FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STARK AND WHITE; PROVISIONAL POLE SITTERS AT ROUTE 66

   Route 66 Raceway, Joliet , IL -- Keith Stark and Marc White
are the provisional pole sitters for the Federal-Mogul Drag
Racing Series at Route 66 Raceway.  Stark leads the Federal-
Mogul Dragster class with a pass of 5.575 seconds, at 253.56
mph with the North Central Division points leader, Shawn
Bowen in the number two spot.  Bowen recorded a 5.614 second
pass at 251.86 mph.  Bill Reichert wraps up the top three in
the dragster category at 5.686, 226.35.  

  This weekend’s event is a battle for the Federal-Mogul
Dragster North Central Division Championship with Bowen
leading the class by just 24 points over Stark and 54 points
over Riechert.

   White sits on top of the Federal-Mogul Funny Car class and
looks to lock up the division championship in just his first
year in the Funny Car ranks. White’s pass of 5.802 seconds at
246.66 mph puts him five hundredths of a second quicker than
the number two qualifier, Kim Fritts.  Fritts, the only other
Funny car in the 5.80’s covered the quarter mile in 5.857
seconds, 239.78 mph.

   White has a 41 point lead over Bob Gottschalk going into
this, the final event in the NHRA North Central Federal-Mogul
drag Racing Series. Gottschalk is currently qualified in the
number eight spot at 6.161 seconds, 233.60 mph. Both Dragster
and Funny Car will have two additional qualifying runs on
Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

   The top qualifier in Comp. Eliminator is Brian Browell of
Lafayette, Ind., with a pass of 7.478 seconds, 0.542 seconds
under his index.  Joining Browell as number one qualifiers
are Joey Wilkes in Super Stock with a pass of 10.180 seconds
and  Jonathan Tarrance in Stock in his ‘82 Monte Carlo. Gates
open at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday with racing beginning at 8:00
a.m.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Keith Stark, Danville, IL, 5.575 seconds, 253.56 mph
2. Shawn Bowin, Montrose, MI, 5.614, 251.86
3. Bob McCosh, Columbia, MO, 5.686, 226.35
4. Don DeVault, Kentland, IN 5.695, 239.91
5. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, MO, 5.706, 250.41
6. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, OH, 5.793, 240.72
7. Russ Lindert, Manteno, IL, 5.802, 240.08
8. Tom Beecham, Downers Grove, IL, 5.906, 240.94
   --- not qualified ---
9. Mike Miller, Okemos, MI 5.919, 220.30
10. Marty Thacker, Robinson, IL, 5.974, 231.56
11. Mark Kinser, Grimes, IA, 5.981, 223.06
12. bill Reichert, Owosso, MI, 6.133, 235.43
13. Jeff Bohr, Plymoth, MI, 6.207, 234.21
14. Wayne Garrett, Eaton, OH, 6.417, 209.79
15. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, NM, 7.134, 135.96
16. Dave Hirata, Lowell, IN, 13.394, 74.42
17. Randy Bayne, Elwood, IN, 17.274, 52.34

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Marc White, Glendale Hts., IL, ‘96 Firebird, 5.802 seconds, 246.66
2. Kim Fritts, Greenup, IL, ‘98 Pontiac, 5.857, 239.78
3. Steve Addleman, Sious Falls, SD, ‘97 Firebird, 5.916, 246.93
4. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, IA, ‘97 Trans Am, 5.931, 249.44
5. Jeff Craig, Muncie, IN, ‘95 Achieva, 5.954, 244.16
6. Dale Brand, Sully, IA, ‘96 Trans Am, 6.093, 230.13
7. John Lawson, Joliet, IL, ‘97 Firebird, 6.113, 195.19
8. Bob Gottschalk, Toledo, OH, ‘97 Avenger, 6.161, 233.60
   --- not qualified ---
9. Kevin Richardson, Winnipeg, MB CAN, ‘91 Oldsmobile, 6.172, 227.46
10. Richard, Krohn, Monee, IL, ‘97 Firebird, 6.264, 229.51
11. Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, MN, ‘92 Trans Am, 6.278, 225.48
12. Paul Gulczynski, Lockport, IL, ‘94 Daytona, 6.380, 208.59
13. Larry Bakke, Madison, WI, ‘97 Camaro, 6.660, 216.10

COMPETITION
1. Brian Browell, Lafayette, IN, D/D ‘97 McKinney, 7.478, (-0.542)
2. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, MI, E/ED ‘98 Kustoms, 8.599, (-0.541)
3. Don Stratton, Beloit, OH, B/SR ‘34 Chevy, 8.247, (-0.523)
4. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, MI, I/A ‘23 Ford, 8.079, (-0.521)
5. Santo Volpe, Allentown, PA, A/SR ‘34 Chevy, 8.189, (-0.491)
6. Mike Farrell, Louisville, KY, B/A ‘32 Bantam, 7.494, (-0.476)
7. Bob Andrews, Somerset, MI, E/D ‘88 Dragster, 7.665, (-0.475)
8. Russ Kelly, Omaha, NE, A/ED ‘98 Spitzer, 6.922, (-0.448)
9. John Coan, Greentown, IN, F/ED ‘97 Spitzer, 8.603, (0.427
10. Rod Oman, Lakewood, CO, B/ED ‘98 Fritz, 7.262, (-0.398)

SUPER STOCK
1. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, OH, GT/GA ‘86 Camaro, 10.180, (-1.020)
2. Joe Skinner, Columbia Station, OH, GT/D ‘96 Beretta, 9.637, (-1.013
3. Melissa Butler, Mt Vernon, OH, GT/FA ‘90 Sunbird, 10.095, (-1.005)
4. Michael Beachy, Greentown, IN, GT/EA ‘82 Firebird, 9.953, (-0.997)
5. Brian Butler, Troy, OH, GT/GA’89 Chevy, 10.263, (-0.937)
6. Vincent Impastato, Shelby Township, MI, GT/CA ‘85 Camaro, 9.769, (-0.931)
7. Rock Running, Lapeer, MI, GT/JA ‘96 Achieva, 10.741, (-0.909)
8. Fred Allen, Winamaca, IN, SS/IA ‘66 Nova, 10.096, (-0.904)
9. Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, MI, GT/JA ‘90 Daytona, 10.754, (-0.896)
10. Jeff Stealy, E. Moline, IL, SS/IA ‘68 Corvette, 10.113, (-0.887)

STOCK
1. Jonathan Tarrance, Bremen, KY, V/SA ‘82 Monte Carlo, 14.708, (-1.092)
2. Gary Russell, E. Sparta, OH, L/S ‘95 Mustang, 11.913, (-1.087)
3. Joe Russell, E. Sparta, OH, M/S ‘95 Ford, 12.079, (-1.087)
4. Judy McCormack, Milford, MI, K/SA ‘98 Dakota, 12.476, (-1.071)
5. Larry Hausch, N. Canton, OH, K/SA ‘76 Cutlass, 11.973, (-0.977)
6. Ed Hohenberg, Winnipeg, MB CAN, L/S ‘87 Mustang, 12.062, (-0.938)
7. Jim Burg, Deerfield, WI, GF/SA ‘82 Aries, 16.544, (-0.906)
8. Terry, Schroerlucke, Louisville, KY, K/SA ‘71 Skylark, 12.060, (-0.890)
9. Ben Wenzel, Saginaw, MI, D/S ‘67 Camaro, 10.195, (-0.885)
10. Darwin, Hardy, Muskefon, MI, U/SA ‘84 Buick, 14.300, (-0.850)

Saturday Qualifying Final:

LOCAL RACER TAKES POLE AT ROUTE 66

   Route 66 Raceway, Joliet , IL -- Local favorite, John Lawson
of Joliet, stole the number one qualifying position with a pass
of 5.761 seconds at 249.81 mph.  Lawson overtook Marc White who
sits in the number two spot with a 5.789, at 247.20 mph.
Lawson and white remain in a battle for the NHRA North Central’s
Federal-Mogul Funny Car Championship.  White brings a forty-
seven point lead into this weekend’s event.

  Lawson jumped nearly a tenth of a second into the number one
position and picked up the $1000 Winston Top Qualifier money.
“It (the car) just left harder” Lawson said of his pass, “ We
love this track, it’s home.  The fans really pump us up out
here.  They help us do it.”

   Keith Stark’s Friday run of 5.757 seconds held on to the top
spot in the Federal-Mogul Dragster division as the top five
positions remained unchanged during the two qualifying sessions
on Saturday.  Shawn Bowen holds onto the number two spot with a
5.614, 251.86 mph pass.  Russ Lindert of Manteno, Ill., qualified
seventh with a career best 5.715 seconds at  245.67 mph.

   Other top qualifiers were Brain Browell in Comp. Eliminator,
Joey Wilkes in Super Stock, and Jonathan Tarrance in Stock.
First round of eliminations for Super Stock and Stock will take
place later today with final eliminations in all categories
beginning on Sunday at 8:00 a.m.  Federal-Mogul Dragster and
Funny Car are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Gates open at 7:00 a.m.
for the final day of racing in the 1998 NHRA North Central
Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

   JOLIET, IL -- Final qualifying results from Route 66 Raceway,
the final event in the NHRA North Central Federal-Mogul Drag
Racing Series  listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed
time in seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Keith Stark, Danville, IL, 5.575, 253.56
2. Shawn Bowin, Montrose, MI, 5.614, 251.86
3. Bob McCosh, Columbia, MO, 5.686, 226.35
4. Don DeVault, Kentland, IN 5.695, 239.91
5. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, MO, 5.706, 250.41
6. Mark Kinser, Grimes, IA, 5.710, 250.04
7. Russ Lindert, Manteno, IL, 5.710, 241.933
8. Bill Reichert, Owosso, MI, 5.715, 245.67
   --- not qualified ---
9. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, OH, 5.793, 240.72
10. Denny Hummel, Clinton Township, MI, 5.795, 240.72
11. Mike Miller, Okemos, MI 5.841, 234.53
12.Tom Beecham, Downers Grove, IL, 5.868, 244.25
13. Phillip Mass, Gurnee, IL, 5.879, 238.47
14. Randy Bayne, Elwood, IN, 5.911, 209.30
15. Marty Thacker, Robinson, IL, 5.917, 231.79
16. Dave Hedges, Plainwell, MI, 6.014, 230.88
17. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, NM, 6.115, 231.12
18. Jeff Bohr, Plymoth, MI, 6.207, 234.21
19. T. J. Zizzo, Prairie View, IL, 6.300, 222.77
20. Wayne Garrett, Eaton, OH, 6.417, 209.79
21. Tom Baum, Des Plaines, IL, 6.751, 200.62
22.  Dave Hirata, Lowell, IN, 8.327, 103.16
21. Robin Samsel, Marion, IN, 15.828, 52.37

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Marc White, Glendale Hts., IL, ‘96 Firebird, 5.802, 246.66
2. Chuck Cheeseman, Galena, OH, ‘98 Firebird, 5.837, 2476.47
3. John Lawson, Joliet, IL, ‘97 Firebird, 5.850, 248.39
4. Kim Fritts, Greenup, IL, ‘98 Pontiac, 5.857, 239.78
5. Steve Addleman, Sious Falls, SD, ‘97 Firebird, 5.892, 247.61
6. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, IA, ‘97 Trans Am, 5.896, 250.37
7. Jeff Craig, Muncie, IN, ‘95 Achieva, 5.916, 244.65
8.  Richard Krohn, Monee, IL, ‘97 Firebird, 5.971, 235.80
   --- not qualified ---
9. Bob Gottschalk, Toledo, OH, ‘97 Avenger, 6.038, 217.67
10. Dale Brand, Sully, IA, ‘96 Trans Am, 6.093, 230.13
11. Kevin Richardson, Winnipeg, MB CAN, ‘91 Oldsmobile, 6.129, 228.07
12. Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, MN, ‘92 Trans Am, 6.278, 225.48
13. Larry Bakke, Madison, WI, ‘97 Camaro, 6.342, 225.90
14. Paul Gulczynski, Lockport, IL, ‘94 Daytona, 6.380, 208.59

COMPETITION
1. Brian Browell, Lafayette, IN, D/D ‘97 McKinney, 7.478, (-0.542)
2. Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo, MI, E/ED ‘98 Kustoms, 8.598, (-0.542)
3. Santo Volpe, Allentown, PA, A/SR ‘34 Chevy, 8.140, (-0.540)
4. Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, MI, I/A ‘23 Ford, 8.063, (-0.537)
5. Don Stratton, Beloit, OH, B/SR ‘34 Chevy, 8.234, (-0.536)
6. Robert Bailey, Wabach, IN, A/ED ‘95 Spitzer, 6.839, (-0.531)
7. Tom Haueter, Chardon, OH, D/ED ‘94 Chassis Crft., 7.642, (-0.508)
8. Mike Farrell, Louisville, KY, B/A ‘32 Bantam, 7.466, (-0.504)
9. Larry Mayes, Greenwood, IN, D/SM ‘96 Camaro, 8.320, (-0.500)
10. Mike Wharram, Morton, IL, B/ED ‘97 Dragster, 7.176, (-0.484)

SUPER STOCK
1. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, OH, GT/GA ‘86 Camaro, 10.180, (-1.020)
2. Joe Skinner, Columbia Station, OH, GT/D ‘96 Beretta, 9.637, (-1.013
3. Melissa Butler, Mt Vernon, OH, GT/FA ‘90 Sunbird, 10.095, (-1.005)
4. Michael Beachy, Greentown, IN, GT/EA ‘82 Firebird, 9.953, (-0.997)
5. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, OH, SS/AX ‘84 Camaro, 9.032, (-0.968)
6. Brian Butler, Troy, OH, GT/GA’89 Chevy, 10.263, (-0.937)
7. Vincent Impastato, Shelby Township, MI, GT/CA ‘85 Camaro, 9.769, (-0.931)
8. Randall Running, Lapeer, MI, SS/MA ‘88 Cutlass, 11.215, (-0.935)
9. Fred Allen, Winamac, IN, SS/IA ‘66 Nova, 10.081, (-0.919)
10. Rock Running, Lapeer, MI, GT/JA ‘96 Achieva, 10.741, (-0.909)

STOCK
1. Jonathan Tarrance, Bremen, KY, V/SA ‘82 Monte Carlo, 14.708, (-1.092)
2. Gary Russell, E. Sparta, OH, L/S ‘95 Mustang, 11.913, (-1.087)
3. Joe Russell, E. Sparta, OH, M/S ‘95 Ford, 12.079, (-1.087)
4. Judy McCormack, Milford, MI, K/SA ‘98 Dakota, 12.476, (-1.071)
5. Larry Hausch, N. Canton, OH, K/SA ‘76 Cutlass, 11.973, (-0.977)
6. Ed Hohenberg, Winnipeg, MB CAN, L/S ‘87 Mustang, 12.062, (-0.938)
7. Jim Burg, Deerfield, WI, GF/SA ‘82 Aries, 16.544, (-0.906)
8. Bruce Witherspoon, Lansing, MI, K/SA ‘78 Malibu, 12.046, (-0.904)
9. Darwin, Hardy, Muskefon, MI, U/SA ‘84 Buick, 14.257, (-0.893)
10. Terry, Schroerlucke, Louisville, KY, K/SA ‘71 Skylark, 12.060, (-0.890)

WHITE TAKES WIN; CLOSES IN ON DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, Joliet, IL -- Local favorite John Lawson meet
up with Marc White in Federal-Mogul Funny Car in a rematch of
the Funny Car final from the Fram Nationals here at Route 66
earlier this year.  Lawson won that race back in May and then
erupted in a ball of fire.  This time it was a different
outcome for White as he took the win and has all but
mathematically clinched the NHRA North Central Division Federal-
Mogul Funny Car Championship.   White crossed the finish line at
5.727 seconds at 249.72 mph.

   Lawson’s run was not over when he crossed the finish line as
he again exploded the motor into a ball of flame.  “We broke
something on the bottom, the fire blew out the burst panels
and sent the fire into the cockpit,” voiced a disappointed
Lawson.  “I’m fine, the new helmet did a great job getting me
the air I needed, but the car’s bad,  lots of damage.” 

  White from neighboring Glendale Heights, Ill., ran in the
5.70’s all weekend, qualifying second and taking out Jeff Craig
and Cy Chesterman prior to meeting Lawson in the finals.  “This
is perfect for us, half the crew is from right here in Joliet.
It couldn’t have been any better,” said White during the
winner’s circle ceremony.  

  In Federal-Mogul Dragster is was Bob McCosh taking home the
win with a pass of 5.632 seconds at 250.41 mph to Bill
Reichert’s 5.629, 249.86 mph run.  McCosh came over from the
West Central division looking to add a divisional race to his
season total and to tune his car for the five remaining NHRA
National events he plans to compete at.  He did more than that
as he took out Shawn Bowen, the North Central points leader
and then Reichert in the final who is chasing Bowen for the
division championship.  This is McCosh’s first win in over
thirty years of racing between him and his father who raced
the car for twenty years before Bob took over in the late
eighties.  

    “We didn’t get a chance to get out (racing) much earlier
this year, but we ran great this weekend and plan on hitting
Topeka, Memphis, Houston, Dallas, and Pomona to close out the
year” said McCosh, “We hope to make a late season run.”

    Four time national champion Jeff Taylor, out ran Bo
Butner in the Super Stock final to take the win in his Jeg’s
Mail Order ‘98 Grand Am.  Santo Volpe qualified number three
and went on to win in Comp. Eliminator, while Micci Walter
took her ‘67 Camaro Stock Eliminator into the Wnner’s Circle
with the win.  Other winner’s at Route 66 were Jerry Mellis
in Super Comp., John Vineyard in Super Gas, and Barney
Barnhart in Super Street.  More that 630 cars came out to
compete and gave the record crowd a fantastic weekend of
drag racing.

JOLIET RESULTS
DIVISION 3 INSTANT STATS
Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Ill.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
 	W: Bob McCosh, Columbia, MO, 5.632 e.t., 250.41 mph
	R/U: Bill Reichert, Owosso, MI, 5.629 e.t., 249.86 mph.

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
 	W: Marc White, Glendale Heights, IL, ‘96 Firebird, 5.727 e.t., 249.72
	R/U: John Lawson, Joliet, IL, ‘97 Firebird, 6.626, 155.65 mph

Competition
 	W: Santo Volpe, Allentown, PA, ‘34 Chevy, 8.113 e.t., 163.69 mph
	R/U: Mike Farrell, Louisville, KY, ‘32 Bantam, 7.439 e.t., 178.59 mph

Super Stock
 	W: Jeff Taylor, Columbus, OH, ‘98 Grand Am, 9.178 e.t., 145.88 mph
	R/U: Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, IN, ‘96 Achieva, 8.761 e.t., 154.05 mph

Stock
 	W: Micci Walter, Paris, OH, ‘67 Camaro, 11.544 e.t., 114.47 mph
	R/U: Mark Yamariion, Berkley, MI, ‘67 Camaro, 10.599 e.t., 125.30 mph.

Super Comp
 	W: Jerry Mellis, Hope, IN, ‘94 Dask, 8.919 e.t., 150.01 mph
	R/U: Jimmy Paulson, Pine City, MN, ‘98 Cameron, 8.902 e.t., 167.22 mph

Super Gas
 	W: John Vineyard, Almont, MI, ‘33 Ford Roadster, 9.919 e.t., 154.60 mph
	R/U: Bruce Wolfe, Michellville, IA, ‘92 Chevy, 9.922 e.t., 139.79 mph

Super Street
 	W: Barney Barnhart, Wadsworth, OH, ‘65 Belvedere, 10.932 e.t., 117.68 mph
	R/U: Steve Mesik, Plainwell, MI, ‘67 Nova, 10.950 e.t., 108.14 mph