Indianapolis: Force leads Bud Shootout field

CLERMONT, Ind. - For the ninth consecutive year, John Force enters the Budweiser Shootout at Indianapolis as the top seed. On Sept. 3, Force will try to win a record fifth title in the special event for Funny Cars held during the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The winner of the 19th annual Budweiser Shootout at Indianapolis will earn $100,000. Any driver who can win the Shootout and the U.S. Nationals will earn a $50,000 bonus from the NHRA. A purse of $147,000 is available for the eight drivers competing in the Budweiser Shootout. The Shootout runner-up will earn $15,000, while the two semi-finalsts will earn $6,000 each. The four first round finishers will earn $5,000 apiece. Force, from Yorba Linda, Calif., qualified No. 1 in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang at eight of 23 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series events that comprise the 2000 Budweiser Shootout. The Budweiser Shootout at Indianapolis showcases the eight best Funny Car qualifiers since last year's Shootout. Drivers accumulated points at the 23 NHRA national events between last year's U.S. Nationals and the 19th annual Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals at Brainerd, Minn., and a $4,000 bonus was awarded to the No. 1 qualifier at each race. Ron Capps became $100,000 richer last year by earning his second straight victory in the Budweiser Shootout at Indianapolis, defeating Tony Pedregon in the final round.

Budweiser Shootout rounds are scheduled for noon, 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Sept. 3. <pre> 2000 BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT AT INDIANAPOLIS FINAL STANDINGS 1. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX Ford Mustang 3,580 2. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Kendall Chevrolet Camaro 3,290 3. Jim Epler, Phoenix, WWF Racing Chevrolet Camaro 3,180 4. Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang 3,010 5. Jerry Toliver, Huntington Beach, Calif., WWF Racing Chevrolet Camaro 3,005 6. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Copenhagen Chevrolet Camaro 2,935 7. Dean Skuza, Brecksville, Ohio, Matco Tools Dodge Avenger 2,890 8. Del Worsham, Costa Mesa, Calif., Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird 2,595

2000 BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT AT INDIANAPOLIS ROUND PAIRINGS FIRST ROUND Force vs. Worsham Bazemore vs. Skuza Epler vs. Capps Pedregon vs. Toliver SEMI-FINALS Force-Worsham winner vs. Pedregon-Toliver winner Bazemore-Skuza winner vs. Epler-Capps winner FINAL (4:45 p.m., Sept. 3)