FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges and Williams kings of the mountain

MORRISON, Colo. - Mark Hentges in Top Alcohol Dragster and Kirk Williams in Top Alcohol Funny Car earned event wins at Thunder on the Mountain, race three of six in West Central Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The Top Alcohol Dragster final featured a battle of former division champions as Hentges of the Northwest faced off again Shelly Howard of the South Central Division. Although Howard had a slight .003-second advantage at the starting line, it was Hentges who muscled his way to the win after making a 5.705-second, 247.07 mph pass.

This is the second straight win for the Federal Way, Wash., resident in as many weeks. Hentges earned a win last week in Kent, Wash., at Pacific Raceways' NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Kirk Williams faced off against Cy Chesterman for a third straight year in the final. Chesterman had won the previous two Thunder on the Mountain events but it was Williams who came away with the win this year after Chesterman left .001 seconds too early off the starting line.

For Williams, the final round win was bittersweet as the Glenwood, Iowa, resident had lost in the final the last three years in the finals at Thunder on the Mountain. The last two were to Chesterman and Williams had lost to Jay Payne in the final in 2000.

This was also Williams' first victory in three attempts this year against Chesterman. Williams suffered a loss to Chesterman in the semifinals at Heartland Park Topeka as well as two weeks ago in the finals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway.

Winners in other categories were Dean Howerton of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., in Comp; Justin Jenkins of Marysville, Kan., in Super Stock; Keith Lynch of Mt. Ayr Iowa, in Stock; Michael Miller of Santa Fe, N.M., in Super Comp; Danny Gruninger of Lakewood, Colo., in Super Gas; and Timothy Law of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in Super Street.

Tom Gilligan of Fremont, Neb., also earned a win in Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series.

West Central Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop at Nebraska Motorplex, Aug. 8-10 in Scribner, Neb. For more information, contact Bandimere Speedway at (303) 697-6001.

The following are final round results from Thunder on the Mountain at Bandimere Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.664, 249.95 def. 
8) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.808, 246.30

2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.688, 251.67 def. 
7) Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., foul

3) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.728, 248.57 def. 
6) James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.858, 248.89

4) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.786, 246.71 def. 
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.766, 233.76

Semifinals
Hentges, 5.657, 250.37 def. Perkins, 5.824, 245.09
Howard, 5.790, 248.52 def. Bradshaw, 6.248, 171.03

Final
Hentges, 5.705, 247.07 def. Howard, 5.807, 246.39

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.379, 238.05 vs. Bye

2) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '03 Trans Am, 5.982, 241.20 def. 
7) Steve Griboski, Aurora, Colo., '98 Camaro, foul

3) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.045, 237.88 def. 
6) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, broke

4) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Camaro, 5.964, 240.64 def. 
5) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.181, 234.09

Semifinals
Williams, 6.076, 237.46 def. Moats, 6.445, 178.21
Chesterman, 6.004, 240.89 def. Coolidge, 6.115, 239.23

Final
Williams, 7.031, 154.62 def. Chesterman, foul

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Dragster, C/D, 7.573 seconds, 179.25 mph def. 
Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, Dragster, C/D, 7.618, 178.10

SUPER STOCK
Justin Jenkins, Marysville, Kan., '91 Calais, GT/B, 11.330, 102.36 def. 
Kevin Nicks, Golden, Colo., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, foul

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Keith Lynch, Mt Ayr, Iowa, '70 Nova, B/SA, 11.353, 110.62 def. 
Johnny Diekema, Wilton, Iowa, '70 Nova, B/S, 11.447, 115.79

SUPER COMP
Michael Miller, Santa Fe, N.M., Dragster, 9.486, 146.30 def. 
Eric Georges, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '23-T Ford, 9.442, 149.56

SUPER GAS
Danny Gruninger, Lakewood, Colo., '98 Monte Carlo, 10.536, 141.43 def. 
Mike Moerer, Lincoln, Neb., '94 Lumina, 10.518, 133.99

SUPER STREET
Timothy Law, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, '68 Camaro, 11.617, 118.23 def. 
Kevin Schroeder, Moundridge, Kan., '81 Mustang, 11.636, 119.47

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '79 Kawasaki, 10.015, 128.47 def. 
Brian Johnson, Ramsey, Minn., '03 Suzuki, 9.812, 131.18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hentges and Williams leading fields

MORRISON, Colo. - Mark Hentges and Kirk Williams will head into eliminations tomorrow as the number one qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car as time trials and qualifying concluded at Bandimere Speedway's Thunder on the Mountain.

For both racers, the elapsed times they posted on Friday turned out to be the quickest qualifying times in their respective classes. Each racer will therefore be able to enjoy being seated number one in their brackets as they head into eliminations tomorrow. Hentges of Federal Way, Wash., made a 5.686-second, 248.16 mph run on Friday while Williams of Glenwood, Iowa, posted a time a 5.930-second, 243.88 mph.

Qualified number two in Top Alcohol Funny Car is Cy Chesterman of Sioux City, Iowa, who will be looking to win his third consecutive Thunder on the Mountain event.

"We've been working on the car and we're continuing to find things wrong. Hopefully, we'll have everything fixed by tomorrow and run pretty well," said the driver for the Coca-Cola Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Chesterman has been able to better his elapsed time during each qualifying session, making a 6.015-second run on Friday, 6.001 and 5.999 on Saturday.

"We've got a ways to go, but we've made three pretty descent runs," said Chesterman. "The car should run in the mid-9s consistently tomorrow."

Top qualifiers in other racing classes are Clint Sallee of Glendive, Mont., in Comp; Tyler Cassil of Belton, Mo., in Super Stock; and Gary Gokey of Denver in Stock. Tracy Helmhold of Morrison, Colo., is also the top qualifier in Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series.

Gates open Sunday at 8 a.m. at Bandimere Speedway for the final day of racing at Thunder on the Mountain. Eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m. and round one of Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is scheduled for noon. Tickets are $22 and children ages six to twelve are $6.

For more information, contact Bandimere Speedway at (303) 697-6001.

The following are final qualifying results and first round pairings in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from Thunder on the Mountain at Bandimere Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.686 seconds, 252.52 mph
2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.686, 248.02
3) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.711, 248.80
4) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.739, 245.94
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.773, 250.27
6) James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.789, 247.75
7) Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.827, 248.75
8) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.839, 245.63

Not Qualified
9) Mike Austin, Phoenix, Ore., 5.941, 241.67
10) Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 6.217, 220.91

First-round TAD pairings
1) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.686 seconds, 252.52 mph vs. 
8) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.839, 245.63

2) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.686, 248.02 vs. 
7) Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 5.827, 248.75

3) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.711, 248.80 vs. 
6) James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.789, 247.75

4) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.739, 245.94 vs. 
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.773, 250.27

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 5.930 seconds, 243.28 mph
2) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '03 Trans Am, 5.999, 243.70
3) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.049, 235.97
4) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Camaro, 6.050, 237.67
5) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.260, 230.61
6) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.294, 231.48
7) Steve Griboski, Aurora, Colo., '98 Camaro, 6.364, 224.47

First-round TAFC pairings
1) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 5.930 seconds, 243.28 mph vs. Bye

2) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '03 Trans Am, 5.999, 243.70 vs. 
7) Steve Griboski, Aurora, Colo., '98 Camaro, 6.364, 224.47

3) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.049, 235.97 vs. 
6) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.294, 231.48

4) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Camaro, 6.050, 237.67 vs. 
5) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '00 Avenger, 6.260, 230.61

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., Fritz, B/D, 7.230 seconds, -0.640 under index
2) Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Frameworks, C/D, 7.470, -0.620
3) Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, Frameworks, C/D, 7.516, -0.574
4) David Kramer, Sterling, Colo., Fritz, A/ED, 7.197, -0.553
5) Brad Klein, Amarillo, Texas, '03 Cavalier, B/A, 7.758, -0.532
6) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 Roadster, A/AA, 7.353, -0.527
7) Lucky Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '62 Alpine, F/A, 8.886, -0.514
8) Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '00 Firebird, B/A, 7.796, -0.494
9) Russ Kelly, Thornton, Colo., Spitzer, A/ED, 7.260, -0.490
10) Paul Anderson, Erie, Colo., Fritz, C/ED, 7.976, -0.484

SUPER STOCK
1) Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.811 seconds, -1.369 under index
2) Jerry Ryan, Aberdeen, S.D., '88 Cutlass, SS/NA, 12.072, -1.348
3) Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '85 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.484, -1.326
4) James Weakland, Morrison, Colo., '68 Camaro, SS/GA, 10.375, -1.325
5) Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '84 Cougar, GT/EA, 10.594, -1.216
6) Gene Bichlmeier, Norkfolk, Neb., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 10.978, -1.202
7) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.566, -1.184
8) Ricky Ray, Savannah, Mo., '98 Firebird, SS/BS, 9.656, -1.174
9) Carroll Warling, Arvada, Colo., '74 Grand Am, SS/MA, 11.933, -1.167
10) Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., '57 Chevy, SS/MA, 11.943, -1.157

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gary Gokey, Denver, Colo., '86 Omni, AF/S, 14.133 seconds, -1.657 under index
2) Keith Lynch, Mt Ayr, Iowa, '70 Nova, B/SA, 11.177, -1.273
3) Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., '66 Nova SS, K/S, 12.585, -1.265
4) Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.735, -1.225
5) Bobby De Armond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.958, -1.222
6) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '73 Firebird, F/SA, 11.895, -1.205
7) Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 D-150, ET/SA, 13.001, -1.179
8) Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Mustang, E/SA, 11.777, -1.163
9) John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Nova, G/S, 12.014, -1.136
10) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, H/S, 12.124, -1.136

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Tracy Helmhold, Morrison, Colo., '94 Kawasaki, 0.000-second reaction time
2) Chris Oravecz, Canal Winchester, Ohio, '81 Suzuki, 0.000
3) Rick Rudd Jr., Thornton, Colo., '78 Kawasaki, 0.001
4) Donnie Durenberger, Dayton, Minn., '93 Suzuki, 0.001
5) Felicia W. Waddell, Littleton, Colo., '78 Kawasaki, 0.004
6) Ken Niesen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '82 Suzuki, 0.004
7) Shane Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '88 Suzuki, 0.004
8) Doug Bartleson, Golden, Colo., '78 Kawasaki, 0.005
9) Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '84 Suzuki, 0.005
10) Robert Cooper, Plattsmouth, Neb., '81 Suzuki, 0.005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LODRS rumbles into Bandimere Speedway

MORRISON, Colo. - Racers from across the country rumbled into Morrison, Colo., as "Thunder on the Mountain" kicked off at Bandimere Speedway.

After day one of time trials and qualifying, Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash., and Kirk Williams of Glenwood, Iowa, are leading their respective fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Hentges is a two-time division champion in the Northwest Division and is currently the number one qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster after a 5.686-second, 248.16 mph run. Qualified number two is Alan Bradshaw of Odessa, Texas, who is the defending West Central Division Champion.

"We won this event last year and also earned a win here in 2001. With the success we've had here, we'd be crazy not to be here," said the driver for the Back Attack Racing Team.

Bradshaw's team was forced to scramble in order to be ready for this event, as the team decided to switch from an injected nitro engine to a blown alcohol for this weekend's event. The practicing chiropractor felt that this decision would give the team the best possible chance to help repeat as event winner at the track.

"When you go to the mountain, the blowers reign," said Bradshaw. "We felt that going back to the blown alcohol engine and using a proven combination this weekend would give us the best chance for success."

Williams is the number one qualifier in Top Alcohol Funny Car after making a 5.930-second, 243.28 mph run during Friday's qualifying session. The 2002 West Central Division Champion was runner-up at this event last year, losing to Cy Chesterman who is qualified number two.

Top qualifiers in other racing classes are Clint Sallee of Glendive, Mont., in Comp; Tyler Cassil of Belton, Mo., in Super Stock; and Bobby De Armond of Gallup, N.M., in Stock.

In NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series competition, Tracy Helmhold of Morrison, Colo., is the number one qualifier in Sportsman Motorcycle competition after posting a .000-second reaction time. Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, qualifying for the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series is based on reaction time.

Gates open Saturday at Bandimere Speedway at 8:30 a.m. and day two of time trials and qualifying begins at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is scheduled for 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and children ages six to twelve are $6.

For more information, call Bandimere Speedway at (303) 697-6001.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from Thunder on the Mountain at Bandimere Speedway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.686 seconds, 248.16 mph
2) Alan Bradshaw, Odessa, Texas, 5.734, 248.11
3) Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.736, 248.02
4) Robert Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.739, 245.94
5) David Wells, Lemars, Iowa, 5.773, 250.27
6) James Thompson Jr., Vernon, Texas, 5.801, 244.47
7) Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 5.839, 245.63
8) Mike Austin, Phoenix, Ore., 5.941, 237.59

Not Qualified
9) Bruce Bowler, Denver, 6.217, 220.91

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 5.930 seconds, 243.28 mph
2) Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '03 Trans Am, 6.015, 240.34
3) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '01 Camaro, 6.169, 234.09
4) Henry Coolidge, Sunburst, Mont., '97 Firebird, 6.256, 233.56
5) Shawn Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., '02 Camaro, 6.294, 231.48
6) Steve Griboski, Aurora, Colo., '98 Camaro, 6.364, 224.47

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., Fritz-Dodge, B/D, 7.230 seconds, -0.640 under index
2) Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., C/D, 7.470, -0.620
3) Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, Frameworks-Chevy, C/D, 7.516, -0.574
4) David Kramer, Sterling, Colo., Fritz-Pontiac, A/ED, 7.l97, -0.553
5) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 T-Ford, A/AA, 7.353, -0.527
6) Brad Klein, Amarillo, Texas, '03 Cavalier, B/A, 7.771, -0.519
7) Lucky Snyder, Longmont, Colo., '62 Alpine, F/A, 8.886, -0.514
8) Steve Kalkowski, Ogallala, Neb., '00 Firebird, B/A, 7.800, -0.490
9) Paul Anderson, Erie, Colo., Fritz-Chevy, C/ED, 7.976, -0.484
10) Robert Baldwin, Aurora, Colo., '95 Camaro, 9.484, -0.446

SUPER STOCK
1) Tyler Cassil, Belton, Mo., '66 Nova, SS/K, 10.886 seconds, -1.294 under index
2) James Weakland, Morrison, Colo., '68 Camaro, SS/GA, 10.423, -1.277
3) Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., '85 Firebird, GT/EA, 10.562, -1.248
4) Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.570, -1.180
5) Gene Bichlmeier, Norkfolk, Neb., '66 Chevy II, SS/K, 11.037, -1.143
6) Ted Romero, Denver, Colo., '98 Grand Am, GT/IA, 11.282, -1.118
7) Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., '84 Cougar, GT/EA, 10.717, -1.093
8) Ronald Parness, Conifer, Colo., '67 Chevy II, SS/IA, 10.827, -1.033
9) Thomas Meyer, Pierce, Neb., '66 Chevy II, SS/LA, 11.638, -1.032
10) Jim Beuthel, Aurora, Colo., '91 Cutlass, GT/CA, 10.530, -1.010

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bobby De Armond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.958 seconds, -1.222 under index
2) Keith Lynch, Mt Ayr, Iowa, '70 Nova, B/SA, 11.233, -1.217
3) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '73 Firebird, F/SA, 11.923, -1.177
4) Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., '67 Mustang, E/SA, 11.777, -1.163
5) Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., '00 Dakota, DT/SA, 12.819, -1.141
6) Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., '72 Nova, H/S, 12.152, -1.108
7) Gene Mosbek, Elk River, Minn., '64 Savoy, A/SA, 11.130, -1.050
8) Dustin Lindsey, Evergreen, Colo., '64 Savoy, A/SA, 11.145, -1.035
9) Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 D-150, ET/SA, 13.151, -1.029
10) John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., '66 Nova, G/S, 12.123, -1.027

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Tracy Helmhold, Morrison, Colo., '94 Kawasaki, 0.000-second reaction time
2) Donnie Durenberger, Dayton, Minn., '93 Suzuki, 0.002
3) Doug Bartleson, Golden, Colo., '78 Kawasaki, 0.005
4) Lisa Bennett, Plano, Texas, '84 Suzuki, 0.005
5) Robert Cooper, Plattsmouth, Neb., '81 Suzuki, 0.005
6) Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '79 Kawasaki, 0.005
7) Chris Oravecz, Canal Winchester, Ohio, '81 Suzuki, 0.006
8) Leonard Fox, Aurora, Colo., '84 Kawasaki, 0.007
9) Brian Johnson, Ramsey, Minn., '03 Suzuki, 0.008
10) Rudy Fife, Arvada, Colo., '79 Kawasaki, 0.011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Series brings thunder to the mountain

DENVER - NHRA's West Central Division's 2003 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season continues with Thunder on the Mountain at Bandimere Speedway, a three-day event June 20-22. The race is the third of six races in West Central Division competition and will feature more than 400 drivers in eight categories competing for points leading to divisional and national titles as well as a share of the $561,000 champion's purse.

Classes that will run include 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) as well as Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. The Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also run in conjunction with the event.

In Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), there is a struggle between defending division champion Alan Bradshaw and former division champ David Wells. Bradshaw, a chiropractor from Odessa, Texas, took the win at the division's season opener in Topeka, Kan., beating division newcomer, Gary Cooper of Wichita, Kan. His win came on the heels of an out-of-division win in Dallas and was followed by a win at the national event in Topeka.

LeMars, Iowa, racer David Wells won an out-of-division race in Joliet, Ill., and went to the semifinals in Topeka. Over the winter, Wells purchased the TAD operation that Rick Santos drove to five straight national championships. Santos' former crew chief Norm Grimes is also working with the Wells camp.

In TAFC, Vern Moats, a veteran racer out of Des Moines, Iowa, seems to be regaining the form that has taken him to 15 divisional titles in his career - more than any other racer in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Moats was also in Joliet where he went to the semifinals, but he lost in the opening round in Topeka.

Defending division TAFC champion Kirk Williams suffered a first-round loss at the out-of-division event in Joliet and he went to the semis at the division race in Topeka. The Glenwood, Iowa, racer was runner-up here last year en route to his first division title.

Gates at Bandimere Speedway open at 8:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday and at 8 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at 10 a.m. with TAD and TAFC running at 4:15 p.m. The action continues Saturday at 9 a.m. TAD and TAFC have qualifying runs scheduled at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 8:30 a.m. TAD and TAFC will run first round at noon.

General admission tickets, including pit pass, are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $22 Sunday. All children 12 and under are admitted free on Friday. Saturday and Sunday, kids 6 to 12 are $6. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Bandimere Speedway is located at 3051 S. Rooney Road; west of Denver on Interstate 470. For more information call the track, (303) 697-4870, or visit the web site, www.bandimere.com.

NHRA West Central division racers will head to the Nebraska Motorplex in Scribner, Neb., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The fourth event in the six race schedule is Aug. 8-10.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Thunder on the Mountain, 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 third of six in West Central Division competition. The division's Kerker Motorcycle Series, featuring the Sportsman Motorcycle class, will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Bandimere Speedway, Denver. Track is located at 3051 S. Rooney Road; west of Denver on Interstate 470 in Morrison.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 20-22, 2003

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

FRIDAY, June 20 -- Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 21 -- Gates open at 8:30 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 3 and 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 22 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $22 Sunday. A Saturday/Sunday pass is $35 and a three-day ticket is $45. All children 12 and under are admitted free on Friday. Saturday and Sunday, kids 6-12 are $6 and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Bandimere Speedway, (303) 697-4870.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,705, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Alan Bradshaw, Top Alcohol Dragster; Cy Chesterman, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Bill Kent, Comp Eliminator; David Bogner, Super Stock; Rick Wessels, Stock Eliminator; Terry Eckart, Super Comp; Charlie Manthei, Super Gas; Dale Gebhart, 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 2003 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 $215,500 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 43 of 45 divisional events and 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 2003 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 2003 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.

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 $7,400 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 2003, the All-Star invitational will be run in November during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Okla.. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will earn $1,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

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

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.