FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First set of winners crowned from Englishtown Lucas Oil Series event

RISING SUN, Md. - After a wait of nearly two weeks, eager competitors in six of eight categories from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event originally scheduled to conclude August 15 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. completed their final eliminations at Cecil County Dragway. The final eliminations were completed in conjunction with the NHRA Northeast Division Shootout presented by Coca-Cola, being held this weekend at the Rising Sun, Md., facility.

The final round in the two remaining two categories, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, will be contested at a later date between Mike Kosky and Ashley Force in dragster and Frank Manzo and Bob Newberry in funny car.

In Comp Eliminator, Tony Stephenson of Willow Spring, N.C., took his '02 Cavalier to the winner's circle for the third time this year when he defeated Norwalk, Conn., driver Billy Griffin in the class final. This is the second NHRA Northeast Division win for Stephenson, who claims NHRA's Southeast Division as his home. Stephenson also was a winner at Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon, N.Y., in July, ironically, over Griffin in the final.

Doug Linke of Old Bridge, N.J., claimed the title in Super Stock over Newell, Pa., driver Tom Sheehan, while the win in Stock Eliminator went to Wading River, N.Y., racer Michael Iacono over Lee Valentine of Brookfield, Conn. This was the first Stock win of the year for Iacono, a standout in the Super Stock category. In that class he's currently No. 8 in the national points standings.

Taking the win in Super Comp was Ken Moses of Colonia, N.J. In his final round bout he defeated former division champ Kent Hanley of Newton, Conn.

In Super Gas, Regis Lepage of Auburn, Maine added another win to his resume when he won over class veteran Jeff Szilagyi of Hellertown, Pa.

In Super Street, Tony Andreocci of Clinton, N.J., became the fifth different person to win in the class this year in the Northeast Division. In the final, Andreocci defeated Rick Cooper of Sayreville, N.J.

The next NHRA Northeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event will take place this weekend at Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Md. For more information on the event please contact Cecil County Dragway at (410) 287-6280 or on the web at www.CecilCountyDragway.com.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event originally scheduled to conclude August 15 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

COMP ELIMINATOR
Tony Stephenson, Willow Spring, N.C., '02 Cavalier, B/EA, 8.013, 156.90  def. 
Billy Griffin, Norwalk, Conn., '92 Camaro, B/EA, 7.982, 168.01.
 
SUPER STOCK
Doug Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '96 Firebird, GT/LA, 10.859, 120.09  def. 
Tom Sheehan, Newell, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/HA, 10.447, 121.72.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '69 Torino, D/SA, 11.000, 115.09  def. 
Lee Valentine, Brookfield, Conn., '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.611, 97.48

SUPER COMP
Ken Moses, Colonia, N.J., dragster, 8.899, 174.03  def. 
Kent Hanley, Newton, Conn., dragster, 8.889, 170.95. 

SUPER GAS
Regis Lepage, Auburn, Maine, '00 S-10, 9.904, 158.28  def. 
Jeff Szilagyi, Hellertown, Pa., '27 roadster, 9.911, 141.39.

SUPER STREET
Tony Andreocci, Clinton, N.J., '68 Firebird, 10.893, 137.72  def. 
Rick Cooper, Sayreville, N.J., '87 Trans Am, 10.879, 135.31.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Action at Raceway Park postponed

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. The final day of racing at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has been postponed. The plan is to have the remaining rounds of racing completed on Friday, August 27, at the next NHRA Northeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event scheduled for August 27-29, at Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Md.

Prior to the day's action being postponed, several rounds of racing in all classes were completed, including two rounds of eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, Mike Kosky of Cuddy, Pa., and Azusa, Calif., racer Ashley Force will face off in the class final. On his road to the final, Kosky defeated Baldwin, Pa., runner Mark Albert and Numidia Raceway winner Arthur Gallant in the semifinals. In her first round bout, Force eliminated Maple Grove Raceway champ Steve Cantrell before then moving past Richard Bourke of Old Tappan, N.J., in the semifinals. A win in the upcoming final round bout between Kosky and Force is key for Force, who is currently in a heated points battle for the NHRA South Central Division crown with defending division champ, Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla.

The final in Top Alcohol Funny Car will feature two familiar faces on the NHRA Northeast Division tour, reining national champ Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., and Schenectady, N.Y., racer Bob Newberry. Manzo, the defending race champion, opened eliminations by defeating Bruce Peterson of Wappinger Falls, N.Y., before then taking out Stamford, Conn., racer Mickey Ferro in the semifinals. In his opening round contest, Newberry defeated Billy Gibson of Chaptico, Del. In the semifinals, Newberry earned the win over Plaistow, N.H., racer David Ray. The final between Manzo and Newberry will be the third time this year that the pair have faced off in the championship round. The pair are currently tied with one win apiece.

The plan at press time is for racing action in all categories to resume Friday, August 27, at Cecil County Dragway in conjunction with the next NHRA Northeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event scheduled to take place August 27-29.

For more information on the event please contact Cecil County Dragway at (410) 287-6280 or on the web at www.CecilCountyDragway.com. Schedule information can also be found at www.NHRADiv1.com.

The following are Sunday's results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being help this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
3) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.494, 258.96 def. 
6) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 9.242, 90.04

7) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.459, 254.57 def. 
2) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.518, 254.57

1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.319, 269.24 def. 
8) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.655, 244.43

4) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.561, 247.70 def. 
11) David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.568, 257.53

Semifinals
Force, 5.356, 270.75 def. Bourke, foul
Kosky, 9.571, 84.62 def. Gallant, 20.792, 32.20

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
4) David Ray, Plaistow, N.H., '02 Avenger, 6.122, 244.65 def. 
5) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '01 Camaro, foul

1) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '03 Camaro, 5.678, 254.90 def. 
8) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., '04 Firebird, 8.940, 105.76

3) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '01 Camaro, 5.901, 242.76 def. 
9) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '99 Camaro, 7.185, 140.66

2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.698, 255.77 def. 
7) Bruce Peterson, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., '02 Corvette, 6.152, 234.33

Semifinal
Newberry, 5.678, 254.28 def. Ray, 6.113, 221.92
Manzo, 6.030, 241.63 def. Ferro, 20.452, 29.85

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Racers ready for final eliminations at Raceway Park

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - Over 500 racers turned out today for the second day of qualifying and time trials at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event taking place this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, before the day's activities were ultimately shortened by rain.

In spite of the rain, the day was not a total wash. Before the weather ultimately won out, a round of qualifying was completed in all classes, including a round for the 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars.

After the opening round of qualifying in the Alcohol classes, Phoenixville, Pa., driver Rich McPhillips and Terryville, Conn., driver Eric Lourie are leading Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car.

McPhillips ran 5.505 seconds at 255.87 mph to take the lead in his class. He is closely followed in second by Mark Albert of Baldwin, Pa.. Among those also qualified in the field are New Jersey's Richard Bourke of Old Tappan and Fanwood's Karen Benkovich, who currently hold the No. 4 and 5 spots. A surprise non-qualifier is out of division invader, Ashley Force of Azusa, Calif. Force, who is the daughter of 12-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Champion John Force, normally runs out of NHRA's South Central Division and currently lead the points in that division.

Lourie, took his '02 Camaro to the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car with a run of 5.882 seconds at 242.76 mph. Morganville's Frank Manzo is second with a 5.919 second pass at 245.85 mph. New Jersey racers Frank Schuster of Chesterfield and Dan Pomponio of Berlin are currently the No. 5 and 8 qualifiers.

Other low qualifiers of the day were Tommy Ciccarone Jr. of West Chester, Pa., in Comp Eliminator, Angelo Ditocco of Mahopac, N.Y., in Super Stock and Anthony Massari of Middletown, N.J., in Stock Eliminator.

Due to today's shortened schedule, on Sunday competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, as well as those in Comp Eliminator are scheduled to receive a qualifying attempt in the morning with eliminations set to following in the afternoon. All other categories will go straight into eliminations.

Gates at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park open Sunday at 8 a.m. General Admission tickets, including a pit pass, are $20. Children 6 to 11 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please contact Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800 or online at www.racewaypark.com.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.505 seconds, 255.87 mph
2) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.529, 254.57
3) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.535, 253.23
4) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.535, 251.16
5) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.556, 255.63
6) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.625, 249.63
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.654, 252.10
8) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.729, 247.52

Not Qualified
9) Daniel Mercier, St. Timothee, Quebec, 5.735, 196.30
10) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.829, 248.66
11) Jeff Veale, Hannon, Ont., 5.830, 240.12
12) Donald Gianquitto, Melrose, Mass., 6.607, 216.24
13) Wayne Morris, Lincoln University, Pa., 6.681, 201.97
14) Mike Burns, Bisbee, Ariz., 7.189, 133.63
15) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 9.249, 77.02
16) David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 14.237, 52.79
17) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 14.640, 51.55

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '01 Camaro, 5.882 seconds, 242.76 mph
2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.919, 245.85
3) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '01 Camaro, 5.928, 232.79
4) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., '04 Firebird, 5.971, 245.99
5) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '03 Camaro, 5.986, 241.32
6) Bruce Peterson, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., '02 Corvette, 6.130, 233.12
7) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '03 Camaro, 6.158, 251.95
8) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '99 Camaro, 6.239, 207.43

Not Qualified
9) David Roy, Plaistow, N.H., '02 Avenger, 6.405, 205.54
10) Darrel Cox Sr, Whiteford, Md., '01 Firebird, 6.517, 158.93
11) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '02 Avenger, 6.581, 217.42
12) Chris Brown, Ivyland, Pa., '00 Avenger, (no time)

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Tommy Ciccarone Jr., West Chester, Pa., '03 Cavalier, E/SMA, 8.607 seconds, -0.733 (under index)
2) Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '03 S-10, PSTA, 7.700, -0.570
3) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '92 Camaro, E/SM, 8.779, -0.561
4) Jeff Liuzzo, Carbondale, Pa., dragster, C/ED, 7.408, -0.532
5) Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., dragster, G/D, 9.155, -0.515
6) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.274, -0.496
7) Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '32 Bantam, F/EA, 8.545, -0.495
8) Charlie Yannetti, Alpine, N.J., '32 Bantam, L/AA, 9.280, -0.490
9) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, D/EA, 8.520, -0.490
10) David Allen, Sewickley, Pa., '02 Camaro, F/A, 8.320, -0.460

SUPER STOCK
1) Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 9.965 seconds, -1.135 (under index)
2) Joseph Franco III, N. Babylon, N.Y., '85 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.084, -1.116
3) Ray Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '97 Probe, GT/H, 10.058, -1.092
4) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.145, -1.055
5) Jeff Roell, Poughquag, N.Y., '93 Mustang, GT/FA, 10.046, -1.054
6) Michael Volkman, Moon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/FA, 10.065, -1.035
7) Anthony Cretella, Newington, Conn., '86 Camaro, GT/AA, 9.379, -1.021
8) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevy, SS/NA, 11.429, -1.021
9) Michael Tueffel, Greensboro, N.C., '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.683, -1.017
10) Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.340, -1.010

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Anthony Massari, Middletown, N.J., '83 Riviera, BF/S, 13.836 seconds, -1.614 (under index)
2) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, G/SA, 11.077, -1.223
3) William Kennedy, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., '84 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.742, -1.208
4) Ken Kopecky, Edison, N.J., '71 Demon, F/SA, 10.991, -1.159
5) Rich Aman, West Creek, N.J., '88 Mustang, H/S, 11.160, -1.140
6) Bob Twynam, East Hanover, N.J., '72 Nova, H/S, 11.176, -1.124
7) Shane Oaks, Pipersville, Pa., '66 Malibu Wgn, J/SA, 11.661, -1.089
8) Gene Monahan, Brockton, Mass., '86 Firebird, K/SA, 11.862, -1.088
9) Tom Baird, Blue Point, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.166, -1.084
10) Jim Conte, Tappan, N.Y., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.471, -1.079

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First of Lucas Oil qualifying complete at Raceway Park

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - In the opening rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event taking place this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Super Stock driver Byron Worner and Stock Eliminator driver Anthony Massari are leading their fields.

Behind the wheel his '90 Camaro, Worner of Duncannon, Pa. claimed the No. 1 spot in Super Stock with a time of 10.201 seconds. In second is Levittown, Pa., racer Howard Barsky. Moon, Pa., runner Michael Volkman is third.

Massari, of Middletown, N.J., took the top spot in Stock Eliminator with a 14.076 pass with his '83 Riviera. Rich Aman of West Creek, N.J., is second with his '88 Mustang, while Wilkes-Barre, Pa., racer William Kennedy sits in third.

Saturday's racing action will feature qualifying for the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars at 3 and 6 p.m., as well as qualifying in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street.

Gates at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park open Saturday at 8 a.m. with qualifying set to continue at 10 a.m. General Admission tickets, including a pit pass, are $18 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Children 6 to 11 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please contact Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800 or online at www.racewaypark.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

SUPER STOCK
1) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.201 seconds, -0.999 (under index)
2) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevy, SS/NA, 11.479, -0.971
3) Michael Volkman, Moon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/FA, 10.129, -0.971
4) Tom Sheehan, Newell, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/HA, 10.411, -0.939
5) Frank Lupo, North East, Md., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.613, -0.937
6) Ray Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '97 Probe, GT/H, 10.229, -0.921
7) Leon Miranian, Davidsonville, Md., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.730, -0.920
8) Doug Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '96 Firebird, GT/LA, 10.938, -0.912
9) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '87 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.055, -0.895
10) Ed Koziol, Westfield, Mass., '66 Corvette, SS/C, 9.457, -0.893

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Anthony Massari, Middletown, N.J., '83 Riviera, BF/S, 14.076 seconds, -1.374 (under index)
2) Rich Aman, West Creek, N.J., '88 Mustang, H/S, 11.229, -1.071
3) William Kennedy, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., '84 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.923, -1.027
4) Tom Baird, Blue Point, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.260, -0.990
5) Evan Smith, Matawan, N.J., '93 Mustang, E/FI, 11.519, -0.981
6) Dennis Martins, New Bedford, Mass., '82 Malibu, O/SA, 12.470, -0.980
7) Wendy Caliendo, Colts Neck, N.J., '98 Firebird, E/SA, 11.024, -0.976
8) Ken Kopecky, Edison, N.J., '71 Demon, F/SA, 11.175, -0.975
9) Glen Hartzler, Roselle Park, N.J., '72 Barracuda, H/SA, 11.479, -0.971
10) John Presing, N. Haledon, N.J., '88 Mustang, F/FI, 11.884, -0.966

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Manzo still the one to beat as Lucas Series pulls into Old Bridge

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - Old Bridge Township Raceway Park will host a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, August 13-15. The event is the fifth of seven in NHRA Northeast Division competition. At the event drivers will compete for points leading to national and divisional championships.

Defending event champion Frank Manzo, the most decorated Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history, won the Northeast Division's 2004 season opener in Reading, Pa., and the second race in West Lebanon, N.Y.

Manzo is going for his 15th Northeast Division Lucas Oil Series Championship and his 10th Lucas Oil National Championship. These are levels of accomplishment unlikely to ever be seen again in such a competitive class of racing. In 2003, the Morganville, N.J., racer earned his seventh consecutive national title and his ninth straight division crown.

Last year, Manzo dominated the Northeast by winning five of seven events and four NHRA national events. Bob Newberry finished runner-up at four Northeast Division events in 2003 and again at West Lebanon this year. Newberry, a Schenectady, N.Y., resident, has found some consistency and is racing well this season. He would certainly welcome a much-needed victory at Englishtown. Manzo beat Newberry at Englishtown last year and he also desperately needs this year's share of the winner's Lucas points because he is currently sitting No. 9 in the national points standings after lackluster showings at national events thus far in 2004.

Meanwhile, Dave DeAngelis, of Middlesex, N.J., won last year's Old Bridge Top Alcohol Dragster title with a final-round win over Fran Monaghan of Meadowbrook, Pa. Overall, seven different drivers won Northeast Division TAD titles in 2003.

So far this season another two drivers, Steve Cantrell, of Wilmington, Del., and Canadian racer Daniel Mercier out of Timothee, Que., have won the Alcohol Dragster titles at the first two events. Top Alcohol Dragster veteran and 2002 Lucas National and Northeast Division Champion Art Gallant was runner-up at both events, putting him in the lead in Northeast Division points.

Gates at Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. every day. Qualifying and time trials for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street start at 10 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 10 a.m. Drivers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will each have two qualifying sessions Saturday, at 3 and 6 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run their first rounds at noon.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Raceway Park are $14 Friday, $18 Saturday, and $20 Sunday. A two-day pass is $35 and a three-day ticket is $50. Children 6 to 11 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. All tickets include a pit pass.

Raceway Park is located at 230 Pension Rd. in Englishtown, N.J. Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 9 and follow the signs to Route 18 South. Go six miles to the Englishtown exit. Take Route 527 South five miles and turn left on to Pension Road. The track entrance is on the left. For more information call Raceway Park, (732) 446-7800, or visit www.RacewayPark.com.

NHRA Northeast Division racers will next head to Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Md., Aug. 27-29, for the next stop on their NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series tour.

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 fifth of seven in Northeast Division competition.

WHERE: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J. Take exit 9 off the New Jersey Turnpike to Route 18. Go south to Englishtown exit, Route 527, and proceed to Pension Road. Go left and Old Bridge Township Raceway Park is a quarter-mile on the left.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 13-15, 2004

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

FRIDAY, Aug. 13 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street begin at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 14 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials for all classes begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 and 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 15 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 10 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $14 Friday, $18 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $35 and a three-day pass is $50. Children 6 to 11 are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, (732) 446-7800.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $160,360, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Dave DeAngelis, Top Alcohol Dragster; Frank Manzo, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Sal Biondo, Comp Eliminator; Angelo DiTocco, Super Stock; Marty Bernard, Stock Eliminator; Scott Albrecht, Super Comp; Thomas Stalba, Super Gas; Robbie Welch, 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 2004 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 $109,000 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at each of the 46 Lucas Oil events: $1,000 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $200 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $100 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 46 divisional 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 2004 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 2004 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.

This year, event sponsor, Jeg's High Performance, has offered a "double up" bonus to Allstars competitors. Winners in each individual class who go on to win the national event will have their Allstars prize money doubled.

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.