NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals-Saturday from IRP

NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES - NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS
INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK, INDIANAPOLIS
Saturday, September 13, 2003
SUMMIT RACING SERIES HIGH SCHOOL CHAMP CROWNED, ELIMINATIONS IN ALL OTHER
CLASSES UNDER WAY AT IRP
INDIANAPOLIS - Racing continued today at Indianapolis Raceway Park at the
NHRA North Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals.  More than 700
racers representing tracks from across the division are vying for
individual and team championships.
Track teams are comprised of the best racers from each facility competing
in six classes including Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Bike. 
Each team may also include a Youth Team of up to six Jr. Dragster
competitors (divided into three age groups) and two High School class
racers.
        
It was an emotional winner's circle after the completion of the High School
category as Kil-Kare Dragway's Christina Parriman celebrated her win over
Branden Elam who represented Pacemakers Dragway Park.  Parriman's father is
in the military serving in Iraq and the back window of her 1970 Nova
sported pink shoe polish that read, "I love you dad!  Come home soon." 
Parriman's 15.207-second, 87.38-mph pass was just enough to best Elam's
15.645-second, 84.99-mph effort in his 1989 Firebird.  For her win,
Parriman was awarded a coveted NHRA "Wally" trophy. 
        Tomorrow's individual winners in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and
Super Pro Bike will advance to compete for a national championship against
winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona,
Calif., in November.  They will each receive $3,500 for participating in
the Finals and the national champion in each class will earn an additional
$5,000.
        Earlier today, North Central division officials selected a Best
Appearing Vehicle in each category.  Best Appearing winners also each
received an NHRA "Wally" trophy.  The favorite in the Super Pro Class was
Adam Cline's 1978 Malibu.  Cline is running for Beech Bend Raceway.  In
Pro, the winner was the 1967 Camaro of Tom Blincoe who is racing for Ohio
Valley Dragway.  Gateway Int'l Raceway Sportsman racer Paul Hagen had his
1972 Nova selected as best appearing and in Super Pro Bike, the honors went
to National Trail Raceway's Bruce Sarver who rides a 2000 Kawasaki.
        Eliminations in the North Central Division Summit Racing Series
Finals will continue Sunday at IRP.  Gates open at 7 a.m. and racing begins
at 9 a.m.  Jr. Dragsters will have two time trails starting at 8 a.m. and
will run eliminations with all other categories throughout the day.