FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manzo completes perfect season

RISING SUN, Md.- Unlike the weather at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englistown, N.J., the conditions here at Cecil County Dragway could not have been better. Together with temperatures in the mid 80's and a cool breeze, devoted followers and anxious drivers eagerly await eliminations that had begun nearly two weeks ago. All eyes being focused on five-time national champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., race fans watched to see if he can hold off long-time rival Bob Newberry to complete his quest for an undefeated season.

In the Federal-Mogul Funny Car division, there was no doubt as to whom the focus was on. Frank Manzo, trying to complete a rare undefeated season, did not disappoint the throngs of die-hard race fans posting his tenth consecutive divisional race victory. The last driver to defeat Manzo in a divisional race was Paul Gill of Brockton, Mass., occurring at the first race of the 1999 season at Maple Grove Raceway. Since then, Manzo and his Kendall Motor Oil team, have conquered anyone that stands in their way of a sixth national championship. Paul Gill, trying to defeat the master, gave Manzo everything he had but came up a little short.

In the end, there were eight winners: Tony Lebor of Delray Beach, Fla., in Federal-Mogul Dragster, Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Don Stratton of Beloit, Ohio in competition, Dan Fletcher of Rochester, N.Y. in Super Stock, Joe DeMarzo of Mahopac, N.Y. in Stock, Tom Stalba of Williamstown, N.J. in Super Comp, Derek Clark of Maugansville, Md. in Super Gas, and Brett Albert of Raynham, Mass. in Super Street.

The following are the final results from the rain delayed, NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event from Englishtown, N.J., that was re-ran at Cecil County Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Tony Lebor, Delray Beach, Fla., 5.573 seconds e.t, 253.90 mph def 
8) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.848 seconds e.t, 237.88 mph

4) Cliff Bozelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.717 e.t., 245.14 mph def 
5) Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., Foul

2) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.605 e.t, 240.38 def 
7) Doug Foley, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., 9.403 e.t., 89.92

3) Jeannie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.805 e.t., 247.11 def 
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 9.363 e.t., 80.60

Semifinals 
Lebor, Delray Beach, Fla., 5.567 e.t, 251.58 mph def Booz, Blooming Glenn, Pa., 5.651 e.t., 251.95 mph
Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.599 e.t., 251.30 def  McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.669 e.t., 231.40 mph

Final
Lebor, Delray Beach, Fla., 5.490 e.t., 249.63 def Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.631 e.t., 248.98

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
First Round
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 5.773 seconds e.t., 253.47 mph def 
8) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., 6.256 seconds e.t., 222.33 mph

2) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., 5.844 e.t., 253.66 def 
7) Craig English, Mount Holly, N.J., 6.562 e.t., 179.16

3) John Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., 10.990 e.t., 76.90 def 
6) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., Broke 

5) Fran Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., 5.867 e.t., 244.07 def.
4) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., 5.921 e.t., 247.75

Semifinals
Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 5.750 e.t., 247.07 def Monaghan, Willow Grove, Pa., Broke
Gill, Brockton, Mass., 5.791 e.t., 252.80 def Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., 6.494 e.t., 210.11

Final
Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 5.645 e.t., def Gill, Brockton, Mass., 5.753 e.t., 236.30

COMPETIION
Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '34 Roadster, 8.65 e.t., 158.48  def 
Jonathan Aloiso, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am, 8.90 e.t., 160.44

SUPER STOCK
Dan Fletcher, Rochester, N.Y., '69 Camaro, 10.149 e.t., 127.43 def 
Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '00 Firebird, 10.344 e.t., 127.93

STOCK
Joe Demarzo, Mohopac, N.Y., '69 Camaro, 11.625 e.t., 109.51 def 
Lloyd Mackay, Cedar Grove, N.J., '84 Buick, 13.427 e.t., 91.54

SUPER GAS
Derek Clark, Maugansville, Md., '95 Cutlass, 9.937 e.t., 143.05 def 
Tom Goldman, Allentown, Pa., '40 Willy's, 9.936 e.t., 146.38

SUPER COMP
Tom Stalba, Williamstown, N.J., '99 Undercover, 8.919 e.t., 158.02 def 
Kent Hanley, Newtown, Conn., 8.924 e.t., 153.72

SUPER STREET
Brett Albert, Raynham, Mass., '27 Ford, 10.919 e.t, 131.64 def 
John Schenone, Bellerose, N.Y., '70 Nova, 10.921 e.t., 139.47

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manzo, Lebor lead fields at rain-delayed E-town event

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- The rain stopped long enough to allow Federal-Mogul Dragster, Federal-Mogul Funny Car and Comp Eliminator to complete all rounds of qualifying at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park under cool and cloudy conditions.

Tony Lebor of Delray Beach Fla., who was unable to field his dragster in the first round of qualifying, came out swinging in the second round with a pass of 5.483 seconds at 237.63 mph. Lebor, who is car owner Michael Bartone's father-in-law, had never made a pass in the new dragster yet set a personal best time on the first run.

"The car drifted towards the wall at about the 800-900-foot mark," said an elated Lebor. " I tried to correct it [the vehicles direction] but the car still headed towards the wall when I noticed the front wheels were off the ground. I pulled the chutes and clicked it off at about the 1100 foot mark to keep it from going into the wall; who knows what this car can do, that was fun!"

Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J. needed only his first pass of the day to set the track e.t. record and take home the Winston Top Qualifier Award of $1000 posting a time of 5.592 seconds at 258.96 mph. Manzo's pass was picture perfect; straight from beginning to end.

"We put a new motor in the car so we weren't sure what to expect," said Manzo. " We set the car up soft thinking the track wouldn't hold the car too well, but the track and weather were better than expected."

Manzo's second pass of the day had him smoking the tires off the line and had him clicking it off by the 300-foot mark.

"We overpowered the track on the second run today," said Manzo. "I broke the tires loose just off the line and rather than hurt the car, I decided to shut her off early."

Dates, times and location of where the remainder of this race will be run have not been announced as of yet, please refer to the Northeastern Division website at www.nhradiv1.com for further details as they are available.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
 1. Tony Lebor, Delray Beach, Fla., 5.483 seconds, 237.63 mph vs. 
 8. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.801, 244.03

 2. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.589, 238.51 vs. 
 7. Doug Foley, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., 5.790, 252.00

 3. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.597, 252.76 vs. 
 6. Steve Cantrell, Wilmington, Del., 5.684, 241.28

 4. Jeanie, Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.601, 253.42 vs. 
 5. Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.644, 252.47 

 (Alternates)
 9. Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.957, 229.47
 10. Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., 6.361, 213.03
 11. Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.482, 162.80
 12. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 8.291, 102.88
 13. Art Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 12.170, 63.19
 14. John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 13.847, 38.49
 15. Fred Altrberg, Bergenfield, N.J., 24.489, 24.46

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1.Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J. '00 Dodge,5.592 seconds,258.96 mph vs. 
8. Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '99 Camaro, 5.958, 249.86

2. Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.606, 256.84 vs. 
6. Bruce Mullins, Fredricksburg, Va., '98 Mustang, 5.884, 238.38 

3. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '96 Dodge, 5.623, 257.78 vs. 
7. Craig English, Mt. Holly, N.J., '93 Firebird, 5.833, 245.09

4. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '00 Dodge, 5.723, 250.64 vs.
5. Frank Monaghan Jr., Willow Grove, Pa., '00 Camaro, 5.831, 247.20

(Alternates) 
9. Eddie Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Firebird, 6.128, 236.55
10. John Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., '93 Saab, 6.367, 218.62
11. William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '00 Corvette, 7.007, 173.43
12. Dave Keddy, Ashland, Mass., '96 Cutlass, 12.966, 63.39
13. Jim Lape, Myerstown, Pa., '98 Camaro, 14.282, 89.39

COMP ELIMINATOR
  1.Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, N.Y.,'98 Dragsrer G/ED, 8.399 seconds,(0.701 seconds under index) 
  2.Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '37 Roadster B/SR, 8.044,(-0.696) 
  3.Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '00 Camaro D/A, 7.878,(-0.682) 
  4.Ian Landies, Chardon, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet A/SR, 8.002,(-0.678) 
  5.Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., '96 Cutlass H/A, 8.314,(-0.676) 
  6.Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Dragster D/ED, 7.481,(-0.649) 
  7.Frank Affronti, Ontario, N.Y., '97 Camaro C/A, 7.590,(-0.630) 
  8.Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am E/SM,8.310,(-0.610) 
  9.Jules Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '97 Cutlass H/A, 8.392,(-0.598 
 10.Bob Rossi, Woodbridge, N.J., '92 Dragster A/A, 6.803,(-0.587)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rain ends Saturday's competition in Englishtown

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- While dodging intermittent rain showers throughout most of the day, the rain came to stay at 4:15 p.m. ending today's qualifying/elimination rounds for the nearly 600 racers at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Those categories able to complete qualifications were Super Stock and Stock while Comp Eliminators final qualifying pass was interrupted by rain. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car have not completed a single qualifying pass this weekend, meanwhile, the first round of eliminations have been completed in Super Comp and Stock.

Gates to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. with qualifications/eliminations scheduled to resume at 10 a.m.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

SUPER STOCK
1.Joe Scott, Sanbury, Pa., '00 S-10 GT/TD, 10.605 seconds, (1.145 seconds under Index)
2.Russell Linke, Surf City, N.J., '73 Corvette SS/JA, 10.272, (-1.028) 
3.Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '98 Achieva SS/BM, 8.676, (-1.024) 
4.Ray Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '97 Probe GT/H, 10.132, (-1.018) 
5.Peter Biondo, Clarksburg, N.J., '99 Firebird GT/FA, 10.154, (-0.968) 
6.Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Pa., '00 Sebring GT/IA, 10.554, (-0.946) 
7.Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Daytona GT/EA, 10.013, (-0.937) 
8.George Vignogna, North Salem, N.Y., '97 Sebring SS/AS, 8.964, (-0.936) 
9.Brian McCormick, Montoursville, Pa., '00 S-10 GT/TC, 10.525, (-0.925) 
10.Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '98 Grand Am SS/CM, 8.986, (-0.914)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Dennis Chapman, Toms River, N.J., '88 Shelby AF/SA, 12.859 seconds,  (1.191 seconds under index)
2. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., '85 Camaro J/SA, 11.604, (-1.146)
3. Cecil Frazier, Canton, Mass., '91 Camaro D/SA, 12.322, (-1.128)
4. Bud Rowe, Bridgetown, N.C., '85 Camaro M/SA, 12.037, (-1.113)
5. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro K/SA, 11.847, (-1.103)
6. Don Quinn, Howell, N.J., '78 Nova J/SA, 11.664, (-1.086)
7. Paul Reich, Bel Air, Md., '67 Camaro F/SA, 11.071, (-1.079)
8. Ray Valpreda, Lawrenceville, N.J., '98 Dakota FT/SA, 12.680, (-1.070)
9. Marty Bernard, Brewerton, N.Y., '66 Caprice Q/S, 12.884, (-1.066)
10. Doug Chervanik, Sanbury, Pa., '81 Camaro O/SA, 12.389, (-1.061)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rain leaves its mark in Englishtown

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. --With showers drenching areas around Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, the uninvited guest finally showed up at approximately 2 p.m. bringing with it, thunder and lightning and a four-hour delay.

Prior to the delay, Stock and Super Stock were the only categories to complete their first round of qualifying. After the lengthy delay, all categories were able to complete at least one round of qualifying and time trials. The only two categories that were not able to make their second pass of the day before the 10 p.m. curfew were Stock and Super Gas.

"We tried our best to get everyone at least two passes today, but Mother Nature wasn't on out side," said Northeast Division Director Bob Lang. "We'll start at 10 a.m. tomorrow and hopefully have a rain-free day of racing."

Qualifying in the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny categories are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. with the second and final qualifying attempt at 6 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1.Ian Landies, Chardon, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet A/SR, 8.077 seconds,  (0.603 seconds under Index)
2.Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '00 Camaro D/A, 7.959,(-0.601) 
3.Frank Aragona, Franklin Square, N.Y.,'98 Dragster G/ED, 9.10,(-0.597) 
4.Dave Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., '96 Cutlass H/A, 8.401,(-0.589) 
5.Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Grand Am E/SM,(-0.550) 
6.Frank Affronti, Ontario, N.Y., '97 Camaro C/A, 7.672,(-0.548) 
7.Don Stratton, Beloit, Ohio, '37 Roadster B/SR, 8.195,(-0.545) 
8.Bob Rossi, Woodbridge, N.J., '92 Dragster A/A, 6.866,(-0.524) 
9.David Fiore, Altonna, Pa., '97 Dragster D/ED, 7.618,(-0.512) 
10.Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., '96 Dragster G/D, 9.560,(-0.490)

SUPER STOCK
1.Joe Scott, Sanbury, Pa., '00 S-10 GT/TD, 11.75 seconds, (1.136 seconds under Index)
2.Ray Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '97 Probe GT/H, 10.156,(-0.994) 
3.Russell Linke, Surf City, N.J., '73 Corvette SS/JA, 10.327,(-0.973) 
4.Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '98 Achieva SS/BM, 8.729,(-0.971) 
5.Peter Biondo, Clarksburg, N.J., '99 Firebird GT/FA, 10.154,(-0.946) 
6.Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Pa., '00 Seabring GT/IA, 10.554,(-0.946) 
7.Brian McCormick, Montoursville, Pa., '00 S-10 GT/TC, 10.553,(-0.897) 
8.Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Daytona GT/EA, 10.071,(-0.879) 
9.Anthony Cretalla, Newington, Conn., '86 Camaro GT/AA, 9.553,(-0.847) 
10.Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '98 Grand Am SS/CM, 9.058,(-0.842)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Dennis Chapman, Toms River, N.J., '88 Shelby AF/SA, 14.099 seconds,  951.Seconds under index)
2. Paul Reich, Bel Air, Md., '67 Camaro F/SA, 11.202,(-0.948)
3.Cecil Frazier, Canton, Mass., '91 Camaro D/SA, 12.507,(-0.943) 
4.Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '78 Firebird K/SA, 12.008,(-0.942) 
5.Ray Valpreda, Lawrenceville, N.J., '98 Dakota FT/SA, 12.821,(-0.929) 
6.Joseph Garbarine, Neptune, N.J., '99 Firebird G/SA, 11.411,(-0.889) 
7.Jim Penta, Pawtucket, R.I., '98 Firebird D/S, 10.913,(-0.887) 
8.Marty Bernard, Brewerton, N.Y., '66 Caprice Q/S, 13.076,(-0.874) 
9.John Presing, North Haldeon, N.J., '88 Mustang L/S, 12.140,(-0.860) 
10.Bill Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevelle M/S, 12.294,(-0.856)