With a tight national points chase underway, fans can expect fierce side-by-side action on the quarter-mile strip.

Reigning Nitro Harley champion, Doug Vancil trails point's leader Steve Stordeur by a 10-point margin and Vancil is expected to bring on the horsepower this weekend in his quest for the #1 spot.

JIMS Pro Fuel points leader, Jack Romine plans to sit out the Maryland race, but Mike Lehman is expected to compete to improve on his current #2 position.

In Kresto Pro Drag, only 8 points separate Chuck Jones and leader Scott Truett. Both are expected to compete in Maryland.

Joe Sternotti is 107 marks in front of 4-time champion, Travis Lummus in Rivera-Primo Street Pro action. Lummus and Sternotti will battle it out this weekend in the closest points race the no-wheelie bar class has seen in years.

While veteran champion, Dan DeGood has a comfortable pole position in both SEP and Syn3 ET categories; Willie Herschberger is trying to hang on to his championship belt in Redline Oil Super Gas competition. Greg Krenik is 2 points away from Herschberger and Dale Tyson is hot on their trail in the 3rd spot.

Donnie Huffman sits in front of champion, Larry Guy in Performance Corner Super Eliminator by 37 points and 2003 champion, Allen Nusbaum is holding the #1 spot in S & S Super Sport over David Doremus and G.W. Bass who are tied for 2nd place.

Brook McCabe is at the top in S & S Pro Gas with Robert Markham in the 2nd spot, and it's west coaster, Rick Maney leading the field in S & S Pro Stock over eastern competitor, Dirk Higgins.

Resting well out front in the points series is Junior Pippin in the Joker Machine Pro Modified class, Tripp Nobles in the Screamin' Eagle V-Rod ranks and John "The Juggler" Burdynski in Dragmaster's Hot Street. All three will be in Maryland as the road to the 2004 Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Championship Series continues.

Over 200 racers are expected to compete at Maryland International Raceway in 14 classes of competition, including 220mph Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harleys, modified gas bikes, street bikes and more.

Speed Channel cameras will be on site to capture all the action for the upcoming Lucas Oil "On the Edge" series. Announcements on the broadcasts will be updated in the coming weeks on www.ahdra.com.

Gates open both days at 8:00am and qualifying begins at 11:00am on Saturday. On Sunday, sportsman eliminations begin at 9:00am and the Pros take the track at 12:30pm.

Admission to the S & S Cycle Mid-Atlantic Nationals presented by All American Harley-Davidson and Harley-Davidson of Frederick is $40 for the weekend and $25 for a single day. H.O.G. members receive a $5 discount at the gate and children 11 and under are admitted free.

For more information please contact 336-924-2095 or visit www.ahdra.com.