FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BARTONE TAKE BIG WIN, EXTENDS POINTS LEAD
COMMERCE, Ga.-Tony Bartone ran 5.70's (elapsed time in seconds) throughout the weekend to go from the number one qualifying position to the winner's circle at the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway. In picking up the win, Bartone recorded his fifth victory of the year and extended his points lead over Todd Paton and Frank Manzo for the Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Championship.

Bartone raced to an event best time in the final round recording a 5.702 second elapsed time at 247.29 mph, just missing his own track record of 5.701 set two weeks ago at the Advance Auto Parts Nationals. Paton, who advanced to the final round when he took out Jay Payne, broke on the starting line giving Bartone the victory.

"We saved the best for last" replied Bartone in the winner's circle. "Running 5.70's all weekend is exactly what we were looking for. Obviously we wanted to win the race but we were also working on our tune up for Chicago. This one was big!"

Bartone and the Roger Dean Racing Team will head to Chicago for the Fram Route 66 Nationals next weekend.

Michael Gunderson took out Doug Foley in the final round of the Federal-Mogul Dragster category running a 5.641 at 254.28 mph to Foley's 5.841, 216.38. Gunderson defeated Arthur Allen and Bill McCornack on his way to the final. This was Gunderson's fourth division victory and looks to win his third consecutive NHRA Southeast division championship.

Gunderson is currently number two in the national points standing behind Rick Santos.

COMMERCE, Ga.-Round by Round results in dragster and funny car from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway. The fourth of six events in the NHRA Southeast division.

FEDERAL-MOUGL DRAGSTER
Round one:
1. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.615, 252.85 def.
8. Arthur Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 7.203, 143.78

2. Doug Kelly, Palm City, Fla., 5.685, 244.60 def.
7. Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.567, 194.83

3. Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 6.019, 191.51 def.
6. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.473, 178.59

4. Bill McCornack, Lexington, KY, 5.783, 243.28 def.
5. Bob Bears Jr., Claerwater, Fla., 14.968, 92.59

Semifinals:
Gunderson, 5.642, 254.28 def. McCornack, 5.809, 241.97
Foley, 6.076, 171.12 def. Kelly (foul)

Final:
Gunderson, 5.641, 254.28 def. Foley, 5.841, 216.38

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round one:
1.     Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Camaro,  5.756, 245.94
def. bye

2. Todd Paton, Brantford, ON CAN, '99 Firebird, 5.849, 245.94 def.
3. Jay Payne, Irwindale, CA '99 Camaro, 5.905, 241.97

Final:
Bartone, 5.702, 247.29 def. Paton (Broke)

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.641, 254.28 def.
Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 5.841, 216.38

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
TonyBartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.702, 247.29 def.
Todd Paton, Brantford, ON CAN, '99 Firebird, (Broke)

COMP ELIMINATOR
Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A '92 Cutlass, 8.905, 152.04 def.
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM '97 Grand Am, (foul)

SUPER STOCK
Bruce Campbell, Waynesville, N.C., GT/GA '82 Firebird, 10.381, 125.71 def.
Ray Thompson, Midland City, Ala., SS/DM '87 Chevrolet, 9.781, 141.08

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Bruce Bailey, Greer, S.C., E/SA '67 Camaro, 11.442, 113.35 def.
Toby Land, Auburn, Wash., G/SA '69 Chevelle, 11.916, 110.03

SUPER COMP
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '99 dragster, 8.912, 164.25 def.
Edmond Richardson, Goodlettsville, Tenn., '99 dragster, 8.885, 156.26

SUPER GAS
Joe Smith, Lawrenceville, Ga., '85 Jeep, 9.862, 134.34 def.
Glenn Phillips, Cinti, Ohio, '83 Challenger, 9.845, 142.42

SUPER STREET
Troy Martin, Winter Park, Fla., '72 Dart, 10.931, 130.44 def.
Jason Davis, Montgomery, Ala., '69 Camaro, (Broke)

Tony Bartone ran 5.70's all weekend on his way to the winner's circle at the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway. Bartone recorded his fifth victory of the year (2-nationals, 3 divisionals) to extended his points lead over Todd Paton and Frank Manzo for the Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Championship.

Bartone recorded the quickest time of the event in the final round running a 5.702 second elapsed time at 247.29 mph, just missing his own track record of 5.701 set two weeks ago at the Advance Auto Parts Nationals. Paton, who advanced to the final round when he took out Jay Payne, broke on the starting as Bartone streaked down the quarter mile.

"We saved the best for last" replied Bartone in the winner's circle. "Running 5.70's all weekend is what we were looking for. We needed this one. We've also got something to work with going into the Chicago national. This one was big!"

Michael Gunderson took out Doug Foley in the final round of the Federal-Mogul Dragster category running a 5.641 at 254.28 mph to Foley's 5.841, 216.38. Gunderson defeated Arthur Allen and Bill McCornack on his way to the final. This was Gunderson's fourth division victory as he looks to win his third consecutive NHRA Southeast division dragster championship.

A last minute gambler's race was put together and held Saturday evening in conjunction with the event at Atlanta Dragway. Timothy Archor and his Super Comp. Dragster faced off in a "winner take all" final round against Jeff Stricklan. Archor took the win and the $2100.00 cash prize as he out ran Strickland with a 7.995, 163.65 to Strickland's 7.941 second at 166.68 mph.

Larry Ericksmoen, former Southeast division Super Gas champion, is campaigning two new cars this year. A super comp dragster and a C/A Comp car owned by Lennart and Birgitta Bergqvist of Sweden. The Bergqvist were involved in racing back in Sweden, but this is the first car they have been involved with since moving to Orlando, Fla., fifteen years ago. Ericksmoen took the comp car to the semifinals before loosing to event winner Mike Saye.

Wittnauer International presented Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series logo watches to the mid-season points leaders in the Southeast Division. As part of the Wittnauer Every Second Counts program, the following drivers received watches in a starting line ceremony: Michael Gunderson, FMD; Todd Paton, FMFC; Mike Saye, Comp. Eliminator; Eric Wingo, Super Stock; Bill Howell, Stock; Timothy Archer, Super Comp.; Hugh Meeks, Super Gas; and Troy Martin, Super Street.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES - SOUTHEAST DIVISION
COMMERCE, Ga.- In a battle for both the National and Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Championships, Tony Bartone sits on the pole with at pass of 5.720 seconds at 245.94 mph. Bartone leads Todd Paton by just twelve points in the national standings as Paton is in the number two qualifying spot with a pass of 5.771 seconds at 247.29 mph going into tomorrow's eliminations.

"The Roger Dean Quaker State Camaro is running real good this weekend. We need this one to really stretch our lead in the points standings," said Bartone, of Manhasset, N.Y. "We're coming off last weeks win in Englishtown, we just need to keep it going."

Bartone out ran defending Federal-Mogul Funny Car national champion Frank Manzo at last weeks Mopar Parts Nationals in Englishtown, N.J.

In the Federal-Mogul Dragster category, Michael Gunderson held on to the top spot to take home the Winston Top Qualifier $1,000 prize money. Gunderson's pass on Friday of 5.678 seconds, 251.44 mph was enough to hold to the number one spot. Doug Kelly follows Gunderson in the second position with a run of 5.768 at 244.60 mph.

Drivers in other categories that will share in the Winston Top Qualifier money are Larry Pritchett in Competition Eliminator, Bob Dennis, of Shorter, Ala., in Super Stock, and Bud Rowe in Stock with his '91 Camaro.

The heat kept the speed down but also made for great side by side racing action on the Atlanta Dragway quartermile which is expected to continue over into Sunday's eliminations. Gates open at 8 a.m. on Sunday with racing scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Eliminations for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will begin at 12 noon.

For ticket information call Atlanta Dragway at (706) 335-2301.

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Final qualifying results and Sunday's pairing from Atlanta Dragway. The fourth of six events in the Southeast Division of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, listing driver, hometown, state, vehicle, elapsed time in seconds, speed in miles per hour.

FEDERAL-MOUGL DRAGSTER
1. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.678, 251.44 vs.
8. Arthur Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 6.667, 197.39

2. Doug Kelly, Palm City, Fla., 5.768, 244.60 vs.
7. Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.574, 203.65

3. Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 5.789, 244.60 vs.
6. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.977, 223.91

4. Bill McCornack, Lexington, KY, 5.864, 240.68 vs.
5. Bob Bears Jr., Claerwater, Fla., 5.970, 217.42
 -- not qualified --
9. Lee Kell, Attalla, Ala., 7.653, 208.36

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.720, 245.94 vs.
4. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Penn., '99 Avenger, 5.962, 243.28

2. Todd Paton, Brantford, ON CAN, '99 Firebird, 5.771, 247.29 vs.
3. Jay Payne, Irwindale, CA '99 Camaro, 5.922, 239.40

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM '97 Grand Am, 8.237, -0.533
2. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A '92 Cutlass, 8.934, -0.526
3. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA '32 Roadster, 7.545, -0.485
4. Dick Maris, Valrico, Fla., C/D '98 dragster, 7.295, -0.405
5. Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., C/EA '98 Firebird, 8.445, -0.385
6. Van Puckett Lithonia, Ga., C/EA '97 Firebird, 8.465, -0.365
7. Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., A/EA, '23 Ford, 7.681, -0.349
8. Keith Roberts, Mooresville, N.C., C/EA '96 Cutlass, 8.485, -0.345
9. Jim Kimbrough, Pace, Fla., A/EA '23 Roadster, 7.782, -0.248
10. Larry Ericksmoen, St. Petersburg, Fla., C/A '92 Cutlass, 8.001, -0.229

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA '97 Firehawk, 10.887, -1.163
2. Johnny Fogle, Norway, S.C., SS/HA '67 Camaro, 9.932, -0.968
3. Buggs Dennis, Shorter, Ala., SS/NA '88 Cutlass, 11.495, -0.955
4. Butch Williams, Cherokee, N.C. GT/AA '97 Pontiac, 9.499, -0.901
5. Joey Warren, Clinton, N.C., GT/BA '87 Camaro, 9.693, -0.857
6. Bruce, Campbell, Waynesville, N.C., GT/GA ;82 Firebird, 10.351, -0.849
7. Terry Pearson, Spanich Fort, Ala., GT/CA '98 Achieva, 9.855, -0.845
8. Kenneth Horne, Fayetteville, N.C., GT/EA '95 Achieva, 10.133, 0.817
9. Eric Wingo, Springfield, Tenn., GT/G '92 Grand Am, 10.234, -0.816
10. Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., SS/BS '90 Camaro, 9.201, -0.799

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., O/SA '91 Camaro, 12.218, -1.232
2. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., V/SA '8o Malibu, 14.703, -1.097
3. Jeff Ferguson, Matairie, La., K/SA '78 Plymoth, 11.865, -1.085
4. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., G/SA '72 Mustang, 11.235, -1.065
5. Grag Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '86 Camaro, 11.946, -1.004
6. Hugh Meeks Jr., Union Springs, Ala., J/SA '74 Nova, 11.750, -1.000
7. Bill Lutz, Midlothina, Va., M/SA '85 Camaro, 12.173, -0.977
8. Jack Zimmerman, Clemmons, N.C., B/SA '71 Challenger, 10.583, -0.966
9. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA '98 Firebird, 10.884, -0.966
10. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., M/S '66 Chevelle, 12.229, -0.921

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GUNDERSON, PATON GRAB TOP SPOTS AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
COMMERCE, Ga.- Michael Gunderson and Todd Paton are the top qualifiers at Atlanta Dragway for the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event. Gunderson, who has won two of the three Southeast Division races this year, covered the quarter mile in 5.678 seconds at 251.44 mph in his first qualifying pass of the weekend.

"With the sun out and as hot as it is, we're real happy with the pass," said Gunderson after the run, "It's suppose to be hot all weekend, let's just hope we can keep the pace up."

Doug Kelly of Palm City, Fla., is in the number two position with a pass on 5.768 seconds at 244.60 mph, followed by Doug Foley in third with a 5.854 second run at 245.94 mph.

Paton leads the Federal-Mogul Funny Car field with a 5.771 second pass at 247.29 mph. There are only four cars in the field after the first session but with names like Tony Bartone, Jay Payne and Fran Monaghan all within striking distance, Paton has his work cut out for himself if he hopes to be on top come Sunday and final eliminations.

Bartone won the first two division events in Gainesville, Fla., and Orlando, Fla., while Paton took the most recent event in Reynolds, Ga. Both Bartone and Paton each have two national event wins to go along with their wins in the Southeast division.

Gates open at 8 a.m. on Saturday with qualifying and time trials beginning at 9:00 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will have two more qualifying sessions scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

For ticket information call Atlanta Dragway at (706) 335-2301.

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Opening day qualifying results from Atlanta Dragway. The fourth of six events in the Southeast Division of the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

FEDERAL-MOUGL DRAGSTER
1. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.678, 251.44
2. Doug Kelly, Palm City, Fla., 5.768, 244.60
3. Doug Foley, Tarrytown, N.Y., 5.854, 245. 94
4. Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.977, 223.91
5. Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.759, 197.39
6. Arthur Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 7.628, 143.78
7. Lee Kell, Attalla, Ala., 7.653, 208.36
8. Bill McCornack, Lexington, KY, 8.438, 103.93
9. Bob Bears Jr., Claerwater, Fla., 14.452

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Todd Paton, Brantford, ON CAN, '99 Firebird, 5.771, 247.29
2. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.798, 248.66
3. Jay Payne, Irwindale, CA '99 Camaro, 5.922, 239.40
4. Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Penn., '99 Avenger, 5.962, 243.28

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., D/SM '97 Grand Am, 8.315, -0.455
2. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., A/EA '32 Roadster, 7.579, -0.451
3. Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., G/A '92 Cutlass, 9.033, -0.427
4. Van Puckett Lithonia, Ga., C/EA '97 Firebird, 8.520, -0.310
5. Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., C/EA '98 Firebird, 8.456, -0.284
6. Larry Ericksmoen, St. Petersburg, Fla., C/A '92 Cutlass, 8.001, -0.229
7. Keith Roberts, Mooresville, N.C., C/EA '96 Cutlass, 8.605, -0.225
8. Jim Kimbrough, Pace, Fla., A/EA '23 Roadster, 7.823, -0.207
9. Doug Ledford, Orange Park, Fla., E/ED '97 dragster, 9.267, 1.277

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA '97 Firehawk, 10.887, -1.163
2. Buggs Dennis, Shorter, Ala., SS/NA '88 Cutlass, 11.495, -0.955
3. Butch Williams, Cherokee, N.C. GT/AA '97 Pontiac, 9.501, -0.899
4. Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., SS/BS '90 Camaro, 9.201, -0.799
5. David Haag II, Jeffersonville, Ind., SS/GA '68 Camaro, 10.055, -0.795
6. Bruce, Campbell, Waynesville, N.C., GT/GA ;82 Firebird, 10.408, -0.792
7. John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., SS/EA '70 Corvette, 9.884, -0.766
8. Kenneth Horne, Fayetteville, N.C., GT/EA, '95 Achieva, 10.198, -0.752
9. Bill Burnette, Arden, N.C., SS/OA '66 Bel Air, 11.867, -0.733
10. Donald Smith, Maggie Valley, N.C., GT/IA '90 Camaro, 10.772, -0.728

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., O/SA '91 Camaro, 12.218, -1.232
2. Peter Noriega, Hialeah, Fla., V/SA '8o Malibu, 14.703, -1.097
3. Grag Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '86 Camaro, 11.946, -1.004
4. Bill Lutz, Midlothina, Va., M/SA '85 Camaro, 12.173, -0.977
5. Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., D/SA '98 Firebird, 10.884, -0.966
6. Jack Zimmerman, Clemmons, N.C., B/SA '71 Challenger, 10.586, -0.964
7. Garry Glazener, Jackson, S.C., G/SA '72 Mustang, 11.354, -0.946
8. Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., M/S '66 Chevelle, 12.236, -0.914
9. Hugh Meeks Jr., Union Springs, Ala., J/SA '74 Nova, 11.838, -0.912
10. Harold, Culpepper, Pipe Mtn. Valley, Ga., J/SA '90 Camaro, 11.877, -0.873