Sept. 10 , 2005

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Sept. 19, 2005 Fontana

FONTANA, Calif. --

FONTANA, Calif. -

Austin vs Athen
After four days of NHRA drag racing at California Dragway, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is in the books. Mike Austin took his No. 1 qualifying position to the winner's circle for his second Top Alcohol Dragster win in as many weeks and Bret Williamson took the Top Alcohol Funny Car win.
Austin, who is driving the dragster originally piloted by current Pacific Division points leader Chris Demke of Sunland, Calif., beat Johnny Ahten of Saugus, Calif. in the final. The Medford, Ore., resident was the No. 1 qualifier and made a 5.589-second, 255.73 mph pass to Ahten's 5.925-second, 243.81 mph effort in the final.

Demke has been sidelined since he was injured at the divisional event in Sonoma, Calif. However, after starting the season with three consecutive wins, Demke scored enough points to keep him in the lead for his second consecutive division title.

Gordon vs Williamson
In the closest race of the day, Williamson, a Campbell, Calif., resident, scored his first win of the season over reigning division champ Doug Gordon of Paso Robles, Calif. Williamson left the line a fraction of a second before Gordon and ran 5.913 seconds at 239.36 mph to edge out Gordon at the finish line. Gordon ran 5.912 seconds at 246.35 mph.

San Dimas, Calif., racer Steve Gasparrelli, who qualified in the No. 3 spot, lost in the first round of eliminations when his Top Alcohol Funny Car got out of shape past half-track and he sideswiped the wall. Gasparrelli was uninjured in the incident and the damage to the car appears to be cosmetic. The team plans to compete at the PowerAde Series event in Dallas next weekend.

Ryan Tietz of Ontario, Calif., a former NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League competitor, took the win in Top Comp over No. 1 qualifier Joe Roubicek of West Lake Village, Calif. Las Vegas' Curtis Coulter won in Stock Eliminator over San Dimas resident Dave Moreno. John Richardson, Santa Clarita, Calif., won in Super Eliminator and Tom McBride, Lakeside, Calif., took the win in Super Comp. In Super Gas, Rick Beckstrom, Novato, Calif., went to the winner's circle where he was joined by David Adams, Livermore, Calif., in Super Street; Greg Luneack, Vista, Calif., in Super Stock; and Tulare, Calif., racer Michael Stone who took the win in Comp Eliminator.

Pacific Division racers head to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas for the final NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of the year. The race is scheduled October 28-30.

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

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round one

1) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.490, 261.93 def.
8) Mark Niver, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6.327, 226.01

2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.674, 239.27 def.
7) Frank Dischbein, Las Vegas, foul

3) Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., 5.783, 248.89 def.
6) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 6.082, 230.49

4) Joe Windham, Fairfield, Calif., 5.815, 248.57 def.
5) Darby Neagle, Las Vegas, 10.413, 113.14

Semifinals
Ahten, 5.875, 243.15 def. Shields, 5.883, 231.36
Austin, 5.611, 255.19 def. Windham, 5.884, 240.59

Final
Austin, 5.589, 255.73 def. Ahten, 5.925, 243.81

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round one

1) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.817, 251.06 def.
10) Rian Konno, Rosemead, Calif., '02 Firebird, foul

11) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 6.587, 183.00 def.
2) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '02 Firebird, broke

3) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.888, 239.95 def.
8) Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.979, 240.29

4) Mark Woznichak, Riverside, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.006, 242.58 def.
9) Sean Bellemeur, Fullerton, Calif., '98 Cutlass, 11.306, 74.54

Semifinals
Williamson, 5.883, 237.17 def. Carroll, 6.039, 236.88
Gordon, 5.837, 248.80 def. Woznichak, foul

Final
Williamson, 5.913, 239.36 def. Gordon, 5.912, 246.35

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Michael Stone, Tulare, Calif., dragster, C/ED, 7.432, 179.06 def.
Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., dragster, A/ND, 7.064, 187.16

SUPER STOCK
Greg Luneack, Vista, Calif., '65 Nova Wgn, SS/KA, 11.277, 116.67 def.
Eddie Leabo, Alta Loma, Calif., '02 Firebird, GT/IA, foul

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Curtis Coulter, Las Vegas, Nev., '69 Cyclone, D/S, 11.219, 116.67 def.
Dave Moreno, San Dimas, Calif., '69 Mustang, B/S, 11.146, 120.06

SUPER COMP
Tom McBride, Lakeside, Calif., dragster, 8.951, 143.58 def.
Greg Boutte, Stockton, Calif., dragster, 8.941, 171.58

SUPER GAS
Rick Beckstrom, Novato, Calif., '03 Grand Am, 9.995, 159.10 def.
Darryl Mitchell, Thousands Oaks, Calif., '04 Cavalier, 9.966, 150.66

SUPER STREET
Dave Adams, Livermore, Calif., '88 Mustang, 10.930, 139.56 def.
Gary Thompson, Santa Rosa, Calif., '86 Corvette, 10.892, 131.16

TOP COMP
Ryan Tietz, Ontario, Calif., dragster, 7.624, 171.79 def.
Joe Roubicek, West Lake Village, Calif., dragster, 7.097, 188.75

SUPER ELIMINATOR
John Richardson, Santa Clarita, Calif., dragster, 7.896, 176.33 def.
Timothy Height, Richmond, Calif., dragster, 7.870, 174.93

FONTANA, Calif. -- The first day of racing is complete at California Dragway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Competitors in the Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator and Top Comp classes made qualifying runs today and Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street drivers ran time trials. The Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers will have their first shot at the quarter-mile on Friday.
Reigning Comp Eliminator national champion, Dean Carter, of Glendale, Ariz., opened the weekend as the No. 1 qualifier in Comp Eliminator. Mission Viejo, Calif., racer Michael Ogburn drove his '68 Barracuda to the top spot in Super Stock and Tim Hall of Fountain Valley, Calif., outran the Stock Eliminator field in '73 Dart. In Top Comp, Joe Roubicek of West Lake Village, Calif., is the best qualifier.

Racing continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday at California Dragway. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials will continue Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have one qualifying pass on Friday, at 4 p.m., and two on Saturday, at noon and

4 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday morning at 9. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

California Dragway is located on the grounds of California Speedway at 9300 Cherry Avenue in Fontana. For more information call California Dragway, (909) 429-5060, or visit www.CaliforniaSpeedway.com.

The following are Thursday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at California Dragway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Dean Carter, Glendale, Ariz., dragster, A/ND, 7.088 seconds, -0.482 (under index)
2) Tom Mettler, Bakersfield, Calif., '01 Dakota, PST, 7.642, -0.428
3) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, dragster, A/AA, 7.007, -0.403
4) Jeff Gillette, Benicia, Calif., dragster, B/ED, 7.142, -0.338
5) Randy Jones, Monarch Beach, Calif., '04 Cavalier, E/SM, 8.993, -0.317
6) David Sumek, Temecula, Calif., '32 Bantam, AA/AM, 7.008, -0.202
7) Vinnie Deceglie, Rancho Cuamonga, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 13.620, 6.430
8) Kirk Kuhns, Yorba Linda, Calif., '03 Viper, AA/PM, 13.805, 6.945

SUPER STOCK
1) Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/A, 8.852 seconds, -1.098 under
index)
2) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '05 Sunfire, GT/AA, 9.416, -0.984
3) Ryan McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.917, -0.983
4) Jimmy DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., '98 Grand Am, SS/BS, 9.071, -0.979
5) Chuck Norton, Covina, Calif., '97 Firebird, SS/IA, 10.060, -0.940
6) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '89 LaBaron, GT/HA, 10.427, -0.923
7) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.659, -0.891
8) Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Achieva, GT/CA, 9.830, -0.870
9) Carmeron Kallas, Bluffdale, Utah, '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.535, -0.865
10) Eddie Leabo, Alta Loma, Calif., '02 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.638, -0.862

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Tim Hall, Fountain Valley, Calif., '73 Dart, G/SA, 11.158 seconds, -1.142 (under index)
2) Brad Pierce, Riverside, Calif., dragster, BF/S, 13.864, -1.086
3) Joe Pisciotta, Ojai, Calif., '80 Delta 88, O/SA, 12.446, -1.004
4) John Schloe, Garden Grove, Calif., '69 Firebird, D/SA, 10.858, -0.992
5) Carl Battis, Huntington Beach, Calif., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.587, -0.963
6) Clark Holroyd, Chino, Calif., '68 Nova, B/SA, 10.620, -0.930
7) Leo Glasbrenner, San Dimas, Calif., '68 Firebird, E/SA, 11.080, -0.920
8) Bryan Phillips, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Firebird, E/SA, 11.089, -0.911
9) Duane Dickens, San Clemente, Calif., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.792, -0.908
10) Ed Drucker, Yorba Linda, Calif., '98 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.099, -0.901

TOP COMP
1) Joe Roubicek, West Lake Village, Calif., dragster, 7.120 seconds, 189.20 mph
2) Les Figueroa, Lake Havasu, Ariz., dragster, 7.340, 183.94
3) Dave Morgan, Concord, Calif., dragster, 7.411, 182.18
4) Jonathan Fiello, Yucaipa, Calif., dragster, 7.423, 182.75
5) Ron Amereno, Tucson, Ariz., dragster, 7.569, 176.90
6) Daniel Fiello, Yucaipa, Calif., dragster, 7.577, 168.81
7) Robert Tevis, Fontana, Calif., dragster, 7.614, 177.53
8) Mark Yeager, Hollister, Calif., dragster, 7.643, 179.28
9) Roger Hall, Las Vegas, '63 Corvette, 7.655, 180.91
10) Rod Hartzell, Modesto, Calif., dragster, 7.684, 175.73

California Dragway will host its first NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event September 15-18. The race is the sixth of seven on the division schedule and will feature more than 500 cars in eight classes, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, running for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's Korbel Super Eliminator class and the Team Superstores Top Comp category will also run in conjunction with the event.
Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Chris Demke of Sunland, Calif., opened the season with three straight wins, giving him a commanding lead in the point standings. However, after an accident during qualifying at the Lucas Oil event in Sonoma, Calif., he has been out of action. Demke's absence has given other drivers a chance to catch up. Robert Perkins of Bluffdale, Utah, and former division champion Duane Shields of Las Vegas are among those fighting for first place.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car there are three drivers battling for the title. Dennis Taylor of Anaheim Hills, Calif., Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina, Calif., and reigning Pacific Division champion Doug Gordon of Paso Robles, Calif., are all within striking of the crown this year. Taylor won the season-opener at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Phoenix and has led the points for most of the year but Gasparrelli made three consecutive final-round appearances to kick off the season. He was runner-up to Taylor in Phoenix, took the win at Southwestern Int'l Raceway in Tucson, Ariz., and was runner-up at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

NHRA Pacific Division Director Mike Rice expects to see between 650 and 700 cars at the new event. Many of the participants in the Pacific Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series live in Southern California and this will be their first opportunity to compete in a division points race locally since 2002 when there was a special event held at Pomona Raceway.

Gates at California Dragway open at 8 a.m. each day and racing starts at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Super Eliminator and Top Comp start on Thursday and continue Friday and Saturday. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have one qualifying run on Friday, at 4 p.m., and two on Saturday, at noon and 4 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday morning. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets, including pit pass, for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event are $10 Thursday, $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

California Dragway is located on the grounds of California Speedway at 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana. The quarter-mile dragstrip is in Parking Lot 1 behind the speedway's main grandstands. For more information call the track, (909) 429-5060, or visit www.CaliforniaSpeedway.com.

Pacific Division drivers will close out the 2005 season October 27-30 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES FACT SHEET

WHAT: 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 sixth of seven in Pacific Division competition. The division's Korbel Super Eliminator class and the Team Superstores Top Comp category will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: California Dragway, Fontana, Calif. Track is located on the grounds of California Speedway at 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana. The quarter-mile California Dragway is located in Parking Lot 1 behind the speedway's main grandstands.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, September 15-18, 2005

SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, Sept. 15 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. for Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Super Eliminator and Top Comp.

FRIDAY, Sept. 16 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at noon and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 18 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Thursday, $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call California Dragway, (909) 429-5060.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $143,240, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2004 EVENT WINNERS: This is California Speedway's inaugural NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND: a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2005 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.

JEG'S 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 Jeg's High Performance. The 2006 Jeg's 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 2006 Jeg's 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.