Notes from the NHRA FMDRS--Lebanon Valley Dragway

NOTES FROM THE NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES---LEBANON VALLEY
DRAGWAY

ITS ALL ABOUT THE PARTY AND SHOW AT LEBANON VALLEY DRAGWAY 

        West Lebanon, N.Y.-Over 500 racers make the long trek from as far
away as Central Florida to soak in the fun and festivity at the Lebanon
Valley Dragway Diamond RV Center 4th of July Extravaganza.  Lebanon Valley
Dragway is tucked in the rolling hills of West Lebanon, N.Y.--about
30-miles east of Albany.  Tucked in-between all the festivities is the
fourth round of the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing
Series.
        Friday evening is the show-first round of Federal-Mogul Dragster
and Funny Car qualifying, Pro-Mods, Wheelstander,  Jet Cars and Fireworks
keep the over 4500 spectators in awe until nearly 11 p.m.  Saturday night
is the racer appreciation Bar-B-Que for all the racers and crews.  Super
Comp racers Chuck and Deb Rothermal of nearby Kinderhook, N.Y. began the
annual feast many years ago as a "small" party in their pit.  On Saturday,
over 750 huge Bar-B-Que diners were served courtesy of the Rothermal's,
Iannotti Racing and OK Food Products and every one went home happy.  
        "What began as an informal gathering for racers at Rothermal's
trailer many years back has evolved into one of the most popular features
of the Federal-Mogul event," said Kyle Bartletta, Lebanon Valley Dragway
Track Operator. "It is also an important element of our family-friendly
reputation."

WENDLAND TAKES HIS "OLD" DRAGSTER OUT FOR A WEEKEND DRIVE

        West Lebanon, N.Y.- Rob Wendland of Lawrence, Kan. thought he made
his last pass in "his" In-N-Out Burger Federal-Mogul Dragster at the 1999
AAA NHRA World Finals in Pomona, Calif.  The Mike Troxel owned dragster was
parked after that race until this weekend at Lebanon Valley Dragway.  
        The familiar red and white blown alcohol dragster still has
Wendland in the cockpit and even the famous In-N-Out Burger and fries
pictured on the side but the ownership of the car has changed.  Long time
NHRA Comp Eliminator competitor, Tom Pickett of Boston, Mass. purchased the
car from the Troxel family earlier this year.  Pickett brought the car to
Lebanon Valley Dragway to get some shake down laps on his newly purchased
dragster and who better to put in the drivers seat for the tune up than the
cars former driver, Wendland.  Friday's first run out of the trailer was
better than anyone could have expected-5.688 seconds at 249.03mph. 
Wendland took the No. 3 qualifying position and went on to lose a close
first round match against Tim Slagle of Fairfax, Va.
        Wendland, who finished No. 6 in the 1999 NHRA Federal-Mogul
Dragster national points and runnered-up to David Wells of LeMars, Iowa in
the 1999 NHRA West Central Division Federal-Mogul Dragster points, has kept
busy in the last year and a half crewing for his father-in-law, John
Lawson. Lawson drives the Lucas Oil Products Nitro Funny Car on the NHRA
Winston Drag Racing Series.  Wendland has given Lawson a two year
commitment and then he wants to drive again.  
        "I would love to get a ride in Top Fuel," said Wendland.  "But
after getting back into the car this weekend-I would race just about
anything.  I have passed up some opportunities to drive early this year but
I'm looking forward to getting a full time ride."
        Wendland will ensure a little more job security late in October
when his wife, Cathy gives birth to Lawson's first grandchild.  

DUST CUTS THIRD ROUND OF FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING SHORT

        West Lebanon, N.Y.- Controversy occurred in the final round of
Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying on Saturday when dust and dirt from the
Lebanon Valley Speedway (circle dirt track) began drifting onto the drag
racing surface.  NHRA Northeast Division Director, Bob Lang called off all
further racing due to the dust on the track.  The cancellation of the rest
of the race day left five Federal-Mogul Funny Cars in the staging lanes
without third round qualifying attempts.  John Fiorini of Dalto, Mass.,
Craig English of Milford, Conn. and Micky Ferro of Stamford, Conn were on
the outside looking to get in the field when racing was halted.  The
Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars are guaranteed at least two
qualifying attempts at each event with the third optional depending on
day-to-day circumstances (i.e. rain and excessive oil downs).
        "The early session of Federal-Mogul Dragster and funny car put us
52 minutes behind schedule due to oil downs," said Lang.  "Unfortunately,
the excessive oil downs caused us to over lap with qualifying at the circle
track..  So due to the dust settling on the racing surface from the 1000
foot mark and on-it made it unwise to continue the third round of funny car
qualifying."

 BONUS AWARDS GIVEN OUT AT LEBANON VALLEY DRAGWAY
 
        West Lebanon, N.Y.-The Sealed Power Low Qualifier awards were
awarded to Arthur Gallant of Boxboro, Mass. in Federal-Mogul Dragster and
Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J. in his '01 Dodge Avenger Federal-Mogul
Funny Car each collected $1000.  In Comp Eliminator, Frank Aragona of
Franklin Square, N.Y. took home $200 from Sealed Power. James Zane of
Bordentown, N.J. collected the $200 check for being low qualifier in Super
Stock and Cecil Frazier of Canton, Mass. in Stock earned $100 bonus from
Sealed Power.
        Peter Stickles of Dover, N.H. won the Competition Photos Best
Appearing Car honors with his beautiful Stock '80 Chevrolet Camaro.  Gene
Emes of Uxbridge, Ont., Canada took home the Competition Photos Best
Engineered Car/Truck award with his '01 Super Stock Chevrolet S-10 Pick-up.
 Best Appearing Crew award was collected by Kent Hanley of Newtown, Conn.
and his Winnebago-Itasca Super Stock/Super Comp Race Team.  
                                                
                                                -30-