VANDERGRIFF BEGINS FROM LUCKY No. 13 AT TOPEKA

2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 9 of 23
O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS
Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.)
Race Date: May 26-28, 2006



VANDERGRIFF BEGINS FROM LUCKY No. 13 AT TOPEKA


     TOPEKA, Kan. (May 27, 2006)- Bob Vandergriff Jr. is enjoying the heat of 
summer. With temperatures in the mid-90's, it's apparent that summer is here 
for the O'Rielly NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka. Vandergriff 
drove his Jim Dupuy-tuned UPS Top Fuel dragster to a very consistent showing 
during qualifying for the second week in a row. Vandergriff posted runs of 4.828, 
4.723, 4.832, and 4.730 on his last run on a blistering 130 degree track. 
Last weekend's consistency garnered Vandergriff his first Full Throttle Award.
     "Jim Dupuy and the crew seem to have a handle on the race car," 
Vandergriff said. "We are happy about getting down the track on all four qualifying 
passes. I hope that we get to take the UPS car for four more passes on Sunday."
     Vandergriff draws Tony Schumacher in the first round of Sunday's 
elimination's.

# # #


WEEKEND SCHEDULE:     
Friday, May 26, Professional Qualifying Sessions are at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30
p.m. Saturday, May 27, Professional Qualifying Sessions are at noon and 2:30
p.m. Sunday, May 28, Final Elimination's begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:    
Saturday, May 27, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying
highlights at 8 p.m. (ET). Sunday, May 28, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise
NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Sunday, May 28,
ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of elimination's at 10 p.m.
(ET).
                           
SATELLITE:      
Friday, May 26, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) Ĺ] SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (12117 MHz,
horizontal)
Saturday, May 27, 9:30-10 p.m. (ET) Ĺ] SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (12117 MHz,
horizontal)
Sunday, May 28, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) Ĺ] SBS 6 / Transponder  17K (12117 MHz,
horizontal)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro
Stock, plus interviews with winners on Sunday.