FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ashley Force picks up first career win

RUSK, Texas. - Ashley Force captured her first NHRA win of her career at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Cherokee County Motorsports Park. The California resident qualified number one, set track records, and out ran the field all day with 5.4 and 5.5 second runs through eliminations.

Force ran a 5.453 second pass at 259.36 mph in the final to Nick Copeland's 5.680 at 247.38. Both Force's elapsed time and mph were track records.

"It's everything I thought it would be," replied the smiling Force in the winner's circle. "The crew's done such a great job. Now we got one (a win). I've already talked to my mom. She's real excited. But dad had already left the track in Columbus so I didn't get a chance to talk to him."

Ashley's dad is John Force, 12-time NHRA POWERade Funny Car National Champion who was competing in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.

Jackie Stidham grabbed his second win of the year and took over the points lead in the South Central Division Top Alcohol Funny Car class. Stidham took out number two in the points Tate Branch in the final with a 5.838 second run at 238.34 mph to Branch's 6.028, 240.77.

Stidham ran 5.90's in rounds one and two before setting the track record in the final with the 5.838.

Local racers had a great showing at this, the inaugural NHRA Lucas Oil Event in Rusk, Texas. Greg Parson from Whitehouse, Texas took the win in Super Street with a run of 10.926 seconds at 135.44 mph to Clint Rigby's 10.933, 118.13. Parson was running a '77 Nova owned by Olan Goatcher. This was his first race in six years and his first ever in this car.

"My car's in the shop," said Parson. "My wife doesn't even know I was racing this weekend. My son's here with me and I told him he'd better savor it because it doesn't happen very often."

Other local racers were Clark Mundt of Longview, Texas, who went to the semi-finals in Super Gas; Jeff Todd, from Jacksonville, Texas, was also a semi-finalist, in Super Street; Roger Warren, also of Jacksonville, took his Super Comp dragster to the quarter-finals; and Mineola, Texas racers Kevin Helms made quarter-final appearances in both Stock and Super Stock.

Richard Freeman won in Comp Eliminator over Craig Bourgeois with an 8.310 second pass at 162.33 mph with Chris Pogue and Jonathan Womack taking the wins in Super Comp and Super Gas respectively.

Jeff Hefler went to the finals in both Super Stock and Stock taking the win in Super Stock over Jerry Emmons with an 8.775 second, 145.75 mph run. Hefler fell to Bill Bogues in Stock with Bogues running an 11.769 in his '72 Chevy.

Shane Eperjesi took home the Kerker Motorcycle Series win on his '88 Suzuki over Colony, Texas resident J.J. Hughes. Eperjesi clocked in at 9.213, 131.54 mph to Hughes' 9.038, 140.69.

In the Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman class, Larry Smith drove his '94 Cutlass to the win over Phillip Muse with a pass of 7.746 seconds at 171.03 mph. Smith came into the event leading the points and increased his lead over Keith Raftery who Smith beat in the semi-finals.

The NHRA South Central Division racers head to Texas Motorplex for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, July 30-31.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Cherokee County Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND ONE
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.776, 255.77 def. 
4) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 6.082, 229.94

3) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.674, 250.09 def. 
6) Brandon Pierce, Glendora, Calif., 6.036, 202.73

1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.473, 258.71 def. 
8) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 6.582, 213.33

2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.971, 176.35 def. 
9) Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, 9.131, 111.51

SEMIFINALS
Copeland II, 5.656, 250.92 def. Snow, 10.746, 71.13
Force, 5.559, 257.53 def. Brounkowski, 6.515, 194.46

FINALS
Force, 5.453, 259.36 def. Copeland II, 5.680, 247.38

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND ONE
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.920, 240.89 def. 
8) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.231, 226.54

2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.999, 236.46 def. 
7) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, foul

3) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 5.933, 240.64 def. 
6) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.030, 230.92

4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 6.034, 242.76 def. 
5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.415, 201.52

SEMIFINALS
Branch, 6.008, 238.51 def. McClain, 6.046, 234.78
Stidham, 5.912, 240.94 def. Gasparrelli, 6.243, 196.56

FINALS
Stidham, 5.838, 238.34 def. Branch, foul

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Richard Freeman, Pauls Valley, Okla., '02 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.310, 162.33 def. 
Craig Bourgeois, Metarie, La., dragster, A/ND, 7.491, 156.48

SUPER STOCK
Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.775, 145.75 def. 
Jerry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '69 Camaro, SS/KA, 11.086, 119.43

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Bill Bogues, Bethany, La., '72 Nova, I/SA, 11.769, 110.38  def. 
Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Formula, A/FIA, 10.944, 117.68

SUPER COMP
Chris Pogue, Seminole, Okla., dragster, 8.922, 164.69 def. 
Lonnie Grim, Benton, Ark., dragster, 8.928, 165.13

SUPER GAS
Jonathan Womack, Houston, Texas, '00 Corvette, 10.876, 106.58 def. 
Robert Greener, Jenks, Okla., '02 Cavalier, broke

SUPER STREET
Greg Parson, Whitehouse, Texas, '77 Nova, 10.926, 135.44 def. 
Clint Rigby, League City, Texas,'71 Nova, 10.933, 118.13

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '88 Suzuki, 9.213, 131.54 def. 
J.J. Hughes, Colony, Texas, '00 Suzuki, 9.038, 140.69

TOP SPORTSMAN
Larry Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.746, 171.03  def. 
Phillip Muse, Trumble, Texas, '92 Trans Am, 7.466, 184.95

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fields set at Cherokee County; Force, Stidham on top

RUSK, Texas - Ashley Force set both ends of the track record in qualifying number one in Top Alcohol Dragster for this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

Force, daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, dropped to the number two spot in the earlier session then took back the pole position with a run of 5.458 seconds at 258.91 mph in final qualifying. Force is followed by Gene Snow in second with a lap of 5.477, 231.83 and James Copeland of Red Oak, Texas in third at 5.665, 242.32 mph.

Five-time South Central Division Funny Car Champion Jackie Stidham held on to the top spot with a 5.898 second run at 235.47 mph. The Chickasha, Okla., resident sits ahead of Richard McClain of Lake Dallas, Texas and Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M. McClain went 5.986 seconds at 230.49 while Branch sits in third with a 6.003, 236.26

Rodger Brogdon out of Tomball, Texas leads the Comp. Eliminator field over Craig Bourgeois. Brogdon ran 8.106 seconds, 0.554 under the index with Bourgeois in second with a 7.130, 0.520 under.

Super Stock racer Buz Post only made one qualifying pass, but it was all he needed to grab the number one qualifying spot with an 8.370 second pass, 1.118 seconds under the index. Jerry Davis joined Post putting his '72 Duster in the number one spot in Stock with a pass of 11.261 seconds. Mineola, Texas resident and 3-time National Champion Kevin Helms runs in both Super Stock and Stock and is qualified third and fourth in those classes.

In the Kerker Motorcycle Series, Rick Gentilli is qualified number one with Delbert Ready and David Reeves are right on his heels. All three riders recorded perfect reaction times, but Gentilli is number one as he was the first rider to post the time.

Keith Raftery qualified his '03 Pontiac number one in the Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman class with a 7.034 second lap at 195.82 mph.

Racing continues Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, children 6-12 are $5, and kids 5 and under are free.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series East Texas Championships at Cherokee County Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.458 seconds, 258.91 mph
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.477, 231.83
3) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.665, 248.89
4) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.672, 249.35
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.870, 255.48
6) Brandon Pierce, Glendora, Calif., 5.921, 202.85
7) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.106, 208.39
8) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 6.775, 198.61 

Not Qualified
9) Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, 8.334, 115.35

First round TAD pairings
1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.458 seconds, 258.91 mph vs. 
8) Glen Woosley, Freeport, Texas, 6.775, 198.61

2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.477, 231.83 vs. 
7) Carl Magee, Victoria, Texas, 6.106, 208.39

3) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.665, 248.89 vs. 
6) Brandon Pierce, Glendora, Calif., 5.921, 202.85

4) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 5.672, 249.35 vs. 
5) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 5.870, 255.48

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.898 seconds, 235.47 mph
2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.986, 231.12
3) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 6.003, 240.47
4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 6.012, 241.71
5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.062, 237.88
6) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.101, 229.08
7) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.220, 230.45
8) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.298, 223.84 

Not Qualified
9) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 6.301, 228.89
10) Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '98 Firebird, 6.313, 232.79

First round TAFC pairings
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.898 seconds, 235.47 mph vs. 
8) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.298, 223.84

2) Richard McClain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.986, 231.12 vs. 
7) Steve Burck, Corpus Christi, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.220, 230.45

3) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 6.003, 240.47 vs. 
6) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.101, 229.08

4) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 6.012, 241.71 vs. 
5) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.062, 237.88

COMP. ELIMINATOR
1) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.106 seconds, -0.554 (under index)
2) Craig Bourgeois, Metarie, La., dragster, A/ND, 7.130, -0.520
3) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, '32 Bantam, K/AA, 7.972, -0.518
4) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.551, -0.469
5) Shane Heckel, La Porte, Texas, dragster, B/D, 6.924, -0.466
6) Richard Freeman, Pauls Valley, Okla., '02 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.317, -0.463
7) Sean Dodd, Lewisville, Texas, '01 S-10, PSTA, 7.808, -0.462
8) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 7.086, -0.424
9) Charles Watson Jr., Humble, Texas, '98 Lumina, H/A, 9.053, -0.407
10) Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '02 Cavalier, B/A, 7.400, -0.380

SUPER STOCK
1) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, '04 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.370 seconds, -1.180 (under index)
2) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.285, -1.115
3) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.013, -1.037
4) Shaun LeBlanc, Bartlett, Tenn., '88 Mustang, GT/A, 9.318, -0.982
5) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.619, -0.981
6) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.735, -0.965
7) Tony Cowell, Weatherford, Texas, '81 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.684, -0.916
8) Tommy Phillips, Forney, Texas, '98 Camaro, GT/DA, 9.926, -0.874
9) Red LeBlanc, Bartlett, Tenn., '69 Mustang, SS/G, 9.897, -0.853
10) Korey Mawhee, Frisco, Texas, '95 Achieva, GT/DA, 9.958, -0.842

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.261 seconds, -1.039 (under index)
2) Justin Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.577, -1.023
3) Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.957, -0.993
4) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, B/S, 10.532, -0.968
5) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '98 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.059, -0.941
6) Bobby Roper, Toad Suck, Ark., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.378, -0.922
7) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.534, -0.916
8) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, '67 Fairlane, F/SA, 11.259, -0.891
9) Bobby Brannon, Bossier City, La., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.424, -0.876
10) Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.584, -0.866

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Firebird, 7.034 seconds, 195.82 mph
2) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '03 Grand Am, 7.073, 196.53
3) Todd Drummond, Bay St. Louis, Miss., '04 Monte Carlo, 7.397, 185.41
4) Kyle Cannon, West Helena, Ark., '03 Cavalier, 7.433, 187.21
5) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.439, 186.20
6) Phillip Muse, Trumble, Texas, '92 Trans Am, 7.449, 185.69
7) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '00 S-10, 7.469, 182.18
8) Brad Clark, Raymond, Miss., '98 Corvette, 7.552, 181.37
9) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.690, 178.66
10) Larry Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.725, 179.80

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Rich Gentili, Humble, Texas, '83 Suzuki, KMC, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) Delbert Ready, Houston, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.000
3) David Reeves, Atascosa, Texas, '81 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.000
4) Michael Nash, Texarkana, Texas, dragster, KMC, 0.002
5) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.003
6) Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, KMC, 0.004
7) Henry Keele, San Antonio, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.005
8) Ben Brown, Irving, Texas, '82 Suzuki, KMC, 0.006
9) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '86 Suzuki, KMC, 0.007
10) J. J. Hughes, Colony, Texas, '00 Suzuki, KMC, 0.008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force, Stidham on top at inaugural event

RUSK, Texas - Ashley Force and Jackie Stidham raced to the top of their fields grabbing the No. 1 qualifying spots for this weekend's East Texas Championships in Rusk, Texas.

Force, the current South Central Division points leader in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, laid down a lap of 5.484 seconds at 257.58 mph for this, the Inaugural NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Cherokee County Motorsports Park.

Force is followed by veteran racer Gene Snow in the No. 2 spot and Nick Copeland is third. Snow ran 5.614 seconds at 207.85 mph while Copeland clocked in at 5.696 seconds, 248.89 mph.

In the final pair of cars down the track in Friday's qualifying action, five-time Division Champion Stidham, jumped to the top of Top Alcohol Funny Car with a lap of 5.898 seconds at 235.47 mph. Stidham is looking for his second win, picking up his first back in March at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Richard McClain is No. 2 in funny car with a 5.986 second pass at 230.49 mph with Jimmy Jones in third at 6.062, 237.62 mph.

Comp Eliminator racer Rodger Borgdon qualified on top with an 8.182 second pass, 0.478 seconds under the index and is followed by Shane Heckel in second.

Greg Lair leads the Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman class with a run of 7.073 seconds at 189.50 mph. The Canyon, Texas, resident won the Cajun Sports Nationals in Belle Rose, La., earlier this year.

Mineola, Texas resident Kevin Helms is on top in Super Stock and Justin Cardwell put his '90 Camaro out front in Stock.

The Kerker Motorcycle Series is running in conjunction with the Lucas Series this weekend with Rick Gentili and Delbert Ready in the No. 1 and 2 spots respectively, both with perfect reaction times.

Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12, children 5 and under are free. For more information, call (903) 683-4711.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series East Texas Championships event at Cherokee County Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.484 seconds, 257.58 mph
2) Gene Snow, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.614, 207.85
3) James Copeland II, Red Oak, Texas, 5.696, 248.89
4) Brandon Pierce, Glendora, Calif., 6.048, 179.23
5) Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 9.825, 82.23
6) Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia, Texas, 12.651, 70.67
7) Vitali Kazakevich, Houston, Texas, 18.973, 64.73
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jackie Stidham, Chickasha, Okla., '00 Camaro, 5.898 seconds, 235.47 mph
2) Richard McLain, Lake Dallas, Texas, '02 Trans Am, 5.986, 230.49
3) Jimmy Jones, Cleburne, Texas, '99 Camaro, 6.062, 237.88
4) Eddie McDow, Waco, Texas, '00 Camaro, 6.209, 229.08
5) Burl Brown, Gainesville, Texas, '98 Avenger, 8.440, 118.83
6) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '03 Camaro, 9.183, 84.05
7) Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Camaro, 10.794, 78.81
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, '04 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.182 seconds, -0.478 (under index)
2) Shane Heckel, La Porte, Texas, dragster, B/D, 6.924, -0.466
3) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.590, -0.430
4) Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spring, La., dragster, B/ED, 7.123, -0.387
5) J. Allen Sherman, Donaldsonville, La., '90 Grand Am, H/AA, 9.106, -0.364
6) Charles Watson Jr., Humble, Texas, '98 Lumina, H/A, 9.103, -0.357
7) Richard Freeman, Pauls Valley, Okla., '02 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.434, -0.346
8) Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, '02 Cavalier, B/A, 7.468, -0.312
9) Bill Morse, McKinney, Texas, '01 Firebird, B/EA, 8.242, -0.288
10) Dennis Smiley, Denver City, Texas, dragster, B/ED, 7.292, -0.218
 
SUPER STOCK
1) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 11.024 seconds,  -1.026 (under index)
2) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '04 S-10, GT/TC, 10.400, -1.000
3) Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.782, -0.918
4) Tony Cowell, Weatherford, Texas, '81 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.684, -0.916
5) Tommy Phillips, Forney, Texas, '98 Camaro, GT/DA, 9.936, -0.864
6) Brent Johnson, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.755, -0.845
7) Korey Mawhee, Frisco, Texas, '95 Achieva, GT/DA, 9.974, -0.826
8) Gilbert Johnson Jr, Lecompte, La., '91 Calais, GT/JA, 10.798, -0.802
9) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.260, -0.790
10) Butch Marlow, Canton, Texas, '90 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.832, -0.768
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Justin Cardwell, Ruston, La., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.618 seconds, -0.982 (under index)
2) Kent LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '85 Camaro, F/FIA, 12.016, -0.934
3) Jerry Davis, Santa Fe, Texas, '72 Duster, G/SA, 11.370, -0.930
4) Verne Buchanan, Conway, Ark., '73 Mustang, H/SA, 11.534, -0.916
5) Kevin Helms, Mineola, Texas, '69 Camaro, B/S, 10.585, -0.915
6) Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '98 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.092, -0.908
7) Bobby Roper, Toad Suck, Ark., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.426, -0.874
8) Bobby Brannon, Bossier City, La., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.460, -0.840
9) Patrick Courts Sr., New Iberia, La., '87 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.633, -0.817
10) Martin Burke, Leonard, Texas, '69 Mustang, C/SA, 10.905, -0.795
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '02 Grand Am, 7.073 seconds, 189.50 mph
2) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Firebird, 7.139, 191.78
3) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '00 Firebird, 7.443, 185.79
4) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, '92 Pontiac, 7.449, 185.69
5) Allen Firestone, Velma, Okla., '00 S-10, 7.469, 181.52
6) Brad Clark, Raymond, Miss., '98 Corvette, 7.597, 180.33
7) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '00 Firebird, 7.690, 178.66
8) Todd Drummond, Bay St. Louis, Miss., '04 Monte Carlo, 7.779, 175.46
9) Larry Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.795, 178.12
10) Randy Youngblood, Burleson, Texas, '00 Camaro, 7.891, 171.36
 
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Rich Gentili, Humble, Texas, '83 Suzuki, KMC, 0.000 seconds reaction time
2) Delbert Ready, Houston, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.000
3) Chris LeBouf, Lafayette, La., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.003
4) Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, KMC, 0.004
5) Michael Nash, Texarkana, Texas, dragster, KMC, 0.005
6) Ben Brown, Irving, La., '82 Suzuki, KMC, 0.006
7) Jerry Pomilla, Conroe, Texas, '86 Suzuki, KMC, 0.007
8) Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '04 Suzuki, KMC, 0.010
9) Curtis Nichols III, Alvin, Texas, '95 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.011
10) Henry Keele, San Antonio, Texas, '82 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.013
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New NHRA Drag Racing facility to host Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

RUSK, Texas - Cherokee County Motorsports Park will host the East Texas Sportsman Championship, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, June 11-13. The race is the fourth of seven in NHRA's South Central Division. Competitors in eight classes, including Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, will vie for a share of the $152,210 purse as well as points leading to national and divisional titles.

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

Although the event is the fifth of seven on the division's schedule, February's season-opener in Dallas was postponed until July due to rain.

Rookie Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) pilot Ashley Force, the 21-year-old daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, should be at the event to try to increase her points total. Force went to the semifinals at the division race at Houston Raceway Park and was runner-up at the division's race at Memphis Motorsports Park. The Yorba Linda, Calif., resident is driving the TAD owned by Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows. Several NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car drivers, including Gary Scelzi and Brandon Bernstein, have occupied the same seat.

Carl Brounkowski of Magnolia, Texas, and Channelview, Texas, resident Lee Callaway have been battling it out with Force in the point standings. And defending division TAD champion Shelly Howard, a registered nurse from Tulsa, Okla., is in the fray as well.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), defending division champion Tate Branch, and former division champion Jackie Stidham, are locked in their usual battle for the title. Branch, who races out of Artesia, N.M., and Stidham, a veteran drag racer from Chickasha, Okla., have split the final-round decisions at two of the division's races. Branch took the win at Houston Raceway Park and Stidham won at Memphis Motorsports Park. With a pair of semifinal round appearances, Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif., can't be counted out either.

Jeff Hefler of Mansfield, Texas, has scored wins at two of the division's early events. At Houston Raceway Park he took the win in Super Stock. At Memphis Motorsports Park he won in Stock Eliminator. Hefler drives for the Buz Post Racing Team, and team owner Post, from Arlington, Texas, was runner-up to Hefler in Houston and took the Super Stock win in Memphis.

Gates at Cherokee County Motorsports Park open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying begins Friday at 9 a.m. with Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying scheduled at 4 p.m. Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers will make two qualifying passes, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, and $20 Sunday. Children 6- to 12-years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Cherokee County Motorsports Park is located at 1157 CR 2404 in Rusk, approximately 40 miles south of Tyler, Texas. From 343 Loop, take the 725/241 exit. Take 241 south to County Road 2404. For more information call the track, (903) 683-4711, or visit www.CherokeeCountyMotorsportsPark.com.

NHRA South Central division Lucas Oil Series racers will head to back to Dallas July 30-31, for the next event on the schedule. The race at Texas Motorplex was originally scheduled as the division's season opener but was rain out in February.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: East Texas Sportsman Championship, a round of the 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 South Central Division competition. The division's Sunset Racing Engines Top Sportsman Series and Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Cherokee County Motorsports Park, Rusk, Texas. Track is located at 1157 CR 2404 in Rusk, approximately 40 miles south of Tyler, Texas. From 343 Loop, take the 725/241 exit. Take 241 south to County Road 2404.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 11-13, 2004

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

FRIDAY, June 11 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 12 -- 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 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 13 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 6- to 12-years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Cherokee County Motorsports Park, (903) 683-4711.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,960, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: This is Cherokee County Motorsports Park's inaugural NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

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.

NHRA KERKER MOTORCYCLE SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $14,800 champions' purse posted by Kerker will be paid to first, second and third place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

The top four riders from each division in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series will be invited to compete in the NHRA Kerker King of the Coast competition. In 2004, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $2,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $1,000.

Currently, Sportsman Motorcycles are run in NHRA's South Central, West Central, Northwest and Pacific divisions.

SUNSET RACING ENGINES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships. The top points finisher will earn a year-end bonus of $1,000 and the runner-up will get $500. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven South Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the Southeast or North Central Divisions.

FEATURES: More than 450 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.