Pacific Raceway, Kent Washington

Div Six Lucas Oil event race #4 of 7

 

Saturday and Sunday eliminations

KENT, Wash. -- After two days of rain delays at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Pacific Raceways, Sunday's eliminations went off without a hitch. And for Top Alcohol Dragster racer Shawn Cowie it was worth the wait. The Delta, B.C., resident won his fifth race in as many tries. Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., didn't mind the setbacks, either, as he wheeled his Top Alcohol Funny Car to the winner's circle for the first time this year.
Cowie went into eliminations from the No. 1 qualifying spot and squared off against No. 2 qualifier Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., in the final. Cowie laid down a 5.370-second, 268.81 mph pass which was more than enough to cover Severance who slowed to a 16.152-second run at 52.69 mph. Severance was also runner-up to Cowie at the division's race last week at Spokane County Dragway.

Gasparrelli, who claims the NHRA Pacific division as his home, took on Clint Thompson of Klamath Falls, Ore., in the final. Gasparrelli made the best run of the weekend, a 5.585-second, 257.38 mph effort, against Thompson. Thompson ran 5.651 seconds at 252.19 mph.

Doug Lambeck, Corona Del Mar, Calif., won his second Comp Eliminator title in two weeks when he ousted Northwest division points leader Clint Neff, Avada, Colo., in the final. Eagle, Idaho's Wes King took his '67 Nova to the win in Super Stock, beating out Gary Faul of Spanaway, Wash., in his '66 El Camino. Tacoma's Mark Faul grabbed the Stock Eliminator win in his '69 Chevelle when he beat Auburn, Wash., racer Toby Lang. Super Comp winner Don Juel of Spokane, Wash., beat Howard Johnson, Graham, Wash., in the final round while the Super Gas win went to reigning division champ Mike Ferderer of Buckley, Wash., who beat Mike Shannon, Kelowna, B.C., in the final. Justin Sibley, another Tacoma resident, scored the win in Super Street as he knocked off Tom Brown, Sedro Wolley, Wash., in the final. Randy Johnson, Snowhomish, Wash., won in Top Sportsman, beating Lloyd Flatum, Marysville, Wash., in the final and the Top Dragster win went to Tacoma's Mike Henderson who ousted Jessica Juel of Spokane, Wash., in the final round. Jeff Havens, Yakima, Wash., was the winner in Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson when he beat Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., in the final. Super Pro racer Craig Olson, Camano Island, Wash., scored the win over Jody Murray, Bonney Lake, Wash.

Northwest division racers head to Oregon for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Woodburn Dragstrip will host the series July 10-12.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pacific Raceways:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Shawn Cowie, Delta, B.C., 5.467, 268.38 def.
8) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.616, 248.71

2) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.412, 264.18 def.
7) Doug Hegge, Vancouver, Wash., 5.380, 271.62

3) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.413, 264.80 def.
6) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.406, 262.18

5) Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 8.948, 116.70 def.
4) Ashley Bart, High River, Alb., broke

Semifinals
Severance, 5.352, 267.27 def. Federlin, 5.397, 263.10
Cowie, 5.412, 268.12 def. Carlson, broke

Final
Cowie, 5.370, 268.81 def. Severance, 16.152, 52.69

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Ken Webster, Red Deer, Alb., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.668, 256.89 def.
8) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '02 Firebird, foul

2) Steve Gasparrelli, W. Covina, Calif., '09 Mustang, 5.620, 258.42 def.
7) John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., '05 Camaro, broke

3) Brian Hough, Junction City, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.682, 254.86 def.
6) Sean Bellemeur, Tustin, Calif., '04 Firebird, 5.711, 253.52

5) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 17.117, 68.36 def.
4) Brian Thiel, Pleasant Grove, Calif., '02 Camaro, foul

Semifinals
Thompson, 5.712, 251.91 def. Webster, 5.665, 254.57
Gasparrelli, 6.202, 250.00 def. Hough, 12.432, 99.50

Final
Gasparrelli, 5.585, 257.38 def. Thompson, 5.651, 252.19

COMP ELIMINATOR
Doug Lambeck, Corona Del Mar, Calif., '06 Sunfire, D/SMA, 17.179, 61.23 def.
Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., '23 roadster, K/A, broke

SUPER STOCK
Wes King, Eagle, Idaho, '67 Nova, SS/CS, 9.885, 131.36 def.
Gary Faul, Spanaway, Wash., '66 El Camino, SS/MA, 11.873, 105.90

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Mark Faul, Tacoma, Wash., '69 Chevelle, B/SA, 11.266, 116.67 def.
Toby Lang, Auburn, Wash., '69 Chevelle, F/SA, 11.623, 111.11

SUPER COMP
Don Juel, Spokane, Wash., dragster, 8.877, 167.80 def.
Howard Johnson, Graham, Wash., dragster, 8.861, 170.56

SUPER GAS
Mike Ferderer, Buckley, Wash., '03 Grand Am, 9.917, 163.91 def.
Mike Shannon, Kelowna, B.C., '57 Corvette, 9.902, 157.08

SUPER STREET
Justin Sibley, Tacoma, Wash., '68 Camaro, 10.837, 127.87 def.
Tom Brown, Sedro Wolley, Wash., '66 Chevy II, 10.828, 147.52

TOP SPORTSMAN
Randy Johnson, Snohomish, Wash., '04 Cavalier, 7.607, 171.29 def.
Lloyd Flatum, Marysville, Wash., '01 S-10, 7.960, 171.51

TOP DRAGSTER
Mike Henderson, Tacoma, Wash., dragster, 7.276, 161.42 def.
Jessica Juel, Spokane, Wash., dragster, 8.176, 111.01

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Jeff Havens, Yakima, Wash., '95 Suzuki, 8.051, 136.93 def.
Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., '90 Kawasaki, 8.230, 157.67

SUPER PRO
Craig Olson, Camano Island, Wash., '66 Nova, 8.901, 148.89 def.
Jody Murray, Bonney Lake, Wash., '62 Nova, 9.650, 136.37

Saturday wrap up

KENT, Wash. --

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pacific Raceways was delayed by rain for the second day. Racers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car were slated to have one qualifying pass this morning and then run all three rounds of eliminations tonight but they only got through the semifinals. The finals will be run on Sunday with 10 other classes.
In Top Alcohol Dragster, tomorrow's final round will be between the top two qualifiers. Shawn Cowie, Delta, B.C., qualified in the top spot with a 5.320-second, 270.32 mph pass while Spanaway, Wash., racer Joey Severance was in the No. 2 slot with a 5.360-second, 266.42 mph. run. In the opening round of eliminations, Cowie beat Gregg Lawrence of Salem, Ore., and in the semis he ousted former division champion Steve Federlin of Oregon City, Ore. Severance took on Doug Hegge, Vancouver, Wash., in round one and beat Dale Carlson of Olympia, Wash., in the semis.

Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif., the event's No. 2 qualifier, will square off against No. 5 qualifier Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore. Gasparelli took out John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., in the first round and beat division points leader Brian Hough of Junction City, Ore., in the semifinals. Thompson dispensed with Pleasant Grove, Calif., racer Brian Thiel in the first round and beat out the No. 1 qualifier, Ken Webster, Red Deer, Alb., in the semis. Webster is in second place in the division point standings, just one point behind Hough.

Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., leads qualifiers in other classes, taking the No. 1 spot in Comp Eliminator. Byron Setters, another Red Deer, Alb., racer, is No. 1 in Super Stock and Dallas Glenn of Covington, Wash., is atop the Stock Eliminator field. Frank Tamez, Yakima, Wash., is the No. 1 qualifier in Top Sportsman; Paul Gladden , Tracy, Calif., is the best qualifier in Top Dragster; and Jim Shellenberger, Salem, Ore., rode to the top of the Sportsman Motorcycle class.

Racing continues Sunday at Pacific Raceways' NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations start at 9:30 a.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 7 to 15 years old. Kids 6 and under are admitted free.

Pacific Raceways is located at 31001 144th Ave. SE in Kent. For more information call the track, (253) 639-5927, or visit www.PacificRaceways.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and first and second round elimination results for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pacific Raceways:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Shawn Cowie, Delta, B.C., 5.467, 268.38 def.
8) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.616, 248.71

2) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.412, 264.18 def.
7) Doug Hegge, Vancouver, Wash., 5.380, 271.62

3) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.413, 264.80 def.
6) Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., 5.406, 262.18

5) Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., 8.948, 116.70 def.
4) Ashley Bart, High River, Alb., broke;

Semifinals
Severance, 5.352, 267.27 def. Federlin, 5.397, 263.10
Cowie, 5.412, 268.12 def. Carlson, broke

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Ken Webster, Red Deer, Alb., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.668, 256.89 def.
8) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '02 Firebird, foul

2) Steve Gasparrelli, W. Covina, Calif., '09 Mustang, 5.620, 258.42 def.
7) John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., '05 Camaro, broke

3) Brian Hough, Junction City, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.682, 254.86 def.
6) Sean Bellemeur, Tustin, Calif., '04 Firebird, 5.711, 253.52

5) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 17.117, 68.36 def.
4) Brian Thiel, Pleasant Grove, Calif., '02 Camaro, foul

Semifinals
Thompson, 5.712, 251.91 def. Webster, 5.665, 254.57
Gasparrelli, 6.202, 250.00 def. Hough, 12.432, 99.50

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., '23 roadster, K/A, 7.786 seconds, -0.754 (under index)
2) Scott Parks, Burlingame, Kan., dragster, A/ND, 6.785, -0.675
3) Rob Harrison, N. Vancouver, B.C., '05 Cavalier, J/A, 7.708, -0.672
4) Terry Spargo, Delta, B.C., '02 Cavalier, A/AP, 6.614, -0.646
5) Dan Barton, Post Falls, Idaho, '05 Cavalier, G/SMA, 8.721, -0.639
6) Brandon Huhtala, Puyallup, Wash., '97 Cutlass, C/A, 7.344, -0.636
7) Casey Plaizer, Edmonton, Alb., '04 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.205, -0.625
8) Adam Bowdish, Oregon City, Ore., '89 Trans Am, H/SM, 8.982, -0.558
9) Pat Byron, Hoquiam, Wash., dragster, C/D, 6.907, -0.543
10) Bob Marshall, Langley, B.C., '09 GXP, B/AA, 7.091, -0.539

SUPER STOCK
1) Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., '09 G5, GT/BA, 9.298 seconds, -1.252 (under index)
2) Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '09 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.196, -1.204
3) Casey Setters, Red Deer, Alb., '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.346, -1.054
4) Alan Falcone, Seattle, '91 Calais, GT/CA, 9.655, -1.045
5) Jim Storms, Renton, Wash., '98 Avenger, GT/FA, 10.078, -1.022
6) Caitlin Setters, Red Deer, Alb., '96 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.951, -0.999
7) Rick Pike, Langley, B.C., '56 Chevy, SS/OA, 11.624, -0.976
8) Dino Kost, Auburn, Wash., '91 Calais, SS/DM, 9.202, -0.848
9) Rodney Stults, Marysville, Wash., '92 Ciera, GT/IA, 10.663, -0.837
10) Jim Caughlin, Woodburn, Ore., '96 Escort, SS/FS, 11.928, -0.822

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Dallas Glenn, Covington, Wash., '96 Corvette, C/SA, 10.492 seconds, -1.208 (under index)
2) Jim Mantle, Black Creek, B.C., '79 Pacer Wgn, V/SA, 14.599, -1.201
3) John Hill, Fairbanks, Alaska, '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.277, -1.173
4) Alf Wiebe, Chilliwack, B.C., '70 Buick, C/SA, 10.550, -1.150
5) Larry Peterson, Eugene, Ore., '71 Chevelle, B/SA, 10.430, -1.120
6) Andrew Wiebe, Langley, B.C., '72 Olds, F/SA, 11.032, -1.118
7) Tom Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '95 Firebird, D/SA, 10.749, -1.101
8) Bob Gullett, Calgary, Alb., '68 Nova, G/S, 11.134, -1.066
9) Dave Kuhnhoff, Pleasant Hill, Calif., '68 Coronet, E/SA, 10.938, -1.062
10) Doug Lambeck, Corona Del Mar, Calif., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.266, -1.034

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Frank Tamez, Yakima, Wash., '07 GTO, 6.337 seconds, 221.31 mph
2) Curt Geise, Auburn, Wash., '08 GTO, 6.900, 203.16
3) Mike Strickland, Moses Lake, Wash., '07 Mustang, 6.928, 198.64
4) Barry Hobson, Seattle, '06 Grand Am, 7.036, 194.38
5) Todd Fricke, Pasco, Wash., '63 Corvette, 7.165, 192.08
6) Ray Martin, Anchorage, Alaska, '63 Corvette, 7.246, 194.38
7) Craig Olson, Camano Island, Wash., '07 Stratus, 7.289, 187.73
8) Frank Nelson, Auburn, Wash., '05 Cavalier, 7.320, 189.87
9) Daryl Hemnley, Burley, Wash., '02 Cavalier, 7.419, 185.21
10) Aaron Steinkey, Medicine Hat, Alb., '97 Firebird, 7.464, 183.92

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Paul Gladden, Tracy, Calif., dragster, 6.486 seconds, 208.94 mph
2) Steve Cook, Rexburg, Idaho, dragster, 6.714, 197.59
3) Tom Koenen, North Bend, Ore., dragster, 6.909, 193.21
4) Mark Colton, North Bend, Ore., dragster, 6.950, 193.13
5) Chuck Glanz, Myrtle Creek, Ore., dragster, 6.983, 192.25
6) Mike Henderson, Tacoma, Wash., dragster, 7.035, 191.08
7) Jessica Juel, Spokane, Wash., dragster, 7.063, 187.50
8) Eric Stroh, Gig Harbor, Wash., dragster, 7.091, 186.61
9) Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., dragster, 7.113, 187.50
10) Jon Riedel, Arlington, Wash., dragster, 7.131, 187.55

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Jim Shellenberger, Salem, Ore., '79 Kawasaki, 0.003 seconds reaction time
2) Cory Doidge, Algona, Wash., '90 Suzuki, 0.006
3) Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., '90 Kawasaki, 0.007
4) Doug Rathbun, Oak Harbor, Wash., '74 Kawasaki, 0.007
5) Jeff Havens, Yakima, Wash., '95 Suzuki, 0.009
6) Tracy Bailey, Coos Bay, Ore., '75 Kawasaki, 0.039
7) Jan Cook, Kamloops, B.C., '75 Kawasaki, 0.042
8) Russell Rockwell, Oakville, Wash., '06 Buell, 0.075
9) Miles Hauer, Seattle, '81 Suzuki, 0.077
10) Robley Evans, Kent, Wash., '05 Suzuki, 0.147

Event preview

KENT, Wash. --

Pacific Raceways will host the Olympics of Drag Racing, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, June 19-21. The race is the fourth of seven in NHRA Northwest division competition. It will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's Auto Max USA Top Sportsman Series, Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.
Gates at Pacific Raceways open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials start Friday at 10 a.m. and continue Saturday at 10 a.m. Racers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have three rounds of qualifying on Friday, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m., and then run all three rounds of eliminations on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Eliminations in other classes will continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Pacific Raceways are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 7 to 15 years old are $5 each day and kids 6 and under are admitted free.

Pacific Raceways is located at 31001 144th Ave., SE, in Kent. For more information call the track, (253) 639-5927, or visit www.PacificRaceways.com.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Fact Sheet

WHAT: The Olympics of Drag Racing, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the fourth of seven in Northwest Division competition. The division's Auto Max USA Top Sportsman Series, Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash. Track is located at 31001 144th Ave., SE, in Kent.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 19-21, 2009

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, June 19 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 20 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations starting at 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 21 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations continue at 9:30 a.m.

TICKETS:
GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 7 to 15 years old are $5 each day and kids6 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Pacific Raceways, (253) 639-5927, www.PacificRaceways.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $151,875, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2008 EVENT WINNERS: Duane Shields, Top Alcohol Dragster; Dennis Taylor, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Doug Lambeck, Comp Eliminator; Jimmy DeFrank, Super Stock; Mark Faul, Stock Eliminator; Stefan Kondolay, Super Comp; John Whitmore, Super Gas; Tom Manfred, Super Street

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2009 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2010 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2010 Jegs Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2010 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

NHRA SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE SERIES presented by HARLEY DAVIDSON: The NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $14,000 champions' purse posted by Harley Davidson will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

AUTO MAX USA TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: The Auto Max USA Top Sportsman Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Northwest division's Top Sportsman class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $3,500 champions' purse Posted by Auto Max USA will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.

NORTHWEST DIVISION TOP DRAGSTER SERIES: The Northwest Division Top Dragster Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Northwest division's Top Dragster class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $3,500 champions' purse will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.