• 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 Scotty Cannon won't be driving
in Dallas. Instead, he'll have son Scott, Jr., behind the wheel
of the team's Oakley-sponsored '53 Studebaker. Cannon will be doing
the tuning on the car. (9-21-2004)
• Could longtime Jack Ostrander driver Louie
Allison be hanging up his driving shoes? That's what an email from
our rumors line suggests. We haven't been able to reach Allison
for comment as of yet. (9-21-2004)
• Is one well-known nitro figure seriously considering
a sabbatical until the Goodyear tire issue is resolved? Word has
it that it there are any issues in the first run at Maple Grove
that he might very well be out of there. (9-15-2004)
• How about this scenario? Suppose Don Schumacher,
in an attempt to facilitate his new Pro Stock operation, purchased
Steve Schmidt's engine shop, and teamed him with Bob Glidden building
engines for a certain high profile team? Wouldn't that be a doozie?
You never know. (9-14-2004)
• Four-door Pro Stockers? We're hearing talk
that a couple of Detroit manufacturers are lobbying the NHRA for
inclusion of the four-doors in 2006. (9-14-2004)
• Could more of Bobby Lagana, Jr.'s team be
wearing more Werner livery that that of a borrowed wing from Peter
Lehman's team? Or, could the long-time low budget team be a second
team car in 2005? (9-14-2004)
• Word on the streets is saying that Gene Snow
has bought enough property in South Carolina for a race shop. What
could the Snowman have up his sleeve? (9-14-2004)
• There is a move in the direction to develop
a new tire that is larger and heavier to help combat the ever-increasing
problem, sources indicate. One well-known Top Fuel crewchief admitted
that a larger tire would be better because it would actually make
slower revolutions while maintaining a much better grip. The positive
of going in this direction could be a design better suited to withstand
assaults of debris on the track and coming off of the car itself.
World has it that this design could begin on the Top Fuel dragsters.
However, another problem is forming on the horizon and this includes
the front tires. The current Top Fuel front tire carries .60 of
tread and that’s as large as they can get without blistering.
The average life of these tires is usually twenty to thirty runs,
but it can be as few as three or four depending on how rough the
track is.
This crewchief, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, points
out the current design being used was introduced in 1977 when cars
were 500 pounds lighter and a second slower.
Goodyear is said to be hesitant about releasing a larger tire until
all the bugs are worked out. This tire was reportedly brought to
the PRI show a few years back but has not been introduced to competition.
(9-13-2004)
• Could a former mountain motor Pro Stock standout be part
of a two-car team in the NHRA with a well known team in the near
future? (9-13-2004)
• Speaking of two-car teams, word has it that John Montecalvo
is looking for additional funding for a second car that will most
likely be driven by Jeff Dobbins. (9-13-2004)
• It has been said that all good things must
come to an end, and we caught wind this is the last year for Scotty
Cannon with Oakley. Reportedly, the contract will not be renewed
next season. When asked to confirm or deny, Cannon declined to comment.
However, Cannon did confirm that he is very much interested
in driving a fuel Funny Car again. Sources indicate that Cannon
has been talking to the AMS Staff Leasing team about helping with
their Pro Modified team in 2005. If the Funny Car gig comes to pass,
don't look for Cannon to abandon his Pro Modified effort. Smart
money says that gig would go to his son Scott, Jr., who is also
licensed to run a Pro Mod as well as a Bike and a Funny Car. (9-8-2004)
• The IHRA is expected to release their 2005
schedule soon and racers should expect 13 national events. The newest
addition is a national event in Tulsa, OK. (9-8-2004)
• The hot topic in the Stock/Super Stock pits
is that NHRA is giving hefty consideration to going to full pound
weight breaks. This would greatly reduce the number of classes,
resulting in more heads-up runs in eliminations. The ranks are split
between the opinion on whether it will help or hurt attendance or
fan appeal. Sponsors would be sure to love the change, resulting
in less payouts for Class Eliminations. NHRA sportsman liason Len
Imbrogno stated that he is "putting an article together for
National Dragster that discusses what the future looks like for
S/SS racing. One thing I will say now is that the future never looked
so bright for these two categories." NHRA's proposal is available
at NHRA
Sportsman. (9-8-2004)
• With the success against the odds that Harley
and Buell are having, word has it that Suzuki is going to turn up
the wick in the R&D department on fuel injection and other innovations.
(9-8-2004)
• Despite new tire designs, the same old problems
still exist. In an unofficial count, it has been reported that at
least twenty tires have been chunked during the course of the event
thus far After a strong 4.725 E.T. in Indy on Sunday, the Amato
Racing team skipped the final qualifying session when one of the
rear tires looked suspicious. The crew spent the extra time looking
over the car and getting new tires mounted for each round of eliminations.
The problem seems to crop up with the second run on the tires, so
the team didn't take any chances running
any tire twice. (9-6-2004)
• The word floating around the pits at I.R.P.
is that J.R. Todd will be behind the wheel of a Funny Car soon.
Todd will be a teammate to Frank Pedregon on his new Underdog Racing
gig. The former junior dragster standout is a former crewmember
for Bob Gilbertson and once drove a Top Fuel dragster for Bruce
Litton.(9-5-2004)
• The word on the streets is that the Worsham
camp and Pro Modified driver turned Funny Car and back to Pro Modified
Scotty Cannon have been talking. Could the third Funny Car be in
the works again? (9-5-2004)
• Word has it that the Top Fuel team to be announced
for Sport Compact racer Lisa Kubo will now go to veteran runner
Melanie Troxel. This team, which will make their official announcement
in Las Vegas in a few months, will be owned by former Pro Modified
team owners Ken and Sylvia Westbrook, television figure Bob Margolis
and Alan Pittman.
This team will actually be a two-vehicle operation that will also
feature a Pro Modified entry driven by longtime Westbrook driver
Alan Pittman.
Plans call for the team to run the 2005 NHRA POWERade tour. (9-5-2004)
• Sources indicate this is the last season for
K&N's sponsorship for the Pro Stock Bike Shootout. Word has
it that Ringer's Gloves could be next in line. (9-5-2004)
• Sources indicate that next years rules might
not be so favorable to the late model cars. Officials have stated
on the record that they have no interest in sponsoring a class that
resembles Pro Stock. Word has it that the rules could provide a
significant weight break for the nostalgia cars. The late model
cars would remain at 2,700 pounds. (9-4-2004)
• Both alcohol qualifying sessions scheduled
for Friday at Indy were cancelled due to scheduling delays caused
by rain. However, no storm could ever compare to the one that the
NHRA’s Len Imbrogno may be about to start with the alcohol
folks in the near future. Reportedly, Imbrogno is considering a
handicapping system that could actually have the Top Alcohol Dragsters
running on a handicap system. Imbrogno also made it known that he’s
a fan of the idea of bringing back the old Pro Comp eliminator format
which mixed the dragsters, floppers and alcohol altered under one
umbrella. (9-3-2004)
• Paul Athey's Corvette within the Quain Stott
camp may be parked for now, but don't expect that to last forever.
Word has it that the car is soon to be painted black and bear a
skull and crossbones similar to the "Animal House" death
machine. The car is to be run on the Southeastern outlaw Pro Modified
scene. (9-3-2004)
• A couple of NHRA regulars were taking in the
action this weekend in Norwalk. Pro Stock fixtures Scott Woodruff,
publicity director for Jeg's, and Larry Morgan (a guest of Mr. Gasket's
Ollie Volpe) were on hand Saturday. Woodruff spent much of the day
hanging out in Bill Bader's suite, while Morgan spent a great deal
of time in the pits. Morgan's most notable quote was, "When
are the Pro Modifieds running? I want to watch those guys run."
It makes you wonder what Morgan might be up to, huh? (8-28-2004)
• A lot of rumors have surfaced about former
IHRA Sunoco Pro Stock World Champion Dan Seamon, Jr., but one thing
is for certain in 2005, he will return to competition for a full
tour behind the wheel of a Ford Escort that will make his championship-winning
Probe look like a tank. Here's the part you might not be aware of.
Seamon's return will also mark a reunion with car owner Charlie
Taylor. (8-27-2004)
• The first of the next-generation Mustangs
could hit the scene next Summer on the IHRA mountain motor Pro Stock
scene. The initial retro look machine could come forth from Robert
Patrick's camp. (8-27-2004)
• Maybe he ought to stick to Top Fuelers? Or
at least that's what friends and crewmembers for recently licensed
Top Fuel racer Evan Knoll are saying after the owner of Torco Racing
Fuels wiped out on a dirt bike in the days following his impressive
showing at the IHRA event in Martin, MI. The word comes from Torco's
Brian Pfiefer that Knoll cleared a set of doubles (whatever that
means) and hit a sweep and it swept him. Pfiefer's regret is that
no one got the accident on video so they could win the big prize
on America's Funniest Home Video.
Pfiefer's not issuing an "I told you so,"
but he and the crew likewise begged Knoll to not do it. His supportive
quote before the accident transpired was, "I can see broken
bones waiting to happen."
The 425cc, 4-stroke bike was the victor in the end
leaving Knoll with a dislocated shoulder. The shoulder still hasn't
been set, but that's not a big deal...Knoll has plenty of pain relievers
and has been overheard singing the Doors famous hit, "Riders
on the Storm." (8-26-2004)
• There has been much speculation as to what
is going on with the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge. While it may
be true that AMS Staff Leasing's Dave Wood has taken the lead in
the negotiations to make the category more of a staple on the NHRA
tour, Oakley still remains involved as does Tommy Lipar in a diminished
role. (8-26-2004)
• Here's a little more about what we're hearing
about the Lipar and Stott alliance. Reportedly, the engine that
Stott will be running is a loaner from the Lipar team as the defending
IHRA World Champion works toward switching over to a Brad Anderson
engine combination. Basically this is a data sharing agreement.
(8-26-2004)
• When the semi-final round of the AMS Pro Modified
Challenge rolled around and the Dr. Moon's Rage Mustang of Tommy
Lipar came to the line, there was an interested observer standing
behind the car - Mitch Stott tuner Jimmy Rector. Apparently the
Lipar team and Stott have agreed to "team up" for at least
the balance of this year. Rage crewchief Howard Moon and Rector
are familiar with one another having crossed paths many times in
IHRA Alcohol Funny Cars racing. (8-24-2004)
• Could the third Funny Car on Team Schumacher
be laying the groundwork for Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher to
go Funny Car racing? (8-24-2004)
• Word has it that Greg Stanfield was supposed
to drive a second car for NHRA Pro Stock driver J.R. Carr at Memphis.
While that didn't transpire for one reason or another, his name
is on the list for the NHRA U.S. Nationals. (8-23-2004)
• One of our sources close to GM is reporting
that Don Ness has resumed working on the new Chevrolet Cobalts after
suspended construction just a few weeks. The order to halt production
was something delivered from GM. They should be ready to debut sometime
later this season or in early 2005. (8-22-2004)
• We reported just after Seattle that Frank
Iaconio will be at the 50th anniversary U.S. Nationals driving a
second car for the Mike Edwards team. Team spokesperson Lisa Edwards
points out that is still the plan and that should be finalized by
next week. They are in negotiations with several sponsors to fund
the outing. If not at Indy, it will certainly happen before the
season is complete. (8-21-2004)
• The word from Don Schumacher is that he will
indeed have a two-car team of Mopar Pro Stocks next year. That program
will be headlined by Bob Glidden as largely speculated. He cannot
reveal the names of proposed drivers, but when asked if Rusty Glidden
might be one of the drivers, he admitted that the second-generation
Glidden wasn't being considered at the time. The same held true
for Sport Compact Shaun Carlson. Here's the real kicker. Schumacher
aluded to there could possibly be a third car. (8-20-2004)
• Rumors floating around the pits have indicated
that the recent signing of Greg Anderson to a sponsorship by Summit
Racing Equipment could affect more than just NHRA Pro Stock racer
Mark Pawuk. (8-20-2004)
• We're hearing word that longtime nitro tuner
Jimbo Ermolavich has left Pro Modified racer Mike Ashley's camp.
(8-19-2004)
• In other Ashley news, sources indicate the
team will reveal a new paint scheme this weekend in Memphis. (8-19-2004)
• Could the forthcoming rumored Top Fuel announcement
by Lisa Kubo have a Pro Modified twist to it? Time will tell. (8-18-2004)
• Rumors have run rampant with the Jeg's team
about a switch to Mopar with Bob Glidden serving as crewchief. Those
are exactly that - rumors. One team spokesman even said that he
wore a Chevrolet hat all weekend just to dispell those rumors. (8-18-2004)
• It's the kind of story that warms your heart.
Eighteen-year old Michael Aloa, of New York, was diagnosed with
lymphoma. When contacted by his local Make-A-Wish foundation, his
wish was to go to the Jeg's Mail Order company. He was awarded a
$5000 shopping spree sponsored by the New York Make-A-Wish chapter
and the Coughlin Family. Aloa has a 1989 Mustang and has always
been a fan of the Coughlins. (8-18-2004)
• The success of this weekend past in Martin
under the Thursday through Saturday format has upper management
at the IHRA considering a change at more than half of their national
events on the schedule. Could this program also allow for four qualifying
sessions for the professional ranks with three on Friday and a fourth
on Saturday morning? (8-17-2004)
• Word has it that Carlsbad Raceway is under
fire and could soon close its doors if an eleventh hour rescue mission
doesn't pan out. You can get involved by visting the Save
Carlsbad website. (8-17-2004)
• Word has it that Mike Ashley's "Gone
in 6.0 Seconds" Pro Modified Shelby Mustang could be debuting
a new themed paint scheme at the AMS event in Memphis, Tenn. (8-17-2004)
• While there has been banter in certain circles
about New England Dragway in Epping, NH., headed to NHRA land, IHRA
President Bill Bader has admitted there's a three year contract
between the sanctioning body and the track. (8-16-2004)
"I am fearless, but I also have a &*%$ing brain."
- Whit Bazemore regarding his potential decision to
sit out of the car until the tire issue is resolved.
"I can see broken bones waiting to happen." -
Torco's Brian Pfiefer after company owner Evan Knoll informed him
that he'd just purchased a 425 cc dirt bike. Knoll later crashed
and severly injured his shoulder.
"They need to check the overdrive on that thing."
- An unidentified supercharged Pro Modified team owner
after nitrous racer Shannon Jenkins ran a 6.24 in unbearable conditions
at Norwalk. The quickest blower car was a 6.31 during the same session
in which the air was 3,750 feet.
"They're a bunch of no-nothings (NHRA). Some of us
out here have been running these cars for 50 years. Who would know
how to run these cars better than us?"- Top Fuel
Team owner Connie Kalitta on the recent rule changes to slow down
nitro racing.
"Warren Johnson said that Ray Charles could get a
perfect light on a five tenths pro tree, so that's why I was singing
'Georgia on my mind' all the way to the winner's circle." -
Martin GM Performance Parts Top Stock winner Monty
Bogan, Jr., after he beat Tom Rix in the class final with a perfect
reaction.
"Well boys looks like we have a Hot LZ." - Drag
Race Central's Larry Sullivan, a veteran of the U.S. Military, as
three parachutists attempted to land as the IHRA inadvertently launched
their pre-race fireworks display. LZ is military lingo for landing
zone.
"He had to pay me to take his money." -Sunoco Pro Stock racer Frank Gugliotta as he not only beat Rick
Jones in the final round in Martin, but also became a member of
the Quartermax 6.40 Club sponsored by Jones. Jones rewarded Gugliotta
with a check for $1000.
"After what happened to Von Smith, I have no idea
why they'd want to put an Undertaker behind the wheel." - Veteran
Pro Modified journeyman Tommy Gray after being named the temporary
driver of Tom Lipar's "Dr. Moon's Rage" following Von
Smith's temporary heart surgery.
"If I knew exactly what it was, I'd put it in a bottle
and smuggle it back across the border!" - IHRA
Stock World Champion Michael Beard when asked about his proficiency
of winning national events in Canada. He's won the last three events
that he's entered across the border.om.
"Anyone who knows me knows I'm not going to lay down
for anyone and now Pat's got what he wants - a real flopper with
this new guy that took over for me. I just want everyone to know
there are no hard feelings and I wish Pat all the best luck in his
HARD fight for the championship." - Tony Christian
on his departure as a driver from the Pat Musi camp.
You %^@$^%$#%@&$%# are the reason I never wanted to
come back and race here anymore. -Funny Car racer
Dale Pulde, on what he told the NHRA's Ray Alley upon being disqualified
for failing the licensing recertification. The NHRA had reversed
the decision on allowing him to compete in Sunday's eliminations.
"By God we won't have a problem with those speakers
once the sun ges down and it gets dark in here..."- A disruntled racer in the pits at Toronto Motorsports Park
as IHRA officials tested them well into the night on the Thursday
before the event began. Someone reportedly scaled the pole and cut
the wires to the excessively loud speakers sometime during the night.
"Where in the hell are we?" - Pro
Modified racer Scotty Cannon while on a dirt road in British Columbia.
Cannon had gotten lost on a dirt road in the province en route to
a match race in Alaska.
