NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES - Friday from Memphis

QUALIFYING CUT SHORT AT MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK
        MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Cold temperatures forced officials to pull Top
Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC) and Comp Eliminator
qualifying from the schedule of the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge, a
round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
        Super Stock and Stock competitors made qualifying laps and the
Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street and Sportsman Motorcycle classes ran
time trials.  However, NHRA and track officials felt the track was too cold
to run the higher horsepower vehicles.
        "While we had sun on the track the surface heated up enough to run
cars," said NHRA Division Director Craig Hutchinson.  "But the temperature
was expected to drop again in the late afternoon about the time the alcohol
cars were scheduled to run so we felt it was safest to cancel them
altogether.  The weather looks good for the rest of the weekend so we
decided to play it safe."
        Bob Dennis of Shorter, Ala., is currently leading the Super Stock
qualifying.  Dennis drove his 1997 Firehawk GT/MA to a 10.818-second run,
on a 12.05-second index.  In Stock, Santa Fe, Tenn., resident Charles
Ingram is No. 1.  Ingram made an 11.438-second pass in his 1991 Corvette
J/SA on a 12.75-second index.
        Qualifying in the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge continues
Saturday at 9 a.m.  Gates at Memphis Motorsports Park open at 8 a.m.  TAD
and TAFC are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
        General admission tickets for the event are $20 each Saturday and
Sunday.  Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult.  For more
information, contact Memphis Motorsports Park, (901) 358-7223, or visit the
web site, www.memphismotorsports.com.

Following is Friday's qualifying for the NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge, a
round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., 1997 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.818 seconds, 
-1.232 under index
2. Randall Klein, Lincoln, Neb., 1956 Nomad, SS/NA, 11.253, -1.197
3. Terry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, 1996 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.126, 
-1.174
4. Red LeBlanc, Bartlett Tenn., 1969 Mustang, SS/G, 9.594, -1.156
5. Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., 1996 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.870, -1.130
6. Scooter Anderson, Bartlett, Tenn., 1967 Chevy, SS/G, 9.627, -1.123
7. Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, 1998 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.603, -1.097
8. Robert Cruzen, Cleveland, Okla., 2001 S-10, GT/TC, 10.381, -1.069
9. Gilbert Johnson Jr., Arabi, La., 1991 Calais, GT/JA, 10.95, -1.055
10. Kenneth Vaughn, Columbia, Tenn., 1968 Camaro, SS/D, 9.452, -1.048

STOCK
1. Charles Ingram, Santa Fe, Tenn., 1991 Covette, J/SA, 11.438 seconds,
-1.312 under index
2. Jerry Bennett, Mayfield, Ky., 1979 Aspen, I/SA, 11.345, -1.255
3. Debbie Cardwell, Ruston, La., 1990 Pontiac, K/SA, 11.270, -1.230
4. Al Corda, Elk Mound, Wis., 2001 Firebird, C/SA, 10.484, -1.216
5. George Widuch, Hermitage, Tenn., 1978 Plymouth, J/SA, 11.544, 
-1.206
6. Jeff Swanson, Arlington, Texas, 1993 Mustang, I/S, 11.321, -1.179
7. Bob Gipson, Bettendorf, Iowa, 1965 Biscayne, P/S, 12.520, -1.130
8. Nathan Davis, Hernando, Miss., 2001 Camaro, F/SA, 11.025, -1.125
9. Gary Duncan, Olive Branch, Miss., 1985 Camaro, K/SA, 11.859, 
-1.091
10. Martin Burke, Flowermound, Texas, 1969 Mustang, C/SA, 10.628, 
-1.072