DIVISION 2
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla., Feb. Feb.. 20-22, 2008 

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

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Sunday

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (February 22, 2009) – Racing is complete and the winners have been crowned at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event hosted at Gainesville Raceway.  This wraps up the second of six events in Southeast division competition.  Winners walking away with the coveted Wally trophy included Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Shayne Lawson, Broken Arrow, Okla., and Jay Payne from Claremont, Calif., in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Lawson was in the groove this weekend making his way out of the No.2 qualifying position and into the winner's circle. On his way to the Final, the event champ took out local Gainesville, Fla., resident Cherissa Griffis in Round 1 and Bill Evans of Miramar, Fla., in the Semis. Lawson posted a 5.403 second, 250.51 mph run defeating Artie Allen from Jacksonville, Fla., to take home the hardware.

Top Alcohol Funny Car was dominated once again by Payne, who has won the last four Lucas Oil Gainesville events.  The weekend's No.1 qualifier had a fairly easy road to the winner's circle as he was unopposed in the first two rounds.  The 2008 Southeast division Top Alcohol Funny Car champ pieced together a 5.703 second, 258.12 mph pass to defeat Mark Billington of Norcross, Ga., in the Final. 

Other event winners included Van Puckett of Monroe, Ga., in Comp Eliminator; Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., with back to back Gainesville wins in Super Stock; and Jeremy Preston of West Palm Beach, Fla., in Stock. The Super Comp trophy went to Brandon Christie of Apopka, Fla.; John Taylor, Naples, Fla., collected the Super Gas hardware; and Leland Poppel out of Odum, Ga., came out on top in Super Street.

Running in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, Ryan Ondrejko from Roslindale, Mass., won the Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman trophy and the Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster hardware was awarded to Jeffrey Burnett of Orlando, Fla.

The division's next Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is slated for March 7-9 at Orlando (Fla.) Speed World Dragway. That race will mark the half-way point in the season.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
Round 1
8) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.305, 258.76 def.
1) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.392, 268.71;

2) Shayne Lawson, Broken Arrow, Okla., 5.368, 274.39 def.
7) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 5.593, 248.84;

3) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.434, 262.74 def.
6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.536, 266.85;

4) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.463, 265.06 def.
5) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., foul;

Semifinals
Lawson, 5.319, 264.65 def. Evans, 5.747, 251.11;
Allen, 5.377, 257.38 def. Samsel, 7.492, 120.11;

Final
Lawson, 5.403, 250.51 def. Allen, 5.611, 246.75.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
Round 1
4) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.745, 256.21 def.
5) Alexis De Joria, Venice, Calif., '09 Mustang, 10.840, 77.72;

7) Jeremy Haskett, Gray, Tenn., '02 Firebird, 5.969, 238.64 def.
2) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, foul;

6) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.893, 245.81 def.
3) John Sullivan, Pike Road City, Ala., '04 Firebird, 6.201, 194.13;

1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '08 Mustang, 5.630, 256.80 was unopposed;

Semifinals
Billington, 5.801, 251.63 def. Haskett, broke;
Payne, 5.754, 255.34 def. Ferro, broke;

Final
Payne, 5.703, 258.12 def. Billington, 5.718, 252.28.

COMP ELIMINATOR
Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '05 Cavalier, G/AA, 8.334, 161.11  def.
Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23  roadster, F/EA, 7.963, 163.77.

SUPER STOCK
Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., '98 Grand Am, SS/AS, 9.277, 139.30  def.
Joe Teuton Jr., Schriever, La., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.989, 145.41.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeremy Preston, W. Palm Beach, Fla., '03 Corvette, D/SA, 10.994, 116.76 def.
Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '94 Camaro, C/SA, 10.407, 126.51.

SUPER COMP
Brandon Christie, Apopka, Fla., dragster, 8.950, 179.30 def.
Jim Perry, Niota, Tenn., dragster, 8.896, 168.39.

SUPER GAS
John Taylor, Naples, Fla., '99 Dakota, 9.889, 159.72  def.
Brian Forrester, Parrish, Fla., '63 Corvette, 9.879, 167.68.

SUPER STREET
Leland Poppel, Odum, Ga., '96 Achieva, 10.863, 142.91  def.
Travis Giddens, MacClenny, Fla., '73 Duster, 10.784, 121.70.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale, Mass., '08 GTO, 6.886, 198.06  def.
Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.850, 204.39.

TOP DRAGSTER
Jeffrey Burnett, Orlando, Fla., '23 roadster, 6.816, 199.61 def.
Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., dragster, 7.044, 181.13.

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Saturday

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (February 21, 2009)   – Duane Shields of Boulder City, Nev., reached the No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Alcohol Dragster with Saturday's run at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway.  Claremont, Calif., resident Jay Payne wheeled his '08 Mustang to the No. 1 qualifying seed in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Shields posted a 5.259-second, 270.59-mph run, which was enough to keep him ahead of Shayne Lawson, Broken Arrow, Okla.  Shields, who also claimed the top spot at last weekend's Bradenton event, is hoping to take the lead position all the way to the winner's circle.

Payne, Gainesville's 2008 event champ in Top Alcohol Funny Car, returned to the head of the class posting a 5.7-second pass.  Last year's Division 2 champ locked up the top spot which placed him in front of Frank Schuster from Chesterfield, N.J. 

The Comp Eliminator field had little change from Friday's positioning with Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, still on top. Anthony Bertozzi made this biggest jump by obtaining a qualifying spot in the No. 5 seed.  The Ashland, Va., resident doubled up at last year's event, claiming trophies in both Super Stock and Stock categories.

Other top qualifiers included Bobby Dennis from Shorter, Ala., in Super Stock; Randy Harrison, Orlando, Fla., in Stock Eliminator; Suwanee, Ga., resident Ronnie Davis once again in the Top Sportsman class; and Don Marks of St. Petersburg, Fla., in Top Dragster.

Racing continues Sunday, Feb. 22 with gates opening at 8 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.  Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will begin eliminations at 10 a.m. and eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1 p.m.

General Admission/Pit Pass is $20 on Sunday.  Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.259 seconds, 270.59 mph
2) Shayne Lawson, Broken Arrow, Okla., 5.350, 271.46
3) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.392, 265.90
4) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.393, 264.49
5) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.410, 272.06
6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.492, 268.12
7) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 5.719, 243.59
8) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.760, 238.76
Not Qualified
9) Al Moeser, Hill Town, Pa., 5.993, 259.36

First round TAD pairings
1) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.259 seconds, 270.59 mph vs.
8) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.760, 238.76

2) Shayne Lawson, Broken Arrow, Okla., 5.350, 271.46 vs.
7) Cherissa Griffis, Gainesville, Fla., 5.719, 243.59

3) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.392, 265.90 vs.
6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.492, 268.12

4) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.393, 264.49 vs.
5) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.410, 272.06

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '08 Mustang, 5.700 seconds, 257.28 mph
2) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.710, 256.84
3) John Sullivan, Pike Road City, Ala., '04 Firebird, 5.726, 250.88
4) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.739, 257.19
5) Alexis De Joria, Venice, Calif., '09 Mustang, 11.051, 73.70
6) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 11.834, 80.54
7) Jeremy Haskett, Gray, Tenn., '02 Firebird, 14.342, 46.90

First round TAFC pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '08 Mustang, 5.700 seconds, 257.28 mph vs. Bye

2) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.710, 256.84 vs.
7) Jeremy Haskett, Gray, Tenn., '02 Firebird, 14.342, 46.90

3) John Sullivan, Pike Road City, Ala., '04 Firebird, 5.726, 250.88 vs.
6) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 11.834, 80.54

4) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.739, 257.19 vs.
5) Alexis De Joria, Venice, Calif., '09 Mustang, 11.051, 73.70

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand Am, F/A, 7.946 seconds, -0.734 (under index)
2) Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '05 Grand Am, H/SMA, 8.848, -0.712
3) Michael Hardee, Hampstead, N.C., '05 Sunfire, E/SM, 8.379, -0.711
4) Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '07 Cobalt, F/SM, 8.579, -0.701
5) Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., dragster, D/ED, 7.312, -0.678
6) Ernest Watson, Humble, Texas, '05 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.153, -0.677
7) David Connolly, Bradenton, Fla., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 7.672, -0.668
8) Tony Terry, Forest, Va., '04 Cavalier, F/AA, 7.932, -0.668
9) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 7.679, -0.661
10) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 roadster, F/EA, 7.951, -0.639

SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '91 Calais, GT/MA, 10.624 seconds, -1.426 (under index)
2) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.326, -1.374
3) Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Daytona, GT/GA, 9.864, -1.336
4) John Fogle, Norway, S.C., '05 Cavalier, SS/GA, 9.523, -1.327
5) David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.686, -1.314
6) Rich South, Pataskala, Ohio, '05 Sunfire, GT/EA, 9.640, -1.310
7) Terry Earwood, Deland, Fla., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.244, -1.306
8) Tony Cafaro, Brandon, Fla., '02 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.078, -1.272
9) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.743, -1.257
10) Lloyd Wofford, Jonesboro, Ark., '79 Aspen, SS/JA, 10.047, -1.253

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Randy Harrison, Orlando, Fla., '90 Camaro, K/SA, 11.611 seconds, -1.339 (under index)
2) Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '89 Camaro, K/SA, 11.618, -1.332
3) Tim Lowe, Macy, Ind., '71 Gran Sport, L/SA, 11.672, -1.328
4) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, K/SA, 11.645, -1.305
5) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '94 Camaro, C/SA, 10.397, -1.303
6) Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '02 Firebird, A/SA, 10.022, -1.278
7) Nick Folk, Durand, Ill., '99 Camaro, B/SA, 10.277, -1.273
8) Gary Richard, Bayshore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.448, -1.252
9) Butch Payne, Rome, Ga., '98 Firebird, E/SA, 10.752, -1.248
10) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.009, -1.241

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.485 seconds, 213.74 mph
2) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.799, 204.57
3) Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale, Mass., '08 GTO, 6.804, 204.11
4) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.822, 205.07
5) Vince Hoda, Diamondhead, Miss., '00 Firebird, 6.973, 201.19
6) Daniel Morrow, St. Petersburg, Fla., '09 GXP, 6.973, 198.35
7) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '01 S-10, 7.002, 191.24
8) Matthew Buck, Lantana, Fla., '96 Firebird, 7.017, 200.23
9) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.074, 192.85
10) Dewey Pedrick, Lighthouse Pt., Fla., '63 Corvette, 7.081, 196.22

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Don Marks, St Petersburg, Fla., dragster, 6.092 seconds, 225.79 mph
2) Eddie Careccia, Mars Hill, Fla., dragster, 6.109, 197.02
3) Tom Elliott, Brooks, Ky., dragster, 6.201, 255.79
4) Casey Spradlin, Ranburne, Ala., dragster, 6.709, 199.23
5) Ken Zeller, Smithville, Mo., dragster, 6.750, 197.05
6) Jeffrey Burnett, Orlando, Fla., '23 roadster, 6.775, 200.44
7) Warren Heaps, Ashland, Mass., dragster, 6.802, 198.26
8) Troy Williams Jr, Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 6.845, 189.68
9) Chad Hedgecock, Loudon, Tenn., dragster, 6.878, 193.43
10) Scott Gibson, Sanford, Fla., dragster, 6.909, 193.46

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Friday

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (February 20, 2009) – The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sets up shop at Gainesville Raceway this weekend for the second of six events in Southeast division competition. Friday's qualifying and time trials are in the books with Pat Ross from Avon Lake, Ohio, taking the Comp Eliminator top qualifying position. 

Ross took the No.2 qualifying position at Bradenton Motorsports Park event last weekend. He was unable to capitalize on his high seed and is back for redemption.  Grant Lewis out of Jesup, Ga., wheeled his '05 Grand Am into the second position behind Ross. In Super Stock action, Shorter, Ala., resident Bobby Dennis grabbed the top spot with Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., landing right behind him. Randy Harrison of Orlando, Fla., grabbed the No.1 seed in Stock Eliminator.

Running in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, Ronnie Davis of Suwanee, Ga., once again took the No.1 spot in the Top Sportsman class presented by Davis Golf Carts. His well tuned '63 Corvette was the top qualifier last weekend at Bradenton. The Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster category is lead by Tom Elliott out of Brooks, Ky., who piloted his dragster down the track in 6.430 seconds at 255.79 mph.

Racing continues Saturday, Feb. 21 with gates opening at 8 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at  9 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman have two qualifying sessions starting at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 and 6 p.m.  Sunday, Feb. 22 gates open at 8 a.m. with Eliminations beginning at 9 a.m. 

General Admission/Pit Pass is $20 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand Am, F/A, 7.946 seconds, -0.734 (under index)
2) Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '05 Grand Am, H/SMA, 8.848, -0.712
3) Michael Hardee, Hampstead, N.C., '05 Sunfire, E/SM, 8.379, -0.711
4) Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '07 Cobalt, F/SM, 8.579, -0.701
5) Ernest Watson, Humble, Texas, '05 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.153, -0.677
6) David Connolly, Bradenton, Fla., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 7.672, -0.668
7) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 7.700, -0.640
8) Santo Volpe, Cocoa, Fla., '34 Chevy, F/ED, 8.197, -0.633
9) Jenny Treadwell, Mt. Plymouth, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.231, -0.619
10) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 roadster, F/EA, 7.971, -0.619

SUPER STOCK
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '91 Calais, GT/MA, 10.624 seconds, -1.426 (under index)
2) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.326, -1.374
3) Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Daytona, GT/GA, 9.864, -1.336
4) John Fogle, Norway, S.C., '05 Cavalier, SS/GA, 9.523, -1.327
5) David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.686, -1.314
6) Rich South, Pataskala, Ohio, '05 Sunfire, GT/EA, 9.640, -1.310
7) Tony Cafaro, Brandon, Fla., '02 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.078, -1.272
8) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.743, -1.257
9) Lloyd Wofford, Jonesboro, Ark., '79 Aspen, SS/JA, 10.047, -1.253
10) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '66 Corvette, SS/B, 8.962, -1.238

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Randy Harrison, Orlando, Fla., '90 Camaro, K/SA, 11.611 seconds, -1.339 (under index)
2) Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '89 Camaro, K/SA, 11.618, -1.332
3) Tim Lowe, Macy, Ind., '71 Gran Sport, L/SA, 11.672, -1.328
4) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, K/SA, 11.645, -1.305
5) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '94 Camaro, C/SA, 10.397, -1.303
6) Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '02 Firebird, A/SA, 10.022, -1.278
7) Gary Richard, Bayshore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.448, -1.252
8) Butch Payne, Rome, Ga., '98 Firebird, E/SA, 10.752, -1.248
9) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.009, -1.241
10) Tom Stevenson, Flowery Branch, Ga., '69 Camaro, G/SA, 11.065, -1.235

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.772 seconds, 204.70 mph
2) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.799, 204.57
3) Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale, Mass., '08 GTO, 6.804, 204.11
4) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.822, 205.07
5) Vince Hoda, Diamondhead, Miss., '00 Firebird, 6.973, 201.19
6) Matthew Buck, Lantana, Fla., '96 Firebird, 7.017, 200.23
7) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.074, 192.85
8) Frank Maiolo, White Plains, N.Y., '08 GTO, 7.081, 194.07
9) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '01 S-10, 7.152, 190.81
10) Mike Thompson, Naples, Fla., '03 Cavalier, 7.156, 192.63

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Tom Elliott, Brooks, Ky., dragster, 6.430 seconds, 255.79 mph
2) Don Marks, St Petersburg, Fla., dragster, 6.440, 228.42
3) Casey Spradlin, Ranburne, Ala., dragster, 6.709, 199.23
4) Ken Zeller, Smithville, Mo., dragster, 6.750, 197.05
5) Warren Heaps, Ashland, Mass., dragster, 6.802, 198.26
6) Scott Gibson, Sanford, Fla., dragster, 6.909, 193.46
7) Michael Fitzgerald, Hawthorne, Fla., dragster, 6.911, 191.70
8) Melissa Hutson, Lady Lake, Fla., dragster, 6.915, 195.36
9) Jeff Serra, Reinholds, Pa., dragster, 6.941, 195.42
10) Charles Careccia, Asheville, N.C., dragster, 6.961, 189.71

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Preview

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Raceway will host the NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, February 20-22.  The three-day event is the second of six in the region and will feature drivers vying for points leading to divisional and national titles. More than 400 drivers in eight categories, including the powerful Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes, will compete.  The division's Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman Series and Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.      

At last year's event here, Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., scored a rare double-win, making his way to the winner's circle in both Super Stock and Stock Eliminator.  The versatile racer went on to be crowned the division's Super Stock champion as well as the Northeast division's Comp Eliminator champ. In Super Stock Bertozzi started the year out with a win at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park before winning in Gainesville. He also earned two Northeast division wins in Comp Eliminator, in Reading, Pa., and in Rising Sun, Md. He only ran three races in Stock Eliminator, one of which was the win in Gainesville.

Reigning division Top Alcohol Funny Car champion, Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., also won this race a year ago.  He finished the year with two wins, here and at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., and two runner-up finishes, in Bradenton and an out-of-division race in Las Vegas.  The 2008 championship was Payne's fifth straight Top Alcohol Funny Car title in the division. Overall, he has earned seven Top Alcohol Funny Car division championships, four Top Alcohol Dragster division titles and one national championship in Top Alcohol Dragster.

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day.  Qualifying and time trials start Friday at 10 a.m. and continue Saturday at 9 a.m.  Racers in Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will have one qualifying session on Friday, beginning at 4 p.m., and two on Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will qualify Saturday at 3 and 6 p.m.  Eliminations start Sunday morning at 9.  First round for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car is slated for 1 p.m.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  A three-day pass is $ 45.  Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Gainesville Raceway is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal Airport.  For more information call the track, (352) 377-0046, or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

The division's next Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event is slated for March 7-9 at Orlando (Fla.) Speed World Dragway. That race will mark the half-way point in 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 second of six

 in Southeast Division competition.  The division's Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman Series and Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. Track is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal airport.

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, February 20-22, 2009

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

FRIDAY, Feb. 20 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualifying begins at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, Feb. 21 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at

9 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman have two qualifying sessions starting at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3

and 6 p.m. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 22 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.  Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will begin eliminations at 10 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. A three-day pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of more than $200,000, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2008 EVENT  WINNERS: John Finke, Top Alcohol Dragster; Jay Payne, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Frank Cervelli, Comp Eliminator; Anthony Bertozzi, Super Stock; Anthony Bertozzi, Stock Eliminator; Kyle Cultrera, Super Comp; Chuck Rothermel, Super Gas; Joe Skala, 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.

JEGS 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 Jegs High Performance.  The 2009 Jegs 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 2009 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. 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, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. 

Any 2009 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

Davis Golf Carts 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 year-end purse. 

Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster Series: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Dragster class are vying for division championships and a share in the year-end purse. 

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.

CONTACT: Melinda Stalnaker-Selvidge, Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046

  NHRA Field representative Eric Lotz, (626) 250-2287, cell phone (626) 688-8646

Web address, www.GainesvilleRaceway.com or www.nhra.com

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