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Want to be Updated?Feel left out of the loop? Wondering when breaking news is going to happen? Look forward to the FLASH preview or just can't wait for the new issue? We have the answer. CompetitionPlus.com is compiling a mailing list to keep you informed of what's going on. It's a simple process. Send us an email at CompetitionPlus@aol.com, put in the title and the body, "Sign Me Up" and your wish will be granted. New Issue coming up this afternoon(2-19-2004) - In conjunction with the launch of the 2004 season, we will make available the 92nd issue of CompetitionPlus.com. Stay tuned. First Look at the new Nitro Fish Car
Getting ready for the new season - Bradenton style
(2-18-2004) - As you can see Bradenton Motorsports Park is buzzing with testing action. Three of the four cars are already pre-entered for the CompetitionPlus.com Spring Open. (Photos by Bryan Epps). NHRA TO AIR ON TSN FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR
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BERGENHOLTZ SCHEDULED TO RUN AT K&N FILTERS WINTERNATIONALS
(2-17-2004) - Pro FWD driver Ed Bergenholtz, a mainstay in the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series, is scheduled to hit the racetrack for exhibition runs Feb. 21-22, at the K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.
Bergenholtz, who ran his career-best time of 8.326-seconds at the Mazda NHRA Sport Compact World Finals in Pomona last year, also will put his 2003 Mazda MX6 on display both days in the Manufacturers' Midway at the California Speedway booth. A resident of Santa Ana, Calif., Bergenholtz, 30, finished seventh in the Pro FWD point standings in 2003.
The NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series will kick-off its 2004 season March 13-14 at the California Dragway in Fontana, Calif., with the inaugural Nitto California NHRA Sport Compact Nationals presented by Import Tuner. The race is the first of a 10 event nationwide tour for the $2.1 million series.
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Montecalvo proposes on Valentine’s Day
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(2-16-2004) - Even winning the national championship in Pro Stock will be second place in excitement for Lois Anne Carlesco and John Montecalvo in 2004. John escorted Lois Anne to an Oceanfront restaurant on Long Island on Valentine’s Day for a very Romantic evening.
According to Lois Anne, “John is a very private person and didn’t say anything special while at the Oceanfront. He waited until we returned to his home and were alone. He played such the poker face that I was clueless. Once he proposed, I was doing the Indian dance. I was so excited that he had to catch me to put the ring on my finger. I said….YES! I am so excited, I am going to burst! It was awesome, I am still flying.” The usually stoic Montecalvo just displayed his trademark grin.
After checking with Aaron Polburn and the IHRA schedule, the happy couple has selected May 8th as the wedding date. Polburn congratulated them and promised that there will be no rain dates on the 8th. All additional information will be published by the bride to be once she has returned to earth long enough to arrange the details.
Patrick Budd's Pro Car Performance is up and running
(2-16-2004) - The NMCA's Patrick Budd has his chassis business up and running wide open. Check out the latest at www.yellowbullet.com.
A bright new sponsor joins Wilkerson’s Levi, Ray & Shoup team
(2-15-2004) - Number seven NHRA POWERade points finisher, Tim Wilkerson has announced the signing of White Night Rear Lighting Systems as a major associate sponsor on the Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS) Funny Car for the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season.
“We’re proud to be associated with a company like White Night,” said Wilkerson. “We are looking forward to a great year with the LRS Monte Carlo and feel that we can put the White Night name and product in front of thousands of excited NHRA fans.”
White Night Rear Lighting Systems by Cruiser Stainless Accessories of Hendersonville, N.C. is part of 60-year-old Byers Precision Fabricators, Inc. and is owned and operated by Roger Byers. A White Night Rear Lighting System mounts to virtually any vehicle with a hitch or step bumper and produces 130,000 candlepower of light to aid in vision when a vehicle is in reverse during nighttime activity.
Byers, who has been following Wilkerson’s career for several years said, “other than being fat and ugly, I have no handicaps, even though I am considered legally blind even with corrective lenses. Drag racing is my first love, and if I could see maybe Tim could be tuning for me! But they keep telling me this is not going to happen. So this association with Tim Wilkerson is the best way for me to stay close to what I love and at the same time promote my product through a respected, competitive, and fun-loving group of folks.”
2004 will be a special year for Wilkerson and the LRS Funny Car. Specially designed graphics commemorating the 25th anniversary of LRS, to be celebrated later this year, will adorn the striking LRS paint scheme.
Wilkerson also welcomes Craftsman Tools and Summit Racing Equipment
as new associate sponsors for 2004. Wilkerson looks to this years
newcomers to be a compliment to the returning long time supporters,
Fram Filters and Goodyear Tires, promising to make 2004 an exciting
year for Team Wilkerson and the LRS Monte Carlo.
NMRA and StangCrazy.com team up to bring timely event results to each and every NMRA event in 2004
(2-15-2004) -- ProMedia Events, home of the NMRA,
has agreed to work together with StangCrazy.com to assist with providing
event coverage the 2004 NMRA event season. StangCrazy.com will be
providing timely, round-by-round coverage for both nmraracing.com
and StangCrazy.com websites. ProMedia?s Charlie Harmon said, "The
relationship with Frank Peterson and StangCrazy.com will bring our
timely event reporting to the next level. StangCrazy is a group
of people that has shown a fantastic interest in promoting Ford
drag racing and the NMRA, and we?re proud to have them providing
the most timely results of our NMRA events."
StangCrazy.com's Frank Peterson said, "We are very excited to work closer with the NMRA on this partnership and we plan on providing the best real-time event coverage available. Stangcrazy is expanding for the 2004 season with many new features that will allow us to bring the exciting NMRA racing experience to the internet. Along with the same great photo coverage displayed by Kelly Pelrine in 2003, we will be adding enhanced results and video coverage on the track and in the pits."
Bob Gilbertson announces new associate sponsor
(2-15-2004) - The Mill, a privately owned retail
furniture chain in Southern California, announced they will be an
associate sponsor on Bob Gilbertson's nitro Funny Car at the season-opening
NHRA POWERade Winternationals at Pomona, California February 19-22.
The Mill, which began with a single store in Ontario, California
in 1999 with 5 employees, has grown to 8 retail outlets, a 60,000
square foot warehouse and over 100 employees.
Dave Zepeda, CEO of The Mill said "I've always been a fan of
NHRA Drag Racing, especially the Funny Cars. I know how loyal the
fans are to sponsors of the sport and I figured teaming up with
Bob and the Trick Tank team would be a good way to get our name
out there in front of the rabid Southern California drag racing
fans." Zepeda continued "Our retail outlets are in Los
Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and I hope that this
association will result in the fans who attend the Winternationals
thinking of The Mill the next time they are in the market for quality
furniture."
"We're all really excited about this association with Dave,
The Mill and all his employees" said Gilbertson. "We're
going to do our best to get them all the exposure we can and make
The Mill the number one choice for So-Cal drag racing fans looking
for furniture."
NHRA closes the door on nitro market competition for 2004
(2-13-2004) - To some nitro teams, this might be the worst Friday the 13th ever. The NHRA issued word that only nitromethane from an NHRA accepted supplier may be brought on site or used on site at any NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event. What this amounts to, is unless the NHRA approves the Chinese alternative brought in by one of the teams testing in Las Vegas, it will be illegal for use in competition. Any team caught using nitro outside of the two current sources of Angus and Wego will be banned from competition.
The NHRA cited security, safety, long term availability of both a domestically produced and imported supply of nitromethane, and contend this move is in the best interests of the sport. As of February 12, 2004, the accepted suppliers are now DOW/Angus and Wego. Both fuels are exclusively distributed by VP Racing Fuels.
The debate over nitro came to a boil in December when VP Race Fuels brokered a contract to not only become the exclusive distributor of Angus, but also Chinese-produced Wego. Wego had been previously branded by Sunoco Race Fuels. Officials from Sunoco reported they were never given the opportunity to bid for the contract.
Following the new Wego and VP Race Fuels alliance, the price of a drum of nitro increased from $650 to $900. The price could go even higher by the end of the 2004 season.
Little & Price Motorsports has organized the CMTS Outlaw Pro-Mod Quick 8 Series. Rules are few, bring your Nitrous or Blower Car and race !
(2-13-2004) - Donnie Little and Dennis Price are
conducting a four race series with a point championship and money
fund. The races will be contested at Gateway International Raceway
in Madison, Illinois, just East of downtown St. Louis , Mo.
Scheduled Dates are : May 22, June 19, Aug 14 & Sept 25
For more information contact, Donnie Little (217) 623-4429 or Dennis
Price (618) 281-1987
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DRAW TO HOST ANNUAL FLORIDA GOLF TOURNAMENT!
(2-12-2004) - DRAW, the Drag Racing Association of Women, will host their annual Florida golf tournament prior to the NHRA Mac Tools Gatornationals held in Gainesville, Florida. The tournament will take place on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, with a tee time of 1:00 p.m. at Ironwood Golf Course in Gainesville, Florida. Lunch will be served from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. prior to the tournament. An awards presentation will be held at the conclusion of the tournament.
The entry fee is $65 which includes green fees, golf cart, lunch and the awards presentation. Three optional mulligans may be purchased for an additional $10.
There is good news for sportsman racers. If you pre pay your entry fee you may receive early parking to accommodate lunch and 1:00 p.m. tee time.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. They include hole sponsors for $125, awards sponsors $200 - $250, beverage cart sponsor $300 and food sponsor $500.
A sponsorship form or golf entry form can be e-mail or faxed directly to you. For details contact Tracy Winters @ 321-632-6205 ext. 13 - e-mail tracyw@digital.net or Rosalee Noble @ 217-345-6537 - e-mail csrn@eiu.edu
Say Cheese...and Milk or Yogurt too! 3-A-Day of Dairy Campaign joins
Henkelman & Baca Motorsports
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(2-12-2004)- David Baca, driver and partner/owner of Henkelman & Baca Motorsports American Racing Top Fuel dragster, and Sheldon Pratt, CEO of the Dairy Farmers of Oregon, headquartered in Portland, Ore., have announced that 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign, a pilot program for a national marketing campaign, has joined the team for the season-opening NHRA K&N Filters Winternationals.
The 3-A-Day of Dairy nutrition-based marketing and consumer education campaign is managed by The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council, with the monetary support of the dairy industry and the professional support of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association and the National Medical Association.
"The NHRA has moved forward and developed a program that is family-oriented," said Pratt. "We are able to get the spectators, who are also our consumers, into the pit area and be one-on-one with the teams and drivers. That's what delivers our clientele.
"Henkelman and Baca is a family-based team. I've known Rick (Henkelman) for many years and David (Baca) for the last two or three. These guys are not only committed to the sport but also to their fans in the stands. They want to put on a good show and they are the types of individuals that we want representing the dairy industry. David is real conscientious about representing the sponsors and products that he feels good about. So it's just a win-win situation for us to be associated with Henkelman and Baca Motorsports.
"This is a pilot program. I know that the fan base of NHRA drag racing supports the companies that support drag racing and we want to be associated with that loyalty. I hope to have some of our processors and 3-A-Day team members at the Pomona event. Hopefully, this will result in bringing this campaign to other markets and NHRA venues throughout the country."
The Oregon dairy industry is a community-conscious, caring business that contributes over $600 million to Oregon's economic well being each year. 350 dairy farm families, with the help of their 120,000 dairy cows, and the care of the 20 Oregon dairy processors throughout the state, consistently produce top quality, scrumptious dairy products for consumers to enjoy.
"We are especially pleased to have 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign onboard with us at Pomona," said the physically fit Baca. "I value being healthy and taking care of your body and 3-A-Day of Dairy - three servings of dairy - is a deliciously easy way to provide calcium to help build stronger bones and better bodies.
"Since joining forces with the Dairy Farmers of Oregon, I've learned that in addition to calcium, dairy products provide eight essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents). And they should know. The Oregon dairy industry has been producing award-winning cheeses, milk, butter, and an extensive line of premium ice cream, sour cream and yogurt for over 150 years."
The Henkelman & Baca Motorsports American Racing/3-A-Day of Dairy dragster debuts when qualifying gets underway Thursday, February 19, for the K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway, the first of 23 national events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
MILLER BREWING COMPANY CELEBRATES GREAT MOMENTS IN MILLER RACING; NHRA champion Dixon and Nextel Cup star Wallace to be featured on special commemorative 24-oz. cans.
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(2-12-2004) – Miller Brewing Company will honor two-time defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and Miller Lite Racing teammate and 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Rusty Wallace and his Nextel Cup No. 2 Penske Dodge with a special commemorative can series. The program, launched earlier this month, runs through March.
In conjunction with the six commemorative 24-ounce racing-themed cans, both Dixon’s Don ‘the Snake’ Prudhomme-owned Miller Lite dragster and Wallace’s Penske Racing Miller Lite Dodge will sport a special paint scheme celebrating ‘Great Moments in Miller Racing.’ Dixon’s Miller Lite dragster will feature the special paint scheme during the 20th annual Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals, March 5-7, near Phoenix, while Wallace’s No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge will sport the one-race scheme during the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7.
The cans will be available in convenience stores across the country and will include four Miller Lite cans and two Miller Genuine Draft cans. Each can will feature a different racing milestone in either Dixon’s or Wallace’s decorated racing career and can be purchased individually or in a specially packaged six-pack.
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“To see your name and race car on a beer can is awesome,” Dixon said. “I was wondering if Miller chose the 24-ounce can because our dragster is so long that it wouldn’t fit on the 12-ounce one.”
"I think this is a really neat promotion that Miller is doing and I'm really quite flattered that they are doing it," said Wallace. "We've had so many great runs carrying the Miller Genuine Draft and Miller Lite colors and we're proud of all of those accomplishments. The fans certainly know about the success that Larry and I have had on the race track. Now they can help celebrate our
career highlights in this commemorative fashion. These cans represent a lot of blood, sweat and tears and I feel honored that Miller came up with such an idea."
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One Miller Lite can – entitled ‘2004 Miller Lite Racing
Team Built For Speed’ – will feature both Dixon and
Wallace, while Dixon will be featured on a ‘Back-To-Back Champion’
can of Miller Lite and a ‘1995 Rookie of the Year’ can
of MGD. Wallace’s ‘600th Consecutive Start’ and
‘50th Career Win’ will be emblazoned on Miller Lite
cans, and ‘Rusty Debuts “Midnight” With A Win’
will be portrayed on an MGD can.
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DIXON, PEDREGON TO BE FEATURED GUESTS ON ESPN2'S COLD PIZZA
(2-12-2004) - NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champions Larry Dixon and Tony Pedregon will be featured in-studio guests on ESPN2's popular morning show, Cold Pizza, on Friday, Feb. 13.
Dixon, winner of the last two NHRA POWERade Top Fuel crowns, earned eight victories aboard his Don Prudhomme-owned Miller Lite dragster en route to the '03 title. This season Dixon is hoping to join five-time champ Joe Amato as the only Top Fuel drivers in the history of the sport to win three consecutive series championship titles.
Pedregon claimed the '03 Funny Car championship with eight victories driving the John Force-owned Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang. Pedregon ended his association with Force Racing during the offseason to start his own Funny Car team, partnering with brother Cruz, the 1992 NHRA Funny Car champion, and primary sponsor Quaker State.
Cold Pizza, with co-hosts Jay Crawford and Kit Hoover, airs each
weekday morning on ESPN2 from 7-9 a.m. (ET).
O’Reilly Auto Parts Announces Royal Purple Roll-out
(2-12-2004) - Aftermarket titan O’Reilly Auto Parts
has announced that they are adding Royal Purple’s high-performance
lubricant line to their retail and commercial sales efforts. O’Reilly
had initially allowed select stores to carry the line in order to
judge its sales potential. O’Reilly took quick notice of Royal
Purple’s rapidly growing demand and endorsements from prominent
automotive media such as Hot Rod magazine and Horsepower TV.
O’Reilly will be adding the product line to their +1000 stores
over the next 12 months. They have already stocked the product in
nearly 200 stores and begun selling it through their commercial
sales representatives.
“We’re profoundly excited to have O’Reilly carrying
our product line”, says Royal Purple Marketing Director Mark
McFann, “O’Reilly is a outstanding company that a lot
of retail and commercial businesses are modeling themselves after.”
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Bendix® Expands Sponsorship With Pedregon Racing
(2-12-2004) - Honeywell’s Bendix® brakes has renewed its associate sponsorship with former Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon for the 2004 NHRA® POWERade drag racing series season. The brand has also expanded its involvement with the team by becoming an associate sponsor on 2003 Funny Car Champion Tony Pedregon’s Quaker State Funny Car.
“Last year was a great season for Pedregon racing and we were thrilled to be a part of the team,” said Tim Jones, Director of Marketing – Americas, Honeywell Friction Materials. “For 2004, we’ve expanded our partnership to include sponsorship for Cruz’s brother, Tony, and we are very excited. We know our customers are NHRA racing enthusiasts and this visibility and exposure is a great way for Bendix® brakes to showcase its support.”
The Bendix® brand will officially display its famous blue and white colors on the Advance Auto Parts Funny Car and the Quaker State Funny Car at the 2004 Winternationals at the Pomona Raceway in Pomona, California this month, February 19-22.
“I’m very pleased that Honeywell’s Bendix® brand will be a part of our team again this season,” Cruz said. “To have them expand their sponsorship with Tony’s team is great. We had a great season last year with them on board and we plan to capitalize on that for 2004. They are a high-class company and I couldn’t be happier to have their colors displayed on the Advance Auto Parts Funny Car.”
Cruz is entering his third season as owner/driver and it’s his first year with brother, Tony, as his teammate.
“I’m thrilled to have Bendix on board the Quaker State Funny Car,” said Tony. “It’s an innovative brand that has been around for almost 80 years and prides itself on making industry-wide improvements. I feel very fortunate to have their support.”
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BRENDER ADDED TO NHRA COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
(2-12-2004) - Rob Brender has been named media
relations manager for the NHRA, it was announced today by NHRA Director
of Media Relations Anthony Vestal.
Brender, 26, comes to the NHRA with a wealth of minor league baseball
experience. He was the media relations coordinator and radio broadcaster
for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes the past two years. He spent a year
in a very similar capacity with the Pioneer League's Billings Mustangs
and also worked for the double-A Akron Aeros for two seasons.
"We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Rob's abilities and experience working for the NHRA," Vestal said. "He has the work ethic, enthusiasm and desire to constantly improve the programs and initiatives we have developed to promote and publicize the sport of NHRA Drag Racing."
A native of Closter, N.J., Brender graduated from the University of Akron in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in mass media communications and spent one year working as a production assistant at MSNBC television prior to entering minor league baseball.
"I am excited and looking forward to working with such a wonderful and knowledgeable staff here at the NHRA," Brender said. "It is my goal to aid in the continued success and growth of the NHRA and the sport of drag racing and become an established member of this organization."
In his new position, Brender will provide national event media relations support for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series and NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series as well as for other NHRA racing programs. In addition, he will help write press releases, maintain relationships with national media outlets and contribute to the NHRA media guide and other NHRA Communications Department publications.
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Thornton Quickest and Fastest PSCA Racer in History
(2-11-2004) - Ed Thornton of Chino Hills, Ca drove his 1957 Chevrolet Pro Street to a blistering 6.56 elapsed time at a whopping 220.81 MPH speed during round 2 of eliminations the the PSCA Winternationals at Speedworld Motorplex near Phoenix, AZ. Thornton had qualified in the number 2 position with a 6.90 and posted a 6.75 at 211 MPH in round number 1. The 6.56 was a full .14 seconds under the previous ET record which Thornton set at last year’s event in a different car at 6.70.
“I was not surprised that the car ran 220, because with this new M800 Engine Management System from MoTeC, I knew the car would be fast eventually. It gives us so much ability to adjust for changing conditions its just amazing. I was just surprised it did it this soon,” explained Thornton. “We have only had this car in our possession for 3 weeks. And this is only our 9th pass with our combination in it. Without a doubt this is testament to the abilities of both my clutch expert Doug Stewart and Engine Tuner Shane Tecklenburg. Without them, there is no way this car would be this quick this soon.”
In the Final Elimination round, Thornton emerged victorious after posting a 6.67 at “just” 217 MPH. His competitor, Mary Baltzell had to shut off due to tire-spin. The previous 6.56 et and 220 mph speed were enough to back up the 6.67 at 217 giving Thornton and crew both ends of the record for the Pro Street category in the PSCA.
Said Thornton of his final round run, “Shane and Doug told
me they backed the car down just a tick so it wouldn’t spin
the tires. On that 220 run, it was actually slipping the tires quite
a bit at the finish line. They told me it would slow down a couple
of miles per hour and about a tenth and they were right on. I would
like to thank Doug, Shane, Larry and Tom for all of their help with
this car lately. I would also like to say thanks to my wife Kathy
for supporting my racing
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EXTRA DAY IN PHOENIX PAYS OFF FOR TEAM CSK
(2-11-2004) - When Del Worsham, Phil Burkart,
and their Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Funny Car teams rolled into
Firebird Raceway last Thursday, they had every intention of completing
as many test laps as possible prior to conclusion of the National
Time Trials, which were set to wrap up at sunset on Sunday. They
did just that, but as a group were not fully satisfied with the
results and Worsham made the call to stick around Phoenix for one
additional day. Knowing
they were closing in on much more solid performance, but weren't
quite there yet, Worsham and Burkart jumped at the chance to get
back on the track on Monday.
The large contingent of professional Funny Car teams in attendance for this annual "spring training" weekend in Phoenix had all struggled to put up impressive numbers throughout the weekend, with 4.90's popping up on the scoreboard with such rarity it appeared these fast running teams had all been caught in a time warp. Worsham knew the CSK cars were close to where they needed to be, and the extra day was the only option.
"It was tough out there for a few days, and even though we
were all in the same boat, you couldn't help but get a little frustrated,"
Worsham said. "We were getting close and we needed more laps,
it was as simple as that. You want to head into the season opener
in Pomona
feeling good about what you can do with the conditions the track
hands you, regardless of the actual numbers you put up, and now
we feel that way. I'm glad we stayed around."
Going into Monday with a previous best of 5.01 on an early shut
off, Worsham cranked out a stunning 4.87 at 309 miles per hour at
midday on Monday. Not wanting to be outdone, the CSK blue squad
then got to work to not only improve on their previous best of 4.98,
they also
aimed to outrun the boss's 4.87. At the end of Monday afternoon,
as the sun began to set behind the desert mountains, they were on
their way to doing just that before a broken blower belt silenced
the car, which still posted a very strong 4.90 as it coasted across
the finish
line at only 263 miles per hour.
"The blue team was pretty sure they could grab a quicker E.T. than we had just posted, and they just about did it," Worsham said. "The blue car was ripping through the front half of the track. We're adapting to a lot of new stuff, and one of the gremlins we had all weekend was broken blower belts. It has to do with the blower position and how to keep the belt steady and the pulley supported, so we're learning.
That's what testing is for. They got the incremental numbers they were after, so at this point I have to say that we got everything we wanted out of the extra day. This was time and money well spent."
Team CSK has now returned to their Anaheim headquarters, where
they will prepare for next week's NHRA season opener, the K&N
Filters Winternationals, scheduled for February 19-2, at Pomona
Raceway.
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IN 10TH SEASON AS TEAM OWNER, PRUDHOMME EYES 100TH CAREER VICTORY
(2-10-2004)- In more than 50 years of NHRA drag racing, one colorful nickname has become synonymous with the sport - The Snake.
After accomplishing nearly every major feat in the sport, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme is nearing another milestone – 100 career victories. Prudhomme enters the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season with 96 career victories.
Growing up in Log Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, the birth place of drag racing, the former automobile painter from Van Nuys, Calif. earned his stripes as a member of the famed Los Angeles-area Road Kings Car Club before graduating to greatness in drag racing’s two marquee categories (Top Fuel and Funny Car).
“It was the hot spot of drag racing,” Prudhomme said. “It was a huge thing, especially Bakersfield. In the early days of Bakersfield, they were running nitromethane up there and NHRA didn’t run nitromethane at the time, they ran gasoline. It was pretty much the birthplace, you know Wally Parks and (Robert) Petersen. California was the hub.”
Prudhomme initially made a name for himself driving various front-engine dragsters to wins across the country. He earned his first of a record seven U.S. Nationals titles in 1965 driving a rail owned by Roland Leong. Prudhomme scored two more Top Fuel victories at “The Big Go” in 1969-70 before piloting his Funny Car to Indy glory four more times. And that was just at Indy.
Overall, “the Snake” won 49 NHRA events - 35 in Funny Car and 14 in Top Fuel - in 68 final-round appearances for a staggering .721 final-round winning percentage. He also holds the distinction of winning the second most Funny Car races ever, despite the fact he split time between two professional categories.
Although his footprints can clearly be seen in every decade since the 1960s, Prudhomme’s heyday as a driver came in the mid-‘70s when he shocked the motorsports world with a dominating string of four consecutive NHRA Funny Car championships from 1975-78. He earned seven consecutive race victories, the most in NHRA Funny Car history, over a two-year span in 1976-77 and advanced to a record 13 straight final rounds in 1975-77. He also recorded low qualifier honors 52 times and is one of 13 drivers to have earned victories in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
“Those were some of my best days as I look back on my career,” Prudhomme said. “There was a four-year period of winning championships. I’ve had some great moments in drag racing. I think that was the peak of my racing days as a driver.”
After 32 years of piloting Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, 49 race victories and four NHRA Funny Car titles, “the Snake” decided 1994 would be his final season as a driver and fittingly termed the campaign his “Final Strike Tour.” Aside from giving his multitude of fans one last chance to see him race, “the Snake” made another important decision that year, tabbing a baby-faced, second-generation driver named Larry Dixon to fill one of the most coveted seats in the sport.
“It was really a no-brainer with Larry,” Prudhomme said. “He had the desire and when we went to test the car, I wasn’t 100 percent sure until he drove it. He had driven other things, but never anything with that much power. He was like a duck to water and I was like a proud papa watching him in the car.”
In 1996, Prudhomme – who achieved much of his fame and recognition from his partnership with Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand and rivalry with fellow Funny Car ace Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen – jumped back into the Funny Car wars with the help of longtime sponsor U.S. Tobacco Co. and its Copenhagen brand, naming up-and-coming driver Ron Capps to drive a black Camaro Funny Car.
“I guess I would have to compare it to like being called up to play in the major leagues,” Capps said. “It would be like being a college football quarterback and having Joe Montana walk on the practice field and give you some tips.
“When you grow up wanting to emulate somebody or idolizing somebody, you never figure you’ll get close to that person. You’d like to be able to take the career path they did and do what they did. To be able to work for that person and become part of their family is something you dream about.”
As the fad of multi-car teams swept the Funny Car ranks, Prudhomme added Tommy Johnson Jr. – long considered one of the best all-around drivers in the sport – to his organization in 2001, teaming the blonde, spectacle-wearing Iowan with Capps to drive a second Skoal Camaro.
Prudhomme still casts a daunting shadow at drag strips up and down the West Coast to Florida, New Jersey, and anywhere else in between. With his confident swagger and cool demeanor, the toothpick-clenching Prudhomme has toasted a Miller Lite nearly 50 times after witnessing his stable of drivers race to 47 victories (Dixon 33, Capps 13 and Johnson Jr. one) and two NHRA POWERade championships – giving Prudhomme six titles in his illustrious career.
Combined with his 49 wins as a driver, Prudhomme has his sights set on “Wally” trophy No. 100, becoming only the second driver/owner behind John Force to reach the 100-win plateau.
“I think what’s more important are the three teams doing well,” Prudhomme said. “I look at the Funny Car team doing well, the dragster team doing well and when they do, the wins will come. I don’t really look ahead. It’s a good number to have up there, but Force has already done it. I’d have been more impressed if I was the first to get this thing.
“We’re focused on winning races and championships and if all that happens, the 100th will come in short order. It’s more of a team thing now then Don’s going to win his 100th race. What’s turns me on is when the cars win.”
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Racers set to kick off 2004 at this weekend's InsideTopAlcohol.com Warm-up
(2-9-2004) - Some of the top racers in the country
are preparing to kick off the 2004 racing season during this weekend's
InsideTopAlcohol.com Warm-up at Lonestar Raceway Park just west
of Houston in Sealy, Texas. The event is expected to be one of the
quickest in Lonestar Raceway Park's history as weather conditions
are prime for the Top Alcohol Dragsters to eclipse Lee Callaway's
current 3.66 at 204 mph track record.
The event will feature some of the top names in Top Alcohol Dragster
and Funny Car such as defending four-time Division 5 Champ David
Wells, defending two-time Division 4 Champ Shelly Howard, 2002 Division
4 Champ Lee Callaway, James Thompson, Karl Brounkowski, Steve Burck
and more. In addition to the Top Alcohol cars, top name sportsman
and King of the Strip (heads-up street legal series) competitors
will be on hand.
"We're looking forward to coming down," said Wells. "Up
here in Iowa, there's snow on the ground and it's way too cold to
test. We're looking forward to coming down to Texas and getting
to some warmer weather. The conditions should be good to run some
good numbers, and we'll be trying to get ready for 2004."
Current track record holder Callaway is ready as well.
"We ran that 3.66 in the middle of July," stated Callaway.
"The air was around 3600 ft corrected altitude then, and it
should be close to sea level, if not below. We should be able to
go quite a bit quicker. With some of the cars that will be there,
so will they. We're going to try our best to come back out with
the record."
In addition to the action on the track, a special tutorial session,
the "Top Alcohol Experience" will be held in David Wells'
pit on Saturday. The class, given by InsideTopAlcohol.com's editor
Will Hanna, will be a chance for fans to get a close-up look at
a Top Alcohol Dragster, and learn more about the car, it's powerplant
and what the driver does. The session will culminate with a pre-run
warm-up and a question and answer session with Hanna and Wells.
"We want to give the fans an opportunity to get up close and
personal with the alcohol cars," stated Hanna. "We're
going to start with the basics and work our way into some of the
more complex aspects of the car. Then we'll warm the car up, and
answer some of the questions. We definitely want the Top Alcohol
Experience to be something the fans remember when they leave the
track, in addition to the record-breaking runs they will see on
the track."
The action kicks off Saturday, with the gates opening at 9 a.m.,
and testing starting at 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Sunday will feature
the same schedule. Spectator admission is just $10. Testing is free
for all IHRA/NHRA class competitors and King of the Strip competitors.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES TO BE FEATURED EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPN2 IN 2004
(2-10-2004) - NHRA officials announced today that
television partner ESPN will continue to produce 16 one-hour shows
highlighting coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
national events in 2004.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series coverage will be showcased on ESPN2 on a taped-delay basis as part of NHRA's exclusive relationship with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports.
"It is very important that we provide a platform for our NHRA
Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors to gain valuable exposure
on ESPN2 for their sponsors," said Tom Compton, president,
NHRA. "The competition in all of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing
Series categories is exciting and gives NHRA fans an opportunity
to watch the future stars of the sport. Over the years, the NHRA
Lucas Oil Series has become a great proving ground to many drivers
as they have moved on to success in the NHRA POWERade Series."
In addition, each of the 41 half-hour episodes of NHRA 2Day, NHRA's
weekly news magazine show hosted by Bill Stephens that airs each
Sunday on ESPN2, will feature a Sportsman Spotlight segment focusing
on the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA's member track
network.
Veteran motorsports announcer Marty Reid will continue to anchor the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts and will be joined in the booth by Bob Frey, with David Rieff continuing his duties as pit reporter.
ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports
entertainment company featuring a portfolio of more than 40 multimedia
sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television
networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN
Now, ESPN Today), ESPN HD, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International
(networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine,
SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants),
and other growing new businesses including ESPN Broadband, ESPN
Wireless, ESPN Video-on-Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based
in Bristo, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is
an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation
holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
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EXTREME AUTOFEST TO PRODUCE NHRA STYLEFEST AT CALIFORNIA NHRA SPORT COMPACT NATIONALS
(2-10-2004) - NHRA officials announced today that Positive Entertainment, a San Diego-based producer of popular Extreme Autofest lifestyle events targeted at Gen-Y auto enthusiasts, will produce the NHRA Stylefest during the 2004 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series season-opening event, the inaugural California NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at California Dragway in Fontana, March 13-14.
The Extreme Autofest Automotive Lifestyle Supershow featuring the NHRA Stylefest will be held on March 14, and will include a custom car show, NHRA Xtreme Bikini Jam and car audio competitions. In addition, there will be live performances from local talent as well as DJs performing to entertain the crowd. Extreme Autofest has produced two other successful NHRA Stylefest shows, at Pomona Raceway in 2002 and at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. in 2003.
"Today's automotive lifestyle culture is constantly evolving and we must stay on the cutting edge in order to satisfy the appetites of the Gen-Y auto enthusiast," said Ed Arguelles, vice president of marketing and sales for Positive Entertainment. "Combined with the thrilling racing action on the track at an NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series event, our lifestyle supershow offers unmatched motorsports excitement."
The Extreme Autofest Automotive Lifestyle Supershow featuring the NHRA Stylefest is an added attraction to the event, which features two days of the quickest side-by-side sport compact drag racing action. It is the first NHRA-sanctioned touring event to be held at California Dragway.
"We're pleased to have Positive Entertainment return as our partner in presenting the Extreme Autofest Automotive Lifestyle Supershow featuring the NHRA Stylefest at our season-opening event at California Dragway," said Gary Raasch, director of marketing for the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series. "Our fan base enjoys the multi-sensory entertainment experience provided during the Extreme Autofest Supershows and it certainly compliments the extreme racing action on the track."
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DUNN RUNNER-UP IN AUSTRALIA
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(2-9-2004) - ESPN commentator and race analyst Mike Dunn has blasted his way to the runner-up position at the 2004 Summernationals, the first event at the brand new Western Sydney International Dragway. Dunn, competing with the two-car Santo Rapisarda Top Fuel team, went down to Australian National points leader John Cowin in the final round of the debut meeting at the opening meeting of the $20 million (AUD) state of the art facility. After being out-reacted by the youngster, both drivers suffered tireshake, with Cowin having enough to hold on after losing the supercharger belt after 1000 foot. Cowin’s 5.387 at only 187.00 MPH to Dunn’s fast finishing 5.504 at 268.33 MPH. It was a fantastic weekend for the American, who recorded the first 300 MPH run at the facility with a 4.902 at 301.54 MPH pass in early Saturday qualifying.
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That third qualifying pass was also the quickest for the weekend at that stage, before Cowin posted an outstanding 4.813 at 309.42 MPH effort in the last session to reclaim the number one. Dunn was impressed with the first race meeting at the facility, and his Australian team.
“I have to thank Santo Rapisarda for bringing me out here, I hope I have the opportunity to do it again next year, we will see what happens.”
Dunn was also a favorite with the crowd, being honoured as Australia’s official guest with the playing of the American anthem during the opening ceremony. The first event at the Western Sydney facility was an outstanding success, providing the fruitful end to seven long hard years of work for a dedicated bunch of New South Wales enthusiasts, headed by Australian Drag Racing legend Jim Read, and former Dragster Australia Magazine publisher David Cook. The Australian Top Fuel Championship remains in Sydney with round four on May 15, before returning to Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway for the traditional series ending Winternationals.
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Baca named MSPA Drag Racer of the Year
(2-9-2004) - As a result of the strong showing made during his rookie year on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, David Baca, partner and driver of the Henkelman & Baca American Racing Top Fuel Dragster, was named Drag Racer of the Year by the Motor Sport Press Association for 2003.
Baca, who finished No. 7 in 2003 NHRA POWERade point standing and was runner-up for the NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award (Rookie of the Year), will receive his award at the MSPA's Green Flag Dinner, Wednesday, March 3, 2004 in Oakland, Calif.
Baca, a second generation driver from Brentwood, Calif., will be the second member of the Baca family to receive this award. His father, Dennis, was recognized by the MSPA in the same category in 1972.
The Motor Sport Press Association is an organization comprised of professional motorsports and automotive journalists and photographers from throughout Northern California, as well as Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Indiana, and North Carolina. Through newspapers, radio, television, magazines, specialty publications, and photography, members reach an audience of more than 55 million.
For more than 37 years the members of the MSPA have covered the world of wheels, reporting the excitement of racing and addressing the important issues of racing and the automotive industry.
The MSPA annually honors outstanding performances of motorsports athletes with its Racers of the Year, Gordon Martin, and prestigious MSPA Hall of Fame awards. Additionally, the John Ryan Journalism Awards are presented to members of the MSPA in several motor sport and automotive categories for outstanding achievement in journalism, photography, and electronic media as determined by a panel of distinguished motoring media experts.
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RUSSELL AND TEAM SCHUMACHER FUNNY CARS POST TOP NHRA TESTING PERFORMANCES AT PHOENIX
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(2-9-2004) - Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell and
Schumacher Racing Funny Car drivers Whit Bazemore and Gary Scelzi
made the quickest test runs of the weekend in their respective categories
at the National Time Trials at Firebird International Raceway near
Phoenix.
NHRA teams are practicing for the 23-race $50 million NHRA POWERade
Drag Racing Series, which begins Feb. 19-22 with the 44th annual
K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway in Pomona, Calif.
Russell, the 2001 NHRA Rookie of the Year, made the quickest and
fastest pass of the three-day trial in the Joe Amato-owned Bilstein
dragster, recording a pass of 4.52 seconds at 313.00 mph. Russell's
performance was followed by Tony Schumacher, driver of the U.S.
Army dragster, who posted a top pass of 4.610 at 264.75. Two-time
NHRA POWERade Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and the Miller Lite
team also recorded a 4.61 effort down the quarter-mile, slowing
to a speed of 287.29 in the planned early shut-off.
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Schumacher Racing's Funny Car teams continued to establish themselves
as legitimate contenders for the 2004 POWERade crown. Bazemore,
who finished second in the 2003 final standings, used the last day
of the trial to make his best pass. The driver of the Matco Tools
Dodge Stratus made a complete run, shutting the clocks off at 4.929
at 309.98.
Bazemore's teammate, Scelzi, also had an impressive time trial,
recording passes of 4.938 at 290.38 and a time of 4.997 during Saturday's
sessions. Scelzi, a three-time Top Fuel champion, holds the five
fastest Funny Car speeds in his Oakley Dodge.
Phil Burkart, driver of the Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird,
was among the quick Funny Car runs of the weekend with his 4.98
second run. John Force, 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion, recorded
a 4.99 second run in the Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang and
was matched by Skoal Racing's Ron Capps, also posting a 4.99. (Photos
by Brian Losness and James Drew).
Hang on Sloopy, hang on
ROCKINGHAM DRAGWAY'S PRO WINTER TEST FEST TO BE FEB. 26-28
(2-9-2004) - Can the 2004 racing season start where it
left off in 2003? Pre-season testing can be crucial to a race team
trying to get a jump on the competition.
As important as a racer preparing his car, the drag strip surface must also be prepared for the best possible performance. Last year, the surface at Rockingham (NC) Dragway slipped below an acceptable level for track owner Steve Earwood, so he resurfaced it -- and then did it again. It was worth all the extra work, as racers attending last October's IHRA Hooters World Finals were rewarded with a series of record-breaking performances.
"We not only resurfaced the track once, but actually did it twice in order to make the track surface come up to the high standards we and our racers have come to expect from Rockingham Dragway," said Earwood. "Going the extra mile -- or in this case, the extra quarter-mile -- we have demonstrated our commitment to excellence and to our racers. We once again are very proud to be 'the Carolinas' quickest and fastest track.'"
To help them get ready for this racing season, racers will have an opportunity for a free three-day test session at the inaugural Pro Winter Test Fest, Feb. 26-28. The event will consists of unlimited free testing on Thursday and Friday, with the two quickest racers returning on Saturday for a Chicago-style race. There will be one more round of testing on Saturday, and then the two quickest Pro Modified and Pro Stock cars will race for a cash purse in each of the two classes.
McClenathan named driver for Carrier Boyz Racing
(2-8-2004) -- Carrier Boyz Racing, the Bristol, Tenn.-based Top Fuel dragster team co-owned by brothers Andy and Mark Carrier, announced today that veteran driver Cory McClenathan, from Riverside, Calif., has signed a multi-year contract to drive the Carrier Boyz Racing Berryman Top Fuel Dragster.
"Mark and I are extremely happy that Cory McClenathan will be on board as driver of the Berryman Products Dragster," said Andy Carrier. "Cory is a proven driver that will allow our team to immediately pick-up the pace and compete with the proven teams on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
"Additionally, we are pleased that Berryman Products, who has been associated with Cory McClenathan and NHRA drag racing for the past several years, will headline an all-star list of marketing partners that will join Carrier Boyz Racing for the 2004 season.
"Berryman, like our racing operation, is a family-based company. Their product line of high quality chemical products is second to none and will be an added benefit to our program. Carrier Boyz Racing looks forward to a long and lasting relationship representing Berryman."
McClenathan, who continues a pattern developed over the past several years of signing with teams as the bell strikes twelve on the start of season, is pleased to be associated with his new team and the potential for immediate success.
"These last minute deals are heart-stoppers, " said McClenathan, who finished fifth in NHRA POWERade points in both 2002 and 2003, "but I feel I've finally found a home with Andy and Mark and Carrier Boyz Racing. The team has all new parts, a new Featherlite trailer coming in April and a great crew headed by (crew chief) Jimmy Walsh. I can't wait to test in Las Vegas just prior to Pomona and am looking forward to the start of the 2004 season. I think we can be a factor from day one."
In addition to Berryman Products, joining Carrier Boyz Racing as associate sponsors is American Racing, Don Steves Chevrolet (La Habra, Calif.), Fabtech Motorsports, Mac Tools, Negley Electric and Valvoline Oil.
"We welcome our new marketing partners for this season," added Mark Carrier. "Our plans call for us to run the entire 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Race Series schedule. We feel we can compete competitively on the NHRA circuit but to insure that we match the dollars of the top financed teams we will continue to look for and add additional marketing partners as the opportunity arises.
"Led by crew chief Jimmy Walsh and assisted by Bob Bauer, our crew has worked hard over the winter months and has us ready for the start of the season. Even though we got a late start on signing Cory, we shouldn't miss a beat as the season starts thanks to our crew's focus."
The team will test at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17, before moving to Pomona, Calif. and the NHRA season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals.
Scotty Cannon defeats Jason Scruggs in first match race since returning from Funny Car
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(2-8-2004) - After several successful testing sessions in Florida, legendary Pro Modified competitor Scotty Cannon took the first steps towards reestablishing his dominance of the class he was instrumental in putting on the drag racing map in the early 1990s.
Cannon, a five-time IHRA champion, capped off his return to the sport’s premier doorslammer class with a match race victory over Outlaw Pro Mod standout Jason Scruggs at Southern Dragway in Douglas, Georgia. After five years in the nitro Funny Car ranks, Cannon’s return to the Pro Mod stage has been highly-anticipated.
Cannon, wheeling his blown hemi-powered ’53 Studebaker, went one for one in heads up action against Scruggs’ record-setting blown small block Chevy-equipped ’63 Corvette, and then made a solo pass to wrap things up after an oil leak forced his opponent to forfeit the rubber match.
In a warm-up run early in the day, Scruggs threw down the gauntlet when he streaked to an impressive 3.99, 182-mph pass, coming close to his track record of 3.98. Cannon countered with a solid effort of 4.15, 179, and the fight was on.
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In the first of three scheduled races, Scruggs came out on top 4.85, 130 to 5.23, 119, as Cannon encountered tire shake off the line and fought to keep control through the top end. The victory came at a high price, however, as the intake manifold on Scruggs’ “Vette lifted, spraying oil on the headers and enveloping the car in a cloud of smoke as he crossed the line.
In the pits, Scruggs’ crew thrashed to make repairs, applying silicone sealant to the intake in order to stop the oil leakage. It was a band-aid fix at best, however, and in the second round, Cannon’s consistency was in evidence as he reeled off a pass of 4.15, 176 to handle Scruggs’ smoky 4.32, 169 shot. This time it was too much for the stout-hearted little small block, and as Scruggs returned to the pits with his car coated in a film of oil he decided it wasn’t worth doing any more damage to the car, or worse, adding to an unsafe situation, as there was a considerable amount of oil on his tires as well.
It’s really too bad, because I think we were ready to take it to Scotty here this weekend,” Scruggs said. “But the engine was suffering, and the way we were spraying oil around, and getting it on the tires, well, it just wasn’t worth it to try and make the third run. We’ll be meeting Scotty a bunch of times this season, so we’ll get it back, don’t worry about that. This is just the first shot in a long war.”
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To cap off the evening, Cannon wheeled out to make his solo pass and carded his best effort of the day, a 4.14, 182-mph blast. Later, he recapped his return to Pro Mod competition. Well, we didn’t do too bad, but of course we wanted to run better than we did. After the shakedown run, when he ran a 3.99 to our 4.15, we hopped it up quite a bit to try and get into the 4.0s. We took the weight out of the car, spun the blower faster and put bigger tires under it, but it was so cold here today, with the air temperature at 42 degrees and the track temperature around 48 degrees, that we just couldn’t get it to hook up.
“I remember the day when I would have loved to run 4.14s or 15s consistently, to tell the truth, so all in all it wasn’t a bad way to come back to Pro Mod competition. I have to say again that I really love this Murray Anderson swing arm car – it will handle just about any track conditions, and it proved it here again.
“I have to take my hat of to Jason Scruggs – he’s
a hell of a racer and he probably has the quickest outlaw car that
I know of,” Cannon added. “He was running 4.0s when
I left to run Funny Cars, and he’s been beating the stink
out of everybody ever since. I guess I was just lucky to come out
on top here this weekend. I have no doubt he’ll be gunning
for me when we meet next time, and from the looks of it we’ll
be tangling quite a bit all year long.”
A complete photo gallery by Roger Richards and Brian Wood can be found at Match Race Madness
Warren Johnson Wins Pontiac Pro Stock Invitational
(2-8-2004) -A solid turnout of cars and drivers
including past NHRA champions Warren Johnson and Jim Yates, took
to the quarter-mile today at Houston Raceway Park for the running
of the 12th annual Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl. This perennial
drag racing invitational is one of the winter's final test sessions
before the battle for points gets underway in California on Feb.
19.
Warren Johnson, who didn't arrive in Houston until late Saturday
morning, defeated Mark Pawuk in an appropriate all-Pontiac final
round. Johnson's GM Performance Parts Grand Am took the win with
a 6.745 e.t. at 205.10 mph. Pawuk's Pontiac shook the tires hard
at halftrack and slowed to a 11.85 second run at 69.98 mph.
"There's no such thing as a bad win or a good loss," said
Johnson. "We also look at this as a test session, not only
for us but for everybody else, so you can kind of rank yourself
against the competition. We're pretty pleased with what happened
today although there's certainly a lot more work to do."
Two qualifying sessions set the formidable 12-car field for the
afternoon's eliminator. With just one run down the racetrack, Warren
Johnson's GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am grabbed the top
qualifying position and thrilled the crowd with a run of 6.681 seconds
at 205.76 mph. Johnson's Pontiac also turned four of the five quickest
runs on the recently resurfaced racetrack including a 6.706-second
run during a semifinal victory over Bruce Allen.
"We can't complain," said Johnson. "We came here
a little bit behind the eight-ball and it was a little gratifying
to be able to open up with the 6.68. We ran good speed all day,
ran 205 mph every run, which is kind of surprising on this racetrack
considering how green it is. The tire we have on their right now
has so much more bite than what we're used to that the real feat
is calming these cars down to utilize the amount of bite we have.
The track was just green enough that we were able to turn the tire
nicely down the track. Now we just have to get into that mode so
we can do that consistently from run to run, although we did go
a 6.70 also. The bottom line is that we kept it between the guardrails,
didn't hurt anything and learned a little bit.
"We have a whole new suspension in the back of our Grand Am,
new housing and everything, that we fabricated at the shop. We ran
a lot of calculations on what it should do, but between theory and
the real world there's a lot of adjusting with the results. We obviously
have to put some of the other suspension pieces back in and compare
them from A to B - maybe this is better, we don't know, but at least
we got down the racetrack."
Johnson currently holds the official track record of 6.720 seconds
set last April during the O'Reilly Spring Nationals, and his son
Kurt holds the official speed record of 205.57 also set during last
year's national event.
"We're going to stay on Sunday," said Johnson. "We
have a tire test with Goodyear, and we may stay until Monday depending
on how many runs we make tomorrow. Then we'll go to Tucson for a
couple of days on Friday and Saturday of next week, the truck's
going over on Monday and I'm flying back to the shop. Then we'll
drive to Las Vegas on Sunday and test there Monday and Tuesday before
Pomona."
Mark Pawuk's Summit Racing Pontiac took the No. 2 qualifying spot
with a run of 6.734 seconds at 204.45 mph. Mark Whisnant qualified
third and Ben Watson was fourth, both drivers in Chevy Cavaliers.
Final qualifying field: 1. Warren Johnson (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.681ET/205.76MPH; 2. Mark Pawuk (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.734ET/204.45MPH; 3. Mark Whisnant (Chevy Cavalier), 6.737ET/204.57MPH; 4. Ben Watson (Chevy Cavalier), 6.778ET/204.08MPH; 5. Bruce Allen (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.788ET/204.20MPH; 6. Fernando Cuadra (Chevy Cavalier), 6.799ET/202.52MPH; 7. Bo Nickens (Dodge), 6.801ET/203.40MPH; 8. Jim Yates (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.820ET/201.37MPH; 9. Ron Krisher (Chevy Cavalier), 6.861ET/202.39MPH; 10. Nick Drzayich (Pontiac), 6.900ET/197.51MPH; 11. Vince Fourcade (Ford), 6.912ET 198.64MPH; 12. Jim Cunningham (Ford), 7.039ET/193.49MPH; 13. Vinny Barone (Dodge), 10.215ET/82.57MPH
Best runs of the day by individual: 1. Warren Johnson (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.681ET/205.76MPH; 2. Bruce Allen (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.719ET/204.63MPH; 3. Mark Pawuk (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.734ET/204.45MPH; 4. Ben Watson (Chevy Cavalier); 6.735ET/204.20MPH; 5. Mark Whisnant (Chevy Cavalier; 6.737ET/204.57MPH; 6. Jim Yates (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am) 6.764ET/202.94MPH; 7. Fernando Cuadra, (Chevy Cavalier), 6.799ET/202.52MPH; 8. Ron Krisher (Chevy Cavalier), 6.861ET/202.39MPH
Five best runs of the day: 1. Warren Johnson (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.681ET/205.76MPH; 2. Warren Johnson (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.706ET/205.69MPH; 3. Bruce Allen (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.719ET/204.63MPH; 4. Warren Johnson (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.723ET/205.51MPH; 5. Warren Johnson (Pontiac SC/T Grand Am), 6.724ET/205.51MPH
Thomas Patterson relies on hometown advantage to win Pro Modified at Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl
(2-8-2004) – Sometimes one’s backyard can provide the perfect playground for a drag racer. However, in the case of Houston, Texas-based Pro Modified racer Thomas Patterson it was all go, plenty of show and no playing around as he claimed his first victory of the season by stopping Brian Daniels in the final round of the Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl at his home track Houston Raceway Park in Houston.
Patterson’s 6.1-second barrage was the perfect way to kick off his 2004 season.
“I think this is how everyone wants to kick off their season,” explained Patterson, a national event winner in both IHRA and NHRA competition. “We are by no means at the full potential we expect to start the season at, but we are getting there in a hurry.”
Patterson brought his “A” game to the table on this day by producing a 6.23 in the first round and tightening the grip on the competition by taking out a broken Von Smith with a 6.192, 223.69.
In the final round, Patterson saved his best for last with a 6.155, 226.28 in his Vanishing Point Race Cars-built 1941 Willys en route to stopping Daniels.
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Summit Racing Equipment Adds Teams To Its Roster.
(2-7-2004) - Summit Racing Equipment continues to expand its involvement with the NHRA with the announcement that it has added six teams to its roster of drivers. In addition to its long standing relationship with Pro Stock entry of Mark Pawuk, Summit Racing Equipment will now be an associate sponsor on the Pro Stock cars of Greg Anderson and Jason Line, Warren and Kurt Johnson and Larry Morgan. In addition to those teams, the Funny Car of Tim Wilkerson has also been added to the Summit team. "We are constantly striving to increase our presence and exposure on the NHRA POWERade tour," said Jeff Winters, Summit Racing Equipment's Motorsports Marketing Manager. "With the addition of these six teams to our lineup we can expect to see the Summit name in the winner's circle at every race this year."
The powerhouse teams selected by Summit Racing reflect the best talent in the Pro Stock class as well as one of the most respected names in the Funny Car ranks. "Mark Pawuk has done a great job for us over the years and he continues as our primary major sponsorship," Winters said. "But the Pro Stock class is so competitive and any time you have the opportunity to add drivers and teams of this caliber to your lineup, you just can't pass it up. We're looking for a great year both on and of the track at Summit Racing." The new teams account for seven NHRA POWERade championships, one hundred and forty nine national event wins and thirteen U.S. Nationals' championships. Both Greg Anderson and Tim Wilkerson won the sport's most prestigious race last year, while Jason Line, the team driver for Greg Anderson and car owner Ken Black, is also considered one of the most serious threats this year to win the NHRA Rookie of the Year award.
Warren Johnson, who accounts for a lot of those winning numbers, said that this is a great opportunity for his team. "It means a lot for us to join the Summit Racing family," the six-time series' champion said. "They already have a great representative and a strong presence in the class with Mark Pawuk, but I'm glad that when they decided to add to their racing program that they included Kurt and me. This will be a team effort this year as we all strive to produce a championship for Summit." Larry Morgan, a two-time Indy champ said that "the folks at Summit have always been great supporters of the Pro Stock class and the addition of our team and the others only serves to show the faith they have in our class. It's great to be part of the Summit Racing family."
Tim Wilkerson, who won the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals last year in the Funny Car class, said that the selection by Summit Racing further indicates how far his program has come in the past couple of seasons. "Three seasons ago I was racing part time," Tim said. "Now I enter this year as the Indy champ, a top ten team, and I get to add a great company like Summit Racing to my sponsor list. Things are going well in the Levi, Ray and Shoup pit area right now."
This announcement comes on the heels of Summit Racing's renewal of their highly successful sponsorship of the NHRA's weekly bracket racing program that culminates in the crowning of national champions at the Automobile Club of Southern California Finals in November as well as the announcement that they will continue to be the "Official Mail Order Company" of the National Hot Rod Association.
"We're so pleased with the response that we get from the racers and fans who follow NHRA drag racing," Winters added. "And with our increased exposure and addition of these new associate sponsorships, we expect that a lot of race teams will also be following Summit Racing…right into the winner's circle."
PRO MODS IN PRIME TIME ON ESPN2
(2-7-2004) – Nowling Motorsports Management has announced that the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge will air on ESPN2 again in 2004. It was also announced that five of the eleven shows would air on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. (ET) just prior to NHRA 2day, which airs weekly at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
"This is a banner day for the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge, its fans, teams and sponsors," said Kenny Nowling, President of Nowling Motorsports Management, who negotiated the television package on behalf of AMS Staff Leasing. "The shows that air on Sunday morning will get the Pro Mod teams and their sponsors more exposure than ever before," Nowling added.
Masters Entertainment Group will once again produce the television coverage.
"Last year's NHRA AMS Pro Mod finale from Las Vegas was one of the most exciting and compelling television shows that Masters Entertainment Group has ever produced," said Butch McCall, Executive Vice-President. "We’re looking forward to presenting more of that excitement in 2004."
Airdates for the 2004 NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge on ESPN2: (All times Eastern)
Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, FL - April 11, 11 a.m.
O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, Houston, TX - May 9, 11 a.m.
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol, TN - May 23, 11 a.m.
Lucas Oil Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Joliet, IL - TBA
K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals, Englishtown, NJ - July 4, 11
a.m.
Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals, Madison, IL - July 11, 11a.m.
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, IN - TBA
O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals, Memphis, TN - TBA
O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas, TX - TBA
ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, Las Vegas, NV - TBA
AMS Pro Mod Shootout, Las Vegas, NV - TBA
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Quote from Rhonda-Hartman Smith on Virgil Hartman's Condition
(2-6-2004) - Following heart surgery on her father recently, Top Fuel driver Rhonda Hartman-Smith contacted CompetitionPlus.com with this quote on Virgil Hartman's medical condition. Hartman-Smith explained, "The Bypass procedure went even better than expected. The doctors are pleased with his progress so far. He sat up today and is beginning rehabilitation at the Anderson Area Medical Center. He is expected to come home this weekend."
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Dash for the Data
(2-6-2004) - Auto Meter Products (Sycamore, Illinois) gives the Fastest Street Car community something to race for in 2004! This season, any racer who holds membership, pre-registers, and participates in Fun Ford, NMRA, NSCA, PRO, and PSCA racing will have the opportunity to collect race points and win an Auto Meter 17 Channel Data Logger! One Data Logger, valued at $2495.00, will be given away within each sanctioning body at the end of the 2004 season. The package will include the Data Logger unit, driveshaft rpm, engine rpm, accelerometer, Data Facts Software version 3.0, and 56k baud download cable kit. Second, Third, and Fourth runners up will be eligible for reduced Data Logger pricing certificates. Qualifying racers must use Auto Meter gauges in their race vehicle exclusively, and must properly display contingency decals. Competitors must pre-register their vehicle with Auto Meter prior to their first round of competition in 2004. To register for the Dash for the Data Program, or to view points system and rules, visit www.autometer.com.
Please remember them in your prayers
(2-6-2004) - Randi Lynn Ferrell, 16 year old daughter of PRO Edelbrock Fastest Street Car Series Chaplain, Randy Ferrell, died suddenly last night in Nashville. We have no details as of yet, but will keep you posted as they come available. The family needs prayers right now more than anything else. Randy has been the PRO Series Chaplain since it's inception and is well known for his selfless presence and soft country charm at the PRO events. Randi Lynn attended many of the events with her dad and was a big presence in the background. She will be missed.
Please remember Randy and his wife JoAnne in this tough time.
Also, longtime CompetitionPlus.com reader and well-known figure in the drag racing industry Jim Mac Monagle was hospitalized yesterday with a serious medical condition that has yet to be announced. He was in the I.C.U. unit last evening and is resting at present.
Norm Grimes Named Crew Chief for Morgan Lucas and Lucas Oil Racing
(2-6-2004) - Norm Grimes, one of the most respected
and accomplished tuners in the sport of drag racing, has been named
crew chief of the Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster as driver Morgan
Lucas fields his own team for the upcoming 2004 NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman
Series.
Grimes, who tuned driver Rick Santos to five NHRA national champions
and numerous career wins in the top alcohol dragster class, has
also built a reputation as a skilled drag boat crew chief as well.
“It’s been said that Morgan is one of the best young
drivers right now and that is a tremendous advantage for us,”
said Grimes. “I couldn’t be happier working with anyone
other than Morgan and Lucas Oil. We have a good driver and a great
team assembled and that is always a combination for success. Morgan
is very serious about what he does and knows exactly what he wants.”
Lucas is coming off a very successful 2003 rookie campaign which saw him drive the Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows-owned dragster to the NHRA Division 7 Championship, as well as a second place finish in the national point standings. En route to his first career Pacific Division title, Lucas earned six race victories, posted six low-qualifier awards and the claimed the 2003 Jeg’s All-Stars title.
“Norm is a great guy to work with,” said Lucas. “He is extremely knowledgeable and I have learned a lot from him in a short period of time. He’s very innovative and surrounds himself with quality people which shows through his work.”
“We have set our goals high for 2004,” said Lucas. “We have a solid crew and with the addition of Norm, we should be a top contender for the national championship. We are going to go out to every race and do the best we can to win, while hopefully setting records along the way.”
“Naturally like every team out there, we would like to go undefeated, win the championship, and have the best car on the track,” added Grimes. “Realistically though, this is a new team and there is always an adjustment period. I’m sure there will be a few bumps in the road but the bottom line is that we want to build a team that is competitive and well respected by the competition.”
“I would like to thank my parents, Forrest and Charlotte, for this wonderful opportunity that they have given me,” said Lucas. “Anyone would be happy to have the spot I do and I will do everything I can to make sure things go right. Owning our own team is giving me the opportunity to learn things I could never do while driving for someone else, both in business and in life.”
DYA's 2004 Contingency Program in effect for 2004
(2-6-2004) - Disabled Youth of America has announced
they will continue their IHRA contingency program again in 2004.
This comes on the heels of a 2003 season that brought recognition
to the cause through such high-profile NHRA and IHRA sportsman racers
as Kevin Helms, Dan Fletcher, David Rampy, Tony Denysenko, Matt
Morgan, Tom Rix and Paul Mercure.
DYA will once again pay $100. for a National Event Win in Stock,
Super Stock and
Top/Stock in IHRA and NHRA. To enter the program make a $50. donation
per
car and run our decals.
Send to DYA Inc. 5 Butternut Rd. Levittown, PA 19057-3033 or go
to paypal and use your credit card, pay paganorobert@hotmail.com
your receipt will say DYA Inc. All donations are
tax deductable as we are a 501c[3] non profit no payroll corp. A
link to
paypal will soon be added to their web site at www.dyainc.org
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NEW CAR/NEW DRIVER ADDED TO WEST COAST CHOPPER/IANNOTTI RACING TEAM.
(2-6-2004) - Iannotti Racing and West Coast Choppers
recently purchased the newest 1941 Willys from Mike Ashley. The
car was delivered to Montana Bros Race Cars this past weekend. MBRC
will be completing the car under the watchful eye of crew chief
Brian Winkler. The car will hopefully be completed by late June.
After some extensive testing by the team it will be the showcase
car for WCC and will be driven by team owner Ron Iannotti.
Former jet dragster pilot Jessica Willard will take over the driving chores on the Corvette for some match races as well as local Pro Mod Quick 8 events. Williard has been part of the Iannotti Racing family for many years having driven their Beretta in the early stages of her career.
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• Remember, if you have a story lead or news that you would like to share with us, or even some good old-fashioned gossip, drop us a line at rumors@competitionplus.com.
• Word has it that former Pro Modified racer Johnny Rocca could be handling the color commentary on the IHRA's television programs in 2004.
• Word has it that Erica Enders has almost completed her TAFC license at Hawley's school, and is working with a former TF team owner to put together something for 2005. We've seen this team owner do the same type deal with another young female driver.
• The rumor mill continues to churn and the latest one to permeate the rac