FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TROXEL, MOATS CHASE WINS, TITLES

   BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, Denver, Colo. -- Melanie Troxel and
Vern Moats are the early leaders at Bandimere Speedway for
the final round of the NHRA West Central Division Federal-
Mogul Drag Racing Series.

   Troxel, of Englewood, Colo., drove her In-N-Out Burger-
sponsored Federal-Mogul Dragster to a 5.85-second run, good
enough for the provisional pole position.  Moats, of Des
Moines, Iowa, leads the Federal-Mogul Funny Car pack with
a 5.91-second lap.

   “The run felt quite good; it’s a good place to begin our
tune-up for tomorrow [Saturday],” said Troxel, adding, “I
really don’t think [the 5.85] will hold up for the pole
position.”

   Troxel is locked in a points battle with LeMars, Iowa’s
David Wells for the NHRA West Central Division Championship.
Wells, driving his Blue Bunny Ice Creams-sponsored dragster,
is in the third qualifying position with a 5.92-second lap,
and enjoys a 39-point lead over Troxel for the Championship.
For Troxel to win the title she must reach at least the 
final round and Wells must lose in the first round of
eliminations.  Should the qualifying positions remain the
same through Saturday’s time-trial runs Troxel and Wells
would meet in the final.

   An even closer points battle rages in Federal-Mogul Funny
Car where Moats and Cy Chesterman are currently tied for the
lead.  Moats, however, doesn’t rate his chances of winning
an unprecedented 12th career divisional Championship.

   “Cy has won it already,” opined Moats.  “He has another
race to go to at which he can claim points, and this is the
last race at which I can score points.  So the title is his.”

   Chesterman, of Sioux City, Iowa, trails Moats in
provisional qualifying with a third-placed 6.07-second run.

   Qualifying will continue in all categories on Saturday
beginning 9:00 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-
Mogul Funny Cars scheduled to receive two more qualifying
laps 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

   DENVER, Colo. -- Provisional qualifying results Friday
from Bandimere Speedway, the final round of six events in
the 1998 NHRA West Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag
Racing Series listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle,
elapsed time in seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Melanie Troxel, Englewood, Colo., 5.858, 239.17
2. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.906, 236.40
3. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.923, 237.27
4. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.948, 236.65
5. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 6.064, 233.34
6. Thomas Tuso, Frisco, Colo., 6.082, 232.19
7. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.087, 232.19
8. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 6.115, 230.00
   --- not qualified ---
9. William Zivkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.248, 226.64
10. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.290, 223.21
11. Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 6.337, 222.55
12. Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 6.371, 217.70
13. Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 8.092, 98.37
14. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 10.234, 88.01
15. Suzie Wells, Salt Lake City, Utah, 14.277, 78.55

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, ‘98 Avenger, 5.919, 237.52
2. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., ‘97 Avenger, 5.995, 237.09
3. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, ‘97 Trans Am, 6.070, 233.88
4. Jett Field, Pocatello, Idaho, ‘97 Avenger, 6.156, 230.00
5. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., ‘97 Firebird, 6.425, 225.00
6. Kurt Prososki, Bellvue, Neb., ‘96 Daytona, 7.305, 200.62
7. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., ‘97 Firebird, 7.358, 189.35
8. Lynn Engles, Watertown, S.D., ‘97 Camaro, 10.027, 86.55
   --- not qualified ---
9. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., ‘97 Firebird, no time
10. Lyle Greenberg, Albuquerque, N.M., ‘93 Daytona, no time
11. Mike Adams, Phoenix, Ariz., ‘94 Grand Am, no time

COMPETITION
1. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A ‘97 Firebird, 7.864 (-0.606)
2. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, B/A ‘89 Cutlass, 7.877 (-0.593)
3. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., C/Dragster, 7.655 (-0.535)
4. John Geyer, Goleta, Calif., A/Dragster, 7.094 seconds (-0.516)
5. Lou Ficco, Wheat Ridge, Colo., B/A ‘23-T Ford, 7.964 (-0.506)
6. Rod Oman, Lakewood, Colo., B/EDragster, 7.641 (-0.499)
7. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., A/EDragster, 7.347 (-0.493)
8. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., A/A ‘23 Chevrolet, 7.354 (-0.476)
9. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., C/EDragster, 8.088 (-0.412)
10. Robert Baldwin, Aurora, Colo., E/A ‘96 Cutlass, 9.021 (-0.399)

SUPER STOCK
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA ‘56 Nomad, 12.321 seconds (-1.099)
2. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb., SS/K ‘66 Chevrolet II, 11.151 (-1.029)
3. Gary McGlasson, Cuba, N.M., SS/HA ‘69 Camaro, 10.837 (-0.913)
4. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA ‘87 Firebird, 10.922 (-0.888)
5. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., GT/IA ‘98 Firebird, 11.524 (-0.876)
6. Carroll Warling, Arvada, Colo., SS/MA ‘74 Grand Am, 12.252 (-0.848)
7. Dave Smith, Kearney, Neb., SS/L ‘66 Nova, 11.609 (-0.841)
8. Bob Stevens, Arvada, Colo., SS/HA ‘69 Camaro, 10.921 (-0.829)
9. Tom Cassen, North Platte, Neb., GT/BA ‘97 Achieva, 10.586 (-0.784)
10. Dave Lockridge, Aurora, Colo., SS/GA ‘67 Nova, 10.923 (-0.777)

STOCK
1. Scott North, West Valley City, Utah, BF/SA ‘84 Buick, 15.000 (-1.440)
2. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., K/S ‘66 Nova, 12.704 (-1.146)
3. Kevin Helms, Byers, Colo., B/S ‘69 Camaro, 11.311 (-1.089)
4. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., D/SA ‘67 Mustang, 11.723 (-1.057)
5. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA ‘69 Camaro, 11.157 (-1.023)
6. John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., G/S ‘67 Nova, 12.149 (-1.001)
7. Roger Rice, Helena, Mont., G/SA ‘66 Mercury, 12.317 (-0.943)
8. Bradley Grant, Great Bend, Kan., C/SA ‘69 Plymouth, 11.674 (-0.936)
9. Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., I/S ‘72 Nova, 12.549 (-0.931)
10. John Cooper, Laporte, Colo., A/SA ‘67 Fairlane, 11.306 (-0.874)

Saturday Qualifying Final:

MOATS, WELLS QUICKEST OF QUICK

   BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, Denver, Colo. -- Vern Moats and David
Wells claimed the pole position in Federal-Mogul Dragster and
Federal-Mogul Funny Car, respectively, at Bandimere Speedway
for the final round of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing
Series event.

   Moats, driving his Kendall GT-1 Dodge Avenger entry,
claimed the No. 1 qualifying position with a 5.91-second run
recorded Friday evening.  Moats failed to improve on that
number during Saturday’s qualifying sessions which were
interrupted, and eventually canceled, because of rain.

   Moats is locked in a duel with Cy Chesterman for the NHRA
West Central Division Championship, with the two drivers tied
on 256 points each.  Chesterman qualified his Coca-Cola-
sponsored Trans Am in third with a 6.07-second run, also
recorded Friday.

   Wells’ Blue Bunny Ice Creams-sponsored dragster snatched
the pole position from championship rival Melanie Troxel
during Saturday’s lone qualifying session with a 5.82-second
run at 245.56 mph.  Wells leads Troxel for the NHRA West
Central Division title by 39 points.    “It’s my title to
lose,” said Wells, who finished second in the West Central
Championship chase in 1991.  “Even if we don’t do well [at
Bandimere] we have one more race we can go to, in Noble,
Okla., so I think our chances look good.”

   Troxel, driving the In-N-Out Burger dragster, who
previously led the field with a 5.85-second run, is well aware
of the task ahead of her.  “To stand any chance we need David
to go out in either the first or second round of eliminations,
and we must win.”

   Eliminations in all classes begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, with
the quarterfinals in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul
Funny Car scheduled to begin at 12 noon.

DENVER, Colo. -- Final qualifying results Saturday from
Bandimere Speedway, the final round of six events in the 1998
NHRA West Central Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series
listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in
seconds, and speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. David Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 5.827, 245.56
2. Melanie Troxel, Englewood, Colo., 5.858, 239.17
3. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 5.895, 236.71
4. Mark Taliaferro, Odessa, Texas, 5.902, 238.28
5. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.932, 237.78
6. Thomas Tuso, Frisco, Colo., 5.952, 227.96
7. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.956, 236.40
8. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 6.011, 232.07
   --- not qualified ---
9. Kent Nuckols, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.082, 232.55
10. Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 6.170, 228.89
11. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.244, 226.75
12. William Zivkovich, Litchfield, Minn., 6.248, 226.64
13. Suzie Wells, Salt Lake City, Utah, 6.266, 228.19
14. Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 6.329, 220.04
15. Bruce Bowler, Denver, Colo., 6.619, 200.93
16. Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 6.717, 205.85

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, ‘98 Avenger, 5.919, 237.52
2. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., ‘97 Avenger, 5.995, 237.09
3. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, ‘97 Trans Am, 6.070, 233.88
4. Jett Field, Pocatello, Idaho, ‘97 Avenger, 6.132, 231.06
5. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., ‘97 Firebird, 6.152, 232.01
6. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., ‘97 Firebird, 6.248, 232.19
7. Lyle Greenberg, Albuquerque, N.M., ‘93 Daytona, 6.506, 214.69
8. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., ‘97 Firebird, 6.657, 203.75
   --- not qualified ---
9. Lynn Engles, Watertown, S.D., ‘97 Camaro, 7.012, 196.76
10. Kurt Prososki, Bellvue, Neb., ‘96 Daytona, 7.118, 202.79
11. Mike Adams, Phoenix, Ariz., ‘94 Grand Am, no time

COMPETITION
1. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A ‘97 Firebird, 7.864 (-0.606)
2. Pete Carbery, Odessa, Texas, B/A ‘89 Cutlass, 7.877 (-0.593)
3. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., C/Dragster, 7.655 (-0.535)
4. Rod Oman, Lakewood, Colo., B/EDragster, 7.611 (-0.529)
5. John Geyer, Goleta, Calif., A/Dragster, 7.094 seconds (-0.516)
6. Lou Ficco, Wheat Ridge, Colo., B/A ‘23-T Ford, 7.964 (-0.506)
7. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., A/EDragster, 7.347 (-0.493)
8. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., C/EDragster, 8.011 (-0.489)
9. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., A/A ‘23 Chevrolet, 7.354 (-0.476)
10. Doug Engels, Watertown, S.D., A/EA ‘23 Chevrolet, 8.066 (-0.474)

SUPER STOCK 
1. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA ‘56 Nomad, 12.295 (-1.125)
2. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb., SS/K ‘66 Chevrolet II, 11.132 (-1.048)
3. Gary McGlasson, Cuba, N.M., SS/HA ‘69 Camaro, 10.741 (-1.009)
4. Ted Romero, Denver, Colo., GT/LA ‘98 Grand Am, 11.854 (-0.926)
5. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA ‘87 Firebird, 10.889 (-0.921)
6. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., GT/IA ‘98 Firebird, 11.490 (-0.910)
7. Bob Stevens, Arvada, Colo., SS/HA ‘69 Camaro, 10.845 (-0.905)
8. Tom Cassen, North Platte, Neb., GT/BA ‘97 Achieva, 10.485 (-0.885)
9. Dave Smith, Kearney, Neb., SS/L ‘66 Nova, 11.583 (-0.867)
10. Carroll Warling, Arvada, Colo., SS/MA ‘74 Grand Am, 12.241 (-0.859)

STOCK 
1. Scott North, West Valley City, Utah, BF/SA ‘84 Buick, 14.880 (-1.560)
2. Marty Woffard, Gore, Okla., K/S ‘66 Nova, 12.577 (-1.273)
3. Kevin Helms, Byers, Colo., B/S ‘69 Camaro, 11.286 (-1.114)
4. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA ‘69 Camaro, 11.083 (-1.097)
5. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., D/SA ‘67 Mustang, 11.702 (-1.078)
6. John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., G/S ‘67 Nova, 12.101 (-1.049)
7. Neal Rhodes, Aurora, Colo., F/SA ‘67 Fairlane, 12.077, (-1.023)
8. Bradley Grant, Great Bend, Kan., C/SA ‘69 Plymouth, 11.481 (-0.969)
9. Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., I/S ‘72 Nova, 12.534 (-0.946)
10. Roger Rice, Helena, Mont., G/SA ‘66 Mercury, 12.317 (-0.943)

MOATS, TALLIFERRO WIN BIG AT BANDIMERE

   BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, Denver, Colo. -- Vern Moats and Mark
Talliaferro claimed victories at Bandimere Speedway Sunday,
site of the final round of the 1998 NHRA West Central Division
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.    For Moats, driving a new
Kendall GT-1 Dodge Avenger Federal-Mogul Funny Car, the win
marked a successful return to the Denver-area track.  In July
Moats crashed heavily when the brakes on his Funny Car failed,
slamming into a sandtrap at the far end of the track.

   Facing Tate Branch in the final round Moats was able to
claim an ultimately comfortable victory with a 5.96-second
run at 212.01 mph when Branch’s race car spun the rear tires
away from the starting line.

   “It wasn’t a bad run,” said Moats.  “The speed would have
been faster if [the engine] hadn’t thrown the supercharger belt
at 1,100 feet.  We’d hopped up the motor for the final, and I
figured it was either going to run a 5.80 or throw the blower
belt.  It did the latter.”

   Friday evening Talliaferro was wondering if he would make
it to Bandimere Speedway at all.  En route to the track the
team’s tow truck broke down, stranding them in Pueblo, Colo.
After finding someone who would tow their race-car trailer to
the track, the team arrived at Bandimere at 3:30 a.m. Saturday
morning.

   Before defeating Shelly Howard in the final round
Talliaferro first had to get past his team mate, Billy Bybee,
in the opening round of eliminations.

   “When both David Wells and Melanie Troxel lost in the first
round we figured whomever could win the race would go on to
win the event,” said Talliaferro, who defeated Bybee in the
day’s closest race, 5.86 seconds to 5.81 seconds, winning by
a mere eight-thousandths of a second.

BANDIMERE RESULTS
DIVISION 5 INSTANT STATS
Bandimere Speedway, Denver, Colo.

Federal-Mogul Dragster
 	W: Mark Talliaferro, Odessa, Texas, 5.92, 236.65
	R/U: Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.98, 234.74 (foul start)

Federal-Mogul Funny Car
 	W: Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, ‘98 Dodge Avenger, 5.96, 212.01
	R/U: Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., ‘97 Avenger, 12.87, 74.78.

Competition
 	W: Rod Oman, Lakewood, Colo., B/Dragster, 7.65, 175.57
	R/U: Doug Engles, Watertown, S.D., A/EA ‘23 Chevrolet, 8.04, 165.41.

Super Stock
 	W: Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA ‘56 Nomad, 12.23, 104.60
	R/U: Chad Guilford, Highlands Ranch, Colo., GT/EA ‘84 Cougar, 11.04, 123.27 (broke out)

Stock
 	W: Neal Rhodes, Aurora, Colo., F/SA ‘67 Fairlane, 12.09, 107.09
	R/U: Bob Swan, Belle Fourche, S.D., C/SA ‘67 Mustang, 11.84, 112.34 (broke out)

Super Comp
 	W: Dave Slatten, Fort Collins, Colo., dragster, 9.48, 156.41
	R/U: Rich Wheeler, Cheyenne, Wyo., ‘23-T Ford, 9.44, 127.76 (broke out)

Super Gas
 	W: Steve Wargo, Longmont, Colo., ‘90 Cavalier, 10.53, 129.38
	R/U: James Totten, Billings, Mont., ‘69 Camaro, 10.50, 133.86 (broke out)

Super Street
 	W: Tim Landis, Glendale, Ariz., ‘67 Nova, 11.58, 125.27
	R/U: Glenn Dilday, Sibley, Mont., ‘80 Malibu, 11.57, 126.58 (broke out)