FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUSINESS AS USUAL: SANTOS, AUSTIN WIN
WOODBURN, Ore. - There is no such thing as a 'sure thing' in drag racing, but it's a safe bet that when Rick Santos and Pat Austin, drivers of the Oakwood Homes Federal-Mogul Dragster and the Pro/Max Performance Federal-Mogul Funny Car, respectively, are on the grounds at any drag strip they're likely to be challenging for event titles by the end of the day.

Such was the case at Woodburn Dragstrip Sunday, site of the Les Schwab Tire Centers NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event, where both Santos of San Leandro, Calif., and Tacoma, Wash.'s Austin reached the winner's circle.

Santos overcame Federal Way, Wash.'s Mark Hentges to claim the dragster title; Austin powered his way past Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif., for the Funny Car win.

Santos had the measure of the dragster field from the opening qualifying runs Friday, resetting the track record at 5.53 seconds at 253 mph before dismantling the field through eliminations, turning back Hentges in the final with a 5.59-second run.

For Austin the road to victory lane was a little tougher. In qualifying Gasparrelli denied Austin the pole position by four-thousandths of a second, 5.885 seconds to 5.889 seconds. Going into the final round Gasparrelli maintained lane choice and put Austin in the less-preferred left lane, but he could only watch his own car spun the rear tires at 300 feet and slowed to a 6.22-second run as Austin claimed the victory with a 5.97-second lap.

WOODBURN, Ore. - Final results Sunday from Woodburn Dragstrip, the fifth of six events in the 1999 NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First round:
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.533, 250.76 def.
8. Kim Parker, Graham, Wash., 5.906, 234.07

2. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.776, 248.00 def.
7. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 7.578, 120.74

3. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 5.606, 247.93 def.
6. Mike McHargue, Lewiston, Idaho, 8.504, 97.29

5. Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Wash., 5.983, 197.88 def.
4. Melanie Troxel, Littleton, Colo., 9.406, 88.42

Semifinals: 
Santos, 5.562, 245.43 def. Ormsby, 5.893, 232.97
Hentges, 5.723, 249.65 def. Carlson, broke.

Final:
Santos, 5.595, 249.86 def. Hentges, 5.714, 247.72.

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
First round:
1. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.901, 232.13 def.
8. Mike Giuliani, Abbotsford, BC, '95 Achieva, 6.125, 231.54

2. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Firebird, 5.942, 240.89 def.
7. Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., '99 Camaro, 9.870, 81.45

4. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '98 Firebird, 5.940, 240.06 def.
5. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '98 Mustang, 6.372, 192.84

6. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 5.976, 227.44 def.
3. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '97 Firebird, 5.986, 240.38

Semifinals:
Gasparrelli, 6.005, 239.48 def. B. Austin, 6.267, 183.15
P. Austin, 8.282, 107.01 def. Thompson, broke.

Final:
P. Austin, 5.977, 241.54 def. Gasparrelli, 6.221, 204.91.

COMP ELIMINATOR
Rob Robinson, Portland, Ore., C/EA '96 Oldsmobile, 8.413, 160.25 def.
Tom Brown, Westminster, Calif., F/ED dragster, broke.

SUPER STOCK
Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA '96 Oldsmobile, 9.774, 128.68 def.
Vaughn Hultsman, Yuba City, Calif., GT/BA '93 Ford, 11.290, 117.64 (foul start)

STOCK
Don Little, Westley, Calif., A/SA '70 Barracuda, 10.421, 127.02 def.
Todd Gale, Pasco, Wash., H/SA '70 Camaro, 12.056, 103.09.

SUPER COMP
Scott Bacon, Boring, Ore., '27-T Ford, 8.874, 159.12 def.
Jim Hughes, Phoenix, Ariz., dragster, 8.905, 160.05 (foul start).

SUPER GAS
Rod Hoerner, Spokane, Wash., '57 Corvette, 9.923, 140.93 def.
Michael Carnes, Boise, Idaho, 9.944, 141.11.

SUPER STREET
Thomas Manfred, Liberty Lake, Wash., '81 Mustang, 10.901, 136.96 def.
Wayne Linder Jr., Sunnyside, Wash., '57 Chevrolet, 10.892, 125.20 (break out).

TOP COMP
Mark Barnhart, Emmett, Idaho, dragster, 7.658, 172.74 def.
Mike MacBrair, Napa, Calif., dragster, 7.833, 154.13 (foul start).

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Len Darnell, Vancouver, Wash., '85 Suzuki, 8.476, 151.92 def.
Gary Oaks, Las Vegas, Nev., '78 Kawasaki, 12.479, 66.47.

SUPER PRO
Gary Hostetler, Vancouver, Wash., '71 Chevelle, 10.647, 119.96 def.
Karl Greiner, Hornbrook, Calif., '71 Demon, 11.634, 116.05.

JR. DRAGSTER
Amanda Elliott, Yakima, Wash., dragster, 8.911, 66.11 def.
Jesse DeBartolo, Camas, Wash., dragster, 11.133, 55.27.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GASPARRELLI ON THE POLE AT WOODBURN
WOODBURN, Ore. - In 1998, Steve Gasparrelli's rookie season, the West Covina, Calif., driver qualified at just one NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event: at Woodburn Dragstrip. At three others he attended he was left on the outside looking in.

What a difference a year makes. Returning to Woodburn Dragstrip for the Les Schwab Tire Centers Federal-Mogul Series race, Gasparrelli drove his father, Lou's, Pontiac Firebird Federal-Mogul Funny Car to his first-career pole position with a 5.88-second run.

"I thought Pat [Austin] and Bucky [Austin] would bump us down for sure," said Gasparrelli, who skipped the third and final qualifying session Saturday after breaking a lifter in his engine on his 5.88-second lap. "When we returned to the pits and discovered the engine damage we actually began to wonder if we even should have come here," added Gasparrelli. "Now we're glad we did come here!"

The Southern California team said they could have made repairs in time for the final qualifying session, but preferred to concentrate on preparing for Sunday's eliminations. In the third qualifying sessions Fife, Wash.'s, Bucky Austin spun the rear tires on his attempt; Pat Austin of Tacoma, Wash., just missed snatching the pole position with a 5.89-second run but did have the satisfaction of setting top speed of the meet at 244.63 mph.

Two-time defending world champion Rick Santos kept his grip on the Federal-Mogul Dragster field, lowering his day-old track record to 5.53 seconds, giving the San Leandro, Calif., driver a one-tenth of a second lead over second-placed Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash.

Eliminations begin Sunday at 9:00 a.m., with the first round of Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car scheduled to begin at 12 noon.

WOODBURN, Ore. - Final qualifying results Saturday from Woodburn Dragstrip, the fifth of six events in the 1999 NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First-round pairings:
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.530, 253.95 vs.
8. Kim Parker, Graham, Wash., 5.997, 229.35

2. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.639, 249.16 vs.
7. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.895, 240.51

3. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 5.651, 251.32 vs.
6. Mike McHargue, Lewiston, Idaho, 5.871, 246.91

4. Melanie Troxel, Littleton, Colo., 5.667, 248.27 vs.
5. Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Wash., 5.833, 232.19.

 --- Did Not Qualify ---

9. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 6.201, 226.64
10. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., DQ

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First-round pairings:
1. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, 5.885, 241.74 vs.
8. Mike Giuliani, Abbotsford, BC, '95 Achieva, 6.056, 232.13

2. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Firebird, 5.889, 244.63 vs.
7. Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.012, 234.13

3. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '97 Firebird, 5.913, 239.87 vs.
6. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.006, 234.19

4. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '98 Firebird, 5.932, 240.44 vs.
5. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '98 Mustang, 5.970, 239.17

 --- Did Not Qualify ---

9. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 6.072, 242.00
10. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Avenger, 6.076, 236.90
11. Dave Hix, Central Point, Ore., '96 Achieva, 7.048, 214.23

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, Calif., F/A '97 Firebird, 8.642 (-0.498)
2. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., G/D dragster, 9.474 seconds (-0.476)
3. Rich Howell, Yorba Linda, Calif., B/A '32 Bantam, 7.415 (-0.455)
4. Alan Freese, Monterey, Calif., C/EA '90 Grand Prix, 8.357 (-0.453)
5. Rob Robinson, Portland, Ore., C/EA '96 Oldsmobile, 8.359 (-0.451)
6. Tommy Brown, Westminster, Calif., F/ED dragster, 8.579 (-0.451)
7. Nick Jondahl, Battle Ground, Wash., G/A '92 Pontiac, 9.018 (-0.442)
8. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, BC, B/SM '87 Trans Am, 8.960 (-0.410)
9. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., B/SM '92 Camaro, 8.968 (-0.402)
10. Doug Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., C/SM '90 Chevrolet, 9.266 (-0.364)

SUPER STOCK
1. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA '98 Pontiac, 10.148 (-1.052)
2. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA '89 Chevrolet, 10.352 (-0.998)
3. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM '57 Corvette, 8.629 (-0.921)
4. Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., SS/BA '65 Belvedere, 9.284 (-0.916)
5. Guy Czarniak, Redding, Calif., SS/DA '69 Camaro, 9.603 (-0.897)
6. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., GT/TD '98 Dodge, 10.859 (-0.891)
7. Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alberta, GT/EA '96 Camaro, 10.097 (-0.853)
8. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA '96 Achieva, 9.698 (-0.852)
9. Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alberta, GT/DA '89 Camaro, 10.002 (-0.798)
10. Bill Bennett, Mt. View, Calif., GT/DA '89 Camaro, 10.007 (-0.793)

STOCK
1. Steve Hanby, Salem, Ore., N/SA '85 Camaro, 12.174 seconds (-1.126)
2. Don Elgin, Desmoines, Wash., N/SA '74 Grand Am, 12.214 (-1.086)
3. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., M/SA '77 Cutlass, 12.078 (-1.072)
4. Bill Heard Jr., Vancouver, Wash., E/SA '96 Firebird, 10.937 (-1.063)
5. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, D/S '71 Mustang, 10.739 (-1.061)
6. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., D/SA '97 Camaro, 10.843 (-1.007)
7. Kris Johnson, Eatonville, Wash., K/SA '78 Delta, 11.962 (-0.988)
8. Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., B/SA '71 Chrysler, 10.597 (-0.953)
9. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA '70 Plymouth, 10.769 (-0.931)
10. Ron Durham, Cameron Park, Calif., B/SA '71 Chevelle, 10.640 (-0.910)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPRINGFIELD'S HYLAND LEADS WAY AT WOODBURN
WOODBURN, Ore. - John Hyland of Springfield, Ore., is the early leader at the Les Schwab Tire Centers NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Woodburn Dragstrip. Hyland drove his Ford Mustang Federal-Mogul Funny Car to a 5.99-second lap to claim the provisional pole position and comfortably lead world-title contenders Pete Swayne, Pat Austin, and Bucky Austin.

"It wasn't a great run - it shook the rear tires all the way downtrack - but given the hot and humid conditions we've got here I'll take it," said Hyland. "The weather forecast is for more of the same this weekend, so I don't see any great improvements to be had. At least we have an advantage over the other guys: we can experiment with our tune up Saturday and try to go faster, Pat, Bucky, and Pete have to back down their combinations just to get into the field."

Rick Santos of San Leandro, Calif., the two-time defending Federal-Mogul Dragster world champion, quickly made his presence felt at Woodburn, resetting both ends of the track record with a 5.545-second run at 253.95 mph. The previous track-record holder, Melanie Troxel of Littleton, Colo., who held the records at 5.67 seconds and 249.16 mph, is qualified fourth with a 5.693-second, 238.41 mph lap.

Duane Shields of Las Vegas, Nev., gave the large crowd a thrill when the right front wheel on his Federal-Mogul Dragster broke a spindle, sending the dragster hard right into the guardwall before sliding the car to a halt. Shields was unhurt in the incident; the car is being sent to Seattle, Wash., for repairs and is done for the weekend.

Qualifying for the Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars will continue Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with the first round of eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 12 noon.

WOODBURN, Ore. - Provisional qualifying results Friday from Woodburn Dragstrip, the fifth of six events in the 1999 NHRA Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.545 seconds, 253.95 mph
2. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.639, 249.16
3. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 5.651, 251.32
4. Melanie Troxel, Littleton, Colo., 5.693, 238.41
5. Mike McHargue, Lewiston, Idaho, 6.297, 225.62
6. Kim Parker, Graham, Wash., 6.305, 225.96
7. Gary Ormsby Jr., Auburn, Wash., 7.254, 119.15
8. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 7.497, 138.33
 --- Did Not Qualify ---
9. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., DQ
10. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., DQ

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '98 Mustang, 5.995, 239.17
2. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '99 Firebird, 6.027, 237.34
3. Mitch Myers, Hermiston, Ore., '99 Camaro, 6.061, 233.16
4. Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '97 Firebird, 6.170, 235.72
5. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Avenger, 6.203, 223.43
6. Mike Giuliani, Abbotsford, BC, '95 Achieva, 6.634, 222.66
7. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Firebird, 8.401, 103.89
8. Pete Swayne, Orange, Calif., '97 Firebird, 11.431, 98.13
 --- Did Not Qualify ---
9. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., 14.829, 52.60
10. Dave Hix, Central Point, Ore., DQ

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Dave Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., G/D dragster, 9.474 seconds (-0.476)
2. Jim Kennedy, San Jose, Calif., F/A '97 Firebird, 8.678 (-0.462)
3. Rich Howell, Yorba Linda, Calif., B/A '32 Bantam, 7.415 (-0.455)
4. Rob Robinson, Portland, Ore., C/EA '96 Oldsmobile, 8.365 (-0.445)
5. Nick Jondahl, Battle Ground, Wash., G/A '92 Pontiac, 9.018 (-0.442)
6. Alan Freese, Monterey, Calif., C/EA '90 Grand Prix, 8.378 (-0.432)
7. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, BC, B/SM '87 Trans Am, 8.960 (-0.410)
8. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., B/SM '92 Camaro, 8.968 (-0.402)
9. Tommy Brown, Westminster, Calif., F/ED dragster, 8.833 (-0.197)
10. Ron Schuster, Salem, Ore., C/D dragster, 7.545 (-0.155)

SUPER STOCK
1. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/GA '98 Pontiac, 10.182 (-1.018)
2. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/HA '89 Chevrolet, 10.397 (-0.953)
3. Terry Sherrill, Klamath Falls, Ore., SS/AM '57 Corvette, 8.641 (-0.909)
4. Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., SS/BA '65 Belvedere, 9.291 (-0.909)
5. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., GT/TD '98 Dodge, 10.859 (-0.891)
6. Guy Czarniak, Redding, Calif., SS/DA '69 Camaro, 9.623 (-0.877)
7. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., GT/BA '96 Achieva, 9.717 (-0.833)
8. Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alberta, GT/DA '89 Camaro, 10.017 (-0.783)
9. Steve Polack, Enumclaw, Wash., GT/FA '92 Camaro, 10.338 (-0.762)
10. Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alberta, GT/EA '96 Camaro, 10.241 (-0.709)

STOCK
1. Steve Hanby, Salem, Ore., N/SA '85 Camaro, 12.174 seconds (-1.126)
2. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., M/SA '77 Cutlass, 12.078 (-1.072)
3. Bill Heard Jr., Vancouver, Wash., E/SA '96 Firebird, 10.937 (-1.063)
4. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, D/S '71 Mustang, 10.739 (-1.061)
5. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., D/SA '97 Camaro, 10.843 (-1.007)
6. Darin Grossi, Soulsbyville, Calif., B/SA '71 Chrysler, 10.597 (-0.953)
7. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA '70 Plymouth, 10.769 (-0.931)
8. Ron Durham, Cameron Park, Calif., B/SA '71 Chevelle, 10.640 (-0.910)
9. Kevin Cour, Hackettstown, NJ, E/SA '67 Camaro, 11.103 (-0.897)
10. Mary Ann Method, Kennewick, Wash., C/SA '70 Nova, 10.805 (-0.895)