FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Payne and Cannon show off winning ways with wins in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -In the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Gainesville Raceway, defending Southeast Division Top Alcohol Dragster champ Jason Cannon and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Payne took home the honors.

Cannon, of Middleburg, Fla., defeated Northeast Division racer Rich McPhillips of Phoenixville, Pa., to take home the win. In the final, Cannon ran 5.449 seconds at 262.08 mph to take out McPhillips, who ran 5.625 seconds at 238.91 mph.

In his final round contest, Payne, a seven-time Southeast division champion, defeated Apopka, Fla., racer Mark Billington. In the final, Payne used a 5.799-second pass at 238.41 mph to defeat Billington, who ran an off-pace 6.794-second pass. This is Payne's first Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series win first win since July of last year when he won over defending Southeast Division champ Jim Sickles at Bristol Dragway.

Winners in other categories are Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., in Competition Eliminator; Jim Harrington of Old Bridge, N.J., in Super Stock; Mike Mayhew of Savannah, Ga., in Stock Eliminator; Jeremy Jensen of Clarksville, Tenn., in Super Comp; defending event champion Corky Markwart of Largo, Fla., in Super Gas and Tony Fuller of Oviedo, Fla., in Super Street. The winner in TracStar Satellite Systems Top Sportsman was Corey Glidewell of Corinth, Miss.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
Round 1 
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.395, 268.73 def. 
9) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.691,  236.09 

5) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.649, 246.17 def. 
4) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass.,  5.624, 195.43 

2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.466, 258.54 def. 
7) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 6.172, 246.12 

3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.465, 261.85 def. 
6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.062,  207.70 

Semifinal 
Cannon, 5.429, 249.10 def. Kelly, 6.120, 190.19 
McPhillips, 5.583, 253.02 def. Reichert, 5.585, 265.25 

Final 
Cannon, 5.449, 262.08 def. McPhillips, 5.625, 238.91

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1 
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., Dodge Avenger, 5.721, 251.88 was unopposed 

2) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., Avenger, 5.860, 248.27 def. 
5) Greg Beckner, Chester, Va.,  Chevy Corvette, 6.879, 207.18 

4) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.895, 194.38 def. 
3) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake,  Minn., Pontiac Firebird, 6.191, 230.00

Semifinal 
Payne, 5.652, 249.51 def. Sickles, 5.745, 251.11 
Billington, 9.229, 92.99 was unopposed 

Final 
Payne, 5.799, 238.41 def. Billington, 6.794, 127.71

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Pontiac Sunfire, B/SM, 8.230, 146.67 def. 
Tim  Timmerman, Clinton, S.C., '00 Pontiac Firebird, E/AA, 7.985, 167.34

SUPER STOCK 
Jim Harrington, Old Bridge, N.J., '87 Chevy Camaro, SS/BS, 9.728, 134.06 def. 
Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '88 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.709, 133.78

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Mike Mayhew, Savannah, Ga., '77 Oldsmobile Cutlass, M/SA, 12.441, 103.71 def. 
Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '73 Chevy Nova, J/SA, 11.729, 109.55

SUPER COMP 
Jeremy Jensen, Clarksville, Tenn., Dragster, 8.919, 144.62 def. 
Steve Muller, Pinellas Park, Fla., Dragster, 8.937, 156.46

SUPER GAS 
Corky Markwart, Largo, Fla., '01 Chevy S-10, 9.913, 145.72 def. 
Frank Altilio, Ocoee, Fla., '01 Ford Mustang, 9.880, 148.83

SUPER STREET 
Tony Fuller, Oviedo, Fla., '69 Pontiac Firebird, 10.926, 135.97 def. 
Mark Sanders, Harrison, Ohio, '82 Pontiac Firebird, 10.890, 138.63

TOP SPORTSMAN 
Corey Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '03 Chevy Cavalier, 7.591, 159.29 def. 
Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Chevy Corvette, 10.481, 85.61

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reichert and Sickles top fields at Lucas Oil opener in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - In the final qualifying from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Gainesville Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Bill Reichert and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Jim Sickles top their respective fields.

Reichert, who last year failed to qualify at this event, laid down a 5.343-second pass at 266.82 mph on his only pass of the day down the Gainesville quarter-mile, to take the top spot. In the opening round of eliminations Reichert will take on former division champion Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla. Sitting in the No. 2 spot is Guy Kelly of Wadley, Ala. Defending Division Champion Jason Cannon of Middleburg, Fla., is third. For his efforts Reichert earned $1000 from Sealed Power as part of their Low Qualifier Bonus.

For the second consecutive year, Sickles of Caledonia, N.Y., took his Dodge Avenger to No. 1 spot in the class. Sickles ran 5.762 seconds at 251.74 mph to earn the $1000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier Bonus. Qualified closely is second is Mark Billington of Apopka, Fla., at 5.800 second at 250.00 mph.

Thundering to the top spot in Competition Eliminator was Florida native John Gullett of Jacksonville. Gullett ran a 6.435-second pass behind the wheel of his turbo Mustang to take the top spot. For his efforts Gullett earns $200 from Sealed Power. Georgia natives Don Eberly of Brunswick and Van Puckett of Snellville hold the No. 2 and 3 spots.

Leading the pack in Super Stock, behind the wheel of his '68 Dodge Dart, is Cable, Wis., racer Randy Hopkins. Claiming the No. 2 spot is Andy Fogle of Norway, S.C., while John Gunn of LaGrangeville, N.Y., is third with his '97 Achieva.

In Stock Eliminator, Jim Wahl of Deltona, Fla., wheeled his '91 Dodge to the No. 1 spot. Qualified second is Tallahassee, Fla., racer Brandon Wood. Dave Edwards of Washington Court House, Ohio is third.

In TracStar Satellite Systems Top Sportsman, Jack Nunez of Daytona Beach, Fla., claimed the No. 1 spot with a 6.683 second pass at 197.19 mph. Qualified second with a 6.880 second pass at 200.31 mph is the '03 Mustang of Billy Bridges of Tallapoosa, Ga. In the third spot is David Lambert of Kannapolis, N.C.

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open Sunday at 8 a.m. with eliminations set to begin at 9 a.m. Final eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled for 1 p.m. For more information please contact Gainesville Raceway at (352) 377-0046 or visit them on the web at www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.343 seconds, 266.82 mph
2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.387, 261.47
3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.397, 260.64
4) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.425, 222.16
5) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.616, 254.59
6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.632, 243.77
7) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.706, 250.34
8) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.738, 258.62

Not Qualified
9) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.766, 225.96
10) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.592, 174.85
11) Robert Leverich, Marysville, Mich., 7.005, 166.32
12) Duke McDonell, Gainesville, Fla., 7.809, 145.96
13) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 11.452, 79.06

First-round TAD pairings
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.343 seconds, 266.82 mph vs. 
8) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.738, 258.62

2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.387, 261.47 vs. 
7) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.706, 250.34

3) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.397, 260.64 vs. 
6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.632, 243.77

4) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.425, 222.16 vs. 
5) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.616, 254.59

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.762 seconds, 251.74 mph
2) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 5.800, 250.00
3) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 6.288, 31.26
4) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '04 Camaro, 6.563, 151.31
5) Greg Beckner, Chester, Va., '02 Corvette, 9.068, 101.70

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.762 seconds, 251.74 mph vs. Bye

2) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 5.800, 250.00 vs. 
5) Greg Beckner, Chester, Va., '02 Corvette, 9.068, 101.70

3) Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '97 Firebird, 6.288, 31.26 vs. 
4) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '04 Camaro, 6.563, 151.31

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) John Gullett, Jacksonville, Fla., '01 Mustang, AA/AT, 6.435 seconds, -0.825 (under index)
2) Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., '96 Achieva, F/SMA, 8.833, -0.717
3) Van Puckett, Snellville, Ga., '99 Firebird, G/AA, 8.457, -0.703
4) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.567, -0.673
5) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.163, -0.657
6) David Allen, Sewickley, Pa., '02 Camaro, F/A, 8.193, -0.647
7) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, H/A, 8.816, -0.644
8) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.888, -0.642
9) Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, H/SM, 9.198, -0.582
10) Kenneth Horne, Fayetteville, N.C., '97 Achieva, H/SMA, 9.323, -0.577

SUPER STOCK
1) Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.627 seconds, -1.373 (under index)
2) Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., '04 Chevy, GT/AA, 9.171, -1.229
3) John Gunn, LaGrangeville, N.Y., '97 Achieva, GT/FA, 9.876, -1.224
4) Steve Baughman, York, Pa., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.782, -1.218
5) J.W. Hames, Madison, Miss., '89 Daytona, GT/JA, 10.395, -1.205
6) John Baughman, York, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.806, -1.194
7) Johnny Moore, Montgomery, Ala., '00 Firebird, GT/MA, 10.878, -1.172
8) Gary Russell, E. Sparta, Ohio, '98 Camaro, GT/M, 10.636, -1.164
9) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.398, -1.152
10) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.758, -1.142

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jim Wahl, Deltona, Fla., '91 Dodge, BF/S, 13.960 seconds, -1.490 (under index)
2) Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.653, -1.297
3) Dave Edwards, Washington Court House, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.322, -1.278
4) Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, I/SA, 11.328, -1.272
5) Jeff Velde, Vero Beach, Fla., '67 Shelby, A/SA, 10.054, -1.246
6) Gary Richard, West Islip, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.466, -1.234
7) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, H/S, 11.070, -1.230
8) Butch Payne, Rome, Ga., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.771, -1.229
9) Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.498, -1.202
10) Tom Stevenson, Flowery Branch, Ga., '69 Nova, G/SA, 11.124, -1.176

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Jack Nunez, Daytona Beach, Fla., '63 Corvette, 6.683 seconds, 197.19 mph
2) Billy Bridges, Tallapoosa, Ga., '03 Mustang, 6.880, 200.31
3) David Lambert, Kannapolis, N.C., '68 Camaro, 6.994, 194.97
4) Jerry Duke Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., '00 Firebird, 7.125, 193.09
5) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.134, 193.38
6) Joe Baker, Milton, Fla., '02 Neon, 7.147, 190.96
7) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '00 Camaro, 7.173, 191.00
8) Gilmer Hinshaw, Burlington, N.C., '99 Monte Carlo, 7.216, 183.07
9) Britt Cummings, Hammond, La., '98 Firebird, 7.217, 190.23
10) Dave Saul, Winter Park, Fla., '96 Trans Am, 7.276, 180.28

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicks off at Gainesville Raceway

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicked off the season today at Gainesville Raceway with the first of seven events in NHRA's Southeast Division.

In Comp Eliminator, former national champion Mike Saye of Johnston, S.C., leads the field with an 8.844-second pass. Qualified in the second spot is the '04 Sunfire of Larry Pritchett, of Clarkrange, Tenn. He's followed by the '32 Bantam Roadster of David Eaton of Merritt Island, Fla.

Leading the pack in Super Stock behind the wheel of his '68 Dodge Dart is Cable, Wis., racer Randy Hopkins. Claiming the No. 2 spot is John Gunn of LaGrangeville, N.Y., while Andy Fogle of Norway, S.C., is third with his '69 Chevelle.

In Stock Eliminator, Jim Wahl of Deltona, Fla., wheeled his '91 Dodge to the No. 1 spot. Qualified second is Tallahassee, Fla., racer Brandon Wood. Former NHRA Pro Stock driver Jeff Velde of Vero Beach, Fla., is third.

In TracStar Satellite Systems Top Sportsman, Ronnie Davis of Commerce, Ga., leads the field with a 7.134-second pass at 193.38 mph. Qualified closely in second with a 7.147-second pass at 190.96 mph is the '02 Neon of Joe Baker of Milton, Fla. In the third spot is Jerry Barker of Byron, Ga.

Saturday's racing action will feature 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, as well as the continuation of qualifying in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street and TracStar Satellite Systems Top Sportsman.

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open Saturday at 8 a.m. with qualifying set to begin at 9 a.m. Qualifying sessions in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information please contact Gainesville Raceway at (352) 377-0046 or visit them on the web at www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

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

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, H/A, 8.844 seconds, -0.616 (under index)
2) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '04 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.206, -0.614
3) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.947, -0.583
4) Kevin Houghtaling, Ashland, Va., '91 Calais, H/SM, 9.198, -0.582
5) Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '98 Grand Am, E/SMA, 8.821, -0.519
6) Kenneth Horne, Fayetteville, N.C., '97 Achieva, H/SMA, 9.393, -0.507
7) David Allen, Sewickley, Pa., '02 Camaro, F/A, 8.403, -0.437
8) Van Puckett, Snellville, Ga., '99 Firebird, G/AA, 8.966, -0.194
9) Bill Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '92 Camaro, F/SM, 9.456, -0.024
10) Bert Dawson, E. Liverpool, Ohio, '86 Beretta, E/SMA, 9.358, 0.018

SUPER STOCK
1) Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.627 seconds, -1.373 (under index)
2) John Gunn, LaGrangeville, N.Y., '97 Achieva, GT/FA, 9.876, -1.224
3) Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., '69 Chevelle, GT/AA, 9.176, -1.224
4) Johnny Moore, Montgomery, Ala., '00 Firebird, GT/MA, 10.878, -1.172
5) Steve Baughman, York, Pa., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.843, -1.157
6) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.398, -1.152
7) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.758, -1.142
8) Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '93 Acheiva, GT/BA, 9.424, -1.126
9) David Swimm, Conway, S.C., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.254, -1.096
10) Brad Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '87 Camaro, GT/H, 10.074, -1.076

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jim Wahl, Deltona, Fla., '91 Dodge, BF/S, 13.960 seconds, -1.490 (under index)
2) Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.653, -1.297
3) Jeff Velde, Vero Beach, Fla., '67 Shelby, A/SA, 10.054, -1.246
4) Gary Richard, West Islip, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.466, -1.234
5) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, H/S, 11.070, -1.230
6) Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.498, -1.202
7) Tom Stevenson, Flowery Branch, Ga., '69 Nova, G/SA, 11.124, -1.176
8) Daran Summerton, Panama City, Fla., '87 Olds Wagon, U/SA, 13.980, -1.170
9) Butch Payne, Rome, Ga., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.846, -1.154
10) Lee Tuttle, Albany, Ga., '66 Bel Air Wagon, T/SA, 13.557, -1.143

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.134 seconds, 193.38 mph
2) Joe Baker, Milton, Fla., '02 Neon, 7.147, 190.96
3) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '00 Camaro, 7.206, 190.23
4) Britt Cummings, Hammond, La., '98 Firebird, 7.217, 190.23
5) Jerry Duke Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., '00 Firebird, 7.431, 182.03
6) Corey Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '03 Cavalier, 7.477, 183.89
7) John Dancu, Valrico, Fla., '91 Grand Prix, 7.583, 179.67
8) Jeffrey Barker, Warner Bridges, Ga., '00 S-10, 7.616, 172.28
9) Jerry Hutcheson, Christmas, Fla., '02 Cavalier, 7.625, 177.47
10) Mike Thompson, Naples, Fla., '97 Cutlass, 7.679, 177.65

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gainesville Raceway hosts NHRA Southeast Division's first 2004 race

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors in the Southeast Division will kick off the 2004 season February 27-29 at Gainesville Raceway. Drivers in eight racing categories, including 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, will vie for points leading to national and divisional championships.

The division's Top Sportsman Series will be run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Top Sportsman competitors will run qualifying and eliminations along with the other classes throughout the weekend.

In Top Alcohol Dragster competition, Jason Cannon will be trying to reclaim his division title. In 2003, the Middleburg, Fla., resident made three final round appearances, taking a win at the division's last event in Darlington, S.C. That win, along with two runner-up finishes and two semifinal finishes, was enough to push him past Tony Bartone of Manhasett, N.Y.

Although Bartone will be competing in NHRA's PowerAde Drag Racing Series in 2004, Cannon still has his work cut out for him. He will likely face challenges from John Haley and former division Top Alcohol Dragster champion, Michael Gunderson.

In 2002, his rookie year, Haley, of Wayzata, Minn., gained notoriety by winning NHRA's most prestigious national event, the US Nationals in Indianapolis. In 2003 he won two divisional races and finished in third place, just 21 points behind Cannon.

For Gunderson, the question is whether he will recapture the form that led him to five consecutive division championships from 1997 to 2001. Gunderson's runner-up finish here last year was his only trip to a final round. He finished the season in fourth place in the points standings.

Defending Southeast division Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Jim Sickles, of Caledonia, N.Y., went to the final round at five of the division's six races. He scored three wins giving him the title over perennial favorite Jay Payne. The two competitors battled in a season-long duel, facing each other in four final rounds.

Payne, a resident of Claremont, Calif., has five division titles and one national championship to his credit.

There are NHRA national champions in two classes that claim the Southeast Division as their home. Super Stock veteran Peter Biondo scored his third national title and his eighth divisional crown. The Mt. Laurel, N.J., resident was just 15 points shy of winning the division's Stock championship as well. In Super Gas, Bryan Robinson of Iuka, Miss., earned his first division title as well as the national championship.

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open at 9 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying begins Friday at 11 a.m. and Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 5 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. and Top Sportsman will run at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will make two qualifying passes Saturday, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run first round at 1 p.m.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 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 with a paid adult.

Gainesville Raceway is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal Airport. For more information call the track, (352) 377-0046, or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

For the next Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, racers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will head to Orlando Speed World Dragway in Orlando, Fla., March 12-14.

WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. Track is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal airport.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, February 27-29, 2004

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

FRIDAY, Feb. 27 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 11 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Feb. 28 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The track will host the 4th Annual Car Club Show with judging beginning at 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, Feb. 28 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Top Sportsman will begin eliminations at 11 a.m., and eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 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 with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,145, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Bartone, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jim Sickles, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Van Puckett, Comp Eliminator; Peter Biondo, Super Stock; George Tamasi Jr., Stock Eliminator; Steve Cohen, Super Comp; Corky Markwart, Super Gas; Dwight Limbaugh, 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 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.

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.