FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reichert and Cheeseman big winners at Mid-Michigan Motorplex

STANTON, Mich. - In the final eliminations from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Bill Reichert and Funny Car driver Chuck Cheeseman scored wins in their respective categories.

In the Top Alcohol Dragster final, Reichert of Owosso, Mich., reset both ends of the Mid-Michigan Motorplex track record in his win over defending race champion, Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill. In the final round bout with Thacker, Reichert recorded a 5.432-second pass at 269.46 mph to take the win, his first North Central win of the year.

In his final round contest, Cheeseman faced No. 1 qualifier Mick Snyder. In the final, Cheeseman ran a 5.825-second pass at 248.55 mph to Snyder's 5.866-second pass at 245.83 mph, to earn his first win of the year in the division. In April, Cheeseman, a five-time Division Champion, failed to qualify at the North Central Division opener at Indianapolis Raceway Park. That race was won by Mick Snyder.

Other winners at the event were Mike Smith of Mineral Well, W.Va., in Competition Eliminator; Brad Zaskowski of Grand Rapids, Mich., in Super Stock; Kyle Riley of Chicago in Stock Eliminator; Rock Haas of White Lake, Mich., in Super Comp; Alan Bush of Erie, Ill., in Super Gas and Jim Johnson of Lansing, Mich., in Super Street. The winners in Top Sportsman and Snowmobile, which both ran in conjunction with this weekends event, were Bill Gibson of Beecher, Ill., and Jason Dunigan of Jackson, Mich.

The next stop for racers on the NHRA North Central Division tour is Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., July 16-18. Additional information about the event can be obtained calling (815) 722-5500 or by logging on to www.Route66Raceway.com or www.NHRA.com.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, event being held at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.599, 250.20 def. 
5) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 10.171, 79.14

1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.538, 253.52 def. 
9) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., 5.924, 231.42 

2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 6.527, 229.94 def. 
7) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 7.481, 154.50 

3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 6.164, 217.65 def. 
6) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 7.981, 83.44

Semifinal 
Thacker, 5.605, 251.95 def. Wilson, 5.822, 192.38
Reichert, 5.441, 263.23 def. Bohr, 5.661, 243.11

Final
Reichert, 5.432, 269.46 def. Thacker, 5.592, 253.66

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.751, 242.13 def. 
7) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Firebird, 9.276, 86.72

3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 RT, 5.799, 247.79 def. 
6) Rick Cortino, Wheaton, Ill., '97 Firebird, 7.239, 158.39

5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 5.823, 248.34 def. 
4) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.205, 225.22 

1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.837, 244.16 def. 
8) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 9.617, 94.20

Semifinal
Cheeseman, 5.768, 247.93 def. Townsend, 5.835, 249.86
Snyder, 5.806, 247.18 def. Addleman, 5.924, 238.53

Final
Cheeseman, 5.825, 248.55 def. Snyder, 5.866, 245.83 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Mike Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '02 Neon, G/AA, 8.459, 157.23  def. 
Jim Primozic, Willoughby, Ohio, dragster, C/ED, 7.593, 172.14

SUPER STOCK
Brad Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '87 Camaro, GT/I, 10.635, 100.81  def. 
Gary Tompa, Saginaw, Mich., '84 Firebird, GT/H, 12.404, 64.37

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Kyle Riley, Chicago, Ill., '77 LeMans, N/SA, 12.489, 90.87  def. 
Bill Kissinger, Valparaiso, Ind., '88 Cutlass, M/SA, foul

SUPER COMP
Rock Haas, White Lake, Mich., dragster, 8.894, 172.41  def. 
Dennis Cejmer, Garden City, Mich., dragster, 8.890, 156.71 

SUPER GAS
Alan Bush, Erie, Ill., '77 Nova, 9.918, 153.74  def. 
Gary Linkhorn, Cumberland, Ohio, '27 roadster, 9.922, 151.26

SUPER STREET
Jim Johnson, Lansing, Mich., '74 Scamp, 10.892, 121.24  def. 
George Maxson, Dayton, Ohio, '68 Camaro, foul

TOP SPORTSMAN
Bill Gibson, Beecher, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.590, 151.20  def. 
Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '04 Cavalier, foul

SNOWMOBILES
Jason Dunigan, Jackson, Mich., dragster, 8.607, 149.22  def. 
Jamie Bellman, Bremen, Ind., '03 Ski Doo, 8.738, 150.72

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Michigan's Reichert remains on top at Mid-Michigan Motorplex

STANTON, Mich. - In the final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event being held this weekend at Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Bill Reichert and Funny Car driver Mick Snyder qualified No. 1 in their respective fields.

Reichert, of Owosso, Mich., recorded a time of 5.442 seconds at 263.85 mph to take to top spot in dragster. Other qualifiers in the field include Michigan racers Jeff Bohr of Plymouth, Denny Hummel of Clinton Township and Evan Knoll of Decatur, who claimed in the No. 4, 7 and 8 positions.

Snyder, who lead Friday's qualifying with a 5.780-second pass at 247.11 mph remained on top, while defending division champ, Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio is second.

In other qualifying action, Rod Dorsey, of North Junction, Ind., leads the Competition Eliminator field, while Bo Butner III of Floyds Knobs, Ind., and Freeport, Ill., racer Marty Buth lead the Super Stock and Stock Eliminator fields. In the Top Sportsman class, which is running in conjunction with the event, Brad Personett of Elkhart, Ind., leads his field.

Sunday's racing action will feature eliminations in all categories beginning at 9 a.m. Eliminations for the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars begin at 1 p.m. General admission tickets for Sunday actives, including a pit pass, are $20. Children 6-12 under are $5.

For more information please contact Mid-Michigan Motorplex at (317) 291-4090 or visit them on the web at www.MidMichMotorplex.com.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, event being held at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.442 seconds, 263.85 mph
2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.555, 256.04
3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.586, 251.18
4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.606, 245.03
5) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 5.676, 249.03
6) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.740, 247.86
7) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 5.746, 240.96
8) Evan Knoll, Decatur, Mich., 5.805, 236.40

Not Qualified
9) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., 6.009, 237.65
10) Noah Condo, Monticello, Ind., 6.087, 203.75
11) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 6.093, 218.02
12) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 6.133, 192.14
13) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.242, 218.39
14) Jeff Veale, Hannon, Ont., 6.274, 171.88
15) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 6.694, 207.32

First round TAD pairings
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.442 seconds, 263.85 mph vs. 
8) Evan Knoll, Decatur, Mich., 5.805, 236.40

2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.555, 256.04 vs. 
7) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 5.746, 240.96

3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.586, 251.18 vs. 
6) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.740, 247.86

4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.606, 245.03 vs. 
5) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 5.676, 249.03

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.835 seconds, 243.17 mph
2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.905, 246.77
3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 RT, 5.967, 245.43
4) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.179, 226.35
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 6.476, 161.20
6) Rick Cortino, Wheaton, Ill., '97 Firebird, 7.349, 163.25
7) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Firebird, 7.640, 125.12
8) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 11.741, 71.53

First round TAFC pairings
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.835 seconds, 243.17 mph vs. 
8) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 11.741, 71.53

2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 5.905, 246.77 vs. 
7) Drew Tarr, Louisville, Ky., '98 Firebird, 7.640, 125.12

3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 RT, 5.967, 245.43 vs. 
6) Rick Cortino, Wheaton, Ill., '97 Firebird, 7.349, 163.25

4) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.179, 226.35 vs. 
5) Steve Addleman, Fishers, Ind., '97 Firebird, 6.476, 161.20

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Rod Dorsey, North Judson, Ind., '95 Achieva, H/SMA, 9.156 seconds, -0.624 (under index)
2) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.686, -0.584
3) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., dragster, F/ED, 8.407, -0.583
4) Bill Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '92 Camaro, H/SM, 9.209, -0.571
5) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.884, -0.566
6) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., dragster, E/ED, 8.527, -0.543
7) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.472, -0.538
8) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.298, -0.532
9) Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.264, -0.516
10) Greg Kamplain, North Salem, Ind., dragster, C/ED, 7.446, -0.514

SUPER STOCK
1) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.474 seconds, -1.226 (under index)
2) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.194, -1.156
3) Charlie Wescott Jr., Parma, Mich., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.761, -1.139
4) Eddie Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '68 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.730, -1.120
5) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.035, -1.115
6) Bobby Rashid, Grosse Point, Mich., '82 Firebird, GT/CA, 9.596, -1.104
7) Bret Voges, Van Buren, Ohio, '66 Nova, SS/HA, 9.800, -1.100
8) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.809, -1.091
9) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '02 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.462, -1.088
10) David Barton, Robesonia, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.838, -1.062

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Marty Buth, Freeport, Ill., '86 Thunderbird, K/FIA, 13.696 seconds, -1.454 (under index)
2) Dave Edwards, Washington Ct Hs, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.370, -1.230
3) Chuck Beach, Delaware, Ohio, '69 Barracuda, G/SA, 11.123, -1.177
4) Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio, '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.010, -1.140
5) Lyn Smith, Pontiac, Ill., '72 Buick GS, F/SA, 11.026, -1.124
6) Dan Zrust, Maple Grove, Minn., '02 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.580, -1.120
7) Bob Gere, Salem, Wis., '72 Gran Sport, L/SA, 11.885, -1.115
8) Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, J/SA, 11.654, -1.096
9) William Lent, Muskegon, Mich., '97 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.365, -1.085
10) Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 14.066, -1.084

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Firebird, 7.016 seconds, 197.02 mph
2) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '99 Firebird, 7.060, 196.54
3) Tom Stultz, Terra Haute, Ind., '92 Firebird, 7.144, 193.38
4) Greg Clevenger, Camden, Mich., '92 Cutlass, 7.158, 190.35
5) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '04 Cavalier, 7.189, 192.38
6) Ryan Kuykendall, St. Louis, Mo., '99 Dakota, 7.363, 186.45
7) Bill Gibson, Beecher, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.394, 186.87
8) Keith McPherson, Leonard, Mich., '63 Corvette, 7.504, 184.72
9) Scott Fitzgibbono, Lockport, Ill., '04 Stratus, 7.555, 184.53
10) Daniel Howorth, Yorkville, Ill., '03 Camaro, 7.641, 179.24

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Owosso's Reichert sets track record in Top Alcohol Dragster

STANTON, Mich. After the opening rounds of qualifying at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by AutoValue Bumper-To-Bumper being held this weekend at Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Bill Reichert and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Mick Snyder are leading their fields.

Reichert laid down a pass of 5.442 seconds at 263.85 mph to take to top spot in dragster and in the process set both ends of the Mid-Michigan Motorplex track record. Other qualifiers in the field include Michigan racers Jeff Bohr of Plymouth and Evan Knoll of Decatur, who currently hold in the No. 4 and 7 positions.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Indianapolis Raceway Park winner, Mick Snyder of Demotte, Ind., leads his field with a time a 5.835 seconds at 243.17 mph. Rounding out the field is Steve Franke of Indianapolis.

In other qualifying action, Ed Bennett III, of Carleton, Mich., leads the Competition Eliminator field, while Bo Butner III of Floyds Knobs, Ind., and Marty Buth of Freeport, Ill. are tops in Super Stock and Stock Eliminator. In the Top Sportsman class, which runs in conjunction with the event, Brad Personett of Elkhart, Ind., is leading the field.

Saturday's racing action at Mid-Michigan Motorplex will feature the continuation of qualifying in all categories beginning at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car have their final qualifying attempts at 5 and 8 p.m.

Gates on Saturday open at 8 a.m. Time trials begin at 10 a.m. General Admission tickets, including a pit pass, are $25 on Saturday, $20 on Sunday. Children 6- 12 are $5 each day.

For more information please contact Mid-Michigan Motorplex at (989) 762-5043 or visit them on the web at www.MidMichMotorplex.com.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.442 seconds, 263.85 mph
2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.555, 256.04
3) Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.586, 251.18
4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.606, 245.03
5) Denny Hummel, Clinton Township, Mich., 5.746, 240.96
6) Phil Mass, Gurnee, Ill., 5.749, 241.61
7) Evan Knoll, Decatur, Mich., 5.891, 236.40
8) Paul Fishburn, Rensselaer, Ind., 6.009, 237.65

Not Qualified
9) Noah Condo, Monticello, Ind., 6.087, 203.75
10) Russ Lindert, Manteno, Ill., 6.093, 218.02
11) Dave Hedges Jr., Plainwell, Mich., 6.242, 218.39
12) Jeff Veale, Hannon, Ont., 6.274, 171.88
13) Randy Bayne, Elwood, Ind., 7.471, 113.99
14) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 8.193, 112.75

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '02 Firebird, 5.835 seconds, 243.17 mph
2) Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, Ohio, '02 Firebird, 6.023, 243.24
3) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 RT, 6.056, 209.20
4) David Kovar, New Lenox, Ill., '02 Firebird, 6.220, 213.06
5) Steve Franke, Indianapolis, Ind., '98 Lumina, 11.741, 71.53

COMPETITION
1) Ed Bennett III, Carleton, Mich., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.267 seconds, -0.513 (under index)
2) Bill Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '92 Camaro, H/SM, 9.290, -0.490
3) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.785, -0.485
4) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.985, -0.465
5) Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, Mich., dragster, E/ED, 8.606, -0.464
6) Rod Dorsey, North Judson, Ind., '95 Achieva, H/SMA, 9.342, -0.438
7) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.404, -0.426
8) Terry Smith, Williamstown, W.V., '32 Bantam, D/EA, 8.585, -0.425
9) Duane Morgan, Tipp City, Ohio, dragster, A/ND, 7.291, -0.359
10) Greg Kamplain, North Salem, Ind., dragster, C/ED, 7.607, -0.353

SUPER STOCK
1) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.660 seconds, -1.040 (under index)
2) Eddie Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '69 Corvette, SS/GA, 9.817, -1.033
3) Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '97 Grand Am, GT/E, 9.796, -1.004
4) Charlie Wescott Jr., Parma, Mich., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.904, -0.996
5) Bobby Rashid, Grosse Point, Mich., '82 Firebird, GT/CA, 9.705, -0.995
6) Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '03 S-10, GT/TB, 10.176, -0.974
7) Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.336, -0.964
8) Fred Henson, Madisonville, Texas, '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.936, -0.964
9) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '00 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.422, -0.928
10) Mike Smith, Mineral Wells, W.V., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.985, -0.915

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Marty Buth, Freeport, Ill., '86 Thunderbird, K/FIA, 13.738 seconds, -1.412 (under index)
2) Dave Edwards, Washington Ct Hs, Ohio, '78 Trans Am, I/SA, 11.445, -1.155
3) Chuck Beach, Delaware, Ohio, '69 Barracuda, G/SA, 11.224, -1.076
4) Bob Gere, Salem, Wis., '71 Gran Sport, L/SA, 11.994, -1.006
5) Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 GTO, J/SA, 11.764, -0.986
6) Steve Sullivan, West Chester, Ohio, '88 Mustang, G/FIA, 12.167, -0.983
7) Darwin Hardy, Muskegon, Mich., '84 LaSabre, U/SA, 14.180, -0.970
8) William Lent, Muskegon, Mich., '97 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.515, -0.935
9) Dan Zrust, Maple Grove, Minn., '02 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.774, -0.926
10) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, H/S, 11.387, -0.913

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '00 Firebird, 7.119 seconds, 194.76 mph
2) Chris Ray, Louisville, Ky., '99 Firebird, 7.119, 194.13
3) Tom Stultz, Terra Haute, Ind., '92 Firebird, 7.144, 193.38
4) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '04 Cavalier, 7.302, 189.19
5) Ryan Kuykendall, St. Louis, Mo., '99 Dakota, 7.363, 186.45
6) Bill Gibson, Beecher, Ill., '01 Grand Am, 7.502, 183.74
7) Greg Clevenger, Camden, Mich., '92 Cutlass, 7.635, 178.50
8) Larry Dumke, Grand Ridge, Ill., '97 Avenger, 7.675, 175.40
9) Scott Fitzgibbono, Lockport, Ill., '04 Stratus, 7.745, 181.59
10) Jarod Wenrick, Tipp City, Ohio, '37 Ford, 7.799, 176.12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA racers battle in Lucas Oil Series at Mid-Michigan Motorplex

STANTON, Mich. - Mid-Michigan Motorplex will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Auto Value Bumper-to-Bumper Parts Stores, the second of six races in NHRA North Central Division competition, June 18-20. The event will feature more than 500 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.

Alcohol Dragster (TAD) pilot Jeff Wilson comes from Winfield, Mo., to Stanton riding high off his victory at the North Central Division's 2004 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Wilson, who won at Mid-Michigan in 2002 will be challenged hard by the likes of defending champion Marty Thacker, who was the number one qualifier at Indy and recorded the best times of that event, 5.420 seconds and 263.67 mph. Also figuring in the mix will be Bill Reichert and his 270 mph-plus Bar's Leak dragster from Owasso, Mich. West Central division invader David Wells opened the North Central 2003 campaign with a win in Chicago, but Wilson, Thacker and Reichert gabbled up the remaining five. Wilson edged out Thacker for the North Central Championship.

Mick Snyder comes into the Mid-Michigan event with momentum from a stunning win at Indy, stopping veteran Danny Townsend in the final. Both of them along with Paul Lee, who recently won national events in Atlanta and Topeka, will have to contend with five-time Division Champion Chuck Cheeseman of Galena, Ohio. In 2003, Cheeseman won five of six events in the division to win his fifth North Central Division title. He hopes that he can repeat that scenario again in 2004.

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 9 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 Joliet, Ill., for the next Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The three-day race at Route 66 Raceway is scheduled July 16-18.

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 second 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 18-20, 2004

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

FRIDAY, June 18 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 19 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 and 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 20 -- 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. 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 $162,010, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Marty Thacker, Top Alcohol Dragster; Chuck Cheeseman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Tom Schmidt, Comp Eliminator; Jim Harness Jr., Super Stock; Al Corda, Stock Eliminator; Todd Burks, Super Comp; Sean Graham, Super Gas; Steve Mesik, 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.

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 550 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.