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NHRA: FMDRS 1st Day Qualifying-Bandimere Speedway

18 June 1999


1999 NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY


TRACK RECORD BREAKING RUN IN FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER COULD END WEEKEND FOR
MARK KINSER

      Denver, Colo.- Federal-Mogul Dragster drivers Mark Kinser, of Grimes,
Iowa, and Darren Nicholson, of Laguna Hills, Calif. broke the track record
at the CarQuest Big A Thunder on the Mountain event at Bandimere Speedway
(an NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series race) during Friday's qualifying.

     During the same pass, which pitted Kinser against Darren Nicholson,
the old track record of 5.76 seconds set by David Wells in 1998 fell at the
hands of both these drivers during their run.  Kinser ran the winning time
of 5.726 seconds elapsed time setting the track record, but Nicholson was
not far behind, he ran a 5.752 second run that could have well been the
record-breaker itself.

     Unfortunately for Kinser the winning run came at a heavy price.  At
the end of the record-breaking run Kinser's dragster was not able to slow
down in enough time to avoid running into the sand trap at the end of the
track.  The dragster had so much speed built up that it went far enough
into the sand to get caught in the net which then ripped off the two small
front tires of the car, breaking the axle as well.  Kinser fortunately
walked away from the accident unharmed but his car might not be back for
the remainder of the weekend

     "There could be a possibility of Kinser fixing his car," NHRA West
Central Division Director Rob Parks said about Kinser's accident. "But
chances are they'll pack everything up and head on home.  It's a real shame
to see something like that happen."

     Kinser also re-set the track's speed record that was originally 242.58
miles per hour that was set three years ago by Johnny Gray, who now runs a
limited schedule in Nitro Funny Car.  Kinser readily broke that record with
a speed of 247.25 miles per hour.

     The racing action continues Saturday at Bandimere Speedway with gates
opening at 8:30 a.m. and racing beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Federal-Mogul
Dragster and Funny Car continue qualifying sessions at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

     The following are the first day qualifying results from the NHRA
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Bandimere Speedway, the third of
six events in the NHRA West Central Division:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Mark Kinser, Grimes, Iowa, 5.726 seconds elapsed time, 247.25 miles per
hour
2. Darren Nicholson, Laguna Hills, Calif., 5.752, 242.91
3. Billy Bybee, Mclean, Texas, 5.813, 233.94
4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Okla., 5.892, 238.79
5. Darryl Hitchman, Hanford, Calif., 5.966, 221.45
6. James Thompson, Vernon, Texas, 6.003, 232.91
7. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 6.017, 223.43
8. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.023, 230.59
9. Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 6.178, 220.96
10. Suzie Wells, Salt Lake City, 6.328, 213.62
11. Bruce Bowler, Denver, 6.823, 186.76
12. Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 7.166, 135.01

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Firebird, 5.948 seconds elapsed
time, 239.68 miles per hour
2. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 5.990, 238.66
3. Jay Payne, Irwindale, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.048, 232.79
4. Sam Blue, Red Wing, Minn., '97 Acheiva, 6.265, 227.50
5. Kurt Prosoki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Daytona, 6.377, 229.88
6. Jett Field, Pocatello, Idaho, '97 Avenger, 6.419, 219.29
7. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.674, 173.44
8. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., '98 Firebird, 6.785, 232.61
9. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Avenger, 7.362, 189.67
10. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '98 Avenger, 12.469, 69.15
11. Lyle Greenberg, Alburquerque, N.M., '93 Daytona, (DQ, Unable to qualify
due to problem with fuel system, will not compete)

COMP ELIMINATOR

1. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., A/A '23 Chevrolet, 7.247(-0.583 seconds
under index)
2. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, A/EDragster, 7.322  (-0.518)
3. David Cook Jr., Houston, A/Dragster, 7.105 (-0.505) 
4. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., C/Dragster, 7.710 (-0.480)
5. Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., C/Dragster, 7.711 (-0.479)
6. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A '97 Firebird, 7.894 (-0.476)
7. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., A/EDragster, 7.366 (-0.474)
8. Dennis Smiley, Denver City, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.643 (-0.457)
9. Kevin Sutton, Littleton, Colo., C/Dragster, 7.746 (-0.444)
10. Eloy Lucero, Denver, Colo., C/A '95 Mustang, 8.314 (-0.436)

SUPER STOCK

1. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA '56 Nomad, 12.187 (-1.233 seconds under
index)
2. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb., SS/K '66 Chevy II, 11.061 (-1.119)
3. Curtis Dean, Denver, Colo., SS/AM '91 Calis, 9.283 (-1.017)
4. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA '87 Firebird, 10.804 (-1.006)
5. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., GT/IA '98 Firebird, 11.409 (-0.991)
6. Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, GT/FA '97 Firebird, 11.030 (-0.940)
7. Gary McGlasson, Cuba, N.M., SS/HA '69 Camaro, 10.811 (-0.939)
8. Dave Lockridge, Aurora, Colo., SS/GA '67 Nova, 10.799 (-0.901)
9. Tom Cassen, North Platte, Neb., GT/BA '98 Olds, 10.470 (-0.900)
10. Abe Loewen, Regina, Can.,SS/DM '98 Pontiac, 10.115 (-0.885)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., DT/SA '99 Dakota, 13.290 (-1.260 seconds
under index)
2. Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., I/S '72 Nova, 12.268 (-1.212)
3. John Gallina, Las Vegas, G/SA '86 Regal, 12.064 (-1.196)
4. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA '71 Challenger, 11.258
(-1.192)
5. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA '69 Camaro, 11.081 (-1.099)
6. Kevin Helms, Byers, Colo., B/S '69 Camaro, 11.307 (-1.093)
7. John Cooper, Laporte, Colo., A/SA '67 Fairlane, 11.148 (-1.032)
8. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., D/SA '67 Mustang, 11.755 (-1.025)
9. Marlin Bogner, Kearney, Neb., B/SA '64 Plymouth, 11.486 (-0.964)
10. John Irving, Boulder City, Nev., E/SA '71 Dart, 11.979 (-0.961)