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NHRA: Summit Finals from Sears Point

29 September 2000

ROAD TO POMONA KICKES OFF AT SEARS POINT

        SONOMA, Calif.- Nearly 600 racers made the trip to Sears Point
Raceway for this weekend's NHRA Pacific Division Summit Racing Finals and
their chance to run for the National Championship at Pomona Raceway in
November. Top points earners from 14 race tracks throughout Arizona,
Nevada, Utah, and California kicked off the action with time trials today
in the Pro, Sportsman, Street, Motorcycle, and High School Categories.
        "We've always had a good bracket racing program here in the Pacific
Division," voiced one NHRA official, "but with Summit coming on board this
year, there's so much more excitement in the air. The division finals here
this weekend mean everything with the newly established national run off in
Pomona."
        Winners from this weekend will meet up with the winners for the
other six NHRA divisions at the NHRA AAA Finals held in Southern California
in mid-November. Each of the 28 participants who qualify and make the trip
to Pomona will receive $3,500 with an additional $5,000 going to the winner
in each of the four categories.
        Racers this weekend are competing for more than $27,000 in cash
awards as well as earning points towards a team championship. Last year's
Team Championship went to Sears Point Raceway as they beat out Los Angeles
County Raceway for the title. Leading Sears Point to their win were the
father/son team of Ted and Kyle Seipel who took individual wins in the Pro
and Sportsman classes respectively.
        In a smaller race held during today's time trials, Kevin Pope of
Exeter, Calif. took out Kevin McClelland in the final round of the High
Roller event while Steve Caldwell beat Tony Brorsen in the Gambler final. 
        Gates open at 7 a.m. on Saturday with final time trials set for 8
a.m. Round one of eliminations are scheduled for 2 p.m.