Friday From Phoenix, Ariz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES - PACIFIC DIVISION FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2001

FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY HOSTS NHRA'S SEASON OPENER

CHANDLER, Ariz.-The Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series begins in the NHRA'S Pacific Division with the Magnificent Seven Season Opener. The event is expected to draw more than 500 competitors in eight racing categories, vying for national and divisional honors totaling more than $560,000. With all eyes focusing on four-time defending national champion Rick Santos, the Federal-Mogul Dragster category is tougher than it has been in years. Said Lehi, Utah resident Mike Strasburg, "We know the Oakwood Homes team is the one to beat. Adding, the success that they have had the past few years has set the bar to unbelievable heights." In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, last years divisional champion John Weaver will have his hands full fending off rivals Larry Miner and Doug Gordon for this years championship. "With the new rule changes, we just hope to be as competitive as we were last year," said Weaver. Also, making the Dragster and Funny Car class more competitive is the change from an eight-car field to a sixteen-car field. "In our efforts to try and respond to the wants and needs of our membership, the NHRA Pacific Division will be implementing sixteen-car Dragster and Funny Car fields for the seven Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series events within the division. It is our sincere hope that this change will help bolster the participation within these classes." Said NHRA Pacific Division Director, Brian Stickel. Three of the top four finishers in last year's national standings in the Super Stock category are here to try and improve on their position from last year. The DeFrank brothers, Jimmy and Tony along with their teammate John Scheiss, figure to be strong candidates for the Super Stock national championship title in 2001.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER No qualifying runs today

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR No qualifying runs today

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR 1. Bill Kent, Midland, Texas, '00 Dragster, C/D, 7.073 seconds, -0.757 2. Kirk Kuhns, Yorba Linda, Calif., '63 Corvette, AA/PM 6.453, -0.697 3. David Cook, Magnolia, Texas, '00 Dragster, A/D 6.693, -0.667 4. Dean Howerton, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., '00 Dragster, C/D, 7.181, -0.649 5. Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, Calif., '38 Chevrolet, AA/PM,6.504, -0.646 6. Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley, Calif., '96 Dragster, A/ND, 7.443, -0.627 -More- 7. Jeff McClintic, Albuquerque, N.M., '96 Dragster, B/D, 7.028, -0.592 8. Phil Cocuzza, Acton, Calif., '95 Firebird, D/AA, 8.081, -0.579 9. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Tenn., '34 Chevrolet, C/SR, 8.865, -0.565 10.John Edwards, Claremont, Calif., '96 Avenger, E/AA, 8.477, -0.533

SUPER STOCK 1. Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., '68 Plymouth, SS/AA, 8.984 seconds, -1.156 under index 2. Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '01 GM, GT/BA, 9.556, -1.144 3. Gary McGlasson, Los Lunas, N.M., '69 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.911, -1.139 4. Jimmy DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '89 Chevrolet, GT/HA 10.425, -1.085 5. Howard Thompson, Wildomar, Calif., '95 Mustang, GT/EA, 10.022, -1.078 6. Dave Raybourn, Modesto, Calif., '68 Dodge Dart, SS/AA, 9.081, -1.059 7. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Chevrolet, GT/FA, 10.217, -1.043 8. Doug Lambeck, Northridge, Calif., '92 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.153, -0.987 9. Don Bevers, Tucson, Ariz., '91 Ford, SS/BM, 8.856, -0.984 10.Abe Loewen, Regina, Sascathewan, Can., '98 Pontiac, 9.380, -0.960

STOCK ELIMINATOR 1. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 Pontiac GTO, 11.775 seconds, -1.355 under index. 2. Don Sarrett, Glendale, Ariz., '77 Ventura, 14.746, -1.274 3. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, 10.200, -1.260 4. Joseph Aluise, Laurel, Md., '63 Chrysler, 10.223, -1.237 5. Dave Irvin, Glendale, Ariz., '65 Chevelle, 12.719, -1.221 6. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 GTX, 10.648, -1.212 7. Chris Whitney, Sun Valley, Calif., '67 Fairlane, 10.469, -1.191 8. Marka Gallina, Las Vegas, Nev., '84 Buick, 12.014, -1.166 9. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., '76 Aspen, 11.876, -1.054 10. Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '76 Volare, 11.737, -1.054

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