FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Myers, Branch cash in at The Strip

LAS VEGAS - Although it took a day longer than expected because of the rain, the Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway concluded Monday night. The event, the last of 45 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events on the 2004 calendar, featured a record 980 cars, including Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars.

The Top Alcohol Dragster final was a duel between two of the three drivers vying for the national championship in the class. Mitch Myers of Hermiston, Ore., took the win over Owosso, Mich., racer Bill Reichert. In the final, Myers ran 6.997 seconds at 265.90 mph while Reichert ran 9.032 seconds at 202.03 mph. Reichert in currently leading in the point standings over Myers and Randy Meyer of Spring Hill, Kan. The fight for the crown won't be over until the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., this weekend.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M., took the win over defending division champion Doug Gordon of Paso Robles, Calif.

Branch's 5.674-second, 250.55 mph effort was more than enough to get the stripe over Gordon who slowed to a 10.214-second, 86.95 mph pass.

Houston's Brian Self won in Comp Eliminator and Riverside, Calif., racer Ken Etter was the Super Stock champ. In Stock Eliminator Chad Loge, Pleasanton, Calif., came out on top as did Steve Johnson, Arvada, Colo., in Super Comp, and Larry Bradshaw of Danville, Calif., in Super Gas. Acton, Mass., Super Street racer Michael Sawyer joined the others in the winner's circle along with Robert Tevis, Fontana, Calif., in Korbel Super E; Blu Hayball, fort Hall, Idaho, in Top Comp; and Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., in Kerker Motorcycle. On Saturday, Johnson also won the Kerker King of the Coast competition, an invitational race within a race where the top points-earning drivers go head-to-head.

NHRA Lucas Oil Series racers may head to Pomona Raceway in California for the Auto Club NHRA Finals where they will compete along side their professional racing brothers Nov. 11-14.

The following are the final results from Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
4) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.357, 263.72 def. 
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, foul

2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.326, 275.62 def. 
7) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.472, 259.91

1) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.256, 273.77 def. 
9) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., foul

3) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.387, 263.87 def. 
6) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.654, 245.72

Semifinals
Reichert, 5.300, 273.83 def. Force, 5.487, 267.22
Myers, 5.266, 273.44 def. Lucas, 5.620, 258.22

Final
Myers, 6.997, 265.90 def. Reichert, 9.032, 202.03

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
5) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '02 Camaro, 5.693, 246.44 def. 
4) Hank Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '02 Firebird, 6.156, 243.15

2) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.763, 244.29 def.
7) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 7.241, 148.62

8) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.728, 251.86 def.
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.749, 248.89

6) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.740, 248.93 def. 
10) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.213, 173.70

Semifinals
Gordon, 5.735, 248.57 def. Littlefield, 5.960, 210.08 
Branch, 5.716, 250.37 def. Gasparrelli, 10.603, 78.38

Final
Branch, 5.674, 250.55 def. Gordon, 10.214, 86.95

COMP ELIMINATOR
Brian Self, Houston, '02 S-10, PST, 7.570, 177.49 def. 
Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Grand Am, G/SMA, 9.085, 145.56

SUPER STOCK
Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '00 Chrysler, GT/IA, 10.675, 124.44  def.
 Joe Kohorst, Grand Terrace, Calif., '92 Camaro, GT/AA, 9.732, 138.44

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Chad Loge, Pleasanton, Calif., '70 Plymouth, C/SA, 10.964, 114.92  def.
Scott Dugdale, Circle Pines, Minn., '67 Chevelle, I/SA, 12.180, 108.26

SUPER COMP
Steve Johnson, Arvada, Colo., dragster, 9.059, 170.36 def. 
Shawn Langdon, Mira Loma, Calif., dragster, 9.038, 161.81

SUPER GAS
Larry Bradshaw, Danville, Calif., '89 Beretta, 10.079, 139.82 def. 
Tim Landis, Glendale, Ariz., '03 Corvette, 10.033, 155.78

SUPER STREET
Michael Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '67 Camaro, 11.113, 141.59 def. 
Mike Decarolis, Chandler, Ariz., '72 Nova, 11.119, 121.45

KORBEL SUPER ELIMINATOR
Robert Tevis, Fontana, Calif., dragster, 7.999, 171.38 def. 
Terry White, Half Moon Bay, Calif., dragster, 7.980, 167.74

TOP COMP
Blu Hayball, Fort Hall, Idaho, dragster, 7.470, 174.44 def. 
Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.295, 190.65

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., '04 Suzuki, 9.128, 138.22 def. 
Craig Treble, Hensley, Ark., '02 Suzuki, 9.020, 135.84

KERKER KING OF THE COAST
Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., '04 Suzuki, 9.185, 138.70 def. 
Curtis Spracklin, Omaha, Neb., '78 Kawasaki, 9.806, 129.59

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Myers, Austin best qualifiers at The Strip's NHRA Lucas Oil race

LAS VEGAS - In the final rounds of qualifying at the Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car had to make the eight-car fields in order to be around for Sunday's eliminations. There were 28 cars on the dragster roster and 17 running in Funny Car. At the end of the day, Mitch Myers drove his dragster to the No. 1 spot while Bucky Austin set the pace in Funny Car.

In the final qualifying pass, Hermiston, Ore., racer Myers improved by a tenth of a second over his run in the second qualifying session today. His 5.324-second, 272.67 mph pass was enough to put him over Bill Reichert of Owosso, Mich. Reichert ran 5.342 seconds at 272.28 mph. Myers came into this race locked in a battle for the Top Alcohol Dragster national championship with Reichert and Randy Meyer of Spring Hill, Kan., who did not make the eight-car field. Only Myers can improve his point standings at this race but he cannot lock up the title here. All three racers will fight it out at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif.

Austin, a resident of Fife, Wash., ran 5.717 seconds at 252.76 mph in the third qualifying session. He outran Mert Littlefield of Garden Grove, Calif. Littlefield ran 5.735 seconds at 246.03 mph. John Mihovetz, Ontario, Calif., remained the No. 1 qualifier in Comp Eliminator and Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., and Bob Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., kept their No. 1 spots in Super Stock and Stock Eliminator, respectively. Top Comp racer B.J. Verkler, Thornton, Colo., stayed in the top position as did Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, in the Kerker Motorcycle class.

In the Kerker Motorcycle Series race-within-a-race invitational, Brian Johnson, Anoka, Minn., was named the Kerker King of the Coast. The top four points earning riders in the Kerker Motorcycle Series were invited to the All-star event and the winner grabbed a $2,000 payday while the runner-up, Curtis Spracklin of Omaha, Neb., earned $1,000. Racing continues Sunday at 7 a.m. Gates open at 6 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round of eliminations at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and children 6 to 12 are $6. Kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, (800) 644-4444.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.324 seconds, 272.67 mph
2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.342, 272.28
3) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.346, 261.27
4) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.362, 265.90
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.437, 261.67
6) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.438, 258.57
7) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.444, 261.52
8) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 5.445, 258.27 

Not Qualified
9) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.471, 257.58
10) Scott Murray, Winnipeg, Manit., 5.478, 252.38
11) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.486, 260.66
12) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., 5.533, 260.81
13) Hillary Will, Scotia, Calif., 5.569, 258.81
14) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.580, 259.61
15) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.614, 240.38
16) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.665, 241.11
17) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.683, 250.32
18) Jeff Isbell, Salt Lake City, 5.689, 248.25
19) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 5.772, 219.72
20) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.775, 235.51
21) Johnny Ahten, Sagus, Calif., 5.891, 249.67
22) Dennis Swearingen, Valencia, Calif., 5.971, 205.47
23) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.130, 205.88
24) Randy Eakins, Carson City, Nev., 6.637, 174.93
25) Brad Hansen, Custer, Wash., 6.801, 206.67
26) Marshall Topping, Costa Mesa, Calif., 7.641, 114.67
27) Eric Morris, Madera, Calif., (no time)
28) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., (no time)

First round TAD pairings
1) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.324 seconds, 272.67 mph vs. 
8) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 5.445, 258.27

2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.342, 272.28 vs. 
7) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.444, 261.52

3) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.346, 261.27 vs. 
6) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.438, 258.57

4) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.362, 265.90 vs. 
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.437, 261.67

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.717 seconds, 252.76 mph
2) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.735, 246.03
3) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.737, 251.16
4) Hank Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '02 Firebird, 5.742, 248.84
5) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '02 Camaro, 5.760, 250.60
6) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.764, 247.75
7) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.765, 246.80
8) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.769, 248.43 

Not Qualified
9) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 Camaro, 5.782, 249.90
10) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.789, 245.45
11) Jon Capps, Las Vegas, '97 Cutlass, 5.844, 245.90
12) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.856, 246.39
13) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 5.877, 248.43
14) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Firebird, 5.908, 246.62
15) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '98 Avenger, 5.944, 232.91
16) Hannes Wernhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.322, 17.54
17) Joseph Percoco, Conifer, Colo., '00 Camaro, (no time)

First round TAFC pairings
1) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 5.717 seconds, 252.76 mph vs.
8) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.769, 248.43

2) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.735, 246.03 vs. 
7) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.765, 246.80

3) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.737, 251.16 vs. 
6) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.764, 247.75

4) Hank Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '02 Firebird, 5.742, 248.84 vs. 
5) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '02 Camaro, 5.760, 250.60

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) John Mihovetz, Ontario, Calif., '02 Cougar, BB/AT, 6.793 seconds, -0.837 (under index)
2) Tony Stephenson, Willow Sprg, N.C., '02 Cavalier, B/EA, 7.932, -0.748
3) John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., dragster, B/D, 6.805, -0.715
4) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.711, -0.709
5) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ark., '02 Cavalier, G/SMA, 9.049, -0.701
6) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.532, -0.698
7) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alb., '23 roadster, BB/AM, 7.134, -0.696
8) Greg Porter, Edmond, Okla., '02 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.668, -0.692
9) Mike DePalma, Glendale, Ariz., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.178, -0.692
10) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.506, -0.674

SUPER STOCK
1) Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.743 seconds, -1.407 (under index)
2) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.824, -1.376
3) Ken Duttweiler, Saticoy, Calif., '87 Buick, SS/DX, 8.244, -1.336
4) Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.841, -1.309
5) Jared Jordan, Modesto, Calif., '65 Belvedere, SS/BA, 9.151, -1.299
6) Marlin Bogner, Kearney, Neb., '98 Avenger, GT/FA, 10.090, -1.290
7) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/IA, 9.985, -1.285
8) Greg Smith, Quartz Hill, Calif., '92 Daytona, GT/EA, 9.957, -1.263
9) Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.419, -1.261
10) Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., '95 Achieva, SS/CM, 8.941, -1.259

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bob Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., '74 Firebird, J/SA, 11.538 seconds, -1.532 (under index)
2) Grace Howell, Aiken, S.C., '90 Dodge, CF/S, 14.920, -1.380
3) Jeff Lee, Scottsdale, Ariz., '70 AMX, D/S, 10.735, -1.355
4) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, B/SA, 10.505, -1.335
5) Keith Lynch, West Jordon, Utah, '70 Camaro, B/SA, 10.513, -1.327
6) Harry Doolittle, Heber City, Utah, '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.463, -1.317
7) Brad Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 10.856, -1.294
8) Jim Hale, Van Buren, Ark., '70 Challenger, B/SA, 10.548, -1.292
9) Richard Pauley, Saugus, Calif., '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.701, -1.289
10) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, I/SA, 11.630, -1.280

TOP COMP
1) BJ Verkler, Thornton, Colo., dragster, 6.392 seconds, 209.43 mph
2) Shawn Cowie, Richmond, B.C., dragster, 6.596, 204.94
3) Gary Groves, Provo, Utah, dragster, 6.710, 204.26
4) Martin Simpson, Castle Rock, Colo., dragster, 6.995, 200.02
5) Gregg Suyenaga, Bellflower, Calif., dragster, 7.005, 194.49
6) Nick Ruoti, Salt Lake City, Utah, dragster, 7.070, 193.71
7) Rick Kruizenga, Cypress, Calif., dragster, 7.133, 185.72
8) Brian Preszler, Kennewick, Wash., dragster, 7.137, 187.63
9) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.151, 192.88
10) Todd Stewart, Atwater, Calif., dragster, 7.154, 188.20

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, '03 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.003 seconds reaction time
2) Tom Patterson, Tucson, Ariz., '94 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.008
3) Craig Treble, Hensley, Ark., '02 Suzuki, SPB, 0.009
4) Steve Miller, Yakima, Wash., '89 Suzuki, SPB, 0.010
5) Danny Eck, Ashton, Idaho, '99 Suzuki, SPB, 0.016
6) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, SPB, 0.017
7) Tracy Bailey, Coos Bay, Ore., '78 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.017
8) Mike Scott, Sumner, Wash., '00 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.019
9) John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, SPB, 0.022
10) Jerry Stinson, Medford, Ore., '84 Ninja, SPB, 0.023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Force, Coolidge lead the best qualifiers

LAS VEGAS - Early rounds of qualifying for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event are complete at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout is the final event on the 2004 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule. Competitors from across the country have converged here in an effort to earn last-minute points toward divisional and national titles. There were 977 cars in competition today and more are expected Saturday.

The No. 1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster is Ashley Force of Yorba Linda, Calif. The daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, the rookie driver topped the field with a 5.346-second, 261.27 mph pass. The No. 2 qualifier is Riverside, Calif., racer Morgan Lucas who used to drive the dragster that Force now pilots. Lucas is the defending division champion and he qualified with a 5.362-second, 265.90 mph pass. Currently, there are 27 Top Alcohol Dragsters vying for the eight qualifying positions in the event. Las Vegas resident Duane Shields is on the outside looking in after the first qualifying session.

Hank Coolidge of Sunburst, Mont., is leading the Top Alcohol Funny Car field. He ran 5.742 seconds at 248.84 mph. Anaheim Hills, Calif., resident Dennis Taylor is just behind Coolidge with a 5.789-second, 245.45 mph pass.

John Mihovetz of Willow Spring, N.C., leads the Comp Eliminator qualifiers and Super Stock racer Harry Holton of Modesto, Calif., set the pace for his class. In Stock Eliminator Bob Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., heads up the class and Top Comp driver B.J. Verkler, Thornton, Colo., is No. 1. Kerker Motorcycle competitor Joe Collett of Boise, Idaho, took the No 1. position in his category.

Racing continues Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Gates open at 6 a.m. and qualifying and time trials continue at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have two qualifying sessions, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. First round of eliminations for all other classes are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The Kerker Motorcycle series all-star invitational, the Kerker King of the Coast, will be included in Saturday's schedule. The top points-earning riders from each of NHRA's division that participate in the series will be running for the $3,000 payday. The winner takes home $2,000 and the runner-up will get $1,000.

Sunday's action will feature the remainder of eliminations. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $20 each day. Children 6 to 12 are $6 and kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, (800) 644-4444.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Ashley Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., 5.346 seconds, 261.27 mph
2) Morgan Lucas, Riverside, Calif., 5.362, 265.90
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.412, 270.70
4) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.437, 261.67
5) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.471, 260.41
6) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.519, 257.58
7) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.533, 228.58
8) Hillary Will, Scotia, Calif., 5.569, 258.81 

Not Qualified
9) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.580, 259.61
10) Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., 5.615, 264.13
11) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.665, 241.11
12) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 5.739, 251.58
13) Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., 5.772, 219.72
14) Jeff Isbell, Salt Lake City, Utah, 5.806, 246.48
15) Johnny Ahten, Sagus, Calif., 5.891, 249.67
16) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.969, 205.41
17) Dennis Swearingen, Valencia, Calif., 6.279, 178.59
18) Brad Hansen, Custer, Wash., 6.801, 206.67
19) Marshall Topping, Costa Mesa, Calif., 7.641, 114.67
20) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 11.022, 68.71
21) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 11.212, 86.17
22) Eric Morris, Madera, Calif., 13.257, 52.85
23) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 14.069, 51.36
24) Ben Harper, Arroyo Grande, Calif., 15.757, 74.04
25) Scott Murray, Winnipeg, Manit., 16.825, 59.80
26) Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., (no time)
27) Randy Johnson, Whittier, Calif., (no time)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Hank Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '02 Firebird, 5.742 seconds, 248.84 mph
2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.789, 245.45
3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.795, 246.80
4) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.800, 247.38
5) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.810, 249.72
6) Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.856, 246.39
7) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.861, 247.97
8) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 5.877, 248.43 

Not Qualified
9) Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '02 Camaro, 5.915, 247.70
10) Jon Capps, Las Vegas, '00 Camaro, 6.054, 189.23
11) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '02 Trans Am, 6.148, 226.85
12) Joseph Percoco, Conifer, Colo., '00 Camaro, 6.566, 227.77
13) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '02 Firebird, 11.449, 79.23
14) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Firebird, 12.739, 63.37
15) Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '02 Camaro, 12.958, 58.72
16) Hannes Wernhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, (no time)

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) John Mihovetz, Ontario, Calif., '02 Cougar, BB/AT, 6.793 seconds, -0.837 (under index)
2) Tony Stephenson, Willow Sprg, N.C., '02 Cavalier, B/EA, 7.932, -0.748
3) John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., dragster, B/D, 6.805, -0.715
4) Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.711, -0.709
5) Michael Johnson, Springdale, Ark., '02 Cavalier, G/SMA, 9.049, -0.701
6) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.532, -0.698
7) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alb., '23 roadster, BB/AM, 7.134, -0.696
8) Greg Porter, Edmond, Okla., '02 Cavalier, D/SM, 8.668, -0.692
9) Mike DePalma, Glendale, Ariz., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.178, -0.692
10) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, '02 S-10, B/TA, 8.506, -0.674

SUPER STOCK
1) Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.743 seconds, -1.407 (under index)
2) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.824, -1.376
3) Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.841, -1.309
4) Jared Jordan, Modesto, Calif., '65 Belvedere, SS/BA, 9.151, -1.299
5) Marlin Bogner, Kearney, Neb., '98 Avenger, GT/FA, 10.090, -1.290
6) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/IA, 9.985, -1.285
7) Greg Smith, Quartz Hill, Calif., '92 Daytona, GT/EA, 9.957, -1.263
8) Joe Faherty, Apple Valley, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/A, 8.948, -1.252
9) Mike Blackstone, Livermore, Calif., '90 Calais, SS/BS, 9.071, -1.229
10) Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., '95 Achieva, SS/CM, 8.973, -1.227

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bob Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., '74 Firebird, J/SA, 11.538 seconds, -1.532 (under index)
2) Jeff Lee, Scottsdale, Ariz., '70 AMX, D/S, 10.735, -1.355
3) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, B/SA, 10.505, -1.335
4) Brad Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 10.856, -1.294
5) Jim Hale, Van Buren, Ark., '70 Challenger, B/SA, 10.548, -1.292
6) Keith Lynch, West Jordon, Utah, '70 Camaro, B/SA, 10.548, -1.292
7) Richard Pauley, Saugus, Calif., '68 Mustang, C/SA, 10.701, -1.289
8) Grace Howell, Aiken, S.C., '90 Dodge, CF/S, 15.013, -1.287
9) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, I/SA, 11.630, -1.280
10) Harry Doolittle, Heber City, Utah, '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.505, -1.275

TOP COMP
1) BJ Verkler, Thornton, Colo., dragster, 6.441 seconds, 208.59 mph
2) Shawn Cowie, Richmond, B.C., dragster, 6.596, 204.94
3) Gary Groves, Provo, Utah, dragster, 6.710, 204.26
4) Gregg Suyenaga, Bellflower, Calif., dragster, 7.005, 194.49
5) Martin Simpson, Castle Rock, Colo., dragster, 7.071, 198.88
6) Brian Preszler, Kennewick, Wash., dragster, 7.137, 187.63
7) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '04 Grand Am, 7.151, 192.88
8) Todd Stewart, Atwater, Calif., dragster, 7.154, 188.20
9) Paul Crifasi, Las Vegas, dragster, 7.207, 145.67
10) Les Figueroa, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., dragster, 7.280, 186.07

KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Joe Collette, Boise, Idaho, '03 Kawasaki, 0.003 seconds reaction time
2) Tom Patterson, Tucson, Ariz., '94 Kawasaki, 0.008
3) Craig Treble, Hensley, Ark., '02 Suzuki, 0.009
4) Steve Miller, Yakima, Wash., '89 Suzuki, 0.010
5) Danny Eck, Ashton, Idaho, '99 Suzuki, 0.016
6) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, 0.017
7) Tracy Bailey, Coos Bay, Ore., '78 Kawasaki, 0.017
8) Mike Scott, Sumner, Wash., '00 Kawasaki, 0.019
9) John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, 0.022
10) Jerry Stinson, Medford, Ore., '84 Ninja, 0.023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lucas Oil Series racers clamor for points at final race of 2004

LAS VEGAS - NHRA's Pacific Division will finish out its 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway November 5-7 when the track hosts the Short Line Express Las Vegas Gambler Shootout. Competitors in 10 classes, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC), will compete for a share of the $147,560 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships.

Top Alcohol Dragster driver Chris Demke comes into Las Vegas leading the divisional point standings. The Sunland, Calif., racer started the season with three consecutive final-round appearances. He won the season-opener at Phoenix's Firebird Int'l Raceway, was runner-up at Southwestern Int'l Raceway in Tucson, Ariz., and won again at Sacramento Raceway in Sacramento, Calif. Demke also won an out-of-division race in August in Acton, Mont.

Don Hudson of Stockton, Calif., is in second place in the TAD point standings. He was runner-up to Demke in Phoenix and Sacramento and took the win over defending division champion Morgan Lucas at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

Lucas, the 20-year-old Upland, Calif., racer, is in third place in the division's TAD standings and has been pulling double duty at NHRA national events since he was hired to drive Joe Amato's Top Fuel Dragster over the summer. The national event in Brainerd, Minn., was the first event where Lucas competed in both classes and he scored the win in TAD. He also won in TAD at the national event in Reading, Pa.

There is a tight battle brewing in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class between current points leader Dennis Taylor and defending division champion Doug Gordon. Just 16 points separate the two. Gordon, of Paso Robles, Calif., started off with three straight wins but didn't score higher than a semifinal round finish in the last half of the year. Taylor was runner-up to Gordon in Phoenix and was runner-up again in Bakersfield and at out-of-division races in Woodburn, Ore., and Medford, Ore. The Anaheim Hills, Calif., driver took the win at the Pacific division's race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

The division's Kerker Motorcycle Series and the Korbel Super E class will run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Some Sportsman Motorcycle competitors will also run in the Kerker King of the Coast competition, a race within a race where the top four points earning riders from each of the four divisions that participate in the Kerker Motorcycle Series are invited to race for a $2,000 payday. The runner-up in the King of the Coast will receive $1,000.

Qualifying and time trials begin at 7 a.m. Friday and continue at 7 a.m. Saturday. Eliminations will start at 2 p.m. Saturday and continue at 7 a.m. Sunday. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will have qualifying passes, at 3 p.m. Friday and at 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday. Sunday they will run first round of eliminations at 12:30 p.m. Gates open at 6 a.m. every day.

General admission, including pit pass, is $20 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $6 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located on Speedway Blvd., exit 54 off I-10. For more information, call the track, (702) 644-4444, or visit www.LVMS.com.

After this weekend, NHRA will close out the 2004 season with the 40th Annual Auto Club Finals at Pomona Raceway, November 11-14. NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series participants will compete along with their professional brothers at the event.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: The Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout, 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 last of six in Pacific Division competition. The division's Korbel Super E class will also run in conjunction with the event. The weekend's action will also include the Kerker King of the Coast competition, a race within a race where the top four riders from each division in the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series run for a $2,000 payday. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will earn $1,000.

WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located on Speedway Blvd, exit 54 off of Interstate 15.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, November, 5-7, 2004

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Short Line Express Market Las Vegas Gambler Shootout:

FRIDAY, Nov. Nov. 5 -- Gates open at 6 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, Nov. 6 -- Gates open at 6 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 5 p.m. First round of eliminations start at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, Nov. 7 -- Gates open at 6 a.m. Eliminations begin at 7 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled at 12:30 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 are $6 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information please call The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, (800) 644-4444.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $147,560, part of the 46-race, $6.5 million series.

2003 EVENT WINNERS: Duane Shields, Top Alcohol Dragster; Cy Chesterman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Dean Carter, Comp Eliminator; Peter Biondo, Super Stock; Dan Fletcher, Stock Eliminator; Jack Beckman, Super Comp; Robert Coleman, Super Gas; Brett Waldron, 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.

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.

FEATURES: More than 600 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.