FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ewing, Griggs earn second wins

COMMERCE, Ga. - NHRA Southeast Division competitors finished the sixth of seven races on their NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule today at Atlanta Dragway. Super Comp racer Todd Ewing and Super Street competitor Ernest Griggs each earned their second wins of the year, while Larry Pritchett drove his Comp Eliminator Grand Am to the winner's circle after two consecutive runner-up finishes.

Pritchett, of Clarkrange, Tenn., beat Lumberton, N.C., resident Jeff Taylor. Ewing, a resident of Cullman, Ala., took the stripe over David Tatum of Palmetto, Ga., and Griggs, who hails from Ocala, Fla., was in the final against Kevin MacNicol, from North Port, Fla.

The Super Stock winner was Everette Keesley of Edgefield, S.C. He drove his '82 Firebird to the win over Wetumka, Ala., resident Jason Davis. And in Super Gas Jimmy Daniel of Montgomery, Ala., beat Edmond Richardson of Greenbriar, Tenn. In Top Sportsman, Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., beat Jim Perry of Orlando, Fla.

ith his win at Atlanta Dragway, Stock competitor Scott Welborn catapulted himself into a berth on the team that will represent the Southeast Division at the Jeg's Allstars event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., in September. Coming into this weekend's race, the last opportunity for racers to earn points for the 2002 Allstars, the West Columbia, S.C., resident was in sixth place in the point standings.

Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car ran eliminations on Saturday night. John Haley of Wayzata, Minn., won in TAD, and Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., won in TAFC. The final race on the Southeast Division's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule is Oct. 4-6 at Darlington International Dragway in Darlington, S.C.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Grand Am, A/SM, 8.112 seconds, 167.50 mph def. 
Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '01 Grand Am, C/A, 7.626, 179.31

SUPER STOCK
Everette Keesley, Edgefield, S.C., '82 Firebird, GT/DA, 10.294, 124.39 def.
Jason Davis, Wetumpka, Ala., '00 Firebird, GT/MA, 11.388, 115.56

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Scott Welborn, West Columbia, S.C., '68 Chevelle, G/SA, 11.752, 112.28 def.
Brian Rowe, New Bern, N.C., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.757, 111.51

SUPER COMP
Todd Ewing, Cullman, Ala., '02 dragster, 9.192, 131.38 def. 
David Tatum, Palmetto, Ga., '01 dragster, 9.375, 116.15

SUPER GAS
Jimmy Daniel, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Trans Am, 9.905, 155.62 def. 
Edmond Richardson, Green Briar, Tenn., '91 Cavalier, 9.907, 134.48

SUPER STREET
Ernest Griggs Jr., Ocala, Fla., '72 Camaro, 10.903, 135.15 def. 
Kevin MacNicol, North Port, Fla., '78 Trans Am, 10.926, 124.03

TOP SPORTSMAN
Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Camaro, 7.408, 184.84 def. 
JimPerry, Orlando, Fla., '00 S-10, 7.911, 174.21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Haley and Payne take home alcohol wins, qualifying complete in other classes

COMMERCE, Ga. - Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) completed all rounds of eliminations today at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway and the fields are set for eliminations in all other categories.

The race for the TAFC division title got a little tighter today when Jay Payne took the win over Von Smith. Payne made a 5.665-second, 255.75 mph pass to Smith's 5.802-second, 251.88 mph effort. This is Payne's third win of the season but the Claremont, Calif., resident is still 22 points behind Smith for the division crown. Going into this race, Smith, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., had scored back-to-back wins, giving him three victories on the year.

After making final-round appearances at the division's last two events, John Haley of Wayzata, Minn., finally earned his first win of the year. Haley's 6.702-second, 142.85 mph run was enough to take the win when opponent Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., could not get his dragster out of reverse after the burnout. Haley ran strong all weekend and was the No. 1 qualifier of the event.

Also earning Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus money were Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., Comp Eliminator; Everett Hill of Fayetteville, Ga., in Super Stock; and Richard Taylor of Byhalia, Miss., in Stock.

Racing continues Sunday with eliminations in Top Sportsman, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 9 a.m. and eliminations begin at 10 a.m. General admission tickets, including pit pass, are $15. Children 5-13 are $5 and kids 4 and under are admitted free. For more information call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 335-2301.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and elimination results for TAD and TAFC:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) John Haley, Wayzata, Minn., 5.552 seconds, 252.31 mph def. 6) Duke
McDonald, Gainesville, Fla., 7.945, 118.71
2) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.528, 257.80 def. 5) Artie Allen,
Jacksonville, Fla., 5.747, 250.41
3) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.545, 260.19 def. 4) Jason Cannon,
Middleburg, Fla., 5.714, 250.76

Semifinals
Haley, 5.537, 255.31 def. BYE
Thacker, 5.531, 259.14 def. Kelly, 5.564, 256.41

Final
Haley, 6.702, 142.85 def. Thacker, broke


TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.694 seconds, 250.62 mph def. BYE
2) Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Firebird, 5.794, 250.62 def. 3) Mark
Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.040, 243.77

Final
Payne, 5.663, 255.75 def. Smith, 5.802, 251.88 

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Grand Am, A/SM, 8.083 seconds, -0.537 under index
2. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '01 Grand Am, C/A, 7.564, -0.516
3. Mike Saye, Johnston, N.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.744, -0.496
4. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 Ford, A/EA, 7.584, -0.446
5. Tim Freeman, Roan Mtn., Tenn., '92 Camaro, H/SM, 9.384, -0.396
6. George Gallimore Jr., Memphis, Tenn., '32 roadster, A/AP, 7.171,  -0.359
7. Wayne Hutton, Portland, Tenn., '91 Calais, C/SH, 8.599, -0.341
8. David Hornaday, West Columbia, S.C., '68 Opel, C/A, 7.754, -0.326
9. Keith Roberts, Mooresville, N.C., '96 Cutlass, C/EA, 8.619, -0.261
10. Donald Eberly Jr., Brunswick, Ga., '96 Cutlass, C/EA, 8.638, -0.242

SUPER STOCK
1. Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.860 seconds, -1.040 under index
2. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.742, -0.958
3. Ronnie Courtney, Johnston, S.C., '02 Cavalier, GT/F, 9.960, -0.950
4. Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Chevy, SS/OA, 11.681, -0.919
5. Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '02 S-10, GT/TB, 10.237, -0.913  
6. John Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.00, -0.900
7. Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.847, -0.853
8. Larry Strunk, Odessa, Fla., '64 Comet, SS/MA, 11.305, -0.845
9. Larry Stewart Jr., Clinton, Miss., '87 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.260, -0.840
10. Jim Smiley, Springfield, Tenn., '91 Calais, SS/BM, 8.874, -0.826

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.458 seconds, -1.342 under index
2. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, C/SA, 10.590, -1.110
3. Danny Holder, Chapmansboro, Tenn., '91 Camaro, 11.893, -1.057
4. Robert Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Formula, N/SA, 12.259, -1.041
5. Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, E/SA, 11.028, -0.972
6. Ronald Urquart, Chesterfield, Va., '68 Camaro, F/SA, 11.181, -0.969
7. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Camaro, K/SA, 11.990, -0.960
8. Arnold Greene, Matthews, N.C., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.350, -0.900
9. Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '94 Camaro, D/SA, 10.954,  -0.896
10. Mark Lewis, Inman, S.C., '73 Nova, 11.717, -0.883

TOP SPORTSMAN
1. Ronnie Davis, Lilburn, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.992 seconds, 199.60 mph
2. Robert Sellers, Bunnell, Fla., '97 Avenger, 7.014, 196.67
3. Jeff Rudiski, Rutherford College, N.C., '92 Trans Am, 7.160, 196.54
4. Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina, N.C., '01 Camaro, 7.168, 187.86
5. Aaron Glaser, Shepherdsville, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.258, 193.13
6. Troy Cagle, Ranburne, Ala., '00 S-10, 7.273, 186.41
7. Will Robertson, Williston, S.C., '57 Belair, 7.314, 184.57
8. Joel Douglas, Statesville, N.C., '94 Cutlass, 7.462, 184.95
9. Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.480, 183.07
10. Michael Osborn, Athens, Ala., '94 Cutlass, 7.590, 181.81 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Haley, Payne Lead Alcohol Fields At Lucas Oil Race At Atlanta Dragway

COMMERCE, Ga. - In the first rounds of qualifying at Atlanta Dragway, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver John Haley and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) pilot Jay Payne took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Haley, of Wayzata, Minn., outran the field with a pass of 5.488 seconds at 256.92 mph. Haley was the low qualifier at the division's last event at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn., and went on to make his second final-round appearance of the season. He is still looking for his first win of the year.

Claremont, Calif., resident Payne made a 5.700-second, 253.16 mph run to take the pole. This is the fifth time in Payne has earned the Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus this season. He is looking for his third divisional event win of the year. Payne won here a year ago.

Top qualifiers in other classes are: Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., in Comp Eliminator; Everett Hill, Fayettville, Ga., in Super Stock; and Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., in Stock.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues Saturday at 10 a.m. Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 9 a.m. The Top Sportsman classis scheduled to qualify at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. TAD and TAFC will run all rounds of eliminations beginning at 6 p.m.

General admission tickets are $20 Saturday and $15 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30. Children 5-13 are $5 each day and kids 4 and under are admitted free. For more information call Atlanta Dragway, (706)335-2301 or visit www.AtlantaDragway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1. John Haley, Wayzata, Minn., 5.488 seconds, 256.92 mph
2. Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.513, 266.33
3. Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.515, 258.76
4. Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.660, 250.27
5. Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.677, 251.04
6. Duke McDonald, Gainesville, Fla., 6.793, 152.41

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1. Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.700 seconds, 253.16 mph
2. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., '01 Firebird, 5.800, 246.23
3. Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 5.941, 244.83

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '98 Grand Am, A/SM, 8.090 seconds, -0.530 under index
2. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '01 Grand Am, C/A, 7.564, -0.516
3. Mike Saye, Johnston, N.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.772, -0.468
4. Fred Allen, Winamac, Ind., '23 Ford, A/EA, 7.584, -0.446
5. George Gallimore Jr., Memphis, Tenn., '32 roadster, A/AP, 7.171, -0.359
6. Wayne Hutton, Portland, Tenn., '91 Calais, C/SH, 8.602, -0.338
7. Steve Conner, Fletcher, N.C., '91 Camaro, H/SM, 9.454, -0.326
8. David Hornaday, West Columbia, S.C., '68 Opel, C/A, 7.801, -0.279
9. Donald Eberly Jr., Brunswick, Ga., '96 Cutlass, C/EA, 8.692, -0.188
10. Craig Smitherman, Winston Salem, N.C., '88 Thunderbird, D/A, 8.320, -0.040

SUPER STOCK
1. Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/M, 10.902 seconds, -0.998 under index
2. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, '98 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.742, -0.958
3. Brad Allen, Winamac, Ind., '02 S-10, GT/TB, 10.237, -0.913  
4. John Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.00, -0.900
5. Wayne Hayes, Elgin, S.C., '56 Chevy, SS/OA, 11.703, -0.897
6. Ronnie Courtney, Johnston, S.C., '02 Cavalier, GT/F, 10.014, -0.886
7. Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.876, -0.824
8. Bruce Campbell, Waynesville, N.C., '88 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.535, -0.815
9. Larry Strunk, Odessa, Fla., '64 Comet, SS/MA, 11.340, -0.810
10. Larry Stewart Jr., Clinton, Miss., '87 Camaro, GT/FA, 10.291, -0.809

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.458 seconds,  -1.342 under index
2. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, C/SA, 10.639, -1.061
3. Danny Holder, Chapmansboro, Tenn., '91 Camaro, 11.917, -1.033
4. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '87 Camaro, K/SA, 11.993, -0.957
5. Robert Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Formula, N/SA, 12.355, -0.945
6. Jimmy Hidalgo, Donaldsonville, La., '97 Camaro, E/SA, 11.062, -0.938
7. Tom Marinelli, Tallahassee, Fla., '79 Malibu, K/SA, 12.098, -0.852
8. John Wentling, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., '94 Camaro, E/SA, 11.182, -0.818
9. Hugh Meeks III, Montgomery, Ala., '73 Nova, I/SA, 11.792, -0.808
10. Brandon Wood, Tallahassee, Fla., '85 Camaro, N/SA, 12.503, -0.797

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil racers head to Atlanta

ATLANTA - Atlanta Dragway will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Aug. 9-11. The event is the sixth of seven in Southeast Division competition and will feature more than 400 drivers in eight racing categories including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Cars (TAFC) as well as the division's newest class, Top Sportsman.

With two straight TAD wins, Marty Thacker is currently leading the points. The Robinson, Ill., resident won at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga., and at the division's last race at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. He also was runner-up at the season opener at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. Thacker's competition in the final round of the races he won was relative newcomer, John Haley of Wayzata, Minn. Haley has only been at three races this season.

Von Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., is again locked in a battle with defending division TAFC champion Jay Payne. Smith has made five final round appearances this season and has beaten Payne in two of them, Silver Dollar Raceway and Bristol Dragway. He also beat out-of-division racer Todd Veney at Orlando Speed World Dragway in Florida. Payne, who resides in Claremont, Calif., has won two events, including an out-of-division bout in Brainerd, Minn., and has been runner-up at two. He is just 43 points behind Smith in the point standings.

Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 10 a.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and continue Saturday at 10 a.m. TAD and TAFC qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, and they will run all rounds of eliminations Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 8 p.m. Friday, and 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Eliminations begin Sunday at 10 a.m.

General admission, including pit pass, is $15 Friday and $20 Saturday and $15 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and a three-day ticket is $40. Children 5-13 are $5 each day and children 4 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

The event is part of a 45-race, $6.5 million series contested across the country. Drivers are competing for a part of a $561,000 champions' purse. They will earn points leading to national and division titles as well as a berth on the team that will represent the Southeast division at the Jeg's Allstar event in September.

The track is located in Commerce, Ga., at 500 E. Ridgeway Road, near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 441. For more information, call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 335-2301, or visit www.ATLANTADRAGWAY.com.

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 sixth of seven in Southeast Division competition.

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. The track is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce, Ga., about 1 hour northeast of Atlanta, near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 441.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 9-11, 2002

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
FRIDAY, Aug. 9 -- Gates open at 10 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Top Sportsman will qualify at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, Aug. 10 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman is scheduled to qualify at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run elimination rounds at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, Aug. 11 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Top Sportsman, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street begin at 10 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $15 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $30 and a three-day ticket is $40. Children 5-13 are $5 each day and kids 4 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 335-2301.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,700, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2001 EVENT WINNERS: Jay Meyer, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jay Payne, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Mike Saye, Comp Eliminator; Mike Trumble, Super Stock; Mark Dickerson, Stock Eliminator; Steve Hunt, Super Comp; Steve Cohen, Super Gas; Kris Satterwhite 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 2002 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 $220,500 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at each of the 45 Lucas Oil events and the 23 NHRA national events: $1,250 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $400 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $200 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 16 of 23 national 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 2002 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 2002 Jeg's Allstars, held in conjunction with the NHRA Nationals in Chicago, Sept. 26-29, 2002. 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.

FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.