Reichert increases division lead, Snyder scores first win at Beech Bend Lucas Oil event
8/30/2009


DIVISION 3
Beech Bend Raceway Park
Bowling Green, Ky., Aug. 28-30, 2009 

Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central

Sunday 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2009) – NHRA North Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors closed out the 2009 season at Beech Bend Raceway Park this weekend.  Defending event champion Bill Reichert scored the Top Alcohol Dragster win again, increasing his lead in the division point standings, while Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., earned his first Top Alcohol Funny Car win of the year.

Reichert carried his No. 1 qualifying momentum into the winner's circle when he beat Brandon Booher of Urbana, Ill., in the final.  Although Booher left first, Reichert laid down a 5.387-second, 261.22 mph pass which was more than enough to cover Booher's 5.658-second, 227.96 mph lap.  This was Reichert's fifth final-round appearance on the divisional level this year and his fourth win.

The Top Alcohol Funny Car final was anticlimactic because Andy Bohl broke on the burnout, giving Snyder a free pass to the winner's circle.  However, in the semis, Snyder beat No. 1 qualifier Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga.  This was Snyder's third final-round appearance this year and his first win while Bohl has had been to the finals at his last three races. He also has one win on the year.

Veteran Comp Eliminator racer David Rampy wheeled his roadster to the win over Chad Voges, St. Peters, Mo., and Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown, Ind., drove his '69 Camaro to the win in Super Stock, beating Charlie Bohannon, Valley Station, Ky., in the final.  Chris Stephenson, Tipton, Ind., ousted Brent Robbins, Cookeville, Tenn., in the Stock Eliminator final as Corey Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., beat Brad Plourd, Maple Valley, Wash., to grab the Super Comp title.  Steven Hoyt, Ft. Wayne, Ind., took his '63 Corvette all the way to the Super Gas win, taking out Michael Ruff, Orlando, Fla., in the final round.  The Super Street win went to Eureka, Mo., racer Louis Murray when he checked Bowling Green's own Mark Smith in the final.  The win in Top Sportsman went to Warren, Ohio's Marco Abruzzi who beat out Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill.  Robert Cireddu, Perry, Ohio, joined the other winners when he jettisoned Brandon Chauvin, Gonzales, La., in the Top Dragster final.

This was the last NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event on the North Central division calendar.  Racers may continue to earn points at out-of-division races until the last divisional event, which is slated for Nov. 5-8 in Las Vegas.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.479, 246.84 def.
8) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.573, 245.85

7) Brandon Booher, Urbana, Ill., 5.527, 257.97 def.
2) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., broke

3) Ken Perry, Richmond Hill, Ont., 5.405, 260.16 def.
6) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 14.908, 47.47

5) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.576, 252.85 def.
4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.562, 263.31

Semifinals
Reichert, 5.341, 265.22 def. Hirata, 14.146, 59.43
Booher, 5.534, 258.37 def. Perry, 10.010, 53.40

Final
Reichert, 5.387, 261.22 def. Booher, 5.658, 227.96

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.652, 256.36 def.
8) Thomas Carter, Victoria, Texas, '08 Monte Carlo, 9.335, 97.15

2) Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., '07 Mustang, 5.647, 255.43 def.
7) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 20.936, 37.98

6) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '08 Charger, 5.631, 256.06 def.
3) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '07 Monte Carlo, 9.147, 91.53

4) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '09 Mustang, 5.636, 256.36 def.
5) Fred Hagen Jr., Des Plaines, Ill., '09 Mustang, 5.645, 254.52

Semifinals
Snyder, 5.646, 255.68 def. Harker, 5.699, 255.24
Bohl, 5.626, 257.28 def. Martin, 5.804, 252.61

Final
Snyder, 8.523, 104.74 def. Bohl, broke

COMP ELIMINATOR
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.425, 147.83 def.
Chad Voges, St. Peters, Mo., '32 Bantam, K/A, 8.077, 138.13

SUPER STOCK
Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown, Ind., '69 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.787, 131.90 def.
Charlie Bohannon, Valley Station, Ky., '67 Corvette, SS/HA, 9.851, 126.66

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Chris Stephenson, Tipton, Ind., '86 Firebird, H/SA, 11.368, 115.76 def.
Brent Robbins, Cookeville, Tenn., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.419, 114.30

SUPER COMP
Corey Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., dragster, 8.915, 165.62 def.
Brad Plourd, Maple Valley, Wash., dragster, 8.901, 161.40

SUPER GAS
Steven Hoyt, Ft. Wayne, Ind., '63 Corvette, 9.909, 161.81 def.
Michael Ruff, Orlando, Fla., '67 Camaro, 9.915, 164.25

SUPER STREET
Louis Murray, Eureka, Mo., '73 Camaro, 10.885, 150.60 def.
 Mark Smith, Bowling Green, Ky., '82 Mustang, 10.837, 136.61

TOP SPORTSMAN
Marco Abruzzi, Warren, Ohio, '68 Camaro, 10.429, 85.71 def.
Bill Gibson, Steger, Ill., '01 Grand Am, foul

TOP DRAGSTER
Robert Cireddu, Perry, Ohio, dragster, 6.791, 194.21 def.
Brandon Chauvin, Gonzales, La., dragster, 6.809, 197.57

Saturday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Aug. 29, 2009) – Nearly 600 racers in 10 categories took to the strip at Beech Bend Raceway Park during qualifying and time trials for the NHRA North Central division's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.  Defending event champion Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., blasted the field in Top Alcohol Dragster to move into the No. 1 spot while Gainesville, Ga., racer Steve Harker moved into the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Reichert peeled off a 5.262-second, 265.64 mph blast to move knock Robin Samsel of Marion, Ind., out of the No. 1 position.  Samsel did not improve on Friday's 5.370-second, 262.39 mph effort.

Harker moved up from the No. 3 spot with a 5.621-second, 255.48 mph run while Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., also improved, moving from the No. 6 slot to No. 2 with a 5.680-second, 255.10 mph run.  Friday's best qualifier, Chris Foster of Davenport, Iowa, failed to surpass his initial 5.684-second, 251.53 mph lap.

In Comp Eliminator, Adam Hickey, Hammond, La., jumped to the No. 1 spot from No. 3 while Super Stock racer James Caro, Houma, La., kept his '05 Stratus in the No. 1 position.  In Stock Eliminator, Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., stayed atop the pack in his '69 Camaro. Top Sportsman competitor John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., moved ahead of Eric Burnett, Charlestown, Ind., for the top qualifying spot and Jerry Powell II, Kokomo, Ind., continued to lead the Top Dragster contingent.

Racing continues Sunday at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations begin immediately.  Racers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon. 

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway are $20.  Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. 

Beech Bend Raceway Park is located 2 miles north of Bowling Green on Beech Bend Road.  For more information call the track, (270) 781-7634, or visit www.BeechBend.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.262 seconds, 265.64 mph
2) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.370, 262.39
3) Ken Perry, Richmond Hill, Ont., 5.386, 257.97
4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.434, 262.90
5) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.437, 261.32
6) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 5.468, 254.18
7) Brandon Booher, Urbana, Ill., 5.542, 256.36
8) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.651, 246.12
Not Qualified
9) Dave Hill, Valparaiso, Ind., 5.801, 252.85

First round TAD pairings
1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.262 seconds, 265.64 mph vs.
8) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.651, 246.12

2) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.370, 262.39 vs.
7) Brandon Booher, Urbana, Ill., 5.542, 256.36

3) Ken Perry, Richmond Hill, Ont., 5.386, 257.97 vs.
6) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 5.468, 254.18

4) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.434, 262.90 vs.
5) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.437, 261.32

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.621 seconds, 255.48 mph
2) Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., '07 Mustang, 5.680, 255.10
3) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '07 Monte Carlo, 5.684, 251.53
4) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '09 Mustang, 5.692, 254.23
5) Fred Hagen Jr., Des Plaines, Ill., '09 Mustang, 5.726, 250.51
6) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '08 Charger, 5.735, 254.42
7) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.767, 245.00
8) Thomas Carter, Victoria, Texas, '08 Monte Carlo, 5.796, 254.71
Not Qualified
9) Paul Noakes, London, Ont., '98 Mustang, 5.884, 237.92
10) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ont., '99 Mustang, 5.892, 242.58
11) Mark Rogers, Highlands, N.C., '02 Firebird, 5.953, 233.84
12) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.973, 240.51
13) Jason McKnight, Barrie, Ont., '08 Impala, 6.614, 195.36

First round TAFC pairings
1) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.621 seconds, 255.48 mph vs.
8) Thomas Carter, Victoria, Texas, '08 Monte Carlo, 5.796, 254.71

2) Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., '07 Mustang, 5.680, 255.10 vs.
7) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.767, 245.00

3) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '07 Monte Carlo, 5.684, 251.53 vs.
6) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '08 Charger, 5.735, 254.42

4) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '09 Mustang, 5.692, 254.23 vs.
5) Fred Hagen Jr., Des Plaines, Ill., '09 Mustang, 5.726, 250.51

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Adam Hickey, Hammond, La., '06 Cobalt, C/SMA, 8.215 seconds, -0.595 (under index)
2) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, G/ED, 7.965, -0.595
3) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.614, -0.586
4) Rick Brown, Lebanon, Ohio, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.256, -0.584
5) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.819, -0.581
6) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.302, -0.578
7) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.236, -0.574
8) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.288, -0.572
9) Ernest Watson, Humble, Texas, '05 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.005, -0.555
10) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '09 GXP, D/AA, 7.695, -0.555

SUPER STOCK
1) James Caro, Houma, La., '05 Stratus, SS/BM, 8.378 seconds, -1.272 (under index)
2) Rick Twitchell, Cape Coral, Fla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.174, -1.226
3) Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky., '85 Mustang, SS/N, 11.038, -1.212
4) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '08 Cobalt, SS/CM, 8.600, -1.200
5) Jeff Colvert, Arkadelphia, Ark., '69 Mustang, SS/G, 9.558, -1.192
6) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '07 Cobalt, SS/CM, 8.609, -1.191
7) Rich South, Pataskala, Ohio, '05 Sunfire, GT/EA, 9.769, -1.181
8) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.543, -1.157
9) John Armstrong, Kingston, N.S., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.848, -1.152
10) Terry Earwood, Deland, Fla., '82 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.403, -1.147

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.265 seconds, -1.285 (under index)
2) Robert Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '69 Nova, J/SA, 11.466, -1.284
3) Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky., '85 Mustang, O/S, 12.143, -1.257
4) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '09 Challenger, A/SA, 10.118, -1.182
5) M.J. Quinn, Louisville, Ky., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.427, -1.173
6) Wade Owens, Cape Girardeau, Mo., '66 Chevelle, M/SA, 11.988, -1.162
7) Sam Hamod, Hobart, Ind., '90 Firebird, I/SA, 11.447, -1.153
8) Floyd Russo, Gonzales, La., '01 Trans Am, B/SA, 10.402, -1.148
9) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, J/SA, 11.603, -1.147
10) David Horn, Decatur, Ill., '77 Trans Am, H/SA, 11.317, -1.133

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., '68 Camaro, 6.492 seconds, 211.89 mph
2) Eric Burnett, Charlestown, Ind., '05 Cavalier, 6.606, 214.11
3) Tom Stultz, Terre Haute, Ind., '92 Firebird, 6.677, 210.67
4) Billy Thoman, Mt. Washington, Ky., '63 Corvette, 6.826, 197.51
5) Randy Primozic, Wickliffe, Ohio, '01 Cavalier, 6.874, 199.05
6) Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '06 Cobalt, 6.882, 203.77
7) Belva Brinegar, Middletown, Ohio, '03 Mustang, 6.903, 200.95
8) Jerry Barker, Ft. Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.919, 200.71
9) Thomas Turner Jr., Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.928, 201.94
10) Stephen Brinegar, Germantown, Ohio, '97 Probe, 6.933, 201.85

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Jerry Powell II, Kokomo, Ind., dragster, 6.068 seconds, 227.80 mph
2) Tom Elliott, Brooks, Ky., dragster, 6.280, 218.83
3) Don Hurst, Tell City, Ind., dragster, 6.283, 214.72
4) Mike Wharram, Morton, Ill., dragster, 6.402, 211.36
5) Jason Dennis, Lubbock, Texas, dragster, 6.473, 203.61
6) Ray Miller, Spring Hill, Fla., dragster, 6.608, 201.13
7) Mark Harmon, Sunman, Ind., dragster, 6.651, 199.70
8) Brandon Chauvin, Gonzales, La., dragster, 6.688, 197.02
9) Jimmy Lewis, Forney, Texas, dragster, 6.730, 198.88
10) Phillip Oakley, Owensboro, Ky., dragster, 6.752, 196.44


Friday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Aug. 28, 2009) – Although the schedule had to be rearranged a bit due to rain earlier in the day, the opening round of qualifying is complete at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., is the best qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster and Davenport, Iowa's Chris Foster is No. 1 in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Samsel outpaced the Top Alcohol Dragster field by more than a tenth of a second, putting him squarely in the No. 1 spot.  His 5.370-second, 255.29 mph run was more than enough to cover No. 2 qualifier Ken Perry of Richmond Hill, Ont.  Perry ran 5.475 seconds at 257.97 mph.  Currently, there are nine Top Alcohol Dragsters vying for a spot in the eight-car elimination field.

Top Alcohol Funny Car's Foster laid down a 5.684-second, 251.53 mph pass to put him ahead of Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., who made a 5.692-second, 253.09 mph run.  So far, there are 13 Top Alcohol Funny Car racers trying to make the eight-car elimination field.

In Comp Eliminator, Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., leads the field while Super Stock racer James Caro of Houma, La., is No. 1 in his class.  Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., leads the Stock Eliminator contingent.  The Top Sportsman field is headed up by Eric Burnett, Charlestown, Ind., and Jerry Powell II of Kokomo, Ind., is No. 1 in Top Dragster.

Qualifying and time trials continue Saturday and eliminations start Sunday at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  Gates open at 8 a.m. both days and racing starts immediately.  Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator will qualify twice on Saturday, starting at 12:30 and 4 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car sessions are scheduled at 1 and 5 p.m.  On Sunday, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. 

Beech Bend Raceway Park is located 2 miles north of Bowling Green on Beech Bend Road.  For more information call the track, (270) 781-7634, or visit www.BeechBend.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.370 seconds, 255.29 mph
2) Ken Perry, Richmond Hill, Ont., 5.475, 257.97
3) Brandon Booher, Urbana, Ill., 5.542, 256.36
4) Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso, Ind., 5.568, 251.53
5) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.600, 222.80
6) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.672, 243.94
7) Dave Hill, Valparaiso, Ind., 6.099, 246.48
8) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 6.215, 232.43
Not Qualified
9) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 20.089, 51.31

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '07 Monte Carlo, 5.684 seconds, 251.53 mph
2) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '09 Mustang, 5.692, 253.09
3) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.739, 252.05
4) Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., '08 Charger, 5.763, 251.86
5) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.804, 245.00
6) Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., '07 Mustang, 5.816, 251.72
7) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ont., '99 Mustang, 5.892, 242.58
8) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.973, 240.51
Not Qualified
9) Mark Rogers, Highlands, N.C., '02 Firebird, 5.999, 233.48
10) Jason McKnight, Barrie, Ont., '08 Impala, 6.614, 195.36
11) Thomas Carter, Victoria, Texas, '09 Monte Carlo, 6.659, 197.51
12) Fred Hagen Jr., Des Plaines, Ill., '09 Mustang, 7.000, 136.25
13) Paul Noakes, London, Ont., '98 Mustang, 11.175, 72.30

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.307 seconds, -0.573 (under index)
2) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.296, -0.564
3) Adam Hickey, Hammond, La., '06 Cobalt, C/SMA, 8.253, -0.557
4) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.254, -0.556
5) Ernest Watson, Humble, Texas, '05 Cavalier, A/SMA, 8.007, -0.553
6) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '09 GXP, D/AA, 7.711, -0.539
7) Rick Brown, Lebanon, Ohio, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.307, -0.533
8) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, G/ED, 8.031, -0.529
9) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.674, -0.526
10) Paul Pittman, Bloomington, Minn., '07 Cobalt, B/AA, 7.116, -0.514

SUPER STOCK
1) James Caro, Houma, La., '05 Stratus, SS/BM, 8.378 seconds, -1.272 (under index)
2) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '08 Cobalt, SS/CM, 8.600, -1.200
3) John Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '07 Cobalt, SS/CM, 8.617, -1.183
4) Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky., '85 Mustang, SS/N, 11.070, -1.180
5) Jeff Colvert, Arkadelphia, Ark., '69 Mustang, SS/G, 9.592, -1.158
6) Lloyd Wofford, Jonesboro, Ark., '78 Volare, SS/JA, 10.172, -1.128
7) Rick Twitchell, Cape Coral, Fla., '03 S-10, GT/TC, 10.278, -1.122
8) J.W. Hames, Madison, Miss., '89 Daytona, GT/IA, 10.379, -1.121
9) John Armstrong, Kingston, N.S., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.882, -1.118
10) Rich South, Pataskala, Ohio, '05 Sunfire, GT/EA, 9.833, -1.117

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.265 seconds, -1.285 (under index)
2) Robert Holmes, Dayton, Ohio, '69 Nova, J/SA, 11.466, -1.284
3) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '09 Challenger, A/SA, 10.118, -1.182
4) Wade Owens, Cape Girardeau, Mo., '66 Chevelle, M/SA, 11.988, -1.162
5) Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky., '85 Mustang, O/S, 12.240, -1.160
6) Sam Hamod, Hobart, Ind., '90 Firebird, I/SA, 11.447, -1.153
7) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, J/SA, 11.603, -1.147
8) David Horn, Decatur, Ill., '77 Trans Am, H/SA, 11.317, -1.133
9) Tibor Kadar, Peoria, Ariz., '67 Camaro, D/SA, 10.739, -1.111
10) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, G/S, 11.089, -1.111

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Eric Burnett, Charlestown, Ind., '05 Cavalier, 6.742 seconds, 207.98 mph
2) John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., '68 Camaro, 6.777, 202.00
3) Billy Thoman, Mt. Washington, Ky., '63 Corvette, 6.826, 197.51
4) Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '06 Cobalt, 6.917, 202.73
5) Randy Primozic, Wickliffe, Ohio, '01 Cavalier, 6.935, 192.03
6) Thomas Turner Jr., Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.946, 201.67
7) Marco Abruzzi, Warren, Ohio, '68 Camaro, 6.958, 199.14
8) Jerry Barker, Ft. Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.959, 200.38
9) Reed Hughes, Terre Haute, Ind., '68 Camaro, 6.994, 194.32
10) Stephen Brinegar, Germantown, Ohio, '97 Probe, 7.003, 198.93

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Jerry Powell II, Kokomo, Ind., dragster, 6.068 seconds, 227.80 mph
2) Tom Elliott, Brooks, Ky., dragster, 6.431, 213.47
3) Ray Miller, Spring Hill, Fla., dragster, 6.608, 201.13
4) Jason Dennis, Lubbock, Texas, dragster, 6.707, 200.80
5) Mark Harmon, Sunman, Ind., dragster, 6.734, 199.70
6) Jimmy Lewis, Forney, Texas, dragster, 6.750, 198.88
7) Phillip Oakley, Owensboro, Ky., dragster, 6.752, 196.44
8) Dean Mc Ilvain, New Carlisle, Ohio, dragster, 6.775, 199.08
9) Allen Constantine, La Place, La., dragster, 6.781, 198.20
10) Mark Jones, Marrero, La., dragster, 6.794, 200.56

Preview

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – NHRA's North Central division will close out the 2009 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season August 28-30 at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  The race is the last of six in the region and will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships.  The division's Top Sportsman Series and Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster Series will also run in conjunction with the event.

The most intriguing race in the division is in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category.  There are four racers within 10 points of first place.  Bobby Martin of Beaver Falls, Pa., and Mick Snyder of Demotte, Ind., are tied for first place with 203 points apiece.  Class newcomer Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, is one point back and Racine, Wis., racer Andy Bohl has 193 points.

At the division's season opener at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Martin and Snyder squared off in the final round and Martin took the win.  Snyder, a former NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League competitor, made another final round appearance at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., but he fell to Foster in that one.  For Foster the win at Route 66 was the first of two straight victories.  At the division's last race, at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio, he took on Bohl and scored the win.  Prior to his runner-up finish in Columbus, Bohl had put together a string of semifinal round finishes.

In Top Alcohol Dragster, former division champ Bill Reichert has more than a 100-point lead over Ken Perry.  Reichert, who hales from Owosso, Mich., opened the year with a win in Indianapolis and at an out-of-division race in Richmond, Va.  He suffered a first round loss at the division's race at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, before earning another out-of-division win in Reading, Pa.  At Route 66 Raceway he scored runner-up points and took another first-round loss in Columbus.  Richmond Hill, Ont., racer Perry grabbed the win in Norwalk and was runner-up in Columbus to Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., who is No. 3 in the point standings.  Perry went to the semis in Indianapolis and Joliet.

Gates at Beech Bend Raceway open at 9 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.  Qualifying and time trials start Friday morning at 9 and continue Saturday at 8 a.m.  Competitors in Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator will qualify once on Friday, starting at 3 p.m., and twice on Saturday, starting at 12:30 and 4 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers will also qualify once on Friday, at 4:30 p.m., and twice on Saturday, at 1 and 5 p.m.  Eliminations begin Sunday at 8 a.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Beech Bend Raceway are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  A three-day ticket is $50.  Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Beech Bend Raceway Park is located 2 miles north of Bowling Green on Beech Bend Road.  For more information call the track, (270) 781-7634, or visit www.BeechBend.com.

Although the race at Beech Bend Raceway is the final event on the North Central division calendar, racers may still earn points toward year-end titles at out-of-division races.  The final division race of the year is slated for November in Las Vegas. 

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships.  Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.  The event is the last of six in North Central Division competition.  The division's Top Sportsman Series and Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster Series will also run in conjunction with the event. 

WHERE: Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Ky.  Track is located 2 miles north of Bowling Green on Beech Bend Road.

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, August 28-30, 2009

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

FRIDAY, Aug. 28 -- Gates open at 9 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator qualify starting at 3 p .m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is at 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 29 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m.  Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator qualify twice, starting at 12:30 and 4 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 30 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 8 a.m.  Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day pass is $50.  Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Beech Bend Raceway, (270) 781-7634.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $173,375, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2008 EVENT WINNERS: Bill Reichert, Top Alcohol Dragster; Daniel Wilkerson, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Craig Bourgeois, Comp Eliminator; Ricky Decker, Super Stock; Brenda Grubbs, Stock Eliminator; Ray Miller III, Super Comp; Aaron Witsman, Super Gas; Adam Cline, Super Street

BONUS PROGRAMS:  NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND: A $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2009 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions.  Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.  The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

 SPITZER RACE CARS LOW QUALIFIER BONUS: A $7,000 bonus fund from Spitzer Race Cars will pay low qualifiers in the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes $500 at each of the North Central division's races where the categories are contested.  There will also be a year-end bonus of $1,000 to be awarded to the driver in each class with the most points earned through qualifying position at each of the events.

COAN ENGINEERING LOW QUALIFIER BONUS: A $3,000 bonus fund from Coan will pay the low qualifiers in the Competition and Super Stock classes $200 and the low qualifier in Stock class $100 at each  of the North Central division's six races.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR BONUS:  A $3,600 per event non-contingent round money bonus is awarded to Competition qualifiers by the following companies:  C-Tech Aluminum Cabinets, Steve Schmidt Competition Engines, Goodyear Competition Tires West, Rick Watters Racing Engines, Liberty Gears, Browell Bellhousing, Jim Butner Auto, Wright Tool, Bruno's Automotive, Bullet Racing Cams, Dewco and C&M Engineering.

JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $119,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance.  The 2010 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes as well as Top Sportsman and Top Dragster.  The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2010 Jegs Allstars.  Points are based on in-division races only. 

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions.  Winners in Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will each earn $5,000.  Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece.  Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $25,000 towing fund to get to the event.

Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants.  Any 2010 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

Top Sportsman Class: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $4,400 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship.  Top Sportsman racers may earn points at the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as the NHRA Doorslammer National Open and NHRA Jegs Northern SPORTSnationals.  Points may also be earned at other NHRA division Top Sportsman series events.

The North Central Division Dart Top Sportsman year-end champion will earn $3,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.

SPITZER RACE CARS TOP DRAGSTER CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship.  Top Dragster racers may earn points at the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as the NHRA Jegs Northern SPORTSnationals.  Points may also be earned at other NHRA division Top Sportsman series events.

The North Central Division Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster year-end champion will earn $3,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.

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