m. An array of exhibition classes, including the Bar's Leaks Exhibition and Pro Stock Snowmobiles, will run throughout the evening, starting at 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 22 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $25 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50. Children 6 to 12 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Mid-Michigan Motorplex, (989) 762-5043.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $164,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Jeff Wilson, Top Alcohol Dragster; Marc White, Top Alcohol Funny Car; David Billingsley, Comp Eliminator; Bobby Rashid, Super Stock; Donald Holmes, Stock Eliminator; Forrest Lipke, Super Comp; David Connolly, Super Gas; Robert Richardson, 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.

NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION TOP SPORTSMAN CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship.

Top Sportsman racers may run the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the Southeast or South Central Divisions.

The North Central Division Top Sportsman year-end champion will earn $2,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.

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.