Winston-Salem, NC, August 27, 2002- With four events left on the AHDRA National Points Series Tour, fierce competition is expected at the upcoming Northwest Nationals presented by Latus Harley-Davidson, September 7th & 8th at Woodburn Dragstrip.

The closet race of the 14-AHDRA classes of competition is happening in JIMS Top Fuel with only 6 points separating leader Ron Houniet and fellow Canadian, Dave O'Hara from the Championship title. Japan's, Tak Shigematsu is making noise in the standings after his win at Bristol Dragway, leaving him 67 points from the lead spot. All three are expected to compete in Woodburn.

In HDAfterparts.com Pro Fuel, Palm Beach, FL's, Mike Lehman holds a 40-point advantage over reigning champion, Tim Kerrigan. Rumor has it, the Kerrigans have discovered the bug plaguing them at several events, and the Red Line Oil team is expected to be in top form in Oregon.

The 2nd closest point' chase comes in Pro Stock competition, with Tulsa, OK's, John Hammock's win in Bristol giving him an 8 point lead over Champion, Tom Bradford.

So far, no official word on Hammock and Bradford's plan for a Woodburn appearance.

Scott Truett has a hefty 249-point lead over John McMillin in Kresto Pro Drag racing. Chuck Jones follows with 35 points keeping him from the #2 spot. Truett and McMillin are both expected in Woodburn, with McMillin of nearby South Beach OR, having the hometown track advantage.

Frank Dove of Hughesville, MD is running away with the Pro Gas points with 201 points separating him from Michael McDole of Bonita Springs, FL. With the comfortable lead, Dove will likely hold out for the next east coast outing taking place September 14th & 15th in Delaware.

Mike Lozano has a strangle hold on the Joker Machine Pro Modified trophy, with a 308 point lead over Madras, OR's, Cliff Dwy. Dwy scored a win at Bristol Dragway and will compete for hometown fans at the upcoming Northwest Nationals. Early reports indicate that Lozano will make the trip to seal his Championship spot.

No doubt the Spyke Street Pro Championship is wrapped with 2-time Champion, Travis Lummus holding a commanding 505- point advantage. The battle moves to the 2nd place title with Brecksville OH's, John Levak holding a 67-point lead over Daytona Beach, FL's, Doug Morrow. This one will likely played out on the east coast.

Frederick, Maryland riders Shawn Vantucci and B.R. Nalley are loading the trailer for Woodburn with Vantucci trailing Dale Miller by 70 points in Super Gas (9.90) competition, and Nalley in a 2nd place tie with Dean Shields in the Super Sport (10.50) ranks. Alan Nusbaum of Bunker Hill, WV is the current leader with a 150-point advantage.

Reigning champ, John "The Juggler" Burdynski holds the lead in the 10.90 Performance Corner Super Eliminator action, With Donnie Huffman trailing by 120 marks, it's Mike Fitzgerald and Bruce Croneberger that could be juggling the standings with a third place tie and only 30 points away from the #2 spot. Huffman plans to sit Woodburn out, and it's anybody's guess if that 3rd place tiebreaker will happen in Oregon.

With Huffman resting at home with the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts (11.50) lead, it is likely that John Henderson may make the west coast appearance to defend his National Championship title. Henderson needs 110 points to catch Huffman, with third seated, Joe Perry closing in. Perry is expected to make the trip from Tennessee.

In Andrew's ET, Junior Pippin of Conyers, GA will be "truckin" to Woodburn to cushion his 60 point lead over Craig Pollard of Lynchburg, VA .

The Hayes Jewelers Junior Seniors will compete at Woodburn Dragstrip with Jacob McMillin racing for his hometown crowd. McMillin is 2nd in the National points chase with reigning champion Drew Proffitt leading by 130 points.

The Danford brothers lead the Blackfoot Racing Junior Junior ranks with 8-year-old Clayton out in front of 9-year-old Travis, by 40 points.

The action gets underway Saturday at the Northwest Nationals presented by Latus Harley-Davidson. Gates open at 8am with qualifying at 10:30am. Sunday, gates open at 8am with eliminations at 12:30pm.

Admission is $35 for the weekend, $20 Saturday and $25 on Sunday. H.O.G. members receive a $5 discount at the gates and Children under 12 are admitted free.

Discount tickets can be purchased in advance at Latus Harley-Davidson and All American Cycle.