IHRA DRAG RACING SERIES HEADS NORTH FOR MOPAR CANADIAN NATIONALS
Can Atchison Reclaim 2003 Dominance?

NORWALK, Ohio (June 7, 2004) -- With the first three events of the 2004
Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series complete, all but one class has a
totally different look from last season. Clay Millican, three-time Top
Fuel world champion, has the points lead in that class and seems to be
falling into form already this season. However, in IHRA's other three
professional classes - Pro Modified, Funny Car and Sunoco Race Fuels Pro
Stock - the competition has changed drastically.

Being watched this weekend during the 4th annual Mopar Canadian
Nationals presented by Castrol, June 11 - 13, at Grand Bend Motorplex,
will be defending Funny Car world champion and London, Ontario-native
Rob Atchison. He claimed his first career win at Grand Bend Motorplex
last season and needs to regain some of that momentum. Atchison is
second in the 2004 point standings and has yet to win an event. All
three events have went to Mark Thomas, a five-time world champion
himself, who after two seasons of minimal success has revitalized his
racing program. Not to count out formidable competitors like Ronnie
Midyette, Terry McMillen and Chris Foster, if things go the way they
have so far, this championship will come down to a battle between
Atchison and Thomas.

The Pro Modified category is lead by Canadian Al Billes. The most
competitive class so far, Billes is closely trailed by Mike Castellana
and Mike Janis, both just six points off the lead. Ironically,
Castellana and Janis both have event wins, while Billes has yet to claim
one. However, his consistency has paid off to remain No. 1. Missing from
the top ten are competitors such as defending world champion Mitch Stott
and former six-time world champion Scotty Cannon. Rounding out the top
five is Calgary, Ontario's Rick DiStefano.

The Sunoco Pro Stock class has seen the emergence of two New Yorkers to
the top of the class: John Nobile and John Montecalvo. They met in the
final round in San Antonio and Rockingham, with Montecalvo winning both.
While neither made it to the final in Virginia, Nobile set both IHRA
world records for ET and speed, and now has the points lead, 19 ahead of
Montecalvo. Defending world champion Brian Gahm, after failing to
qualify at Rockingham, turned around and won the next event in Virginia.
He's currently fifth, with a lot of momentum heading into Grand Bend.

Clay Millican has the points lead in Top Fuel competition, but many are
looking to Grand Bend to dethrone the king. Longtime final round
opponent Bruce Litton is in second place and running great times, but
his last Top Fuel win came August, 2003 in Norwalk against Millican.
He's well overdue for a win. Not to be outdone is Canadian and former
Funny Car world champion Todd Paton. He finished third in the point
standings last season and is looking for his first Top Fuel win.

Reflections on the ACDelco Nationals presented by the Richmond Times-Dispatch at Virginia Motorsports Park, May 28-30, 2004, race 3 of the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series:

"Welcome Aboard"
Fifty-seven new racers attended the event, racers who had never competed in an IHRA event before.

"Cattle Call"
The final Pro round (Pro Modified, Funny Car and Pro Stock) ran in less than 30 minutes, avoiding the oncoming bad weather.

"Extra, Extra!!"
The race dominated the front page of the Monday Sports section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, despite the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 results.

"A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned"
25% of the attendees Sunday used the discount coupon available in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. 3% is typically the average.

"I Can't Drive 55"
The final round of qualifying saw the first side-by-side 215 mph pass in Sunoco Pro Stock.

Left Lane: John Nobile Runs 6.492 / 215.37
Right Lane: Frank Gugliotta Runs 6.518 / 215.03

"Records"
Competitors in the professional categories broke every track record except Funny Car speed. Not to mention John Nobile resetting both IHRA Speed and ET World Records in Pro Stock.

"Not Bad for a Couple Crotch Rockets"
The X-Treme Bike Team "wowed" the crowd between rounds with wheelies, indoes and other tricks.

"Giving Back to the Racers"
The largest sportsman payout for a specialty race of its kind was awarded Saturday during the Moser Axle Mania shootout. Congratulations 2004 champion Gil "Homer" Carty Jr.

"What Ever Happened to the Carpool"
VMP officials opened an overflow parking lot that has only been used one other time in the track's history

"One Big Party"
ACDelco entertained 600 guests on Saturday in their hospitality tent.