Summit Finals Sunday from Las Vegas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES FINALS - PACIFIC DIVISION
THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Sunday, October 14, 2001

WINNERS HIT THE JACKPOT AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
        LAS VEGAS - Winners in the NHRA Pacific Division's Summit Racing
Series Finals will head to Pomona, Calif., in November to take on the
winners from NHRA's six other divisions.  The event, which boasted nearly
800 cars, featured competition in four categories - Pro, Sportsman, Street,
and Motorcycle - competing for a share of the $27,160 purse.  Competitors
in the High School class earned trophies.
        The winners in the top four categories will head to California for
a chance at a winner-takes-all $5,000 purse.  They will also receive $3,500
to cover travel expenses. 
        The Pro category was an all-Inyokern Dragstrip affair.  Steve
Parsons beat out teammate David Leighton for the win.  The team from Las
Vegas Motor Speedway also had two racers in the Sportsman final.  Richard
Ariotti took the win over Paul Haszlauen.  In Street, Redding Dragstrip's
Richard Dreher beat Danny Cole from Sacramento Raceway Park, and in
Motorcycle, Joseph Smith, who was runner-up in yesterday's Race of
Champions event representing Southwestern International Raceway, won over
Lonnie Woodruff from Rocky Mountain Raceway.
        "I can't wait to go to Pomona in some new leathers!" said a
triumphant Smith.  Then, pointing at the worn riding gear he was wearing,
added, "These old duct-taped pants have to go!"
        In High School, Sacramento Raceway Park's Tim McNamara beat Andy
Locke from Los Angeles County Raceway.
        In the race for the coveted team championship, Sears Point Raceway
won for the third consecutive year, scoring 118 points.  They were followed
closely by Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Speedworld Motorplex.