Division champs reign at Atlanta Lucas Oil Series event

10/1/2006


DIVISION 2
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, Ga., Sept. 29-Oct. 1 

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

Final Eliminations
Saturday Qualifying
Friday Qualifying
Event preview


Final Eliminations:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelly, Payne, Cohen top Atlanta fields 

COMMERCE, Ga. – Reigning NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Champions Guy Kelly, Jay Payne, and Steve Cohen captured wins and took home trophies today at Atlanta Dragway.

Kelly, who has taken most of the year off from racing, ran consistent 5.40s throughout eliminations for the win in Top Alcohol Dragster. Kelly beat Ashley Force in his semifinal match up before meeting up with Aaron Olivarez in the final. The Wadley, Ala., racer ran 5.430 seconds at 263.56 to Olivarez's 5.717 at 246.53 mph for the win.

The final round appearance moves Olivarez into the division point's lead with Force sitting in second.

Payne used a 5.667 second 257.97 mph to beat John Sullivan in the final of Top Alcohol Funny Car and pick up his 4th win of the year. The win also clinches the sixth division funny car championship and 11th NHRA championship overall for the Claremont, Calif., resident.

Cohen, of Trilby, Fla., put his '04 Grand Am Super Gas entry in the winner's circle with a win over Rock Haas running 9.910 seconds at 156.97 mph while Bob Butner beat teammate Jeff Taylor in Comp Eliminator.

The division's TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman class was won by Jeffrey Barker of Warner-Robins, Ga., with a 7.191 second, 191.05 mph lap over Rip Dennis, clocking in at 7.780 seconds, 172.70 mph.

Mickey Whaley took the win in Stock Eliminator beating out Randy Wilkes at the finish line with an 11.082 second, 117.77 run in his '69 Camaro and Matt Antrobius won over Terry Pearson in Super Stock. Antrobius ran his '87 Camaro to a 10.055 second, 117.63 mph pass.

In Super Comp it was Jimmy Stahl of Boone, N.C., winning over Jeff Strickland of Red Bay, Ala., and Michael Ruff won over Dan Moore in Super Street in his '92 Camaro.

Southeast Division racers head to Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga., for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, October 20-22.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
Round 1
1) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.434, 261.52 def.
8) Dan Lucas, Cumming, Ga., 6.081, 209.01

5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.594, 260.76 def.
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.857, 188.33

2) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.543, 262.13 def.
7) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.156, 194.83

3) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.477, 254.86 def.
6) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., foul

Semifinals
Kelly, 5.462, 255.92 def. Force, 5.537, 260.81
Olivarez, 6.241, 211.10 def. Thacker, foul

Final
Kelly, 5.430, 263.56 def. Olivarez, 5.717, 246.53

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
Round 1
6) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '04 Firebird, 5.893, 243.81 def.
3) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, broke

4) Monty Todd, Wetumpka, Ala., '01 Camaro, 5.922, 242.23 def.
5) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '97 Firebird, 6.277, 226.66

2) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.789, 253.33 def.
7) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Corvette, broke

1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.690, 255.82 was unopposed

Semifinal
Sullivan, 5.823, 245.67 def. Harker, 5.938, 248.16
Payne, 5.759, 255.48 def. Todd, 5.921, 241.67

Final
Payne, 5.667, 257.97 def. Sullivan, 5.833, 244.92

COMP ELIMINATOR
Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '05 Cavalier, AA/SM, broke  def.
Jeff Taylor, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '05 Grand Am, G/SMA, broke

SUPER STOCK
Matt Antrobius, Bellbrook, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.055, 117.63  def.
Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/BA, 11.767, 70.64

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Mickey Whaley, Kinston, N.C., '69 Camaro, D/SA, 11.082, 117.77  def.
Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.348, 125.31

SUPER COMP
Jimmy Stahl, Boone, N.C., dragster, 8.899, 170.86  def.
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., dragster, 8.892, 169.19

SUPER GAS
Steve Cohen, Trilby, Fla., '04 Grand Am, 9.910, 156.97  def.
Rock Haas, White Lake, Mich., '63 Corvette, 9.893, 159.70

SUPER STREET
Michael Ruff, Orlando, Fla., '92 Camaro, 10.920, 127.57  def.
Dan Moore, Scottsmore, Fla., '89 Grand Am, 10.945, 133.86

TOP SPORTSMAN
Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.191, 191.05  def.
Rip Dennis, Florence, Miss., '99 S-10, 7.780, 172.70


Saturday Qualifying:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olivarez, Payne take No. 1 spots

COMMERCE, Ga. – Aaron Olivarez and Jay Payne out ran their fields to take the top spots at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Atlanta Dragway. Olivarez took the No. 1 spot in Top Alcohol Dragster away from Ashley Force by three hundredths of a second in the final qualifying session running 5.356 seconds at 264.44 mph. The Sandy, Utah, racer is 12 points behind Force and Artie Allen who are tied for in the NHRA Southeast Division point's battle.

Force, daughter of 13-time NHRA Funny Car Champion and star of A&E Network's Driving Force, ran a lap of 5.382 seconds at 264.96 mph. The Yorba Linda, Calif., racer is followed by Guy Kelly in third.

Force has two national event wins this year but is still looking for her first in the NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional series.

Payne clocked in at 5.707 seconds, 256.80 mph for the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car. The multi-time funny car division and former Top Alcohol Dragster National Champion is followed by Steve Harker out of Gainesville, Ga., and Mark Billington of Norcross, Ga., in second and third respectively. Harker ran a 5.725 second, 253.99 mph lap while Billington recorded a run of 5.848 seconds, 241.32 mph.

Bo Butner of Floyd Knobs, Ind., jumped to the top spot in Comp Eliminator running 7.095 seconds while Larry Pritchett, Friday's top qualifier, held on to second. Butner, who is currently third in the national championship point's standings, is looking for his fifth win of the year.

In Super Stock it was Johnny Fogle leading the field in his '05 Cavalier and Jeff Velde leads Stock Eliminator running 10.062 seconds in his '67 Shelby.

The TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman class saw Jerry Barker out of Fort Valley, Ga., race to the top with a pass of 6.894 seconds at 202.12 mph with Mike Gardner in second at 6.895, 203.00 mph. Commerce, Ga., racer Ronnie Davis landed in the fourth qualifying position with a best time of 6.908 seconds, at 199.52 mph.

Racing continues Sunday at 10 a.m. with round 1 of Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car set for 1 p.m. Gates open at 8 a.m.  Tickets are $20 for Sunday. For more information, call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 335-2301.

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 Atlanta Dragway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.356 seconds, 264.44 mph
2) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.382, 264.96
3) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.409, 262.79
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.495, 257.97
5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.533, 261.17
6) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.578, 248.20
7) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.055, 205.91
8) Dan Lucas, Cumming, Ga., 6.427, 209.69

First round TAD pairings
1) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.356 seconds, 264.44 mph vs.
8) Dan Lucas, Cumming, Ga., 6.427, 209.69

2) Ashley Force, Azusa, Calif., 5.382, 264.96 vs.
7) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 6.055, 205.91

3) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.409, 262.79 vs.
6) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.578, 248.20

4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.495, 257.97 vs.
5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.533, 261.17

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.707 seconds, 256.80 mph
2) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.725, 253.99
3) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.848, 241.32
4) Monty Todd, Wetumpka, Ala., '01 Camaro, 5.966, 241.11
5) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '97 Firebird, 6.299, 227.54
6) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '04 Firebird, 6.526, 181.23
7) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Corvette, 6.851, 206.23

First round TAFC pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.707 seconds, 256.80 mph vs. Bye

2) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.725, 253.99 vs.
7) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Corvette, 6.851, 206.23

3) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.848, 241.32 vs.
6) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '04 Firebird, 6.526, 181.23

4) Monty Todd, Wetumpka, Ala., '01 Camaro, 5.966, 241.11 vs.
5) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '97 Firebird, 6.299, 227.54

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '05 Cavalier, AA/SM, 7.095 seconds, -0.655 (under index)
2) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '05 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.109, -0.651
3) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.858, -0.632
4) Rick Hord, Kissimmee, Fla., '63 Corvette, BB/A, 7.524, -0.626
5) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.289, -0.621
6) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 roadster, F/EA, 8.070, -0.620
7) Jeff Taylor, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '05 Grand Am, G/SMA, 8.832, -0.618
8) Tony Stephenson, Willow Springs, N.C., '06 GTO, E/AA, 7.796, -0.614
9) George Gallimore Jr, Memphis, '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.889, -0.601
10) Gary Wisecarver, Rustburg, Va., '05 Cavalier, H/SM, 9.194, -0.546

SUPER STOCK
1) Johnny Fogle, Norway, S.C., '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.171 seconds, -1.229 (under index)
2) Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., '98 Avenger, GT/HA, 10.140, -1.210
3) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.841, -1.209
4) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '05 Sunfire, SS/BS, 8.887, -1.163
5) James Caro, Houma, La., '03 Stratus, GT/CA, 9.561, -1.139
6) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.732, -1.118
7) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.907, -1.093
8) Bret Voges, Van Buren, Ohio, '67 Nova, SS/HA, 9.816, -1.084
9) Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '05 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.477, -1.073
10) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.477, -1.073

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jeff Velde, Vero Beach, Fla., '67 Shelby GT, A/SA, 10.062 seconds, -1.238 (under index)
2) Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Firebird, F/FIA, 11.718, -1.232
3) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.445, -1.155
4) Daryl Summerton, Auburndale, Fla., '76 Cutlass, K/SA, 11.796, -1.154
5) Raymond Skipper Jr., Richmond, Va., '95 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.563, -1.137
6) Sterling Simmons Jr., Midlothian, Va., '98 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.567, -1.133
7) Jeff Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.576, -1.124
8) Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '83 Malibu, M/SA, 12.027, -1.123
9) Painter Stevenson, Flowery Branch, Ga., '69 Nova, F/SA, 11.037, -1.113
10) Jimmy Parker, Columbus, Ga., '91 Corvette, D/FIA, 11.195, -1.105

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Mike Gardner, Haymarket, Va., '04 Corvette, 6.674 seconds, 206.35 mph
2) Jim Harrington, Ft. Walton Bch., Fla., '99 Cutlass, 6.740, 210.47
3) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.894, 202.12
4) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.908, 199.52
5) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 6.936, 202.15
6) Dan Morrow, St. Pete, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.964, 198.61
7) Dale Ashley, Cape Coral, Fla., '05 Cavalier, 6.991, 198.38
8) Bobby Burgett, Longwood, Fla., '53 Corvette, 7.009, 195.70
9) Robert Sellers, Daytona Beach, Fla., '06 Avenger, 7.072, 195.25
10) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.145, 193.10


Friday Qualifying:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pritchett grabs Comp lead on opening day 

COMMERCE, Ga. – In the first rounds of qualifying at Atlanta Dragway, Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., grabbed the top spot in Comp Eliminator for this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Pritchett ran a lap of 8.109 seconds and is followed by David Eaton in the No. 2 spot and reigning Lucas Oil National Champion Jeff Taylor in third.

Local racer Ronnie Davis landed in the No. 2 qualifying position in the TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman class running 6.934 seconds at 199.23 mph. The Commerce, Ga., resident just missed the number one spot which went to Mike Gardner out of Haymarket, Va., in his '04 Corvette running 6.895 seconds at 203.00 mph.

In Super Stock Bobby Dennis was quickest running 10.858 seconds in his '97 Firehawk followed by James Caro in second while Jeff Velde put his '67 Shelby on top in Stock Eliminator with a 10.062 second pass. Velde is followed by Flowery Branch, Ga., racer Painter Stevenson in second.

Racing continues Saturday at 10 a.m.  Gates open at 8 a.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny will make two qualifying runs scheduled for 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Atlanta Dragway is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce, approximately 60 miles NE of Atlanta near the intersection of I-85 and Highway 441 in Banks Crossing. For more nformation, call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 335-2301.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '05 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.109 seconds, -0.651 (under index)
2) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.858, -0.632
3) Jeff Taylor, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '05 Grand Am, G/SMA, 8.832, -0.618
4) Tony Stephenson, Garner, N.C., '06 GTO, E/AA, 7.796, -0.614
5) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.298, -0.612
6) George Gallimore Jr, Memphis, Tenn., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.889, -0.601
7) Gary Wisecarver, Rustburg, Va., '05 Cavalier, H/SM, 9.194, -0.546
8) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, H/A, 8.885, -0.525
9) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '05 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.191, -0.519
10) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 roadster, F/EA, 8.181, -0.509

SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.858 seconds, -1.192 (under index)
2) James Caro, Houma, La., '03 Stratus, GT/CA, 9.572, -1.128
3) Tim Cole, Collierville, Tenn., '96 Corvette, SS/AX, 8.732, -1.118
4) Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., '98 Avenger, GT/HA, 10.245, -1.105
5) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '05 Sunfire, SS/BS, 8.953, -1.097
6) Jim Smiley, Springfield, Tenn., '91 Calais, SS/BM, 8.647, -1.053
7) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.953, -1.047
8) David Swimm, Conway, S.C., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.321, -1.029
9) Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '05 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.541, -1.009
10) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.543, -1.007

STOCK
1) Jeff Velde, Vero Beach, Fla., '67 Shelby GT, A/SA, 10.062 seconds, -1.238 (under index)
2) Painter Stevenson, Flowery Branch, Ga., '69 Nova, F/SA, 11.073, -1.077
3) David Lindsay, Ft. Pierce, Fla., '95 Cobra, C/FI, 10.887, -1.063
4) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.538, -1.062
5) Raymond Skipper Jr., Richmond, Va., '95 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.649, -1.051
6) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '95 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.651, -1.049
7) Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Firebird, F/FIA, 11.905, -1.045
8) Jimmy Parker, Columbus, Ga., '91 Corvette, D/FIA, 11.260, -1.040
9) Eric Wingo, Springfield, Tenn., '66 Chevy II, F/S, 11.078, -1.022
10) Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '83 Malibu, M/SA, 12.141, -1.009

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Mike Gardner, Haymarket, Va., '04 Corvette, 6.895 seconds, 203.00 mph
2) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.934, 199.23
3) Dale Ashley, Cape Coral, Fla., '05 Cavalier, 6.991, 196.04
4) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.145, 193.10
5) Corey Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '95 Camaro, 7.306, 187.36
6) Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '95 Cutlass, 7.367, 187.13
7) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '00 S-10, 7.383, 181.40
8) Larry Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.412, 185.05
9) John Glenn, Andrews, N.C., '97 S-10, 7.426, 181.32
10) Brad Clarke, Raymond, Miss., '98 Corvette, 7.626, 175.02


Event preview:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Points battles rage on in Division 2

COMMERCE, Ga. – Atlanta Dragway will host the NHRA Southeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event September 29-October 1.  The race is the fifth of six on the division calendar 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 TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series will also run in conjunction with the event.

The division's reigning Top Alcohol Funny Car champion, Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., seems poised to earn his fifth title in the class to go along with his four Top Alcohol Dragster crowns.  The veteran driver scored the win in at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway and was runner-up at two out-of-division meets, in Topeka, Kan., and Joliet, Ill.  Payne is currently 189 points ahead of second place Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga.  Billington's best performance of the season came in Gainesville where he went to the semis.

The chase in Top Alcohol Dragster, where 20 points separate first place from third, is much harder to define.  Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah, currently leads the points on the strength of two wins, in Gainesville and at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park.  However, he is not currently piloting a car.  Ashley Force, the daughter of 13-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force and star of A&E Network's "Driving Force" real-life TV show, is just nine points back.  Artie Allen of Jacksonville, Fla., is in third place.  He scored a win at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Ga., and went to the semifinals in Bradenton.  With a good showing at Atlanta Dragway, it's possible Allen could take over the lead and hang on for the championship.

In another close title fight, there are four Super Gas drivers within one point of each other coming into this race.  Wayne Bogle, Cocoa, Fla., and Chuck Trotter, MacClenny, Fla., are in first place with 296 points.  Second place competitors Sherman Adcock Jr., Fortson, Ga., and Englewood, Fla., each have 295 points.

Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 8 a.m. each day.  Qualifying and time trials begin Friday at noon and continue Saturday at 10 a.m.  Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled Friday at 4:30 p.m., and Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will qualify on Saturday, at 5 and 8 p.m.  Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m.  Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will run first round at 10:30 a.m. while Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run round one at 1 p.m.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  Children 12 and under are admitted free. 

Atlanta Dragway is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce; approximately 60 miles northeast of Atlanta near the intersection of I-85 and Highway 441 in Banks Crossing.  For more information call the track, (706) 335-2301, or visit www.AtlantaDragway.com.

The NHRA Southeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will continue October 20-22.  Racers will head to Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga., to close out the season.

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 fifth of six in Southeast Division competition.  The division's TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga.  Track is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road in Commerce, approximately 60 miles NE of Atlanta near the intersection of I-85 and Highway 441 in Banks Crossing.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, September 29-October 1, 2006

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

FRIDAY, Sept. 29 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at noon.  Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 30 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.  Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualifying is at 4 and 7 p.m. and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 5 and 8 p.m. 

SUNDAY, Oct. 1 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.  Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will begin eliminations at 10:30 a.m. and eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday.  Children 12 and under are admitted free.  For more information please call Atlanta Dragway, (706) 335-2301 or visit www.AtlantaDragway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $160,800, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2005 EVENT WINNERS: Atlanta Dragway did not host an NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in 2005

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2006 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.

JEG'S ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jeg's High Performance.  The 2007 Jeg's Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes.  The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2007 Jeg's 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.  Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece.  Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

Event sponsor, Jeg's High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jeg's Allstars participants.  Any 2007 Jeg's Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse.  Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central Divisions.

FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories.  Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.


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