FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wilson, Gordon win; Fletcher doubles

TUCSON, Ariz. - David Wilson earned his first NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series win this weekend at Southwestern International Raceway while Doug Gordon extended his points lead with his second win of the year in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Wilson, the 2003 FIA European Champion, took out Chris Demke in the Top Alcohol Dragster final with a pass of 5.665 seconds at 246.84 mph to Demke's 5.689 second, 250.74 mph lap.

Wilson knew he would be advancing to the final round before the day even started as he was to face Mark Niver in round 1 who broke his car during qualifying and was unable to return for eliminations giving Wilson a bye run in round 1. Wilson received a second bye as a result of a five-car elimination ladder in which the No. 2 qualifier (Wilson) receives an automatic bye in the semi-finals. Wilson used the bye runs to try new combinations in the car which seemed to work as he recorded a personal best elapsed time of 5.736 seconds in round 1, then bettered that run with a 5.619-second lap in his semi-final effort.

Gordon, of Paso Robles, Calif., drove his '04 Camaro to a 5.832 second, 245.40 mph win over John Patton who clocked in at 6.089 seconds, 211.10 mph. Gordon beat Hannes Wernhart and Dennis Taylor in rounds 1 and 2 respectively.

"This is our second divisional win this year so we're feeling pretty good right now. We had to change a lot of things on the car this weekend. It was a good win for the team" remarked Gordon.

Dan Fletcher, who won the Mac Tools Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., last week, picked up wins in both Stock and Super Stock this weekend. The Churchville, N.Y., resident beat Glenn Snow in the final of Super Stock then switched over to the Stock class and knocked off Bernie Cunningham.

2003 NHRA Comp Eliminator National Champion Dean Carter out ran Glendale, Ariz., resident Mike DePalma in the Comp final with a pass of 7.197 seconds at 183.99 mph.

Winners in other categories are Rod Fuller of Rogers, Ark., over Milt Gedo in Super Comp; Jim Hughes of Phoenix, in Super Gas; and Ted Kellner of San Jose, Calif., in Super Street.

Alex Selak won the Korbel Super Eliminator class over Bill Webber; Rick Newport took the Kerker Motorcycle win, and local favorite Don Tola won the Pro ET category.

The Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Sacramento Raceway Park in Sacramento, Calif., April 30 - May 2.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
ROUND 1
2) David Wilson, Farnborough, Great Britain, 5.736, 248.89 def. 
5) Mark Niver, Phoenix, Ariz., broke

4) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.616, 253.00 def. 
3) Mike Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 6.119, 170.64

1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 6.386, 145.41 was unopposed
 
SEMIFINALS
Wilson, 5.619, 250.41 was unopposed
Demke, 5.680, 248.80 def. Nuckols, 10.202, 81.06
 
FINAL
Wilson, 5.655, 246.84 def. Demke, 5.689, 250.74
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
ROUND 1
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., Chevy Camaro, 5.874, 242.32 def. 
6) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., Pontiac Firebird, 6.015, 239.70

4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., Pontiac Trans Am, 5.924, 241.11 def. 
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., Trans Am, 5.937, 238.26

2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., Camaro, 5.836, 241.50 def. 
7) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., Dodge Avenger, 5.998, 233.44

1) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., Camaro, 5.815, 243.77 def. 
8) Dale Van Gundy, Anaheim, Calif., Trans Am, 6.033, 238.93
 
SEMIFINALS
Patton, 5.921, 243.50 def. Lee, 6.525, 151.20
Gordon, 5.832, 245.40 def. Taylor, 5.907, 241.54
 
FINAL
Gordon, 5.894, 243.94 def. Patton, 6.089, 211.10
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., Dragster, A/ND, 7.197, 183.99 def. 
Mike DePalma Jr, Glendale, Ariz., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.407, 185.10
 
SUPER STOCK
Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '69 Camaro, SS/EA, 10.323, 116.63 def. 
Glenn Snow, St. George, Utah, '85 Trans Am, GT/DA, foul
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 11.153, 112.07 def. 
Bernie Cunningham, Riverside, Calif., '98 Firebird, C/FIA, 11.761, 102.33
 
SUPER COMP
Rod Fuller, Rogers, Ark., Dragster, 9.156, 160.29 def. 
Milton Gedo, Pahrump, Nev., Dragster, 9.155, 155.69
 
SUPER GAS
Jim Hughes, Phoenix, '02 Corvette, 10.157, 143.72 def. 
Tommy Hall, Windsor, Calif., '61 Impala, 10.138, 144.67
 
SUPER STREET
Ted Kellner, San Jose, Calif., '75 Vega, 11.223, 136.72 def. 
Scott Rollins, Phoenix, '69 Camaro, foul
 
SUPER ELIMINATOR
Alex Selak, Mesa, Ariz., Dragster, 8.146, 168.98 def. 
Bill Webber, Kingman, Ariz., Dragster, 8.192, 176.24
 
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '97 Suzuki, 8.847, 146.51 def. 
John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, 9.318, 137.81

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fields set for Lucas Oil Series at SIR

TUCSON, Ariz. - Chris Demke started off qualifying No. 1, lost it, then took it back in Saturday's afternoon, and final, qualifying session for Top Alcohol Dragster. David Wilson laid down a 5.582-second pass at 247.43 mph in the morning session to move him ahead of Demke only to have Demke record a lap of 5.560 seconds at 253.75 mph Saturday afternoon.

Demke, looking for his second NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series win of the young season, is followed by Wilson in the second spot and Mike Cofini in third with a run of 5.603 seconds, 251.95 mph.

Robert Lee held on to the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car covering the quarter-mile in 5.814 seconds at 245.90 mph in his '03 Camaro. The Whittier, Calif., resident is followed by Dennis Taylor in second with a 5.820-second pass at 242.50 mph and Doug Gordon in third with a 5.829, 243.59.

Glendale, Ariz., resident and defending NHRA Comp Eliminator National Champion Dean Carter sits on top of the Comp field with a pass of 7.104 seconds, 0.756 under his index.

James Weakland held onto the number one spot in Super Stock with his run of 9.963 seconds while Harry Doolittle grabbed the top spot in Stock with a run of 12.487 seconds in his '02 Firebird. The five low qualifiers will share the $2,500 Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus.

In the Kerker Motorcycle Series, Ken Van Buren of New River, Ariz., leads the field and is followed by Mitchel Lippen from Cave Creek, Ariz., in the number two position.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates at Southwestern International Raceway open at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars run at noon. For more information call the track, (520) 762-9700.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.560 seconds, 253.75 mph
2) David Wilson, Farnborough, Great Britain, 5.582, 250.83
3) Mike Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.603, 251.95
4) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.669, 252.57
5) Mark Niver, Phoenix, (no time)
 
First-round TAD pairings
1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.560 seconds, 253.75 mph vs. Bye

2) David Wilson, Farnborough, Great Britain, 5.582, 250.83 vs. 
5) Mark Niver, Phoenix,  (no time)

3) Mike Cofini, Spokane, Wash., 5.603, 251.95 vs. 
4) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.669, 252.57
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.814 seconds, 245.90 mph
2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.820, 242.50
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.829, 243.90
4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 5.842, 244.43
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '03 Trans Am, 5.862, 240.64
6) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.176, 231.32
7) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.317, 223.76
8) Dale Van Gundy, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Trans Am, 6.344, 229.66

Not Qualified
9) Charles McLaws, Winslow, Ariz., '97 Firebird, 6.574, 211.03
 
First-round TAFC pairings
1) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.814 seconds, 245.90 mph vs. 
8) Dale Van Gundy, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Trans Am, 6.344, 229.66

2) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.820, 242.50 vs.
7) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, 6.317, 223.76

3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.829, 243.90 vs. 
6) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.176, 231.32

4) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 5.842, 244.43 vs. 
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '03 Trans Am, 5.862, 240.64
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., Dragster, A/ND, 7.104 seconds, -0.756 (under index)
2) Mike DePalma Jr, Glendale, Ariz., '99 Neon, B/A, 7.332, -0.668
3) Doug Lambeck, North Ridge, Calif., '04 Sunfire, D/SMA, 8.809, -0.651
4) Steve Wilmoth, Peoria, Ariz., '34 Chevrolet, C/SR, 8.879, -0.651
5) Lou Ficco, Wheatridge, Colo., '63 Corvette, B/AA, 7.385, -0.635
6) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, N&P, A/AA, 6.987, -0.633
7) Vincent Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.762, -0.628
8) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, Frameworks, B/ED, 7.105, -0.615
9) Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 8.811, -0.589
10) Dave Daly, Glendale, Ariz., N&P, A/ND, 7.319, -0.541
 
SUPER STOCK
1) Jim Weakland, Morrison, Colo., '68 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.963 seconds, -1.287 (under index)
2) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.733, -1.247
3) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.821, -1.119
4) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 10.135, -1.115
5) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.662, -1.108
6) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.217, -1.093
7) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.634, -1.086
8) Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '91 Probe, SS/BM, 8.983, -1.077
9) Ronald Parness, Conifer, Colo., '67 Chevy II, SS/HA, 10.273, -1.037
10) Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '64 Chevy, GT/GA, 10.590, -1.030
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Harry Doolittle, Hillsdale, Mich., '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.487 seconds, -1.463 (under index)
2) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, B/SA, 10.529, -1.451
3) Jeff Lee, Anthem, Ariz., '70 AMX, E/S, 10.989, -1.411
4) Wesley Libby, Spokane, Wash., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 10.650, -1.330
5) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.374, -1.296
6) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.434, -1.286
7) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Firebird, I/FIA, 12.995, -1.265
8) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 11.053, -1.237
9) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, H/SA, 11.681, -1.229
10) Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '89 Trans Am, E/FIA, 11.842, -1.228
 
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Ken Van Buren, New River, Ariz., '84 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.002 seconds reaction time
2) Mitchel Lippen, Cave Creek, Ariz., '02 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.003
3) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, '87 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.004
4) Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '97 Suzuki, KMC, 0.011
5) Tom Lannie, Tucson, Ariz., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.014
6) Tom Patterson, Tucson, Ariz., '81 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.014
7) Lonnie Woodruff, Bountiful, Utah, '83 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.018
8) John Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.022
9) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.031
10) Mike Yaw, Tucson, Ariz., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.148

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Demke, Lee lead fields in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. - In the first rounds of qualifying at Southwestern International Raceway, Chris Demke took the number one spot in Top Alcohol Dragster while Robert Lee leads the Top Alcohol Funny Car field with a run of 5.814 seconds at 245.90 mph.

Demke, who won the NHRA Pacific Division season opener two weeks ago in Phoenix, covered the quarter-mile in 5.691 seconds at 248.48 mph. Demke is followed by Kent Nichols of Albuquerque, N.M., with a 5.710-second pass at 249.49 mph. Last year's event winner Mark Niver broke the rearend in his alcohol dragster as soon as he hit the throttle and did not record a time. Niver and the rest of the top alcohol drivers will get two more qualifying attempts on Saturday.

Lee, who finished third in the Pacific Division points standings last year, is followed by John Patton of Peoria, Ariz., in the number two spot with a 5.844 second run at 242.63 mph and Dennis Taylor in third with a 5.889, 242.50.

Defending National Champion Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., is on top in Comp Eliminator with a pass of 7.104 seconds at 185.79 mph; James Weakland of Morrison, Colo., leads in Super Stock; and Harry Doolittle put his '02 Firebird on top in Stock.

Local racer Don Bevers of Tucson, Ariz., is sixth in Super Stock while fellow Tucson resident Bill Nelson is sixth in Stock.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 8 a.m. Gates at Southwestern International Raceway open at 7 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car run at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information call the track, (520) 762-9700

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway:

 
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.691 seconds, 248.48 mph
2) Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 5.710, 249.49
3) David Wilson, Hampshire, Great Britain, 10.227, 76.90
 
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Robert Lee, Whittier, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.814 seconds, 245.90 mph
2) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '03 Trans Am, 5.844, 242.63
3) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.889, 242.50
4) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.900, 243.90
5) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '02 Trans Am, 5.979, 238.98
6) Hannes Warnhart, Bakersfield, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.296, 230.84
7) Charles McLaws, Winslow, Ariz., '97 Firebird, 6.574, 210.18
8) Mike Drake, Glendora, Calif., '01 Avenger, 8.549, 106.36
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., Dragster, A/ND, 7.104 seconds, -0.756 (under index)
2) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, Frameworks, B/ED, 7.105, -0.615
3) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, N&P, A/AA, 7.006, -0.614
4) Vincent Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.786, -0.604
5) Doug Lambeck, North Ridge, Calif., '04 Sunfire, D/SMA, 8.868, -0.592
6) Lou Ficco, Wheatridge, Colo., '63 Corvette, B/AA, 7.431, -0.589
7) Dave Daly, Glendale, Ariz., Yancer, A/ND, 7.319, -0.541
8) Robert Baldwin, Aurora, Colo., '95 Camaro, D/SM, 8.979, -0.521
9) Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '04 Cavalier, G/A, 8.936, -0.464
10) Gery Lockman, Wellington, Colo., '01 Cavalier, B/AA, 7.670, -0.350
 
SUPER STOCK
1) Jim Weakland, Morrison, Colo., '68 Camaro, SS/GA, 10.025 seconds, -1.225 (under index)
2) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.758, -1.222
3) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '04 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.821, -1.119
4) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dakota, GT/TA, 10.135, -1.115
5) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.634, -1.086
6) Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.686, -1.084
7) Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '91 Probe, SS/BM, 9.012, -1.048
8) Kevin Nicks, Golden, Colo., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, 10.133, -1.017
9) Ronald Parness, Conifer, Colo., '67 Chevy II, SS/HA, 10.302, -1.008
10) Kevin Smith, Parker, Colo., '85 Camaro, SS/BM, 9.072, -0.988
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Harry Doolittle, Hillsdale, Mich., '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.532 seconds, -1.418 (under index)
2) Jeff Lee, Anthem, Ariz., '70 AMX, E/S, 10.989, -1.411
3) Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, B/SA, 10.594, -1.386
4) Wesley Libby, Spokane, Wash., '71 Challenger, B/SA, 10.654, -1.326
5) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.374, -1.296
6) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Firebird, I/FIA, 13.010, -1.250
7) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.478, -1.242
8) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Volare, H/SA, 11.681, -1.229
9) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Firebird, D/SA, 11.061, -1.229
10) Marka Gallina, Henderson, Nev., '89 Trans Am, E/FIA, 11.842, -1.228
 
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
1) Ken Van Buren, New River, Ariz., '84 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.002 seconds reaction time
2) Mitchel Lippen, Cave Creek, Ariz., '02 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.003
3) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, Nev., '87 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.017
4) Lonnie Woodruff, Bountiful, Utah, '83 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.018
5) Aris Widmann, Garberville, Calif., '97 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.022
6) Tom Patterson, Tucson, Ariz., '81 Kawasaki, KMC, 0.031
7) Rick Newport, KMC, 0.050
8) Tom Lannie, Tucson, Ariz., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.078
9) Mike Yaw, Tucson, Ariz., '85 Suzuki, KMC, 0.148
10) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '81 Suzuki, KMC, 0.244

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series heads to SIR

TUCSON, Ariz. - NHRA's Pacific Division will continue its 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Southwestern International Raceway (SIR) March 26-28. Competitors in eight classes including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will compete for a share of the $158,145 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships.

The division's Korbel Super E class and the Kerker Motorcycle class will run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Super E and motorcycle competitors will run qualifying and eliminations with other classes throughout the weekend.

In Comp Eliminator, Glendale, Ariz., resident Dean Carter won the national crown in 2003. Although Carter had a sluggish start to last season, he made a strong move later in the year that was enough to net him both the national and divisional championships. He won at the national event in Las Vegas last October and, a week later at the divisional event there he was in the winner's circle again. At the final race of the year, the national event at Pomona Raceway in California, he was runner-up.

Jack Beckman started 2003 with a win at the season-opening national event in Pomona. The North Hills, Calif., racer also scored wins at the divisional events in Sacramento, Calif., and in Las Vegas. Like Carter, Beckman earned divisional honors as well as the national crown.

In Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), defending division champ Morgan Lucas will be out to defend his title. The 20-year-old Riverside, Calif., resident has put together a new team and a new car and hired TAD tuner Norm Grimes to head the efforts. Grimes was the talent behind the team that took Rick Santos to five consecutive national TAD championships.

However, Las Vegas' Duane Shields is looking to reassert himself and try to regain the form that lead him to the division title in 2002. Shields may have his hands full, however. Last year, Mark Niver, a resident of Phoenix, made two trips to the winner's circle after a nearly 20-year absence. If Niver picks up where he left off in 2003, he could give Shields and Lucas a run for their money.

In the Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) class, 2003 champion Doug Gordon could retain his title. Gordon, of Paso Robles, Calif., opened 2003 with a win at the national event in Pomona and then went on to win the first two divisional events, at the season opener in Phoenix and then here. He also scored runner-up points at two out-of-division races in Woodburn, Ore., and Noble, Okla.

Gordon could face challenges this year from Brett Williamson of Campbell, Calif., and Dennis Taylor of Anaheim Hills, Calif. Taylor won the opening national event of 2004 at Pomona Raceway. Veteran TAFC pilot Mert Littlefield of Garden Grove, Calif., also poses a threat at any event.

Gates at SIR open at 7 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will have one qualifying pass Friday at 4 p.m. Saturday, they will make two runs, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Sunday for all classes. Dragster and Funny Car will run first round at noon.

General admission, including pit pass, is $20 each day. A two-day ticket is $35 and a three-day pass is $55. Senior citizens and military personnel are $15 each day. Children 10 and under are admitted free.

SIR is located 15 miles east of Downtown Tucson. Take Interstate 10 to exit 275 (Houghton Rd.) and go south. Turn right on Dawn Rd. to the track entrance. For more information, call the track, (520) 762-9700, or visit www.SIRace.com.

Pacific division racers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will head to Sacramento Raceway in California, April 30-May 2 for the third event in the series.

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 Pacific Division competition. The division's Korbel Super E class and the Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Southwestern International Raceway (SIR), Tucson, Ariz. Track is located 15 miles east of Downtown Tucson. Take Interstate 10 to exit 275 (Houghton Rd.) south and then right on Dawn Road to entrance of the track.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 26-28, 2004

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

FRIDAY, March 26 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 27 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 28 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day pass is $35 and a three-day ticket is $55. Senior citizen and military personnel are $15 each day. Children 10 and under are admitted free. For more information please call SIR, (520) 762-9700.

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: Mark Niver, Top Alcohol Dragster; Doug Gordon, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Joe Mozeris, Comp Eliminator; Tibor Kadar, Super Stock; Jim Meador, Stock Eliminator; Greg Boutte, Super Comp; Mark Horton, Super Gas; Gary Thompson, 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 $8,800 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 $1000.

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

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.