They call him 'The General' and he doesn't mind. The reason he has the nickname is why Tim
Richards continues to be a successful crew chief within NHRA POWERade Drag Racing. Richards and
his wife Kim (daughter of Miller Lite crew chief Dick LaHaie) tune one of the most competitive
cars in Top Fuel - the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster driven by Brandon Bernstein. In his career,
Richards has tuned Joe Amato and Kenny Bernstein to championship seasons as well as the car
that helped legendary driver Connie Kalitta win his first and only Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
Last year Richards guided Brandon to three wins in the first eight races before a crash sent
Brandon to the sidelines for the remainder of the season. With six-time NHRA champion Kenny
Bernstein forced to come out of retirement, Richards led the team to four more wins before the
'03 season ended. With Brandon back in the seat, Richards and Co. have been able to keep points
leader Tony Schumacher honest, winning two races so far this season. Richards and the rest of
the Budweiser dragster team will be working toward win No. 3 this weekend during the 24th
annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. In this Q&A session,
Richards talks about why they win, whether this is the best season in Top Fuel in a long time
and why he is the luckiest husband in the pits.

Q: What made you get involved with drag racing in the first place?

RICHARDS: Drag racing was something that every kid back then could afford to do. Really all you
had to do was take your mother's car to the drag strip and race it. It didn't cost a lot of
money and it was something that was available to everyone if you could find a drag strip that
was close to you. I just happened to be lucky and had one close to me.

Q: When did you decide that you were more suited for tuning rather than driving?

RICHARDS: When I stopped racing my own cars. I had been pretty serious about Super Stock racing
and I was given most of my equipment. I didn't have to buy much. When Chrysler pulled out of
racing at the end of 1971, I couldn't afford to have my own cars anymore. That pretty much set
the stage. I was very lucky when a man by the name of Joe Amato happened to live in the same
area. He decided he wanted to go racing with Chrysler power, which he had never used to that
point and everyone knew I was into the Chrysler stuff pretty heavy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

RICHARDS: I enjoy the people. I enjoy the fact that you can still, on any given day, be the
best. I enjoy the competition between the crew chiefs and the teams. It's very much a team
sport, as all motorsports are. If you don't have the right people working for you the team
probably won't go anywhere.

Q: You had to bring on new crew members this year and it seems as though the Budweiser crew
hasn't skipped a beat. How do you develop team chemistry?

RICHARDS: To begin with you try to hire the right person. There is a certain kind of person I
go for and like to have on my team. I feel like we are very lucky because we had to hire three
people this year and they have really taken to the team and learned a lot since they came here.
There is more involved with hiring someone than just what they have done in the past. You need
to know what kind of person they are.

Q: Why is this team successful?

RICHARDS: Because this program was successful before I got here. I think it comes from the
leadership and the ownership of this company. They have a program that allows you to win if you
believe in it. From every standpoint, whether getting sponsors or the performance of the car,
it's the leadership from the top that allows success to happen.

Q: Kenny Bernstein has had Budweiser for 25 years. What is it like to be the crew chief on a
team that has such a strong relationship with its sponsor?

RICHARDS: It's one less thing for us to worry about. It's a big worry for everyone out here
that six months down the road you might not have a sponsor. That's the biggest thing for every
team owner, to be able to hold on to your sponsor. I think the blue print is out there for
everyone to take a look at and see why (Bernstein) has been successful. You don't have to go
too far to see why it works. When we came here, I just had to worry about how to get the team
up and running and get the performance to where it needed to be. Everything else was in place.
We didn't have to figure out a better way to pay bills, or anything like that.

Q: What was it like working for Joe Amato during his championship seasons?

RICHARDS: It was a very similar setup. The systems were already in place. I just had to worry
about the team itself and our performance. That is a big deal to me. There are a lot of people
out here that I have a lot of respect and admiration for. People like the Worshams that handle
everything from tuning the car all the way back. They take care of every aspect of running a
race team. Having your own race team is very complex and they do it all. There are a lot of
people out here who have to do it all. I think if you ever want to grow in this business,
modeling yourself after this (Budweiser) team isn't a bad thing to do.

Q: What do you think about multiple-car teams?

RICHARDS: For myself, I would rather not be involved in a multiple car team. If there was a two-
car team here I would try to work with it, obviously. But for me, I work a lot better in a
single-car effort. Why would I want to help the other car beat me? That's what everyone with a
two or three-car team is faced with. It's kind of a dilemma and I just assume not be in that
dilemma. When the possibility came up for this team back when a big sponsorship deal was
running around, my take on it was that you should hire the best person you possibly can and try
to keep us as separate as possible. Obviously if one team is struggling really hard, you need
to try to help. But I think for me that would be the best way to race a two-car team and have
success with both cars. It's kind of a dilemma in drag racing. It's not like in NASCAR where
you absolutely need someone to help you along. If you don't have a two-car team there, you're
in deep trouble. There are 30-40 cars in a race and that's a different deal all together. Drag
racing is so small and you can impact a 16-car field so much if you have three cars in it. I am
not quite sure if that's a good thing for drag racing.

Q: What is it like working side-by-side with your wife?

RICHARDS: For me it's perfect. We get to be together all the time. Like any kind of auto racing
you spend so much time away from home that it's a real good thing to be able to work together.
It's very important for us to be together. I'm sure that's all we will ever do. If one of us is
gone, then both of us are gone. That's the way we look at it. We're not going to be separated.
She is thoroughly capable of running one of these cars on her own. She gives that up so we can
work together. She understands everything that goes into this car. She understands the systems
on the car, how they work and in some areas, she knows more than I do about it because she's
the one doing the work on the car. She takes care of the whole drive line of the car, from the
engine to the back of the wheels, that's her department completely. Beyond that, she takes car
of the pneumatic system of the car, which is very extensive. All of these things are very big
issues and she has no problem with them. She certainly is my sounding board and what she has to
say about something carries a lot of weight on what I decide to do.

Q: Looking back on your career is there something that you are most proud of?

RICHARDS: I think the race that I probably enjoyed winning the most was the 1994 U.S. Nationals
(Indianapolis) with Connie Kalitta. The guy is a legendary racer. He is legendary person and he
had never won Indy and he raced as much as anyone out here. He burned more nitro than anybody.
Everyone always has a chance to win Indy, but he had never won that race. To be there and to be
his crew chief when it finally did happen, I was very proud of that. We've had a lot of big
wins, but that one is probably the single greatest win. As far as the season, 2001 was the
best. When we came here, there were some people who thought we couldn't do this or maybe I was
beyond doing this as well as other people. I never thought that at all. We set out to change
that and to prove that our boss wasn't over the hill either. Certainly (Kenny Bernstein) can
jump in the car tomorrow and he is still one of the best drivers. There's not many people that
are beyond his level. Certainly there are a few but he is a very fine race car driver. He
wanted to win (the championship) for us as much as we wanted to win it for him. The season as a
whole was really a tough battle but in the end, we prevailed. That was our best season. It was
special for Kim and I because that was our first championship together, on the same team.

Q: How did Brandon Bernstein's crash at Englishtown in 2003 affect the team? Is he a better
driver for having been through that incident?

RICHARDS: Certainly he is a better driver. Those are the hard lessons that somewhere along the
way, you learn out here. Sometimes you get away with it without being seriously injured, but
sometimes you don't. I know he's learned plenty. It affected the team a lot. Our driver,
basically, was out for the year and he got a pretty serious injury. That is going to affect
everyone's mind. Physically it affected us because we didn't have a back-up car that was as
good as the one he was driving. That was a new car and it was an updated version of the first
car we got from Murff McKinney. It was a better car and it took us a while to replace that and
get back to a normal situation. As far as our performance that year, we weren't as good as we
wanted to be at all. Basically it took me too long to figure out the difference in the tires.

Q: The O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway was the first race when both nitro
categories were all racing on the same new tire. How's the team adjusting to another tire
change?

RICHARDS: Right now everyone is in the same boat and everyone is going to have a hard time
because there is a new tire out here again. I listen to the radio and I hear them talking about
NASCAR and how the tires have impacted them. It's the same thing over here. I think the reasons
that change had to come over here is to help make the tire safer. That's what drives change
over here. Over there, it's a different story. They were looking for something else on the
track, it wasn't a safety issue. Over here, the cars keep going faster so the tires have to get
better and they have had problems for many years with the temperature of the tires. They
probably have made a big stride in fixing that problem. But it's something that is going to
happen every once in a while. You're going to have a new tire to deal with and I think it's
good they decided that everyone needs to be working with the same tire. It's going to be an
adjustment for every body. We'll see what happens.

Q: Who is your favorite driver that you've worked with in your career?

RICHARDS: I would say the favorite driver to work for is Conrad (Kalitta) because he is fun to
race with. He loves to race and he does it for fun. He enjoys racing. He doesn't do it for the
money. He just loves racing and he is very passionate about it. I never met a guy who more
properly fit the saying, 'A spade is a spade.' The people who work for him love to work for the
guy because he is a lot of fun. You have a good time when you race with him.

Q: What's it like working with Brandon?

RICHARDS: He's a great kid. He's the real deal. His personality is what it is all the time
whether he's at the track or in the shop. He is very efficient and he takes care of business.
He is very much like his dad in those respects. It's a funny thing because he is so different
from his dad, and yet they are so similar. He's a great kid and he really has it all. He
doesn't have the experience in a race car that I am sure two or three years won't cure. He's
not bad now and he works at getting better all the time.

Q: What makes the Kenny Bernstein Racing and the Budweiser team a good place for you and Kim?

RICHARDS: We like the system. We buy into his system because if you have any common sense, it
works. We feel comfortable with him. We have systems to take care of anything that arises in
this company and it doesn't cause a big ripple in anything that goes on. It's comfortable if
you like a system. I like a system. I like to work in a place where just about any problem
already has a way to be solved.

Q: What do you like better, Funny Car or Top Fuel?

RICHARDS: That's a tough question. I would say that Top Fuel cars are certainly the one I would
rather work on. Funny Car is much more of a challenge for everybody and that's from the owner
all the way down. The body presents a whole different issue and taking care of it requires more
crew. It's a huge deal. I enjoyed our time with Funny Cars and I felt like we could do
something. I felt like we had pretty good success for what was available. Everybody is trying
to get where (John) Force is and not everyone will get there. He's the pinnacle.

Q: Is there some technology for Top Fuel that is on the horizon that we should expect to change
the category?

RICHARDS: I doubt it. There might be something out there and I am sure there are things out
there that would change the way these things run radically. I just don't think those things
will be allowed. I don't believe there is a need for these cars to go faster than they do now
as far as speed. Anytime you up the ante in the speed area, it also ups the ante for what could
happen and the demands on these cars. I don't think it's necessary that these cars go any
faster. I don't think we need to go any faster for the people to be entertained. I see no real
gain if the cars go 350 or 360 mph.

Q: What are the keys to being a successful crew chief?

RICHARDS: I think it's about hiring the right people. It doesn't matter how good I am at doing
my job. If I don't have the best people working underneath me, it doesn't matter what I do.
It's very important to have the best people you can get to do the work on the car. If you have
one that doesn't do it, then you've got a problem. Especially years like this when I have three
new people, it's important that the people who have been working here follow up on everything
they did until they learned their job. We still follow up on each other. We have systems in
place where people check on other people's work and I think that is real important. But you
have to have the right people in the first place.

Q: How did you get the nickname 'The General?'

RICHARDS: I am big on doing things the same way all the time. I am real big on the fact that we
keep going up and down the track. I am big on systems and being consistent. I guess Joe Amato
thought I was tough on the boys from time to time. I didn't think I was, but Joe was quite sure
I was so he put the name on me.

Q: How does Top Fuel competition today rate against the last 30 years?

RICHARDS: It's as good as it's ever been. There's more cars that have a chance to win the
championship this year than I think in quite a while.

Q: How does the Budweiser team rate in the group competing for the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel
championship?

RICHARDS: I think we have a chance. We have our shot. It's not going to be easy for anyone to
do it, but I think we have a chance. Whether we do or don't, that's another story.

Q: Have you ever considered retirement and when you would like to stop tuning cars?

RICHARDS: No, I haven't given that any thought. I enjoy what I am doing out here and as long as
I can do it, I will be here. I see no reason to retire. The physical part of it for me is back
at the shop and I really enjoy that. When I get to the race track everyone else does the
physical work.

Q: If you weren't involved with the racing industry, what would you do for a career?

RICHARDS: I started out as a tool maker. I worked in machine shops and eventually became a tool
maker. I do enjoy, very much, machining parts and making up tools. I probably would have stayed
in that area. I don't know though because from a very early age on I was a car nut. I was into
cars. I would have still been around cars. Like most of us out here, we are all car nuts.

Q: Do you send a Father's Day card to your father-in-law and competitor, Dick LaHaie?

RICHARDS: You mean Dad? Of course. I put my name on all the cards.

WHAT: 24th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, the seventh of 23 events in
the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in four categories
earn points leading to 2004 NHRA POWERade championships.

Sportsman competitors in seven categories earn points leading to 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series championships.

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. I-85 to Exit 149 (Hwy 441). After exiting the freeway,
go north on Highway 441 to Steven Tanger Blvd. Take left on Tanger and then go right on
Ridgeway Road.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, May 13-16.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.4 million.

SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, May 13 -- Sportsman time trials and qualifying begin at 8 a.m.

FRIDAY, May 14 -- Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 15 -- Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 16 -- Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION: Saturday, May 15, ESPN will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m.
(ET).
Sunday, May 16, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

2003 EVENT
WINNERS: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Tony Pedregon, Funny Car; Warren Johnson, Pro Stock; Geno
Scali, Pro Stock Bike.

TRACK
RECORDS: Top Fuel - 4.505 seconds, 327.98 mph by Brandon Bernstein, May '03
Funny Car -- 4.768 seconds by John Force, May '03; 325.69 mph by Tony Pedregon, May '02
Pro Stock -- 6.811 seconds by Warren Johnson, May '02; 203.12 mph by Kurt Johnson, May '03
Pro Stock Bike - 7.113 seconds by Angelle Savoie, May '02; 190.73 mph by Shawn Gann, May '03

NATIONAL
RECORDS: Top Fuel -- 4.441 seconds (Oct. '03, Reading, Pa.) by Tony Schumacher; 333.25 mph
(Nov. '03, Pomona, Calif.) by Doug Kalitta
Funny Car -- 4.721 seconds (May '03, Joliet, Ill.) by John Force; 329.18 mph (Sept. '03,
Joliet, Ill.) by Gary Scelzi
Pro Stock -- 6.670 seconds, 207.18 mph (May '03, Englishtown, N.J.) by Greg Anderson
Pro Stock Bike - 7.049 seconds (May '02, Englishtown, N.J.) by Angelle Savoie; 194.10 mph (May
'01, Englishtown, N.J.) by Matt Hines

TICKETS: For tickets call NHRA, (800) 884-6472 or Ticketmaster at (404) 249-6400. Tickets also
available at nhra.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Thursday: Adult, $10; Junior (6-17 years), free.
Friday: Adult, $27; Junior (6-17 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $40; Junior (6-17 years), $10.
Sunday: Adult, $42; Junior (6-17 years), $10. Child (5 years-under), admitted free with paying
adult in general admission and pit access areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $35; Junior (6-17 years), $18; Child (5
years-under), $8. Saturday: Adult, $50; Junior (6-17 years), $20; Child (5 years and under),
$10. Sunday: Adult, $54; Junior (6-17 years), $22; Child (5 years and under), $12. Call NHRA
for four-day passes and campground information.

CONTACT: NHRA Communications Department, (626) 914-4761. Anthony Vestal, ext. 425
(626-695-6649, cell).

FUNNY CAR DRIVERS AIMING FOR ATLANTA VICTORY
COMMERCE, Ga. - In the first six races of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season, there have
been five different winners in the Funny Car category. Only points leader Del Worsham has
earned two victories.

Whit Bazemore drives the Matco Tools Dodge Stratus and is winless in two final round
appearances so far this season. He is headed to him home track, Atlanta Dragway, and looking
for his first victory of the season.

"The competition is really close," Bazemore, winner of the 2002 Atlanta event, said. "There are
a lot of good, consistent race cars in our field. It is going to take a consistent car,
consistent preparation and consistent driving to win races. If you are off just a little bit,
chances are that you are going to get beat."

Bazemore and the rest of the Funny Car category will be vying for the chance to gain more
points and the victory at the 24th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
presented by Pontiac at Atlanta Dragway, May 13-16. Larry Dixon, Tony Pedregon, Warren Johnson
and Geno Scali are the defending winners in their respective categories for the $1.4 million
race, the seventh of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. It is the
third of 15 events for the Pro Stock Bike class.

Bazemore said this year has been tougher than most in terms of winning a race.
"In the past you could make a mistake in the first round or even the second round, and still
manage to get through and get the win light," Bazemore said. "This year you can't make a
mistake even in the first round. Every car that qualifies is capable of winning the race."

Pedregon earned his first victory in Funny Car at Atlanta in 1996. One of the crew members of
that team was Eric Medlen. When Pedregon left John Force Racing at the end of the 2003 season,
Medlen was chosen to replace Pedregon in the seat of the Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang. Medlen is
hoping for similar results when he makes his first trip to Commerce.

"I'm really excited about going to Atlanta for the first time as a driver," Medlen said.
"Atlanta is the place where Tony Pedregon got his first win when he beat John Force in the
final. Who knows? Maybe I can face John in my first final too."

Medlen has been to three semifinals in the first six events. He has two first round losses, but
is looking to make up for the early exits.

"I'm learning something every time I go down the race track," Medlen said. "We've had a couple
of runs that weren't great, but we know what gave us problems and we will fix it."

Ron Capps, like Medlen and Bazemore, is also aiming for his first victory of the 2004 season.
While Capps has lost in the first round five times, he said the Skoal Racing Chevy Monte Carlo
team is making vast improvements.

"The results don't show yet, but we are getting there," Capps said. "It just so happens that
when we have run real well in eliminations day, we still have been out-run. But we are getting
down the track and I think we are going in the right direction. I'm happy with the way the car
has been running. I'm looking forward to racing at Atlanta Dragway because it is one of those
tracks where the crew chief has to do their job, but a driver really has to be on their game
too."

2004 NHRA POWERADE POINT STANDINGS
(Following six of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERADE Drag Racing Series)

UPDATED 5/3/2004 (Victories in parentheses)
(does not include results from the May 10-13, 2004 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern
Nationals)

TOP FUEL
Place Driver Points
1. Tony Schumacher, Long Grove, Ill., U.S. Army dragster (4) 576
2. Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster (2) 495
3. Doug Kalitta, Ann Arbor, Mich., Mac Tools dragster 394
4. Dave Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., Kalitta Air dragster 354
5. Larry Dixon, Indianapolis, Miller Lite dragster 319
6. Darrell Russell, Hockley, Texas, Keystone/DeeZee dragster 306
7. Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., Carrier Boyz/Berryman Products dragster 297
8. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., Snap-on Tools dragster 276
9. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 104+ Octane Boost dragster 274
10. David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., American Racing Wheels dragster 272

FUNNY CAR
1. Del Worsham, Chino Hills, Calif., Checker Schuck's Kragen Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2) 460
2. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang (1) 418
3. Gary Densham, Bellflower, Calif., Auto Club of Southern Calif. Ford Mustang 374
4. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Levi, Ray, & Shoup Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1) 351
5. Eric Medlen, Indianapolis, Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang 346
6. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Matco Tools Dodge Stratus R/T 345
7. Phil Burkart Jr., Yorkville, N.Y., Checker Schuck's Kragen Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1) 344
8. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., Hemi Oakley Dodge Stratus R/T 322
9. Jerry Toliver, Temecula, Calif., Schick Quattro Toyota Celica (1) 318
10. Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Quaker State Chevrolet Camaro 299

PRO STOCK
1. Greg Anderson, Charlotte, N.C., Vegas General Const. Pontiac Grand Am (5) 668
2. Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., ACDelco Chevrolet Cavalier (1) 470
3. Jason Line, Terrell, N.C., KB Framers Pontiac Grand Am 373
4. Jeg Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, Jeg's Mail Order Chevrolet Cavalier 365
5. Larry Morgan, Newark, Ohio, Team Mopar Dodge Stratus R/T 346
6. Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am 324
7. Dave Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, Bullet Motorsports Chevrolet Cavalier 313
8. Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Reher-Morrison/Speedco Pontiac Grand Am 280
9. Jim Yates, Alexandria, Va., Sea Ray Boats Pontiac Grand Am 226
10. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., Dart Machinery Chevrolet Cavalier 211

PRO STOCK BIKE
(Following two of 15 events)
1. Andrew Hines, Indianapolis, Vance & Hines Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson (1) 196
2. Karen Stoffer, Minden, Nev., Geico Direct Suzuki (1) 190
3. Geno Scali, Chicago, Trim-Tex Drywall Products Suzuki 153
4. Antron Brown, Indianapolis, U.S. Army Suzuki 151
5. GT Tonglet, New Orleans, Vance & Hines Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 150
6. Mike Berry, Littleton, Colo., MB Precision Machine Suzuki 105
7. Shawn Gann, Stoneville, N.C., Gann Speed Suzuki 87
8. Steve Johnson, Philadelphia, Prosthetic Design Incorporated Suzuki 83
Angelle Savoie, New Orleans, U.S. Army Suzuki 83
10. Chip Hunter, Lebanon, Ind., Lucas Oil Suzuki 64
Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge, La., Calmes Motorsports Suzuki 64

TOP FUEL
* Tony Schumacher, from Long Grove, Ill., won his fourth event of the 2004 season by defeating
Clay Millican in the final round. Schumacher powered his U.S. Army dragster to the finish line
in 5.802 -seconds at 283.73 mph to outrun Millican?s 104+ Octane Plus dragster, which smoked
the tires early and recorded a performance of 10.446 at 73.75. It was the 15th career win for
Schumacher and his first at Bristol Dragway.
* With the victory, Schumacher remained No. 1 in the Top Fuel standings, 81 points ahead of
second-place Brandon Bernstein, who was eliminated by Schumacher in the semifinals.
* For the first time this season Schumacher earned the No. 1 qualifying position. His track
record time of 4.523 at 327.66 paced the 16-car field. It is the 10th top qualifying position
of his career.
* Larry Dixon, the defending POWERade Top Fuel champion, lost to Doug Herbert in the first
round and is fifth in the POWERade standings. It was his second first-round loss in the first
six races of 2004. In 2003, Dixon was eliminated once in the opening round (Las Vegas 2) the
entire season.
* Doug Kalitta was defeated by David Baca in the first round - his first opening round loss of
the season behind the wheel of the Mac Tools dragster. After earning two runner-up finishes in
the first two races of 2004, Kalitta has not advanced past the second round. The Bristol loss
dropped the Mac Tools team more than 100 points behind second-place Bernstein in the POWERade
standings.

FUNNY CAR
* John Force, from Yorba Linda, Calif., earned his first win of the year and his first national
event victory at Bristol Dragway in his Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang. Force?s 110th
career victory came with his pass of 4.781 at 322.88, beating Whit Bazemore?s tire-smoking run
of 13.224 at 93.50 in the Matco Tools Dodge Stratus.
* With the victory, Force has earned at least one victory at each of the 20 facilities on the
current 23-race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule.
* Del Worsham lost in the second round to rookie Eric Medlen but maintained his lead in the
POWERade standings. He has a 42-point advantage over Force, who moved from fourth to second
with the victory.
* Bazemore earned his first No. 1 qualifying position this season and the 25th of his career.
Bazemore crossed the finish line in 4.770 at 321.27 to take the top spot.
* Tony Pedregon, the defending NHRA POWERade Funny Car champion, lost in the first round to
Medlen and is 10th in the POWERade standings.
* Gary Scelzi earned a $1,000 bonus by earning the Motel 6 ?Who Got the Light? award when he
defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. by 0.0027 of-a-second in the first round of Funny Car eliminations.

PRO STOCK
* Greg Anderson, from Charlotte, N.C., scored his fifth win of the season and 21st of his
career. Anderson beat teammate Jason Line in the final round for the second consecutive race.
Anderson went 6.754 at 203.12 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to outrun Line?
s KB Framers Grand Am which recorded a pass of 6.790 at 202.94.
* Anderson earned the No. 1 qualifying position for the sixth time this season and for the 23rd
time of his career. He established both ends of the track record for the fifth time this season
with a run of 6.790 at 202.52 for the No. 1 spot.
* Anderson has been the No. 1 qualifier at all six POWERade events so far this season. He has
earned 11 consecutive top qualifying positions dating back to the Chicago 2 event in September
of 2003. The record for most consecutive top qualifiers is 23, held by 10-time Pro Stock
champion Bob Glidden (1986-?88).
* The only track record that Anderson did not set this season was the speed record at
Gainesville, Fla., which was set by Kurt Johnson.
* Anderson increased his lead in the POWERade standings with the victory. He leads Johnson by
198 points, and he has a 295-point lead over Line, who sits in the No. 3 spot.
* Line has been as low as 11th in the Pro Stock standings this season. His back-to-back runner-
up finishes have catapulted him into third place. Line is racing his first full season of Pro
Stock and is a candidate for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award given annually to the top
rookie performer.
* Notable DNQ?s: Barry Grant, Mike Edwards, V Gaines and Rickie Smith.

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Bristol Dragway was the only track on the NHRA schedule where John Force has
not posted a win in his career. That ended Monday as Force earned his 110th career victory and
completed a sweep of NHRA national events during the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Tony Schumacher and Greg Anderson also earned victories in their respective categories at the
$1.2 million race, the sixth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
The race was delayed one day because persistent rain showers fell on the track Sunday.

Force beat Whit Bazemore in the Funny Car final and is now 42 points out of first place in the
standings, behind leader Del Worsham. Force drove his Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang to
a 4.781-second run at 322.88 mph to beat a tire-smoking 13.224 pass at 93.50 by Bazemore in his
Matco Tools Dodge Stratus.

"Rusty Wallace told me I was a weak dog the other day, and that I needed to just go out there
and win, just get it done," Force said. "He did it a few weeks ago in Martinsville [Va.] and
now I finally got my 110th, so I guess we both still have some left in the tank."

It was the first win of the season for Force, who lost to Worsham in the final round at
Gainesville, Fla. in March.

"It really was great to watch all three of my teams work together this weekend," Force said.
"Eric Medlen went out there and took out the reigning champ and then he knocked off the points
leader. Gary Densham and that group did a good job. It was a great team win. It's great to
slide in here and finally win one at Bristol. Beating my old buddy Bazemore in the final was
just a bonus. The Funny Car race is going to be tough all year. Del Worsham has the baddest hot
rod and we're all chasing him."

Tony Schumacher earned his fourth win of the season and 15th of his career by beating Clay
Millican in the Top Fuel final. Schumacher drove his U.S. Army dragster to the victory with a
5.802 at 283.73 while Millican smoked the tires of his 104+ Octane dragster and slowed to a
10.446 run at 73.75.

"Being 4-0 (in final rounds this year) sounds great until you stand next to Greg Anderson and
see that he's 5-0," Schumacher said. "Man, that's incredible but we're not doing too bad
either. I'm so proud of this entire Army team. We have to thank the diehard fans who stayed
with us through the rain. I think we have every fan who was able to come back here today
partying right here with us in the winner's circle and they deserve our thanks."

Greg Anderson beat his teammate, Jason Line, for the second consecutive race. The two racers
qualified in the No. 1 and 2 spots, as Anderson took the top spot in qualifying for the 11th
consecutive event. Anderson's fifth win of the season and 21st of his career came with a 6.754
at 203.12 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am. Line, in his second consecutive
final round, went 6.790 at 202.94, in his KB Framers Grand Am.

"Jason is tougher by the run. Not the weekend, by the run," Anderson said. "I knew I was going
to have to dig deep to get the win away from him. He's going to be a major player in this
category. I thought it was going to take six months or so, but I think it is going to happen
much sooner."

Anderson has a 198-point lead over Kurt Johnson. Line beat Johnson in the semifinal round.
"It was a good race for all of us," Anderson said. "A great day for KB Racing and Ken Black.
We're all enjoying ourselves so much right now. We all shake our heads every day. You just
never expect to run like this in this class. And to put up these kind of numbers at altitude is
just another big boost for us. I can't believe it's happening, but it sure is fun. Maybe not
for everyone else, but it is for us."

The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern
Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., May 13-16.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the Fourth annual
O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Quaker State at Bristol Dragway. The $1.2
million race is the sixth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:
1. Tony Schumacher; 2. Clay Millican; 3. Brandon Bernstein; 4. Scott Weis; 5. David
Grubnic; 6. Doug Herbert; 7. David Baca; 8. Cory McClenathan; 9. Doug Kalitta; 10. Rhonda
Hartman-Smith; 11. Darrell Russell; 12. Larry Dixon; 13. Scott Kalitta; 14. Brady Kalivoda;
15. Scott Palmer; 16. Bruce Litton.

FUNNY CAR:
1. John Force, Ford Mustang; 2. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus; 3. Eric Medlen, Mustang; 4.
Phil Burkart, Chevy Monte Carlo; 5. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo; 6. Gary Scelzi, Stratus; 7.
Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo; 8. Gary Densham, Mustang; 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo; 10.
Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica; 11. Tony Bartone, Pontiac Firebird; 12. Bob Gilbertson,
Firebird; 13. Ron Capps, Monte Carlo; 14. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette; 15. Tony Pedregon,
Chevy Camaro; 16. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo.

PRO STOCK:
1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am; 2. Jason Line, Grand Am; 3. Kurt Johnson, Chevy
Cavalier; 4. Bruce Allen, Grand Am; 5. Jim Yates, Grand Am; 6. Darrell Alderman, Dodge
Stratus; 7. Dave Connolly, Cavalier; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier; 9. Ron Krisher, Cavalier;
10. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus; 11. Larry Morgan, Stratus; 12. Allen Johnson, Stratus; 13.
Warren Johnson, Grand Am; 14. Steve Johns, Cavalier; 15. Troy Coughlin, Cavalier; 16. Mark
Pawuk, Grand Am.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Monday's final results from the Fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals presented by Quaker State at Bristol Dragway. The $1.2 million race is the sixth of
23 in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 5.802 seconds, 283.73 mph def. Clay Millican, 10.446 seconds,
73.75 mph.

Funny Car -- John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.781, 322.88 def. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus,
13.224, 93.50.

Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.754, 203.12 def. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.790,
202.94.

Competition Eliminator -- Ian Landies Jr, Chevy Cavalier, 8.200, 162.98 def. Tony Stephenson,
Cavalier, 8.189, 163.53.

Super Comp -- Todd Senseney, Dragster, 8.887, 163.69 def. Shane Carr, Dragster, 8.881, 161.36.

Super Gas -- Jeff Klomps, Chevy Corvette, 9.824, 158.58 def. Ray Connolly, Corvette, broke.

Stock Eliminator -- Bobby Warren, Pontiac Firebird, 10.433, 123.81 def. Mark Faul, Chevy
Chevelle, 11.145, 114.92.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Final round-by-round results from the Fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder
Valley Nationals presented by Quaker State at Bristol Dragway, the sixth of 23 events in the
$50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -
TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Doug Herbert, 4.637, 313.22 def. Larry Dixon, 4.639, 318.99; Scott Weis, 4.636,
316.52 def. Darrell Russell, 4.633, 309.27; Clay Millican, 4.567, 315.05 def. Scott Kalitta,
4.665, 316.01; Cory McClenathan, 4.604, 315.78 def. Brady Kalivoda, 4.794, 282.13; Brandon
Bernstein, 4.524, 325.92 def. Bruce Litton, 5.366, 188.89; David Grubnic, 4.636, 317.34 def.
Scott Palmer, 4.871, 278.75; David Baca, 4.528, 324.83 def. Doug Kalitta, 4.568, 326.40; Tony
Schumacher, 4.482, 331.04 def. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.582, 325.92;
QUARTERFINALS -- Millican, 5.965, 132.66 def. Grubnic, foul; Weis, 6.527, 288.83 def. Baca,
10.863, 88.92; Bernstein, 4.561, 325.06 def. McClenathan, 27.280, 68.45; Schumacher, 4.477,
331.36 def. Herbert, 4.780, 230.41;
SEMIFINALS -- Millican, 4.596, 309.84 def. Weis, 4.609, 316.60; Schumacher, 4.503, 330.88 def.
Bernstein, foul;
FINAL -- Schumacher, 5.802, 283.73 def. Millican, 10.446, 73.75.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Eric Medlen, Ford Mustang, 4.806, 315.49 def. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 11.927,
77.22; Del Worsham, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.830, 313.51 def. Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 4.865,
317.87; John Force, Mustang, 4.813, 319.75 def. Tony Bartone, Pontiac Firebird, 5.589, 176.70;
Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 4.870, 293.15 def. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 10.348, 94.85; Cruz
Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.848, 319.52 def. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette, 11.444, 71.52; Gary
Densham, Mustang, 4.827, 319.07 def. Ron Capps, Monte Carlo, 11.391, 76.11; Phil Burkart, Monte
Carlo, 14.898, 85.78 def. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, foul; Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 4.879, 299.60
def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 4.799, 323.97;
QUARTERFINALS -- Bazemore, 4.773, 315.56 def. Scelzi, 4.821, 323.97; Medlen, 4.789, 319.98 def.
Worsham, 4.805, 316.67; Force, 4.786, 325.37 def. Densham, 14.872, 90.71; Burkart, 9.254,
136.10 def. C. Pedregon, 9.239, 178.61;
SEMIFINALS -- Force, 4.781, 324.44 def. Burkart, foul; Bazemore, 6.631, 212.76 def. Medlen,
7.026, 292.27;
FINAL -- Force, 4.781, 322.88 def. Bazemore, 13.224, 93.50.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Darrell Alderman, Dodge Stratus, 6.795, 201.19 def. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.853,
200.68; Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.881, 199.94 def. Warren Johnson, Pontiac Grand Am,
6.866, 200.44; Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.824, 201.88 def. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.837,
201.46; Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.794, 201.82 def. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 14.798, 55.74; Jason
Line, Grand Am, 6.789, 202.00 def. Troy Coughlin, Cavalier, 8.188, 121.50; Jim Yates, Grand Am,
6.825, 200.65 def. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.816, 201.16; Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.771, 202.30
def. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus, 6.829, 201.94; Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.799, 200.41 def. Steve
Johns, Cavalier, 7.784, 127.01;
QUARTERFINALS -- Allen, 6.815, 200.11 def. Connolly, 10.871, 78.69; K. Johnson, 6.801, 201.70
def. Yates, 6.847, 200.29; Line, 6.790, 202.39 def. J. Coughlin, 21.153, 51.14; Anderson,
6.745, 203.25 def. Alderman, 9.355, 90.47;
SEMIFINALS -- Line, 6.773, 202.30 def. K. Johnson, 6.822, 202.24; Anderson, 6.750, 202.97 def.
Allen, 6.858, 200.65;
FINAL -- Anderson, 6.754, 203.12 def. Line, 6.790, 202.94.

Top Fuel

1. Tony Schumacher, 576; 2. Brandon Bernstein, 495; 3. Doug Kalitta, 394; 4. David Grubnic,
354; 5. Larry Dixon, 319; 6. Darrell Russell, 306; 7. Cory McClenathan, 297; 8. Doug
Herbert, 276; 9. Clay Millican, 274; 10. David Baca, 272.

Funny Car

1. Del Worsham, 460; 2. John Force, 418; 3. Gary Densham, 374; 4. Tim Wilkerson, 351; 5.
Eric Medlen, 346; 6. Whit Bazemore, 345; 7. Phil Burkart, 344; 8. Gary Scelzi, 322; 9.
Jerry Toliver, 318; 10. Tony Pedregon, 299.

Pro Stock

1. Greg Anderson, 668; 2. Kurt Johnson, 470; 3. Jason Line, 373; 4. Jeg Coughlin, 365; 5.
Larry Morgan, 346; 6. Warren Johnson, 324; 7. Dave Connolly, 313; 8. Bruce Allen, 280; 9.
Jim Yates, 226; 10. Rickie Smith, 211.

GLENDORA, Calif. (May 3, 2004) - Lucas Oil Products, the industry leader in lubricants and
fuel treatments, has been named the "Official Oil" of the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series, it
was announced today by NHRA officials. In addition, Lucas Oil also will sponsor Summit Sport
Compact driver Paul Efantis and his 2003 Toyota Solara, as he aims for a series championship in
Modified.

The commitment increases Lucas Oil's tremendous presence in NHRA. Already designated the
"Official Oil of NHRA," Lucas Oil is the presenting sponsor of NHRA's weekly magazine show on
ESPN2, NHRA 2Day presented by Lucas Oil. The company is also the title sponsor for NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series events in Brainerd, Minn. and Reading, Pa. and provides associate
sponsorship to several teams in the POWERade Series, including defending Top Fuel champion
Larry Dixon and last season's top rookie, Brandon Bernstein. The company also is the title
sponsor for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which competes at each of the 23 national
events in the NHRA POWERade Series and 45 divisional events around the country. Lucas Oil also
is the primary sponsor for two top competitors in the Lucas Oil Series, including Morgan Lucas
in Top Alcohol Dragster and Tom Bayer in Super Comp.

"We are extremely pleased to see Lucas Oil Products expanding its sponsorship role with NHRA
into the Summit Sport Compact Series," said Gary Raasch, Director of Marketing for the NHRA
Summit Sport Compact Series. "The series has grown substantially in the past three years and
with the addition of the Lucas Oil family, an already established NHRA sponsor, we look forward
to continued success as we break new ground in drag racing."

Lucas Oil's relationship with NHRA Drag Racing includes sportsman series entitlement, official
product status, onsite presence, national event sponsorship, television advertising, presenting
sponsorship of NHRA 2Day, and race team sponsorship.

"Our involvement in NHRA has been nothing but positive," said Forrest Lucas, president, Lucas
Oil Products. "Our company's growth can be directly attributed to the exposure and awareness
Lucas Oil Products has received as part of our association with NHRA. I am a supporter and
fan of NHRA Summit Sport Compact racing and intend to be involved in this sport for years to
come."

Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in
the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem solving
additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing
programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive line in the
American truck stop and auto parts industries.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of
drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag
Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman
and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The
NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA
Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal
Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths
ages 8 to 17.

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Persistent rain forced NHRA officials to postpone the final eliminations
Sunday of the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
The 16-car elimination rounds for Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will start at 10 a.m.
Monday, weather permitting.

Tony Schumacher has three wins so far this season in the U.S. Army dragster and will start the
race in the No. 1 qualifying position after he ran 4.523 seconds at 327.66 mph to pace the Top
Fuel category.

Whit Bazemore holds the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car after he went 4.770 at 321.27
in the Matco Tools Dodge Stratus.

Greg Anderson qualified first in Pro Stock for the 11th consecutive race, going 6.790 at
202.52 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am, setting both track records.

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Greg Anderson continues to dominate Pro Stock qualifying, earning his 11th
consecutive top qualifying spot Saturday during the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Tony Schumacher and Whit Bazemore also earned the No. 1 qualifying position in their
respective categories at the $1.2 million race, the sixth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Anderson drove his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to the top of the 16-car order
with a record setting run of 6.790 seconds at 202.52 mph. It is the 23rd top qualifier of his
career.

So far Anderson has defended his 2003 title with four wins and six qualifying awards. He has
been the Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier at each event dating back to last season's Chicago event in
September.

"Just because our cars are better doesn't mean we can just sit back and expect to win,"
Anderson said. "We have to set our game plan on kill and execute on every run. If we don't
think that way, then we are going to get beat."

Anderson will face Kenny Koretsky in the first round. Anderson's teammate, Jason Line,
qualified in the No. 2 position for the second consecutive event. Line will face Troy Coughlin
in the opening round.

"I think we've created a monster with Jason," Anderson said. "He is shifting better, driving
better and is better on the (reaction) lights. He is improving every run and I think he is
going to be one of the top challengers for the win on Sunday."

Schumacher lowered the track record time he set Friday, going 4.523 at 327.66 in the U.S. Army
dragster for his first Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier of the season and 10th of his career.

"Alan (Johnson, crew chief) is like a chess player," Schumacher said. "He is always thinking
seven steps ahead of everyone else. There are a lot of very intelligent crew chiefs out here
who think ahead of the pack, but I still think Alan is a couple of moves ahead of those guys
too."

Schumacher is matched against Rhonda Hartman-Smith in the first round.

Bazemore ran a 4.862 at 318.09 in his Matco Tools Dodge Stratus to lead the Funny Car class
for the 25th time of his career and first of the season.

"We are getting more and more consistent," Bazemore said. "The run we made this afternoon, the
4.85 was more important because the sun wasn't out but the track temperature was considerably
higher than what we ran in last night. It was important that we were able to go down the race
track."

Bob Gilberston will face Bazemore in round one.

Final eliminations are set for noon Sunday.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Fourth
annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Quaker State at Bristol Dragway, the
sixth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on
results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 4.523 seconds, 327.66 mph vs. 16. Rhonda Hartman-
Smith, 4.760, 302.35; 2. Doug Kalitta, 4.530, 326.32 vs. 15. David Baca, 4.709, 308.35; 3.
David Grubnic, 4.532, 323.89 vs. 14. Scott Palmer, 4.699, 297.22; 4. Brandon Bernstein, 4.535,
327.98 vs. 13. Bruce Litton, 4.654, 319.07; 5. Cory McClenathan, 4.561, 322.19 vs. 12. Brady
Kalivoda, 4.651, 316.15; 6. Scott Kalitta, 4.569, 327.66 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 4.634, 310.48;
7. Darrell Russell, 4.573, 326.56 vs. 10. Scott Weis, 4.623, 312.71; 8. Larry Dixon, 4.602,
321.42 vs. 9. Doug Herbert, 4.607, 316.30.

Funny Car -- 1. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 4.770, 321.27 vs. 16. Bob Gilbertson,
Pontiac Firebird, 5.055, 305.49; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.815, 320.66 vs. 15.
Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette, 4.999, 310.05; 3. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.817, 322.50 vs. 14.
Tony Bartone, Firebird, 4.998, 301.13; 4. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo, 4.821, 315.78 vs. 13.
Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 4.924, 293.35; 5. Eric Medlen, Mustang, 4.832, 318.24 vs. 12.
Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 4.893, 313.15; 6. Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.840, 322.65 vs. 11.
Ron Capps, Monte Carlo, 4.870, 316.90; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.851, 310.27 vs. 10.
Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 4.865, 312.93; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 4.856, 321.58 vs.
9. Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 4.857, 319.52.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.790, 202.52 vs. 16. Kenny Koretsky,
Dodge Stratus, 6.880, 200.38; 2. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.839, 201.13 vs. 15. Troy Coughlin,
Chevy Cavalier, 6.878, 199.82; 3. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.841, 201.13 vs. 14. Mark Pawuk,
Grand Am, 6.877, 199.29; 4. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.841, 200.05 vs. 13. Steve Johns,
Cavalier, 6.875, 200.47; 5. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.851, 200.71 vs. 12. Dave Connolly,
Cavalier, 6.874, 199.76; 6. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.851, 200.11 vs. 11. Jim Yates, Grand Am,
6.873, 199.61; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.853, 201.19 vs. 10. Warren Johnson, Grand Am,
6.860, 201.58; 8. Darrell Alderman, Stratus, 6.853, 200.56 vs. 9. Allen Johnson, Stratus,
6.859, 200.08.

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Top Fuel points leader Tony Schumacher paced the Top Fuel category Friday
during the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Whit Bazemore and Greg Anderson also earned the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in their
respective categories at the $1.2 million race, the sixth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher used a track record time of 4.529 seconds at 324.368 mph in his U.S. Army dragster
to lead the Top Fuel category after two rounds of qualifying. Schumacher has three wins so far
this season but has failed to earn a No. 1 qualifying position this season.

"(Not being the No. 1 qualifier) wasn't holding us back," Schumacher said. "We were still
winning the races. Being the top qualifier is great. It's a great place to be and we would love
to stay there.

"The competition is so good right now that if we can go out and run better tomorrow, so can the
other cars."

Bazemore ran a 4.862 at 318.09 in his Matco Tools Dodge Stratus to lead the Funny Car class.
If Bazemore can hang on to the top spot, it will be his first of the season.

"The car is coming around due to everyone's performance on this team," Bazemore said. "We've
had some good performances, we just haven't been consistent. We need to have four good runs in
qualifying to help us on Sunday. So far, we're 2-for-2."

Anderson drove his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to the top in Pro Stock,
setting both ends of the track record with a 6.790 pass at 202.52. If Anderson can keep the No.
1 spot for two more sessions, it will be his 11th consecutive top qualifier.

Anderson and his teammate Jason Line tested at Bristol Dragway for two days last week. They
were surprised there weren't more teams sharing the track time.

"There were only three or four other teams testing out here," Anderson said. "That really
surprised me. But you can see that our cars and other teams that tested like Allen Johnson did
well today. If I was getting crushed on race day I would certainly be testing, especially at
the track that we were scheduled to race at the following weekend. Maybe they just don't want
it as bad as we do."

The 2003 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion said the four wins out of five races this season
were not going to be enough to satisfy the team.

"We want the championship, we want more wins than last year, we want the records and we want
the bragging rights," Anderson said. "We're not going to slow down, but I can't imagine that
the other teams won't quicken their pace, so we have to keep working."

Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at noon and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are set
for noon Sunday.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the Fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder
Valley Nationals presented by Quaker State at Bristol Dragway, sixth of 23 events in the $50
million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final
eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 4.529 seconds, 324.36 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 4.530,
326.32; 3. David Grubnic, 4.532, 323.89; 4. Brandon Bernstein, 4.535, 327.98; 5. Cory
McClenathan, 4.561, 322.19; 6. Scott Kalitta, 4.569, 327.66; 7. Darrell Russell, 4.573, 326.56;
8. Doug Herbert, 4.607, 316.30; 9. Larry Dixon, 4.617, 320.58; 10. Scott Weis, 4.623, 312.71;
11. Clay Millican, 4.634, 310.48; 12. Brady Kalivoda, 4.651, 316.15; 13. Bruce Litton, 4.654,
319.07; 14. Scott Palmer, 4.699, 297.22; 15. David Baca, 4.709, 308.35; 16. John Smith, 5.692,
244.43.

Funny Car -- 1. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 4.770, 321.27; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Chevy
Monte Carlo, 4.815, 320.66; 3. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.817, 322.50; 4. Del Worsham, Monte
Carlo, 4.821, 314.90; 5. Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.840, 322.65; 6. Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 4.857,
319.52; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 4.870, 319.67; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.906,
307.09; 9. Ron Capps, Monte Carlo, 4.915, 313.00; 10. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 4.921, 300.60;
11. Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 4.924, 275.22; 12. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 4.944,
313.15; 13. Eric Medlen, Mustang, 4.997, 299.06; 14. Tony Bartone, Pontiac Firebird, 4.998,
300.26; 15. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 5.055, 305.49; 16. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette, 5.088,
296.89.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.790, 202.52; 2. Jason Line, Grand
Am, 6.840, 201.10; 3. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.841, 201.13; 4. Bruce Allen, Grand Am,
6.841, 200.05; 5. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.851, 200.71; 6. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.851,
200.11; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.853, 201.19; 8. Darrell Alderman, Stratus, 6.853, 200.56;
9. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.859, 200.08; 10. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.860, 201.58; 11. Jim
Yates, Grand Am, 6.873, 199.61; 12. Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.874, 199.67; 13. Steve Johns,
Cavalier, 6.875, 198.29; 14. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.877, 199.29; 15. Troy Coughlin, Cavalier,
6.878, 199.82; 16. Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.881, 199.91.

WHAT: ESPN2 COVERAGE: Final eliminations coverage of the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. has been moved to a prime-time slot on Sunday, May 2, 2004. NHRA POWERade Drag Racing fans can watch three hours of race coverage between 7-10 p.m. (ET). NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show, will air at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2 on Sunday, May 2 as well.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS: Sunday, May 2, 2004 between 7-10 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2.

Warren Johnson. Just say the name and you might think of a few things instantly: His nickname
is 'The Professor,' he has earned six NHRA POWERade Pro Stock championships, he seems to be a
little on the intense side of things when it comes to racing. All of the above are true. Warren
will tell you himself. Warren Johnson raced in his first NHRA event in 1971. He has been a
fierce competitor ever since. Along with those six championships, Warren has earned 92
victories - tops in Pro Stock and second overall only to John Force's 109 Funny Car wins.
Warren is known as much for his innovation in the sport of Pro Stock racing as his success. But
when it comes right down to it, Warren is simply a man of few words. He will tell you like it
is. Period. Because the sooner he can get done chatting, the sooner he can get back to work.
Warren and the rest of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is in Bristol, Ten. this weekend
for the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. In this Q&A
session, Warren talks about the records and championships, what he thinks about racing with his
son, Kurt, and whether he even knows what the word 'retirement' means.

Q: What has made you stay so motivated throughout your career?

JOHNSON: I've been motivated probably because drag racing is something I enjoy doing and I make
a living at it. This is better than a job. A job is something you have to do. Here, I want to
do something.

Q: What do you enjoy most about drag racing?

JOHNSON: The mechanical end of it. The development. The people you meet. All of those things.

Q: What brought you to drag racing more? The engine development or the competition?

JOHNSON: Probably the development side first. The racing side of it, being from northern
Minnesota at the time, when I looked at racing and trying to make a living at it, up there you
couldn't do it circle track racing. You could eke out a living with drag racing if you did it
right. Had I been down south, I would have gone circle track racing since there was opportunity
there with NASCAR.

Q: What are you most proud of in your career?

JOHNSON: I never really thought about being proud of a particular aspect. I've been able to
stay in it a lot longer than most people have. I've seen all of the studs come and go and been
able to survive that. I'm an extremely good survivor. That comes from being born and raised in
northern Minnesota where you have to make due with what you've got. It's rather frugal living
up there and it makes you appreciate what you have. It also makes you want to survive on your
own rather than having everyone else do the work for you.

Q: What do you think about the beadlocks that were put into the rules and regulations of Pro
Stock racing this season?

JOHNSON: That was a good change but that was strictly a safety issue. It was something that was
way overdue. I can understand that a lot of competitors didn't want to make the change but at
the same time, if you look at it from a safety aspect and the liability exposure that GoodYear
and NHRA would be exposed to, it was a no-brainer. We had to make the change.

Q: Why should fans prefer Pro Stock racing over any of the other categories?

JOHNSON: Because they can relate to Pro Stock. Even though it's a stretch that they are street
cars, at least it represents something that they can drive on the street, at least silhouette
wise. I can't speak from the spectator's standpoint, but I am sure that there are a lot of
gearheads that understand that the performance is pretty phenomenal for a gas-burning vehicle
that is manually shifted.

Q: How do you approach each season as far as setting goals?

JOHNSON: You have to look at the task at hand. The championship is first and foremost but at
the same time you have to balance that with looking down the road. You can spend yourself into
an oblivion and not be able to return the next season. I look at it as a business to start
with. I certainly enjoy what I am doing, but I have to look at what I am doing. I have to
financially survive because I don't have someone throwing me millions of dollars to inflate
their ego, so I have to look at this as a business. I still have to enjoy it, which I do
immensely.

Q: If you were the "King of NHRA" for the day and could make any change to the performance of
the Pro Stock class, what would you change?

JOHNSON: The category is just fine as it is. There is a lot of interest in making it a little
more high-tech with fuel injection and that sort of thing and maybe that has a place here. But
at this point and time, I think the competition is pretty keen. The racing is side-by-side and
that's what the spectators are paying for. Pro Stock racing as opposed to the other pro
categories is really the best racing, the best entertainment. The Pro Stock Bikes are pretty
close, they have close racing too. When they say that two fuel cars are within a car-length of
each other, that's 300 inches. Wow.

Q: Looking back on your six championships, do you have a favorite title?

JOHNSON: Not really. They all have equal value from the standpoint that you accomplished the
task at hand. I can't say that any one was better than the other. You always look at the first
one, because you finally succeeded at achieving your goals. The second one is usually a bit
harder because you're a target after that.

Q: Do you enjoy being the target?

JOHNSON: I never think about it.

Q: Do you thrive off the competition or do you just concern yourself with racing the tree and
the environment?

JOHNSON: That's all I can compete against. I can't drive the other lane. I can't do anything
about any other team. All I can do is worry about my particular car. I can't control anybody
else's destiny and I don't want to control anybody else's destiny.

Q: Your son Kurt has earned 28 national event victories in his career. Did you ever imagine
Kurt would become such a competitor in the Pro Stock ranks?

JOHNSON: That's hard to answer whether he would be a competitor. The driving part is really the
easy task. A competitor and a driver are two different things. That would be like comparing a
competitor and a racer. A racer will do anything it takes to win. Kurt puts in whatever hours
it takes to win. Absolutely I am proud of him. He's done great so far and the future is wide
open for him. He's on his own as far as that he makes his own choices and calls over there and
he's doing a great job.

Q: What do you like about racing with your son?

JOHNSON: I can look at it from a business standpoint and we both have the same viewpoint as far
as the fact that we are doing this first and foremost to make a living. Whether he enjoys it as
much as I do, I can't answer. He would have to answer that. But he obviously must enjoy it to a
certain extent because he puts in a lot of hours and he is always thinking about how we can
make these things go quicker and faster and creating new things and coming up with innovative
ideas. So he obviously has some enjoyment in it.

Q: If you had not been involved with racing, what would you have done?

JOHNSON: I think we can rule out me playing NBA basketball. Maybe golf. Hitting a little ball
doesn't seem to be all that hard. All you need are some shoes and a set of clubs and then you
can go and make a living at it. But golf is like a lot of other things. It looks simple and it
isn't when you try it. These guys spend hundreds of hours practicing one particular swing. When
you try to be better than anyone else at any particular thing, that is where the degree of
difficulty comes in. I suppose being a pilot would have been enjoyable, but I really haven't
thought about anything other than racing.

Q: Have you given any thought to retirement?

JOHNSON: Isn't that a social disease or something? I don't know what that is. As far as I am
concerned, retirement involves a pine box. I have to be doing something all the time. I could
be retired from the driving aspect of it and being out here everyday. But I would still be
involved with team ownership and have someone else drive it. We'll cross that bridge when it
comes.

Q: You've had great success at the U.S. Nationals in the past. This year we're celebrating the
50th anniversary of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Knowing that, would it mean more to win that
race?

JOHNSON: I won the 40th anniversary, so winning the 50th would be all right. That's what I am
going there to do anyway, so why not? If I accomplish that, so be it.

Q: Is earning your 100th win important to you?

JOHNSON: No. It has no bearing on how I race or how long I race. I have been very fortunate to
win as many races as I have and records, in reality, are only meant to be broken. Someone else
will surpass whatever I end up with someday. I don't think about any of the records or numbers.
I haven't got a huge ego like some people. I enjoy what I am doing. I may get a little more
intense than most people do but that's because I enjoy what I am doing. I don't think about
records because that is not what I am here for.

Q: What gives you satisfaction? What's the payoff for all of the hard work?

JOHNSON: Probably just the competing. Early on, NHRA was founded on guys going out and playing
with their hot rods but I looked at it as something that if I was going to do it, I had to make
a living at it. That's where it all started. It's turned into a rather lengthy career.

Q: Do you get any satisfaction knowing that people you've had working in your organization have
gone on to success in their own right? Do you like being a teacher?

JOHNSON: If someone can take something you have done and expand on it and hopefully do better,
than yes, that's a good feeling. At least you pointed them in the right direction. I've never
been paid to be a teacher, but I've run other fabricating companies, instructional steel
companies, companies along those lines and I was always having to show people how to do things
in order for the company to make a profit. I guess I have been a mentor of sorts.

Q: How did you get the nickname 'The Professor'?

JOHNSON: One of the National DRAGSTER staff writers coined the term. Way back when. I think it
was John Brasseaux. He hung that moniker on me because I was so intense at what I was doing, I
worked at it. He made the observation that for me it was more of an analytical approach to
racing. I wasn't just throwing parts at a hot rod.

BELLE ROSE, La. -- Local favorite Ross Laris, from nearby Raceland, was among winners Monday at the rain-delayed NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway Park.

Laris powered his Corvette to the victory in Super Gas, defeating Corky Markwart, who drove a Chevy S-10 to the runner-up finish.

Six other category winners were crowned at the event, a special NHRA national event featuring NHRA Lucas Oil Series categories exclusively. Vince Deceglie, Tim Cole, Jeff Hefler, Craig Anderson, Jason Buckner and Greg Lair also were winners in their respective categories.

Deceglie, from Alta Loma, Calif., captured the victory in Comp Eliminator, driving a Corvette. He earned the automatic victory when final round opponent Glen Treadwell fouled at the start in hi 23-T Ford.

Super Stock winner Cole, from Collierville, Tenn., also raced a Corvette to the winner's circle, defeating Buz Post, who drove a Pontiac Grand Am.

Mansfield, Texas' Hefler, the '98 NHRA national champion in Stock, continued his winning ways in the category by racing his Pontiac Formula to the win over Bobby Roper, who drove a Camaro.

Anderson, from Waxahachie, Texas, won Super Comp over Jeff Strickland in a close battle between dragsters, while Jason Buckner, from New Waverly, Texas, drove a Plymouth Barracuda to the Super Street victory over the Chevy Camaro of Mike Frederick.

Lair, from Canyon, Texas, earned the Top Sportsman victory, powering his Pontiac Grand Am to a 6.990 second run at 188.89 mph to defeat Tommy Turner, who posted a 7.313 at 187.78 in a Chevy Cavalier.

BELLE ROSE, La. -- Final round results for the rain-delayed NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals, completed Monday at No Problem Raceway Park.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR Vince Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., Chevy Corvette, A/A, 7.611, 110.61 def. Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23-T Ford, E/EA, foul.

SUPER STOCK Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., Corvette, SS/AX, 8.724, 149.71 def. Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, Pontiac Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.251, 164.99.

STOCK ELIMINATOR Jeff Hefler, Mansfield, Texas, Pontiac Formula, A/FIA, 10.796, 120.56 def. Bobby Roper, Toad Suck, Ark., Camaro, A/SA, 10.197, 126.73.

SUPER COMP Craig Anderson, Waxahachie, Texas, Dragster, 8.918, 174.17 def. Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., Dragster, 8.918, 155.87.

SUPER GAS Ross Laris, Raceland, La., Corvette, 9.909, 146.30 def. Corky Markwart, Largo, Fla., S-10, 9.928, 134.74.

SUPER STREET Jason Buckner, New Waverly, Texas, Pylmouth Barracuda, 10.912, 127.52 def. Mike Frederick, Beaumont, Texas, Chevy Camaro, 10.892, 143.44.

TOP SPORTSMAN Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.990, 188.89 def. Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., Chevy Cavalier, 7.313, 187.78.

WHAT: Fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Quaker State, the sixth
of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in
three categories earn points leading to 2004 NHRA POWERade championships.

Sportsman competitors in four categories earn points leading to 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series championships.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn. From Interstate 81 North, take Hwy. 11E. Take the
Virginia Exit 3 and Hwy. 11E will take you directly to the Dragway. From the I-81 South, take
Tennessee exit 69 and go south directly to the Dragway.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 30- May 2.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.2 million.

SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, April 30 -- Sportsman qualifying and eliminations, begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 1 -- Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 2 -- Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at noon

TELEVISION: Saturday, May 1, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying highlights at 7:30 p.
m. (ET).
Sunday, May 2, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final round eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE: Friday, April 30, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / Transponder 12K
Saturday, May 1, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / 12K
Sunday, May 2, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / 12K
VNR feed to include race action footage and interviews with top qualifiers and race winners.
Galaxy 11 / Transponder 12K Downlink frequency, 11942 MHz, vertical

2003 EVENT
WINNERS: Brandon Bernstein, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Kurt Johnson, Pro Stock.

TRACK
RECORDS: Top Fuel-- 4.530 seconds by Brandon Bernstein, April '03; 328.38 mph by Bernstein,
April '03
Funny Car--- 4.765 seconds by Tony Pedregon, April '03; 325.06 mph by Gary Densham, April '03
Pro Stock-- 6.853 seconds by Troy Coughlin, April '02; 201.58 mph by Ron Krisher, April '02

NATIONAL Top Fuel-- 4.441 sec. (Oct. '03, Reading, Pa.) by Tony Schumacher; 333.25 mph (Nov.
'03, Pomona, Calif.) by Doug Kalitta
RECORDS: Funny Car--- 4.721 sec. (May '03, Joliet, Ill.) by John Force; 329.18 mph (Sept. '03,
Joliet, Ill.) by Gary Scelzi
Pro Stock--- 6.670 sec., 207.18 mph (May '03, Englishtown, N.J.) by Greg Anderson
Pro Stock Bike-- 7.049 sec. (May '02, Englishtown, N.J.) by Angelle Savoie; 194.10 mph (May
'01, Englishtown, N.J.) by
Matt Hines

TICKETS: For tickets call Bristol Dragway, (423) 764-1161. Tickets also available at
www.bristoldragway.com

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $20-$25; Junior (12 years & under), $5;
Saturday: Adult, $35-$45; Junior (12 years & under), $15-$25. Sunday: Adult, $40-$50; Junior
(12 years & under), $15-$25.
Three-day reserved: Adult, $75-$95, Junior (12 years & under), $30-$50.

(Following the fifth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series)

UPDATED 4/18/2004 (Victories in parentheses)

TOP FUEL
Place Driver Points
1. Tony Schumacher, Long Grove, Ill., U.S. Army dragster (3) 458
2. Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster (2) 420
3. Doug Kalitta, Ann Arbor, Mich., Mac Tools dragster 357
4. Dave Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., Kalitta Air dragster 298
5. Larry Dixon, Indianapolis, Miller Lite dragster 286
6. Darrell Russell, Hockley, Texas, Keystone/DeeZee dragster 273
7. Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., Carrier Boyz/Berryman Products dragster 243
8. Scott Kalitta, Snead Island, Fla., Mac Tools/Jesse James dragster 229
9. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., Snap-on Tools dragster 224
10. David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., American Racing Wheels dragster 221

FUNNY CAR
1. Del Worsham, Chino Hills, Calif., Checker Schuck's Kragen Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2) 405
2. Gary Densham, Bellflower, Calif., Auto Club of Southern Calif. Ford Mustang 320
3. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Levi, Ray, & Shoup Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1) 318
4. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang 302
5. Jerry Toliver, Temecula, Calif., Schick Quattro Toyota Celica (1) 287
6. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Matco Tools Dodge Stratus R/T 272
Phil Burkart Jr., Yorkville, N.Y., Checker Schuck's Kragen Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1) 272
Eric Medlen, Indianapolis, Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang 272
9. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., Hemi Oakley Dodge Stratus R/T 270
10. Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Quaker State Chevrolet Camaro 267

PRO STOCK
1. Greg Anderson, Charlotte, N.C., Vegas General Const. Pontiac Grand Am (4) 550
2. Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., ACDelco Chevrolet Cavalier (1) 394
3. Larry Morgan, Newark, Ohio, Team Mopar Dodge Stratus R/T 312
Jeg Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, Jeg's Mail Order Chevrolet Cavalier 312
5. Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am 292
6. Jason Line, Terrell, N.C., KB Framers Pontiac Grand Am 276
7. Dave Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, Bullet Motorsports Chevrolet Cavalier 261
8. Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Reher-Morrison/Speedco Pontiac Grand Am 205
9. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., Dart Machinery Chevrolet Cavalier 201
10. Mike Edwards, Broken Arrow, Okla., Young Life Pontiac Grand Am 200

PRO STOCK BIKE
(Following two of 15 events)
1. Andrew Hines, Indianapolis, Vance & Hines Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson (1) 196
2. Karen Stoffer, Minden, Nev., Geico Direct Suzuki (1) 190
3. Geno Scali, Chicago, Trim-Tex Drywall Products Suzuki 153
4. Antron Brown, Indianapolis, U.S. Army Suzuki 151
5. GT Tonglet, New Orleans, Vance & Hines Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 150
6. Mike Berry, Littleton, Colo., MB Precision Machine Suzuki 105
7. Shawn Gann, Stoneville, N.C., Gann Speed Suzuki 87
8. Steve Johnson, Philadelphia, Prosthetic Design Incorporated Suzuki 83
Angelle Savoie, New Orleans, U.S. Army Suzuki 83
10. Chip Hunter, Lebanon, Ind., Lucas Oil Suzuki 64
Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge, La., Calmes Motorsports Suzuki 64

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Cory McClenathan has 27 career victories in NHRA Top Fuel competition. Right
now, however, he is still looking for a first. He wants to give his sponsor and local Bristol
businessmen their first win.

Before the start of the 2004 NHRA POWERade season, McClenathan and the Carrier family joined
forces to form the Carrier Boyz/Berryman Products dragster.

"The Carrier brothers have never won a race and now we are going to their home track,"
McClenathan said. "It may bring a little added pressure to perform well in front of their
friends, family and clients, but sometimes a little extra pressure is exactly what you need to
run better."

McClenathan will be aiming to win four rounds of Top Fuel competition during eliminations at
the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, April 30 - May 2.
Brandon Bernstein, Del Worsham and Kurt Johnson are the defending winners in their respective
categories for the $1.2 million race, the sixth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade
Drag Racing Series.

After the first five events of the season, McClenathan is in seventh place of the Top Fuel
point standings. His best appearance this season has been a semifinal finish in Phoenix. But if
he can, McClenathan will put his hometown owners in winner's circle at the O'Reilly Thunder
Valley Nationals.

"I'm excited to be racing with the Carrier family," McClenathan said. "They are great people
and I would be thrilled if I can help them win their first race. I'm looking forward to making
that happen. If we can get it done in Bristol, that would be even better."
McClenathan said the addition of Todd Smith as crew chief should help the team be more
consistent. Smith and McClenathan have worked together before on the Darrell Gwynn-owned
dragster.

"I think Todd is going to make a big difference on the team," McClenathan said. "He knows that
we have to be consistent to be competitive and I really think we are getting closer and closer
all the time. We put the team together in a short amount of time just before the season started
and we know it can't all come together over night. But we are getting closer."

The team may be new, but McClenathan said his goals are going to be the same as last year. They
want to win races and finish in the top half of the final point standings.

"I've learned a lot in the last couple of years about how to put a team together quickly,"
McClenathan said. "I think we are capable of finishing in the top five and that's our goal. I
would be very happy if we could accomplish that in my first year with the Carrier family. We
know that you don't have to be the quickest and fastest car on the track. We need to be
consistent and I think that is a realistic goal."

· SCHEDULE: Pro qualifying is scheduled for 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on April 30 and will continue at
noon and 3:30 p.m. on May 1. Final eliminations begin at noon on May 2.

· TICKETS: Tickets are available for the fourth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
presented by Quaker State. Call Bristol Dragway at (423) 764-1161, or visit bristoldragway.com
for ticket information.

· TELEVISION: ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying highlights at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on May
1. ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).

· ON THE WEB: NHRA news, photos and driver information available at www.nhra.com .

BELLE ROSE, La. -- Due to persistent rain showers in the southern Louisiana region on Sunday, NHRA officials were forced to postpone eliminations for the NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway Park.

Eliminations for the six NHRA Lucas Oil Series categories will resume, weather permitting, at 9 a.m. Monday. More than 550 competitors participated during the weekend.

The NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals, a national event that showcases NHRA Sportsman racing exclusively, features competition in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. Competitors can earn points toward NHRA Lucas Oil Series national championships in all categories except Super Street.

BELLE ROSE, La. – Baton Rouge racer David Robinson was crowned King of the Bayou for taking the win in the Super Shootout today at the NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway. The fields were locked for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series as the 575 racers made their final qualifying passes along with competition in several specialty races.

Joining Robinson with victories today were Charlie Wescott and Jonathan Tarrance in the SS/AA and the U/SA Shootouts respectively. Wescott took out Harry Holton with a hole-shot in a battle of ’68 Barracudas with a pass of 8.712 seconds to Holton’s 8.676 second run. Wescott’s reaction time of 0.024 seconds was nearly four hundredths of a second quicker, and enough to hold off Holton.

Tarrance of Bremen, Ky., drove his ’84 Monte Carlo to victory over fellow Kentucky resident

John McCarthy covering the quarter mile in 14.120 seconds to McCarthy’s 14.151 second lap.

In Top Fuel exhibition runs, Houston resident Darrell Russell set a track record of 305 mph at 4.80 seconds. The Joe Amato owned dragster faced off against Scott Palmer and his O’Reilly Auto Parts sponsored dragster with Palmer running a 4.96 second lap at 288 mph.

Former NHRA Pro Stock Champion Jeg Coughlin made a side by side run with Jeg’s Mail Order teammate and brother Troy Coughlin in Pro Stock. Jeg got the best of Troy with a run of 6.91 seconds to Troy’s 6.92.

Going into Sunday’s eliminations, Greg Porter held on to the number one spot in Comp Eliminator with a 8.840-second run, 0.620 seconds under the index with Colt Mikel jumping into the second spot with a 8.417, 0.603 seconds under.

Holton held on to the top spot in Super Stock and Californian Ed O’Brien is number one in Stock. Holton bettered his Friday qualifying with a run of 8.647 seconds and is followed by Buz Post of Arlington, Texas with a lap of 8.245 seconds.

O’Brien’s ’72 La Baron clocked in at 14.240 seconds, 1.210 seconds under the index while Bruce Noland is second at 11.539 seconds, 1.211 seconds under. Terry Landry of Baton Rouge is tenth, running 11.370 seconds in his ’69 Camaro.

Ronnie Davis of Commerce, Ga., took over the number one spot in Top Sportsman with a 200.95 mph pass at 6.915 seconds. Raceland, La., racer Earle Folse is second with a run of 6.927 seconds at 200.86 mph with Greg Lair in third and Keith Raftery of Lake Charles, La., qualified fourth.

The following are Saturday’s final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR

1) Greg Porter, Edmond, Okla., ‘03 Cavalier, H/A, 8.840 seconds, -0.620 (under index)

2) Colt Mikel, Hempstead, Texas, ‘02 S-10, B/TA, 8.417, -0.603

3) Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu, Texas, ‘32 Bantam, K/AA, 7.977, -0.603

4) Tim Freeman, Roan Mtn, Tenn., ‘04 Cavalier, H/SM, 9.183, -0.597

5) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., ‘32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.410, -0.580

6) Brian Self, Hempstead, Texas, ‘01 S-10, PST, 7.510, -0.580

7) Cordis Johnson, Springdale, Ark., ‘03 Cavalier, G/SMA, 9.041, -0.579

8) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., ‘92 Cutlass, H/A, 8.885, -0.575

9) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., ‘23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.502, -0.568

10) Vincent Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., ‘63 Corvette, A/A, 6.625, -0.565

SUPER STOCK

1) Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., ‘68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.647 seconds, -1.353 (under index)

2) Buz Post, Arlington, Texas, ‘01 Grand Am, SS/AM, 8.245, -1.305

3) Charlie Wescott, Parma, Mich., ‘68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.746, -1.254

4) Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., ‘68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.763, -1.237

5) Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo, Calif., ‘68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.791, -1.209

6) Eddie Smith, Sandyville, W.V., ‘68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.804, -1.196

7) Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., ‘02 Grand Am, SS/BM, 8.508, -1.192

8) Randy Hopkins, Cable, Wis., ‘68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.817, -1.183

9) Gilbert Johnson Sr, Lecompte, La., ‘66 Chevy, SS/NA, 11.275, -1.175

10) John Baughman, York, Pa., ‘68 Dart, SS/AA, 8.825, -1.175

STOCK ELIMINATOR

1) Ed O'Brien, Yorba Linda, Calif., ’72 LeBaron, BF/S, 14.076 seconds, -1.374 (under index)

2) Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., ’72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.539, -1.211

3) Jim Wahl, Deltona, Fla., ‘91 Dodge, AF/S, 13.748, -1.202

4) Keith Lynch, West Jordan, Utah, ‘70 Nova, B/SA, 10.364, -1.186

5) Amy Faulk, Collierville, Tenn., ‘01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.845, -1.155

6) Judy McCormack, Lake Orion, Mich., ‘02 Dakota, F/FIA, 11.821, -1.129

7) Jerry Bennett, Hickory, Ky., ‘79 Aspen, H/SA, 11.340, -1.110

8) Joe Schaechter, Moline, Ill., ‘65 Malibu, M/S, 12.053, -1.097

9) R.J. Sledge, Boerne, Texas, ‘67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.919, -1.081

10) Terry Landry, Baton Rouge, La., ‘69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.370, -1.080

TOP SPORTSMAN

1) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., ’63 Corvette, 6.915 seconds, 200.95 mph

2) Earle Folse, Raceland, La., ‘86 Cutlass, 6.927, 200.86

3) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, ‘03 Grand Am, 7.002, 197.59

4) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., ‘03 Firebird, 7.153, 191.40

5) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., ’04 Cavalier, 7.196, 191.87

6) Phillip Muse, Tomball, Texas, ’97 Pontiac, 7.271, 189.63

7) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., ‘92 Camaro, 7.277, 188.52

8) Britt Cummings, Hammond, La., ‘98 Firebird, 7.279, 188.67

9) Kyle Cannon, West Helena, Ark., ‘03 Cavalier, 7.296, 189.20

10) T J Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., ‘63 Corvette, 7.316, 189.79

BELLE ROSE, La. – Nearly 550 racers took to the track today for the first rounds of qualifying for the NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway. This weekend’s event, the first of its kind since 1986 when Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky., hosted the NHRA SPORTSnationals, features six of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Categories along with Top Sportsman and exhibition runs in Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Activity actually started on Thursday when the track hosted the Top Stock Shootout along with a test & tune session for racers competing this weekend. Local racer Floyd Russo of Gonzales, La., qualified number one for the shootout, but it was Ohio resident Joey Wilkes taking the win over Russo in the final round with a run of 10.092 seconds at 130.28 mph. Russo tripped the clocks at 10.204 seconds, 128.80 mph but left early with a red-light giving the win to Wilkes.

In Friday’s action, Greg Porter of Edmond, Okla., grabbed the number one sport in Comp Eliminator with a pass of 7.571 seconds in his ’03 Cavalier. Porter is followed by Tim Freeman in the second spot and David Rampy, who has 54 NHRA national event wins to his credit, in third.

Harry Holton is on top in Super Stock with his ’68 Barracuda with a pass of 8.688 seconds, 1.312 seconds under the index. Holton who runs in the SS/AA Super Stock class will join the rest of the SS/AA participants in the SS/AA Hemi Shootout, a special race within a race, on Saturday. Buz Post of Arlington, Texas, is second in Super Stock with Charlie Wescott following in third.

Local favorite Jimmy Hidalgo is twelfth in the 130-car Stock Eliminator field in his ’97 Camaro with Ed O’Brien of Yorba Linda, Calif., leading the class in his ’72 La Baron and Bruce Noland in third.

In the A.R.T. Top Sportsman class, Greg Lair of Canyon, Texas is currently qualified number one with a pass of 7.033 seconds at 197.28 mph and is followed by Ronnie Davis in his ’63 Corvette. Louisiana residents Keith Raftery and Earle Folse are 3rd and 4th respectively.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 8 a.m. with Stock and Super Stock class eliminations throughout the day. In addition to the SS/AA Hemi Shootout, the U/SA shootout, Super Shootout King of the Bayou, and the Top Sportsman Quick 8 are also special features scheduled for Saturday. For more information call the track, (985) 369-3692 or visit www.noproblemraceway.com

The following are Friday’s qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR

1 Greg Porter, Edmond Okla., H/A '03 Cavalier, 8.840 seconds, 0.620 seconds under the index 2 Tim Freeman, Roan Mtn Tenn., H/SM '04 Caviler, 9.183, -0.597 3 David Rampy, Piedmont Ala., A/EA '32 Bantam, 7.410, -0.580 4 PST Brian Self, Hempstead Texas, PST '01 S-10, 7.510, -0.580 5 Cordis Johnson, Springdale Ark., G/SMA '03 Chevy, 9.041, -0.579 6 Vincent Deceglie, Alta Loma Calif,, A/A '63 Chevy, 6.625, -0.565 7 Mike Saye, Johnston S.C., H/A '92 Cutlass, 8.897, -0.563 8 Raymond Martin, Mt Belvieu TX, K/AA '32 Bantam, 8.022, -0.558 9 Tony Stephenson, Willow Sprg N.C., F/AA '02 Chevy, 8.230, -0.550 10 Brian Browell, Lafayette Ind., D/D dragster, 7.284, -0.546

SUPER STOCK

1 Harry Holton, Modesto Calif., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.688, -1.312 2 Buz Post, Arlington Texas, SS/AM '01 Grand Am, 8.245, -1.305 3 Charlie Wescott, Parma Mich., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.746, -1.254 4 Eddie Smith, Sandyville W.V., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.804, -1.196 5 Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs Ind., SS/BM '02 Grand, 8.508, -1.192 6 Michael Ogburn, Mission Viejo Calif., SS/AA'68 Barracuda 8.812, -1.188 7 Gilbert Johnson Sr, Lecompte La., SS/NA '66 Chevy, 11.275, -1.175 8 John Baughman, York Pa., SS/AA '68 Dart, 8.825, -1.175 9 Jerry Jenkins, Modesto Calif., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.841, -1.159 10 Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill W.V., SS/AA '68 Barracuda, 8.860 -1.140

STOCK ELIMINATOR

1 Ed O'Brien, Yorba Linda Calif., BF/S '72 La Baron, 14.240, -1.210 2 Keith Lynch, West Jordan Utah, B/SA '70 Nova,10.364, -1.186 3 Bruce Noland, Leesburg Va., J/SA '72 Camaro, 11.580, -1.170 4 Jim Wahl, Deltona Fla., AF/S '91 Dodge, 13.818, -1.132 5 Amy Faulk, Collierville Tenn., C/FIA '01 Firebird, 10.872, -1.128 6 Jerry Bennett, Hickory Ky., H/SA '79 Aspen, 11.340, -1.110 7 Joe Schaechter, Moline Ill., M/S '65 Malibu, 12.053, -1.097 8 R.J. Sledge, Boerne Texas, E/SA '67 Fairlane, 10.938, -1.062 9 Daran Summerton, Panama City Fla., U/SA '89 Ponti, 14.088, -1.062 10 Jason McCormack, Oxford Mich., B/S '66 Belvedere, 10.453, -1.047

TOP SPORTSMAN 1 Greg Lair, Canyon Texas, '03 Grand Am, 7.033 seconds, 197.28 mph 2 Ronnie Davis, Commerce Ga, '63 Corvette, 7.104, 194.74 3 Keith Raftery, Lake Charles La., '03 Firebird, 7.177, 191.24 4 Earle Folse, Raceland La., '86 Cutlass, 7.188, 191.78 5 Don Peden, Edinburg Ill., '04 Cavalier, 7.245 191.48 6 Phillip Muse, Tomball Texas, '97 Pontiac, 7.288 188.31 7 Kyle Cannon, West Helena Ark., '03 Cavalier, 7.317 189.10 8 Britt Cummings, Hammond La., '98 Firebird, 7.322 188.02 9 Tommy Turner, Naples Fla., '04 Cavalier, 7.342 186.67 10 Billy Vaughn, Knoxville Tenn., '92 Camaro, 7.396 180.28

GLENDORA, Calif. -- MainGate Inc, the premier event retail and merchandise company in the
country, has been named the Official Event Merchandise Company of NHRA, it was announced
today.

The terms of the agreement call for MainGate to continue to be the exclusive on-site
merchandise company for the NHRA selling NHRA and NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series merchandise
on-site at all NHRA national events. MainGate sells NHRA licensed products including hats,
shirts, event items, jackets, novelties and other specialty items from the Nitro Mall on site
and from NitroMall.com, the premier shopping outlets for NHRA officially licensed merchandise.

"Being named NHRA's Official Event Merchandise Company is an impressive achievement, "said
MainGate President, David Moroknek. "MainGate's success with the NHRA is a product of
cooperation and collaboration, along with hard work and dedication. The MainGate team is very
proud of this accomplishment. After 40 years of being involved with NHRA, we are very excited
to be the official event merchandise company, and we look forward to continuing the
partnership. "

Some of the NHRA's highest profile teams like John Force Racing, Kenny Bernsteins' Budweiser
King Racing and Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle utilize MainGate as their official on-site
merchandise partner.

Since its founding in 1963, MainGate's primary activity has been the coordination of event
merchandise sales for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). While that segment has grown,
and remains a core part of the company's business, MainGate today has become a multifaceted
merchandising and marketing company that serves numerous other businesses. MainGate is the
exclusive on-site souvenir merchandiser of Pikes Peak International Raceway, Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association (PRCA), the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) the World Swimming
Championships and the World Basketball Championships. MainGate holds licensees for Matco Tools
Racing, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Mopar, Pontiac, IRL and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of
drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag
Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-
sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers
of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series, NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program.
The NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

TOP FUEL
* Brandon Bernstein, from Lake Forest, Calif., remained undefeated in final round appearances
in his young career when he outran first-time finalist Clay Millican for his fifth career
victory and second of the season. Bernstein powered the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to the
finish line in 4.695 seconds at 271.79 mph, driving past Millican?s 104+ Octane Boost dragster,
which lost traction and slowed to pass of 5.032 at 238.81. Bernstein has five victories in 13
career Top Fuel starts.
* Bernstein also earned his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season and the third of his
career, recording low E.T. of the event with his pass of 4.516 at 320.58 to lead the Top Fuel
field .
* With the victory, Bernstein moved within 38 points of current POWERade point leader Tony
Schumacher, who was eliminated in the second round by defending NHRA POWERade champion Larry
Dixon.

FUNNY CAR
* Tim Wilkerson, from Springfield, Ill., notched his fourth career victory in the Levi, Ray &
Shoup Chevy Monte Carlo when he covered the quarter-mile in 4.896 seconds at 303.30 mph,
outrunning Jerry Toliver?s Schick Quattro Toyota Celica, which clocked a slower run of 5.081 at
277.03. Wilkerson?s first victory of the season catapulted him from ninth to third in the NHRA
POWERade standings, two points behind second-place Gary Densham. Toliver, who won the season-
opener at Pomona, Calif., then failed to qualify at the following event at Phoenix, moved into
fifth in the standings with his 10th career final round appearance.
* Densham drove his Auto Club Ford Mustang to the top of the Funny Car qualifying order for the
second time this season and for the eighth time in his career with his effort of 4.846 at
311.20.
* With his semifinal finish, Checker Schuck?s Kragen Monte Carlo driver Del Worsham maintained
his position atop the NHRA POWERade Funny Car standings, 85 points ahead of Densham.
* Rookie Eric Medlen collected the Motel 6 ?Who Got the Light? $1,000 bonus check for his
narrow .0014-second victory over Cruz Pedregon in the opening round of Funny Car eliminations.

PRO STOCK
* Greg Anderson, from Charlotte, N.C., continued to dominate Pro Stock and distance himself in
the standings from the rest of the field following his fourth victory in five races this
season. Anderson steered the Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am down the quarter-mile
in 6.738 seconds at 205.57 mph, well ahead of teammate and first-time finalist Jason Line. It
was Anderson?s 20th career victory. Line?s KB Framers Grand Am came out of the groove and began
to shake, forcing the rookie to shut the engine off early and coast through the timers at 9.466
at 98.16. Anderson now has an 18-1 record in eliminations this season, 30-1 over the last eight
events, and is 154-67 for his career for a .697 winning percentage.
* Anderson earned the No. 1 qualifying position for the fifth straight event and for the 10th
consecutive time dating back to 2003 (Chicago 2). Anderson drove his Grand Am to both ends of
the track record when he shut the clocks off at 6.693 at 205.72. The record for most
consecutive Pro Stock top qualifying positions is 23, held by Bob Glidden (1986-?88). Dating
back to the 2003 season-opener, Anderson has been the top qualifier at 19 of the last 28 NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series events.
* Anderson has established nine of 10 possible track records at the first five events this
season with his only omission being the speed record at Gainesville, Fla., which was set by
Kurt Johnson.
* Anderson?s victory increased his lead in the standings to a 156-point margin over Johnson.
Jeg Coughlin and Larry Morgan are tied for third, 238 points behind Anderson and 82 points
behind Johnson.
* Notable DNQ?s: Troy Coughlin and Mark Pawuk.

PRO STOCK BIKE
* Karen Stoffer made NHRA history, becoming the seventh female winner in a professional
category when she rode her Geico Suzuki past Antron Brown for the victory. Stoffer, who was the
runner-up to Angelle Savoie at Reading, Pa. in the first all-female final round in Pro Stock
Bike history, covered the distance in 7.159 seconds at 186.38 mph. Brown?s U.S. Army Suzuki,
which qualified No. 2, posted losing numbers of 7.176 at 186.05. Stoffer?s first-ever NHRA
victory came in her third career final round appearance, which moved her into a career-best
position of No. 2 in the point standings, six points out of first.
* Andrew Hines secured the No. 1 qualifying spot for the second straight event and for the
second time in his career, riding the Screamin? Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to the top
of the qualifying order with his track record time of 7.072 at 190.03.
* The O?Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals was the second of 15 national events for the two-wheel
category.
* Savoie, the three-time defending Pro Stock Bike champion, qualified in the No. 11 spot atop
her U.S. Army Suzuki. It was the second time in her career that she has qualified in the bottom
half of the field, both occurrences coming at the first two events of the 2004 season.
* With his semifinal finish, Hines remained atop the Pro Stock Bike standings, six points ahead
of Stoffer and 43 points in front of defending NHRA POWERade champion Geno Scali.