FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Niver and Marx take wins at Famoso

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Mark Niver and Ed Marx found the winner's circle in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car as the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury concluded at Famoso Raceway.

After defeating Randy Eakins of Bradbury, Calif., in the first round, Niver coasted through the rest of eliminations on Sunday. Larry Miersch in the semifinals and Don Hudson in the final were unable to contend against Niver as both racers suffered mechanical problems with their Top Alcohol Dragster. With the win, the Scottsville, Ariz., resident earned his second straight win in Pacific Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The Top Alcohol Funny Car final featured drivers that were making their first appearances in a final round this year as Mark Woznichak and Marx squared off. Their battle finished before it even started as Woznichak red-lighted, leaving .033-second too early, giving Marx his first win of the season.

Event winners in other racing categories this weekend were Ed Sigmon of Chatsworth, Calif., in Comp; Don Bevers of Tucson, Ariz., in Super Stock; Bill Nelson of Tucson, Ariz., in Stock; Mike Henderson of Tacoma, Wash., in Super Comp; Mike Ferderer of Buckley, Wash., in Super Gas; and Dennis Paz of Stockton, Calif., in Super Street.

Charles Rand of Bakersfield, Calif., also earned an event win in Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series and Kenny Upton of Garden Grove, Calif., earned a win in Korbel Super Eliminator competition.

Pacific Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series makes its next stop July 4-6 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. For more information, call Famoso Raceway at (661) 399-2210.

The following are final round results from the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury at Famoso Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
5) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.580, 247.38 def. 
4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.566, 256.99

6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.519, 258.76 def. 
3) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.593, 253.37

7) Fred Notzka, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.731, 251.25 def. 
2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.871, 248.96

1) Mark Niver, Scottsville, Ariz., 5.550, 254.23 def. 
8) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 5.794, 243.11

Semifinals
Niver, 5.792, 227.67 def. Miersch, broke
Hudson, 5.727, 250.34 def. Notzka, 6.383, 165.16

Final
Niver, 5.566, 247.66 def. Hudson, broke

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
7) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Camaro, 5.888, 247.93 def. 
2) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.971, 247.59

4) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.959, 127.40 def. 
5) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '98 Pontiac, broke

1) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.940, 236.03 def.
8) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.981, 198.76

6) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.930, 233.46 def. 
3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, foul

Semifinals
Woznichak, 6.613, 140.69 def. Taylor, 5.967, 213.92
Marx, 5.905, 242.78 def. Littlefield, 6.093, 232.91

Final
Marx, 6.024, 242.58 def. Woznichak, foul

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.770, 149.30 def. 
Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., Dragster, C/ED, 7.545, 175.91

SUPER STOCK
Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '91 Probe, SS/BM, 9.023, 141.19 def. 
Bill Blakeney, Bell, Calif., '68 Camaro, SS/IA, 10.183, 129.06

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Pontiac, I/FIA, 12.785, 103.91 def. 
Curtis Coulter, Las Vegas, '69 Cyclone, D/S, 11.176, 120.57

SUPER COMP
Mike Henderson, Tacoma, Wash., Dragster, 8.900, 174.52 def. 
Andy Robles, Highland, Calif., Dragster, foul

SUPER GAS
Mike Ferderer, Buckley, Wash., '03 Grand Am, 9.941, 158.73 def. 
Jed Bourquin, Canyon Country, Calif., '93 Daytona, 9.897, 145.96
 
SUPER STREET
Dennis Paz, Stockton, Calif., '41 Willys, 10.920, 129.03 def. 
Jeff Fear, Sutter, Calif., '75 Vega, 10.932, 130.02

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Charles Rand, Bakersfield, Calif., '95 Suzuki, 9.355, 139.51 def. 
Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, 8.944, 143.90

SUPER ELIMINATOR
Kenny Upton, Garden Grove, Calif., Dragster, 7.924, 165.59 def. 
Dean Hall, Guerneville, Calif., '55 Chevy , 7.919, 170.32

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Niver and Taylor top qualifiers at Famoso

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Mark Niver vaulted himself into the top spot in Top Alcohol Dragster on Saturday, while Dennis Taylor maintained his number one qualifier position in Top Alcohol Funny Car as qualifying concluded at the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury at Famoso Raceway.

Niver was seeded fourth after Friday's qualifying session, but made a 5.469-second, 255.75 mph run during Saturday's first session to make him the quickest Top Alcohol Dragster during qualifying. The Scottsdale, Ariz., resident will have the opportunity to head into Sunday as the number one qualifier for this first time this year as he looks to win his second straight race within the division.

Taylor's initial pass of 5.798-second, 244.56 mph on Friday, held through two qualifying sessions on Saturday and will also give him a top seat as he heads into Top Alcohol Funny Car eliminations. The Anaheim, Calif., resident had qualified no better than tenth at three previous events this year.

Top qualifiers in other categories are Ken Duttweiler of Ventura, Calif., in Comp; Dave Raybourn of Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock; and Robert Mulry of Hollister, Calif., in Stock. Trace St. Germain of San Jose, Calif., is also the number one qualifier in Sportsman Motorcycle competition of the NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series.

Gates open tomorrow for the final day of competition at the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury at Famoso Raceway at 7:30 a.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Round one of Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will start at noon. For more information, call Famoso Raceway at (661) 399-2210.

The following are final qualifying results and first round pairings in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury at Famoso Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.469 seconds, 255.75 mph
2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.525, 248.41
3) Chris Demke, Tujung, Calif., 5.533, 256.04
4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.564, 255.31
5) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.613, 231.36
6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.748, 236.28
7) Fred Notzka, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.806, 247.59 
8) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 5.907, 245.09

Not Qualified 
9) Chris Lane, San Leandro, Calif., 6.200, 221.89 
10) Mark Foster, Santa Cruz, Calif., 6.287, 209.25

Sunday's First-Round TAD Pairings
1) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.469 seconds, 255.75 mph v. 
8) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 5.907, 245.09

2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.525, 248.41 v. 
7) Fred Notzka, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.806, 247.59 

3) Chris Demke, Tujung, Calif., 5.533, 256.04 v. 
6) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.748, 236.28

4) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.564, 255.31 v. 
5) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.613, 231.36

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.798 seconds, 244.56 mph
2) Doug Gordon, Paso Roles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.802, 248.96
3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.808, 227.84
4) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.840, 245.03
5) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '98 Pontiac, 5.855, 244.96
6) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.876, 245.16
7) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Camaro, 5.900, 248.82
8) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.946, 231.74

Not Qualified
9) Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.984, 233.22 
10) Tom Bristow, Chino Hills, Calif., '02 Pontiac, 6.148, 238.72 
11) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.683, 194.55
12) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.861, 185.60 
13) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Pontiac, 7.302, 136.44 
14) Dale Van Gundy III, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Pontiac, 9.848, 80.97 

Sunday's First-Round TAFC Pairings
1) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.798 seconds, 244.56 mph v. 
8) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '01 Camaro, 5.946, 231.74

2) Doug Gordon, Paso Roles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.802, 248.96 v. 
7) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Camaro, 5.900, 248.82

3) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.808, 227.84 v. 
6) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.876, 245.16

4) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.840, 245.03 v. 
5) John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '98 Pontiac, 5.855, 244.96

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Ken Duttweiler, Ventura, Calif., '96 Oldsmobile, BB/AT, 6.928 seconds, -0.732 under index
2) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., '02 Chevy, A/ND, 7.097, -0.643
3) Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '02 Grand Am, B/A, 7.233, -0.567 
4) Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '01 Firebird, B/EA, 7.969, -0.561 
5) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dodge Truck, PST, 7.575, -0.525 
6) Fred Gross, Glendale, Calif., '01 Firebird, B/EA, 7.969, -0.561
7) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, '97 Frameworks, B/ED, 7.001, -0.509 
8) Doug Lambeck, Corona Del Mar, Calif., '03 Sunfire, D/SMA, 8.849, -0.501
9) John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., '96 Avenger, F/AA, 8.389, -0.491
10) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.785, -0.485 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.859 seconds, -1.141 under index 
2) Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., '02 Chevy, SS/AM, 8.477, -1.073
3) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dart, GT/TB, 10.137, -1.013 
4) Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dakota, GT/TC, 10.476, -0.974 
5) Jimmy De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.377, -0.973 
6) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '03 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.620, -0.930 
7) Larry Zavala, San Gabriel, Calif., '91 Calais, GT/FA, 10.179, -0.921
8) Tony De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.289, -0.911
9) Mike Blackstone, Castro Valley, Calif., '90 Culis, SS/BS, 9.150, -0.900 
10) John Ancona, Covina, Calif., '82 Camaro, GT/JA, 10.771, -0.879

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
1) Robert Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., '74 Firebird, K/SA, 11.519 seconds, -1.431 under index
2) Gary Harper, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.316, -1.284
3) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.577, -1.123 
4) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Plymouth, I/SA, 11.492, -1.108 
5) Scott Hilton, Burbank, Calif., '67 Mustang, E/S, 10.852, -1.098
6) Dave Bridgewater, Devore, Calif., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.941, -1.059
7) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dodge, CT/SA, 11.956, -1.044 
8) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Pontiac, I/FIA, 12.716, -1.034 
9) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Plymouth, I/SA, 11.578, -1.022 
10) Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., '68 Nova, B/SA, 10.536, -1.014

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Trace St. Germain, San Jose, Calif., '78 Kawasaki, +0.000 second reaction time
2) Scott Hewitt, Bakersfield, Calif., '93 Suzuki, +0.001
3) Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, +0.002
4) Leo Shaver, Las Vegas, '87 Kawasaki, +0.003
5) Phillip Nasca, Citrus Heights, Calif., '02 Kawasaki, +0.004
6) Jack Holsey, Rancho Cordovia, Calif., '84 Motorcycle, +0.007
7) Gary Oaks, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, +0.008
8) Charles Rand, Bakersfield, Calif., '95 Suzuki, +0.010
9) Eddy Palmer, Los Banos, Calif., '91 Suzuki, +0.010
10) Jason Whitenack, Henderson, Nev., '96 Kawasaki, +0.016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shields and Taylor lead fields

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Day one of competition opened at the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury at Famoso Raceway, race three of six in Pacific Division competition of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series with Duane Shields and Dennis Taylor leading the fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car.

"There's a very formidable field here this weekend. I think when things finish out, we're going to see a very competitive field," said Shields, driver to the Short Line Express / Tri-State Petroleum Top Alcohol Dragster.

The Las Vegas resident made a 5.623-second, 258.47 mph pass during Friday's qualifying session to put him ahead of the competition after day one. Shields won two events within the division last year en route to his first career division championship. This year, the Top Alcohol Dragster competitor has a semifinal and first round loss thus far and will be looking to earn his first win within the division this weekend.

"We've been struggling a little bit the past couple of weeks but hopefully things will work out this weekend," said Shields.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car competition, Dennis Taylor of Anaheim, Calif., leads the field after his 5.798-second, 244.56 mph run. Qualified in second is two-time Pacific Division Champion Steve Gasparrelli and this year's current points leader, Doug Gordon is sixth.

Gordon of Paso Robles, Calif., has won three out of the four events he has competed in this year, including both Pacific Division events thus far.

"It'll be tough because all of the cars here this weekend that have the ability to win a race," said Gordon, driver of the Morro Bay Cabinets Top Alcohol Funny Car. "We've gotten lucky so far with the great start and hopefully we can win another one or two so we can lock up our first division championship."

Top qualifiers in other categories are Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., in Comp; Dave Raybourn of Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock; and Robert Mulry of Gilroy, Calif., in Stock.

Gates open tomorrow at Famoso Raceway at 7:30 a.m. and day two of time trials and qualifying begins at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1 and 5 p.m. For more information, call Famoso Raceway at (661) 399-2210.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury at Famoso Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, 5.623 seconds, 258.47 mph
2) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.659, 227.61
3) Larry Miersch, Fullerton, Calif., 5.707, 228.89
4) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 5.777, 250.00
5) Fred Notzka, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.806, 247.59
6) Randy Eakins, Bradbury, Calif., 5.956, 242.00
7) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 6.865, 181.26
8) Chris Lane, San Leandro, Calif., 7.466, 116.95

Not Qualified
9) Mark Foster, Santa Cruz, Calif., 19.420, 45.13
10) Chris Demke, Tujung, Calif., 27.763, 19.57

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.798 seconds, 244.56 mph
2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '03 Firebird, 5.871, 236.22
3) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.909, 243.24
4) Ed Marx, Discovery Bay, Calif., '95 Camaro, 5.952, 232.07
5) Bret Williamson, Cambell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.984, 233.22
6) Doug Gordon, Paso Roles, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.140, 189.23
7) Tom Bristow, Chino Hills, Calif., '02 Pontiac, 6.148, 238.72
8) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.861, 185.60

Not Qualified
9) Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.951, 143.70
10) John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., '02 Pontiac, 7.302, 136.44
11) Bill Gallio, Anaheim, Calif., '02 Camaro, 9.549, 91.10
12) Dale Van Gundy III, Anaheim, Calif., '97 Pontiac, 9.848, 80.97
13) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '01 Camaro, DQ

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., '02 Chevy, A/ND, 7.097 seconds, -0.643 under index
2) Tom Huggins, Santa Paula, Calif., '02 Grand Am, B/A, 7.233, -0.567
3) Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '01 Firebird, B/EA, 7.969, -0.561
4) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dodge Truck, PST, 7.575, -0.525
5) Joe Mozeris, Phoenix, '97 Frameworks, B/ED, 7.001, -0.509
6) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.785, -0.485
7) Scott McClay, Tehachapi, Calif., '97 Dragster, C/ED, 7.530, -0.480
8) John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., '96 Avenger, F/AA, 8.437, -0.443
9) Gil Anderson, San Leandro, Calif., '02 Dragster, B/D, 7.005, -0.395
10) Tom Brown, Riverside, Calif., '88 Weddle, F/ED, 8.599, -0.391

SUPER STOCK
1) Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.859 seconds, -1.141 under index
2) Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., '02 Chevy, SS/AM, 8.531, -1.019
3) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '97 Dart, GT/TB, 10.137, -1.013
4) Don Studley, Orange, Calif., '99 Dakota, GT/TC, 10.476, -0.974
5) Jimmy De Frank, Tarzana, Calif., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.377, -0.973
6) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '03 Grand Am, GT/BA, 9.620, -0.930
7) Larry Zavala, San Gabriel, Calif., '91 Calais, GT/FA, 10.187, -0.913
8) Mike Blackstone, Castro Valley, Calif., '90 Culis, SS/BS, 9.186, -0.864
9) Cameron Kallas, Bluffdale, Utah, '98 Pontiac, GT/BA, 9.698, -0.852
10) Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 10.015, -0.835

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Robert Mulry, Gilroy, Calif., '74 Firebird, K/SA, 11.519 seconds, -1.431 under index
2) Gary Harper, Santa Clara, Calif., '81 Dodge, FT/SA, 12.337, -1.263
3) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, C/SA, 10.577, -1.123
4) Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '77 Plymouth, I/SA, 11.498, -1.102
5) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '00 Dodge, CT/SA, 11.956, -1.044
6) Dave Bridgewater, Devore, Calif., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.962, -1.038
7) Bill Nelson, Tucson, Ariz., '02 Pontiac, I/FIA, 12.716, -1.034
8) Scott Hilton, Burbank, Calif., '67 Mustang, E/S, 10.918, -1.032
9) Don Wann, Modesto, Calif., '73 Plymouth, I/SA, 11.578, -1.022
10) Tim Hall, Fountain Valley, Calif., '72 Plymouth, H/SA, 11.468, -0.982

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil racers roll into Famoso Raceway

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – NHRA's Pacific Division will continue its 2003 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Famoso Raceway May 16-18 when the track hosts the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury event. Competitors in eight classes, including 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, will compete for a share of the $157,770 purse as well as points leading to divisional and national championships.

With three wins in four events, Paso Robles, Calif., TAFC racer Doug Gordon has continued his early season charge to the top of both the national and divisional point standings. Gordon started the season with a win at the opening national event in Pomona, Calif., and then won the divisional races in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz. He faltered a bit at his last national event, in Las Vegas, losing in the first round.

Defending division TAFC champion Steve Gasparrelli is in second place, 74 points behind Gordon. The West Covina, Calif., resident suffered a first-round loss at the divisional event in Phoenix, but was runner-up to Gordon in Tucson.

In TAD, 19-year-old Morgan Lucas is at the top of the divisional point standings and just nine points out of first in the national standings. Lucas, of Riverside, Calif., started the season with a runner-up finish at the national event in Pomona and went on to win the first divisional in Phoenix and score runner-up points at the event in Tucson. In Tucson, Lucas lost to Mark Niver of Phoenix, who earned his only other win about 20 years ago.

Lucas is in his first full season behind the wheel of the dragster owned by Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows. The seat in this car seems to have become the unofficial training ground for NHRA professional racers. The Darien/Meadows cars have been driven by such standouts as Gary Scelzi, Frank Pedregon, Melanie Troxel and, most recently, Brandon Bernstein. Bernstein, who took over driving duties for his famous father Kenny this year, won the Pacific division TAD championship in his first and only season in the class. Troxel also earned a division title while teamed with Darien and Meadows.

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

Gates at Famoso Raceway open at 7:30 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. On Saturday they will make two runs, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday for all classes and Dragster and Funny Car will run first round at noon.

General admission, including pit pass, is $10 Friday and $15 each Saturday and Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Famoso Raceway is located 12 miles north of Bakersfield at 33559 Famoso Road in McFarland, Calif. For more information, call Famoso Raceway, (602) 268-0200, or visit www.FamosoRaceway.com.

Pacific Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will kick off the second half of the season at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., July 4-6.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury, 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 fourth of six in Pacific Division competition.

WHERE: Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif. Track is located at 33559 Famoso Road in McFarland, Calif., approximately 12 miles north of Bakersfield.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 16-18, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Budweiser Tire, Fire & Fury:

FRIDAY, May 16 -- Gates open at 7:30 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, May 17 -- Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, Mar. 2 -- Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Famoso Raceway, (661) 399-2210.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $158,145, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

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.