FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Newberry, Gallant score first divisonal wins of 2004

NUMIDIA, Pa. - Art Gallant in Top Alcohol Dragster and Bob Newberry in Top Alcohol Funny Car took home the wins at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series RBS Trailer Sales event at Numidia Raceway.

Gallant of Boxboro, Mass., qualified No. 1 then ran passes of 5.738 and 5.744 seconds in rounds one and two on his way to a final round match-up with Paul Sylvester. Gallant, the 2002 Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster National Champion easily defeated Sylvester with a run of 5.761 seconds at 223.32 mph to Sylvester's 7.400, 105.98 mph.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car it was a classis show down between veteran racers Newberry and multi-national champion Frank Manzo. Both had similar elapsed times throughout rounds one and two but Newberry continued to run quicker each round while Manzo fell off in the final. Newberry crossed the finish line in 5.867 seconds at 247.38 mph to Manzo's 6.991, 132.64 for the win.

Glen Treadwell out ran Steve Ambrose in the final of Comp Eliminator with a pass of 8.607 seconds at 152.67 mph while Angelo Ditocco nipped Brad Huntzberry for the win in Super Stock. Ditocco ran a 10.152 second, 130.49 mph run to Huntzberry's 10.156, 131.08

In Stock Eliminator, it was Rob Garvey Jr. in his '72 Duster over Jim Boudreau. Super Comp racer Tommy Stalba Jr. of Williamstown, N.J., won over Duke Bodnar of Kendall Park, N.J., Ray Sawyer beat Jim Smulligan of Coopersburg, Penn., in Super Gas, and Raymond Baliam defeated Michael Sawyer in the Super Street final.

The Northeast Division racers head to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, August 13-15

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series RBS Trailer Sales at Numidia Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND ONE
5) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.782, 244.29 def. 
4) Daniel Mercier, St. Timothee, Quebec, 9.973, 83.71

9) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.741, 248.82 def. 
3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.904, 241.3
5
1) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.738, 242.45 def. 
8) Richard Bourke, Norwood, N.J., 5.874, 237.46

7) Paul Sylvester, Townsend, Del., 5.851, 242.58 def. 
2) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., foul

SEMIFINALS
Gallant, 5.744, 231.42 def. Albert, 6.411, 167.94
Sylvester, 5.877, 242.32 def. Kosky, 6.049, 244.03

FINALS
Gallant, 5.761, 223.32 def. Sylvester, 7.400, 105.98

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND ONE
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 6.010, 248.48 def. 
8) Sam Leland, Jarrettsville, Md., '00 Corvette, 6.291, 222.38

2) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '02 Camaro, 6.036, 244.10 def. 
7) Chris Brown, Ivyland, Pa., '00 Avenger, broke

6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '99 Camaro, 6.324, 230.17 def. 
3) Darrel Cox Sr., Whiteford, Md., '01 Firebird, 6.510, 220.91

4) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., '04 Firebird, 6.197, 237.78 def. 
5) Frank Schuster, Columbus, Ohio, '02 Camaro, 7.933, 112.12

SEMIFINALS
Manzo, 5.939, 244.83 def. Gibson, foul
Newberry, 5.927, 245.76 def. Pomponio, 6.362, 227.33

FINALS
Newberry, 5.867, 247.38 def. Manzo, 6.991, 132.64

COMP ELIMINATOR
Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.607, 152.67 def. 
Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, broke

SUPER STOCK
Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.152, 130.49 def. 
Brad Huntzberry, Smithsburg, Md., '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.156, 131.08

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Rob Garvey Jr, Penfield, N.Y., '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.710, 108.94 def. 
Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.839, 116.79

SUPER COMP
Tommy Stalba Jr, Williamstown, N.J., dragster, 8.928, 161.69 def. 
Duke Bodnar, Kendall Park, N.J., dragster, 8.929, 155.89

SUPER GAS
Ray Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '02 Camaro, 9.925, 166.08 def. 
Jim Smulligan, Coopersburg, Pa., '63 Corvette, 9.897, 156.49

SUPER STREET
Raymond Balian, Massapequa, N.Y., '66 Chevelle, 10.971, 129.70 def. 
Michael Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '67 Camaro, 10.895, 144.64

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manzo, Gallant grab top spots before rain stops action

NUMIDIA, Pa. - Afternoon rain showers shortened the racing action today at Numidia Raceway for the RBS Trailers Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, but not before two former NHRA Lucas Oil National Champions raced to the early pole position in the two premier classes.

Art Gallant, the 2002 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion, leads the dragster class with a 5.680 second pass at 237.40 mph. The Boxboro, Mass., racer is followed by Karen Benkovich of Fanwood, N.J., and Daniel Mercier of Quebec, CAN. Benkovich is second with a lap of 5.698 seconds, 245.96 mph and Mercier third at 5.728, 249.72 mph.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car it was 9-time national champion Frank Manzo on top with a 5.898 second run at 252.24 mph. Manzo, looking for his third divisional win of the 2004 season, is followed by Northeast Division rival Bob Newberry of Schenectady, N.Y., with a 5.932, 244.83 mph pass and Darrel Cox in third with a 6.100, 221.72.

Vinny Barone is on top in Comp. Eliminator with his '34 Chevy, running 8.074 seconds, 0.556 under the index and is followed by Glen Treadwell of Sorrento, Fla.

Steve Sweitzer of Jersey Shore, Pa., grabbed the No. 1 spot in Super Stock while Jim Marshall leads Wilkes-Barre, Pa., racer William Kennedy in Stock with a run of 11.432, 1.168 under the index. Kennedy ran an 11.843 second pass, 1.107 under.

Racing continues Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Both alcohol classes receive one more qualifying attempt at 11 a.m. before heading into eliminations. Tickets are 20. For more information, call Numidia Raceway, 570-799-0408.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series RBS Trailer Sales event at Numidia Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.680 seconds, 237.40 mph
2) Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.698, 245.96
3) Daniel Mercier, St. Timothee, Quebec, 5.728, 249.72
4) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.730, 250.34
5) Mark Albert, Baldwin, Pa., 5.794, 246.84
6) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.837, 243.37
7) Paul Sylvester, Townsend, Del., 5.840, 232.43
8) David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.959, 246.17 

Not Qualified
9) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 6.061, 193.05
10) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 9.410, 90.20
11) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 9.602, 86.13
12) Wayne Morris, Lincoln University, Pa., 9.649, 88.34
13) Bruce Insinger, Dushore, Pa., 10.304, 78.32

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '03 Firebird, 5.898 seconds, 252.24 mph
2) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '02 Camaro, 5.932, 244.83
3) Darrel Cox Sr, Whiteford, Md., '01 Firebird, 6.100, 221.72
4) Frank Schuster, Columbus, Ohio, '02 Camaro, 6.248, 225.96
5) Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., '04 Firebird, 6.360, 230.94
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '99 Camaro, 10.853, 76.58

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevy, A/SR, 8.074 seconds, -0.556 (under index)
2) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.575, -0.495
3) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.975, -0.475
4) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.306, -0.464
5) Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., dragster, G/D, 9.241, -0.429
6) Chris Bozic, Pittsburgh, dragster, C/D, 7.199, -0.411
7) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, D/EA, 8.601, -0.409
8) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '92 Camaro, E/SM, 8.943, -0.397
9) Tommy Ciccarone Jr., West Chester, Pa., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.820, -0.380
10) Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '03 S-10, PSTA, 7.893, -0.377

SUPER STOCK
1) Steve Sweitzer, Jersey Shore, Pa., '92 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.851, -1.099
2) Peter Zawadzki, Sodus, N.Y., '82 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.941, -1.009
3) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.744, -1.006
4) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.205, -0.995
5) Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '02 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.129, -0.971
6) Donald Lasure, LaGrange, Ohio, '94 Berretta, GT/E, 9.829, -0.971
7) Ed Koziol, Westfield, Mass., '66 Corvette, SS/C, 9.421, -0.929
8) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevy, SS/NA, 11.529, -0.921
9) Tim Abbazia, Greenwich, Ct., '67 Chevy II, SS/HA, 10.004, -0.896
10) Leon Miranian, Davidsonville, Md., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.759, -0.891

STOCK
1) Jim Marshall, Scottsville, N.Y., '80 Corvette, I/SA, 11.432, -1.168
2) William Kennedy, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., '84 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.843, -1.107
3) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.513, -1.087
4) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.655, -1.045
5) John Presing, N. Haledon, N.J., '88 Mustang, F/FI, 11.836, -1.014
6) Wendy Caliendo, Colts Neck, N.J., '97 Firebird, E/SA, 11.029, -0.971
7) Barry Parker, Southwick, Mass., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.584, -0.966
8) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, F/SA, 11.186, -0.964
9) Joseph Abbazia, Pawling, N.Y., '71 Chevelle, B/SA, 10.592, -0.958
10) Doug Chervanik, Sunbury, Pa., '81 Camaro, M/SA, 12.192, -0.958

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHRA Lucas Series invades Pennsylvania

NUMIDIA, Pa. - In the first rounds of qualifying at Numidia Raceway for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Glen Treadwell of Sorrento, Fla., grabbed the top spot in Comp. Eliminator with a run of 8.575 seconds, 0.495 seconds under the index. Treadwell, who picked up a win at the K&N Filters SuperNationals earlier this year, is followed by Woodhaven, Mich., resident Steve Ambrose in his '23 Ford with a pass of 8.027 seconds, 0.423 under the index.

In Stock Eliminator, local racer William Kennedy of Wilkes Barre, Pa., sits in the No. 2 spot behind Jim Marshall of Scottsville, N.Y. Marshall covered the quarter mile in 11.432 seconds in his '80 Corvette while Kennedy clocked in at 11.843 seconds.

Steve Sweitzer sits on top in Super Stock running a 9.851 second pass in his '92 Firebird, 1.099 seconds under the index. The Jersey Shore, Pa., resident is followed by Peter Zawadzki of Sodus, N.Y., with a 9.941 second pass, 1.009 seconds under.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 Saturday or Sunday. For more information, call 570-799-0480

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series RBS Trailer Sales event at Numidia Raceway:

COMP. ELIMINATOR
1) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.575 seconds, -0.495 (under index)
2) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 8.027, -0.423
3) Chris Bozic, Pittsburgh, Pa., dragster, C/D, 7.199, -0.411
4) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, D/EA, 8.626, -0.384
5) Tommy Ciccarone Jr., West Chester, Pa., '03 Cavalier, D/SMA, 8.820, -0.380
6) Douglas Harris, Millville, N.J., '03 S-10, PSTA, 7.893, -0.377
7) Don Eckel III, Piscataway, N.J., dragster, C/D, 7.257, -0.353
8) George Supinski Jr., Freehold, N.J., '02 S-10, B/T, 8.387, -0.323
9) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '04 Grand Am, F/A, 8.462, -0.318
10) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '92 Camaro, E/SM, 9.022, -0.318

SUPER STOCK
1) Steve Sweitzer, Jersey Shore, Pa., '92 Firebird, GT/EA, 9.851 seconds, -1.099 (under index)
2) Peter Zawadzki, Sodus, N.Y., '82 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.941, -1.009
3) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.744, -1.006
4) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.259, -0.941
5) Ed Koziol, Westfield, Mass., '66 Corvette, SS/C, 9.421, -0.929
6) Howard Barsky, Levittown, Pa., '57 Chevy, SS/NA, 11.529, -0.921
7) Leon Miranian, Davidsonville, Md., '68 Corvette, SS/EA, 9.759, -0.891
8) Russ Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.419, -0.881
9) Wes Leopold Sr., McDonald, Pa., '87 Daytona, GT/GA, 10.324, -0.876
10) Steve Baughman, York, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 9.063, -0.837

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jim Marshall, Scottsville, N.Y., '80 Corvette, I/SA, 11.432 seconds, -1.168 (under index)
2) William Kennedy, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., '84 Trans Am, K/SA, 11.843, -1.107
3) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.513, -1.087
4) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.655, -1.045
5) John Presing, N. Haledon, N.J., '88 Mustang, F/FI, 11.836, -1.014
6) Wendy Caliendo, Colts Neck, N.J., '97 Firebird, E/SA, 11.029, -0.971
7) Barry Parker, Southwick, Mass., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.584, -0.966
8) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, F/SA, 11.186, -0.964
9) Joseph Abbazia, Pawling, N.Y., '71 Chevelle, B/SA, 10.592, -0.958
10) Doug Chervanik, Sunbury, Pa., '81 Camaro, M/SA, 12.192, -0.958

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Northeast Division racers coming to Numidia Raceway

NUMIDIA, Pa. - Numidia Raceway will host the RBS Trailer Sales Thrills in the Hills, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, July 30 - Aug. 1. The event is the fourth of seven in NHRA's Northeast Division with drivers competing for points leading to national and divisional Lucas Oil Series championships.

Gates at Numidia Raceway open at 8 a.m. every day. Qualifying and time trials start at 10 a.m. Friday. The action continues Saturday at 9 a.m. when racers in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street run qualifying and time trials until noon and then run a round of eliminations starting at noon. Drivers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will each have two qualifying sessions, at 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, all classes will resume eliminations and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run their first rounds at noon.

Frank Manzo, the most decorated Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history, won the Northeast Division's 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 title. In 2003, the Morganville, N.J., racer earned his seventh consecutive national championship and his ninth straight divisional crown.

Manzo dominated the Northeast last year by winning five out of the 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 Numidia, one of the few tracks at which Manzo did not win in 2003. But Manzo also desperately needs the winner's share of Lucas points; he is currently sitting No. 8 in the national points standings after lackluster showings at national events thus far in 2004.

At this race a year ago, it was Paul Gill who beat Newberry in the Top Alcohol Funny final. So the stage is set for the superpowers of Alcohol Funny Car racing in the Northeast to clash in what could be a real quarter-mile slugfest.

Meanwhile, Doug Foley, of Sewell, N.J., won last year's Numidia Top Alcohol Dragster title with a final-round win over Pittsburgh's Mark Albert. 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. Class veteran and 2002 National and NHRA Northeast Division Champion Art Gallant was runner-up at both events, putting him in the lead in Northeast Division points.

Tickets for the RBS Trailer Sales Thrills in the Hills are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $50 and a Saturday/Sunday pass is $35. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. All tickets include a pit pass.

Numidia Raceway is located 8 miles south of Bloomsburg, Pa., on Route 42. From I-80, take exit 232 and follow Route 42 south for approximately 11 miles to the track. For more information call Numidia Raceway, (717) 834-9291, or visit www.NumdiaRaceway.com.

NHRA Northeast Division racers will next head to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., Aug. 12-15, for the next stop on the 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 fourth of seven in Northeast Division competition.

WHERE: Numidia Raceway, Numidia, Pa. Track is located eight miles south of Bloomsburg, Pa., on Route 42. From Interstate 80: take Exit 232 (Buckhorn) and follow Route 42 south - through Catawissa, Pa., to Numidia Raceway (approximately 11 miles from Interstate 80).

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, July 30-Aug. 1, 2004

SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, July 30 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Comp Eliminator qualifying at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 31 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations begin at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 and 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 1 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations continue at 8:30 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. For more information please call Numidia Raceway at (570) 799-0480.

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: Doug Foley, Top Alcohol Dragster; Paul Gill, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Al Ackerman, Comp Eliminator; Tim Maggio, Super Stock; Sal Biondo, Stock Eliminator; Frank DiBartolomeo, Super Comp; Barbara Seemann, Super Gas; Jeff Fisher, 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. A special added attraction is drag racing for snowmobiles specially modified to run on asphalt.