GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Gainesville Raceway will host the 2003 NHRA Southeast Division Summit Racing Series Finals Oct. 16-18. Top drivers from NHRA-member tracks across the Southeast division will compete in four classes for individual and team honors. Individual champions in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Bike will advance to a run-off against the winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November.

Participants in the top classes will compete for cash awards of $15,700. Drivers who advance to the run-off will each receive $3,500 and the champions in each class will earn $5,000. Competitors in the High School class will earn trophies.

The team from Music City Raceway in Hendersonville, Tenn., won last year's event at Montgomery Motorsports Park in Montgomery, Ala. Individual winners were Paul Ferrar of Jacksonville, Fla., in Super Pro; Mike Griger of Perry, Ga., in Pro; Leon Robertson of Nashville, Tenn., in Sportsman; and Michael Wilson in Super Pro Bike. The winner in the High School class was Adam Davis of Cullman, Ala.

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open at 8 a.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 7 a.m. Saturday. Time trials begin at 11 a.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday. Final eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. For more information contact Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING SERIES SOUTHEAST DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals, where top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the Southeast division compete in five classes for individual and team honors. Individual champions will advance to a national run-off at the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona Raceway in Calif.

WHERE: Gainesville, Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. Track is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal airport

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday, October 16-18, 2003.

SCHEDULE: Time trials schedule for the Summit Racing Series Southeast Division Finals:

THURSDAY, Oct. 16 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Time trials begin at 11 a.m. A "Gambler's Race" will begin at 5 p.m., weather and time permitting

FRIDAY, Oct. 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final time trials are schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Judging for special awards will start at 4 p.m. and the Race of Champions, a race within a race featuring the top points earning drivers from each track, will start at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 18 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle will compete for cash awards of $15,700. The winners in each category will advance to compete against winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. They will each receive $3,500 for competing in the Finals and the winner in each class will receive an additional $5,000.

Participants in the High School and Junior categories compete for trophies.

TICKETS: General admission is $10 each day. A three-day ticket is $20.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Music City Raceway, team champion; Paul Ferrar, Jacksonville, Fla., Super Pro; Mike Griger, Perry, Ga., Pro; Leon Robertson, Nashville, Tenn., Sportsman; Michael Wilson, Tallapoosa, Ga., Motorcycle; Adam Davis, Cullman, Ala., High School

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in five racing categories: Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycles, and High School