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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. Thunder Chat this evening with NHRA POWERade Pro Stock World Champion Greg Anderson(11-20-2003) - Courtesy of Pontiac, we will be hosting a guest chat this evening with Greg Anderson in our Thunder Chat session. The newly crowned NHRA POWERade Pro Stock World Champion will be on hand to field questions from you. Last night's chat with Pro Modified racer Mike Ashley was a successful venture with as many as 151 chat visitors cycling through the chatroom in two hours. Thanks for your support. You can access the conversation by going to Thunder Chat with Greg Anderson. Wednesday News & Notes from Jeg's 5-Day Bracket Championships at Moroso Motorsports Park(11-20-2003) - Tuesday, November 18th marks the first day of the 2003 5 Day Bracket Championships at Moroso Motorsports Park. The competition will be very tough with over 308 racers entered from across the US to battle for the $200,625 purse with $10,000 going to the winner of each day's race. The Weather is good and you should be out at Moroso seeing this extremely competitive which is already underway. Early in the day during a time run, Danny Bastaneli pulled off an astounding time of 6.95. The Moroso Motorsports Park and Dragraceresults.com will be filing results each day. Look to those web sites for the most updated points and standings. This is the first day of excitement and non-stop racing that won't end until Saturday the 22nd. Gates open at 8:30am on Wednesday and 9:00am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Don't forget the Friday night Casino Party with lots of great prizes to choose from starting at 5:00pm with all benefits going to the Charity groups: "Drag Racing Association of Women"(D.R.A.W) and "Conor Moran Children's Cancer Foundation". WORSHAM RACING NAMES KRYSTA DENNER OPERATIONS MANAGER(11-20-2003) - Worsham Racing has announced the
creation of an Operations Manager position within its organization,
and has hired Krysta Denner to fill the post for the 2004 NHRA POWERade
season. The full-time position will carry with it responsibility
for Del Worsham, driver of the red Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Funny Car, made the announcement from the team's headquarters in Anaheim, California. "As our program has grown over the past seven years, we have
expanded what we do at the race track, while our employee base has
also grown significantly," Worsham said. "One of our priorities
for the off-season was to find a point person who would be in charge
of our pit Denner spent 2003 on the NHRA POWERade tour as Production Coordinator for ESPN, handling ESPN's large on-site staff. "Working for ESPN in 2003 was a wonderful experience,"
she said. "Being involved with the sport was great, and the
people at ESPN were fantastic, but I was thrilled when this opportunity
came along with the chance to be directly involved with a team.
I'm very much looking In 2003, Worsham Racing will expand it's regular pit set-up to include a new hospitality area based around a 53' transporter trailer, with covered seating for 100 VIP guests.
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Mike Castellana's Awesome Motorsports signs food giant Parmalat to associate sponsorship for 2004
(11-18-2003) - Mike Castellana's Awesome Motorsports operation enjoyed one of its finest seasons in 2003, and before 2004 has begun, the Westbury, NY.-based team has already hit a marketing homerun. The two-car team consisting of Castellana and four-time World Champion Shannon Jenkins will compete next season with associate sponsorship from Parmalat, a leading producer of food products both domestic and abroad.
Castellana, a supermarket chain owner from Westbury, NY., feels that the addition of Parmalat provides a unique marketing opportunity for all parties involved.
"We are pleased to have them aboard as an associate," explained Castellana. "They make a great product and we hope that this marketing partnership will bring even more exposure to their fine product. We carry their products in our Western Beef supermarkets and they have a variety of products with something for everyone."
Parmalat has served the world for nearly four decades using milk as the cornerstone of their success. Company founder Calisto Tanzi's project grew from being a family business into one of the largest food industries in the world.
Today, Parmalat carries not only dairy brands, but also various beverages, bakery products and a full line of sauces and canned vegetables. Their distribution is worldwide and extends into Europe.
The association with Castellana's Western Beef-sponsored Pro Modified team marks Parmalat's first involvement within drag racing. They have previously sponsored a Formula One race team.
Their website can be accessed at www.parmalat.com.
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The next-generation Tocher
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(11-18-2003) - Remember the name Robert Gordon Tocher. Robert is the son of Ian Tocher, one our good friends over at Drag Racing Online. He was born recently and weighed 4 lbs. 13 oz. at birth. He came home on October 24, after a short stay in the ICU at Piedmont Hospital, in Atlanta. As of yesterday and he's already up to 7 lbs 10 oz., so everything is going well.
We're already putting together a proposal to lure the second-generation Tocher over to our staff as a writer.
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Fun Ford Weekend adds Englishtown to 2004 Event schedule.
(11-18-2003) - American Autosports Productions announces that the 1st Annual Garden State Fun Ford Weekend will be contested at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 22nd & 23rd 2004 in Englishtown, NJ.
“I am very excited to add this event to our schedule. To
be able to have a Fun Ford Weekend event at such a storied race
facility as Englishtown is a great opportunity for all of our sponsors,
participants, and fans.” said American Autosports Productions
CEO Bill Alexander. “It is also in keeping with our tradition
of providing only the very best facilities for our Fun Ford Weekend
events. It will also allow us a wonderful opportunity to compete
in a market with tremendous potential”, Alexander continued.
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Victor and Ben Bray Geared up for Top Doorslammer Opener
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(11-18-2003) - The father and son team of Victor and Ben Bray will kick off their campaign to claim an eighth Australian Top Doorslammer Championship at this weekend’s opening round of the 2003-2004 season, the 38th iTEL Community Telco Australian Nationals at Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway. Victor is a six-time champion and Ben won his first title last year at the age of 19.
Recently, the two had these comments regarding their preparations for the upcoming seven-race schedule and Ben’s defense of the championship.
“We’ve been real busy between the end of last season and now, running all over the country to car shows, flat track races, the Indy race and so on,” Victor said. “We display our cars, meet the fans and work for our sponsor Castrol almost non-stop between seasons. I have a burnout car, which is a ’57 Chevy that looks like my race car, and put on big burnout shows for the fans. It’s the time of year we can act naughty and have a whole lot of fun, but the race cars sit cold and quiet at the same time.
“In fact, we only pulled the engines out of the cars after the June event a few weeks ago, so we’ve been working a lot of long hours getting ready for the Nationals. Most of the other guys were all ready to go and we were just unloading the cars out of the trailer and dusting them off.
“Unless we find something out of the ordinary, we’ll be up and running in plenty of time. Of course I’m making a lot of changes to my car, including a few that are pretty radical, but Ben won’t even let me change the air in the tires on his – he wants everything set up the way it was last season. He knows that people are going to run quicker than him from time to time, but he’s run 6.0s and consistently runs in the 6-teens, so he knows he can hold his own as long as he’s consistent with everything he does.
“Me, well, I like to change everything from run to run – no two passes are ever the same, but he likes to stick to one set-up. All of us old blokes who have been racing for 30 years or so should have learned that by now, but I guess I’ll never change. The way Ben does things really served him well last year in winning the championship, so he wants to kick off the new season with the same combination.”
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“Defending a championship can be a real tall order, but I feel pretty confident about our team’s chances,” Ben said. “I’ll be giving it a red hot go in any case. It’s only been a few months since the last race, but I feel like I haven’t driven the car for years.
“We’re looking forward to running all seven events this season on good track surfaces,” he added. “Willowbank have resurfaced their track over the winter, Perth has had a lot of work done as well, and track in Sydney is brand-new, so it will be a real treat to run on smooth surfaces.”
Ben goes into the season opener as not only defending series champion but also with the opportunity to join a select few who have won three Australian Nationals events in a row. He claimed his first iTEL Nationals in his rookie season and backed it up last January with a repeat victory.
“This Nationals is very important to me,” Ben said. “This could be a once in a life time opportunity for me and I’m going after it with everything we’ve got. There’s going to be lot of fast cars out there and the first thing we’ve got to do is qualify both our Castrol cars into the top eight. That’s going to be an achievement in itself. After that, it’s up to me and if things don’t go haywire our chances would have to be as good as anyone’s.”
UPDATE – During testing at Willowbank on Sunday, November 16, Ben experienced a wild ride when his Castrol ’57 Chevy glanced off the wall after suffering traction problems.
Speaking after testing was completed, Ben commented “this wasn’t the warm up I wanted, that’s for sure, but hopefully the car is all right. For his part, Victor said “We were here to try a few things in the set-up, and on that last pass we had upped the power the car was making early in the run by a fair bit. Unfortunately it went into severe tire shake which is really hard on the car and the driver.
“Things got a bit out of control and Ben tagged the wall with the back of his car. He did a great job behind the wheel and it easily could have been a lot worse. We’ve had a quick look in the pits and the damage only looks superficial. We’re heading straight back to the workshop now to start repairing the body, and if we don’t run into any unexpected damage under the skin it shouldn’t affect our plans for the event.”
Thanks to Castrol Australia for their help with this report.
Photos by John Baremans and Russell Witt
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Steve Vick's nasty crash
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| This sequence comes from the fine folks at OutlawRacing.com, which shows how violent that Steve Vick's crash was. |
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Musi and Christian Bringing Back the “Good Old Days” of Pro Street
(11-17-2003) - With the recent news from the NMCA that the Comp Cams/TCI Engineering Pro Street class will return in its present guise, Pat Musi would like to announce the creation of a “super team” to compete in the class in 2004.
Musi will team up with fellow many-time Pro Street champion Tony Christian to form the “Green Dream Team” that will help take Comp Cams/TCI Engineering Pro Street back to the pinnacle of street legal drag racing.
Both Musi and Christian are purists in that their roots are in Pro Stock and both were involved with the formation of the street legal racing legend. They both feel strongly that the Pro Street rules should continue to only allow nitrous and normally aspirated entries. With NMCA President Tony DePillo's continued commitment to the class in this form, both Musi and Christian wanted to do something to return Pro Street to the halcyon days of Memphis and other landmark events.
Thus was born the dream team for 2004 and beyond. Musi will continue to shoe Don Reem's Don's Performance Corner Firebird, with Christian getting behind the wheel of Musi's Steve Grebeck-built Camaro. Christian is well acquainted with the Camaro, as he recently took it to the runner-up spot at the 2003 Orlando World Street Nationals.
Musi will also be seen at selected IHRA events as part of another dream team. He will team with Marc Dantoni in the fan-favorite Pro Modified class. Unlike previous events where Musi was involved with helping tune Dantoni's radical '41 Willys, however, the New Jersey veteran will be behind the wheel of a '53 ‘Vette currently being built by Don Reem at his Don's Performance Corner facility. The Musi team has its first new generation Pro Mod motor almost ready to go on the dyno, and they are expecting good things from it. Musi and Dantoni will test early in the 2004 season before joining the IHRA series.
Pat Musi would like to thank his major sponsors, NEC Communications, Regis Shop Supplies, Borla Performance Products, Mickey Thompson Tires, Don's Performance Corner and all his associate sponsors for their continuing support.
Thanks to Ian Rae at www.headsupracer.com
for this report
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Shelly Anderson begins testing with Pro Modified
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| Thanks to Gary Frankovich for sending us a photo of Shelly Anderson during a recent test session in a Pro Modified Corvette. Reportedly, the former Top Fuel star made a few 60-foot and 330 hits, but never made a full pass under power at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. |
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Our readers say the Harley-Davidsons have helped
(11-16-2003) - The votes are in from last week's poll. Of the 380 votes cast, 328 (86.3%) of our readers feel that the inclusion of the Harley-Davidson's in Pro Stock Bike has helped the popularity of the class to grow. On the other side of the fence, 52 votes were cast that suggested that the H-D participation did not help one bit.
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Mad Science meets Gotham City in a Pro Modified alliance
(11-16-2003) - Almost fourteen years ago, two of today's most prolific and well-known Pro Modified team owners were rivals in the early fight for dominance within the fledgling fast doorslammer division. Today, the combination of Mike Ashley and Scotty Cannon are joining forces for a planned assault on the 2004 NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge crown.
Although their cars will be fielded separately under different sponsorships, the objective they share is to merge minds, resources and experience for a run at the crown.
"I've always liked Mike Ashley's drive and determination in drag racing," Cannon explained. "I know between the two of us we will have a tough team to beat. I am looking forward to it. It will be a great combination."
Cannon will bring to the table a potent operation sponsored by Oakley, a lifestyle marketing partner of the National Hot Rod Association. Ashley will bring two cars to the mix, one sponsored by InfiNet Insurance & Financial and the other by InfiNet's Unique Performance brand. Longtime Pro Modified runner Danny Rowe has been added as the third driver.
After a season and a half of piloting a 1941 Willys exclusively, Ashley will add a 1967 Mustang Fastback to his arsenal. Cannon will return to the Pro Modified wars with the same 1953 Studebaker that carried him to the 1998 World Championship.
The new Gotham City Racing Mustang is themed after the classic Shelby G.T. 500E nicknamed Eleanor and used in the blockbuster hit "Gone in 60 Seconds." Ashley's entry will bear the moniker "Gone in 6.0 Seconds" and is currently under construction at Tommy Mauney's TM Race Cars Shop in Spartanburg, SC. Sponsorship on this endeavor will come from Unique Performance, Shelby Automobiles, Inc., American Musclecar and the Discovery Channel.
Ashley has yet to decide which of the cars he plans to drive during the 2004 season.
"A final decision has not been made on that yet," explained Ashley, a New York mortgage banker from Long Island. "We expect all of our team cars to be highly competitive. I just have to decide which car from a media, fan and career prospective which would be the better choice.
"I believe we have assembled a successful team and have a legitimate shot at the AMS title this year. Scotty Cannon is a proven winner. His track record speaks for itself. I think his experience in the nitro Funny Car ranks will help as we continue to grow and develop our program. Although we have not won a championship yet, I believe we have been highly competitive and Chuck Ford has the on-track experience and engine program to win. The combination is a winning one. And winning is what we are after.
Ashley concluded, "Our sponsors expect us to represent them professionally and to win. That is exactly what we will do this season. You can count on it".
The 2004 season has already started for this new team. The team expects to be testing as soon as later this month and plans continuing right up until the season opener in Gainesville.
Collectively the team plans to run the entire 2004 NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge tour and select IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series event. Cannon is also planning an extensive match race schedule.
Cannon's new paint scheme is currently on the designing board under the careful scrutiny of the creative minds at Oakley and should be completed soon.
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Greg Anderson Will Be Featured Guest On CompetitionPlus.Com Thunder Chat
(11-13-2003) - After completing one of the most
prolific racing campaigns by a driver in the 52-year history of
the National Hot Rod Association, Pontiac's Greg Anderson will be
the featured guest for a two-hour Thunder chat with fans on CompetitionPlus.com
beginning at 7 p.m. (Eastern) on Nov. 20.
It's been quite a season for the recently crowned POWERade Pro Stock
champion, and to say the 42-year-old Anderson will have a lot to
chat about would be an understatement. In what is arguably the most
competitive racing category in all of motorsports, Anderson drove
his Pontiac SC/T Grand Am to 12 national-event victories in 15 final
rounds (both Pro Stock single-season records), 67 round wins (an
NHRA record), 14 No. 1 qualifying positions, and both ends of the
track record at eight events including national-record runs of 6.670
seconds at 207.18 mph at Englishtown (N.J.). Anderson's Pontiac
also set individual track records in either elapsed time or top
speed an astounding 21 times.
In 2003, Anderson's SC/T Grand Am started 19 races qualified second
or better, and 22 races third or better. His average raceday starting
position this year was an incredible 1.826, and using the NHRA's
modern scoring system (inaugurated in 1995), Anderson's 2,217 points
(22,170 using the old method) are the most ever accumulated in a
single season by a professional driver.
You can access the conversation by going to http://pub43.bravenet.com/chat/show.php/3642695468.
Pontiac is the Official Car of the National Hot Rod Association
and the title sponsor for the 40th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals
in Columbus, Ohio, on June 10-13, 2004.
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NHRA announces 2004 schedule changes; Memphis and Dallas change dates
(11-14-2003) - NHRA officials announced today changes to the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule that will better serve fans in the Dallas and Memphis marketplaces.
Next season, the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals in Memphis will move to Aug. 20-22, 2004, one week after the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. In addition, the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas will move to Sept. 23-26, 2004, one week following the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.
"Given the amount of entertainment choices available for the general public in Dallas on our traditional weekend, and the unpredictable September weather we have had in Memphis the last few years, we wanted to make these changes to better serve our great and loyal NHRA POWERade Drag Racing fans," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.
Officials from the two tracks, and the sponsor they share, are in full support of the changes.
"I am excited about the new dates and commend NHRA for having the foresight and leadership to make these changes for the fans," said Ron Byerly, vice president of advertising and marketing for O'Reilly Auto Parts. "I believe this is a proactive step to avoid the weather challenges we have faced in Memphis, while distancing ourselves from what is a very busy time for fans in the Dallas Metroplex."
The remainder of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule
will remain the same as announced earlier this year, including the
later date for the season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals,
Feb. 19-22, at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway.
In 2005, NHRA will condense the schedule at the end of the season
to increase continuity for the fans, sponsors and racers in the
series.
ESPN and ESPN2 will again provide television coverage of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series on a same-day tape or live basis.
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BERNSTEIN, ANDERSON NOMINATED FOR FOURTH QUARTER DRIVER OF THE YEAR
(11-14-2003)- NHRA drivers Kenny Bernstein (Top
Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) have been nominated for the
fourth quarter Driver of the Year.
Anderson, the newly crowned NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion, earned
five wins in the fourth quarter - the last seven events of the season.
He was a stout 25-2 in elimination rounds en route to an NHRA record
67-11 performance for the season. Anderson set several records,
including the most victories in a Pro Stock season, with 12 wins.
Bernstein came out of retirement in May to replace his injured son
Brandon, who was sidelined for the season after an accident during
the Englishtown, N.J. race. Bernstein finished the season strong,
earning four wins in the fourth quarter and recording a 19-3 record
during eliminations. Bernstein finished in the POWERade Top 10 despite
missing the first eight races of the season.
"Our team has been so consistent all season long and it's great
to be nominated for something so special," Anderson said.
The other nominees are Sam Hornish (IRL), Scott Pruett (Trans-Am),
Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR), Jeff
Gordon (NASCAR) and Ryan Newman (NASCAR).
John Force ('96) is the only drag racer to win the Driver of the Year Award.
The Driver of the Year program, in its 37th year, is administered by the Driver of the Year Foundation, located in Sarasota, Fla. The Driver of the Year is picked by a select panel of motorsports journalists, including Chris Economacki, National Speed Sport News; Shav Glick, LA Times; Steve Ballard, Indianapolis Star; Mike Harris, Associated Press; Mark Armijo, Arizona Republic; John Sturbin, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and Chris Jenkins, USA Today, among others. SPEEDTV.com also participates, through an online poll, allowing fans to cast a vote. The winner will receive a trophy and a Maurice Lacroix Swiss watch.
The Driver of the Year is based on a 25-point system. Each panelist ranks the nominees from 1-6, and points are awarded to the drivers as follows: 9 points for first, 6 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth, 2 for fifth and 1 for sixth.
In addition to Force, other drivers to win the award include Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti, Cale Yarborough, Al Unser, Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte, among others.
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IHRA FUNNY CAR CHAMPION ATCHISON HONORARY GUEST AT CHL GAME FRIDAY
(11-13-2003) – Hooters IHRA Funny Car world champion Rob Atchison will be honored tomorrow when he drops the opening puck at the London Knights hockey game.
Atchison, 28, will be the honorary guest when the Knights take on the Toronto St Michael’s Majors at the John Labatte Centre in downtown London, Ontario, Canada. A resident of London, Atchison will be recognized during pre-game ceremonies in addition to dropping the puck. This Canadian Hockey League (CHL) match-up takes place Friday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m.
The Friday night puck drop will kick-off a weekend celebration for the team. Other events include a banquet Saturday night at the Ramada Inn and brunch Sunday morning.
Atchison began his championship season by defeating former world champion Mark Thomas to win the Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario, just outside of London. His first career Funny Car win, Atchison drove the Erickson-sponsored Firebird to five more victories and the world championship. Fellow-Canadian Todd Paton won the IHRA Funny Car crown in 1993 and 1995.
Please call 519-681-0800 for tickets or more information.
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POST RACE NOTES: 39th ANNUAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS
TOP FUEL
* In what was possibly the final start of his career, Kenny Bernstein, from Lake Forest, Calif., earned his third consecutive victory and fourth in five races when he defeated Scott Kalitta in the final round. Bernstein earned his 69th career victory when he pedaled his Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to a run of 6.039 seconds at 194.41 mph, while Kalitta's Mac Tools/Jesse James dragster smoked the tires at the start as he coasted to a pass of 14.656 at 58.68.
* Tony Schumacher, from Long Grove, Ill., blasted his U.S. Army dragster to the fourth quickest run in NHRA history (4.455 at 332.10) to claim his fifth No. 1 qualifying position and ninth of his career. Schumacher clocked a 4.4-second performance on all four of his qualifying attempts. Schumacher's 4.455-second run established a Pomona Raceway track record.
* Doug Kalitta set the NHRA national speed record with his 333.25-mph performance in a first round victory over Doug Herbert. Kalitta held the previous mark at 333.00-mph, which he set in September at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
* On Saturday, Doug Kalitta captured his second career Budweiser Shootout victory (also 1998) when he used a starting-line advantage to edge Tony Schumacher in the quickest side-by-side run in NHRA history. Kalitta drove his Mac Tools dragster to a performance of 4.479 at 330.88 to narrowly defeat Schumacher's quicker, but losing, 4.471 at 329.58. The victory earned Kalitta a $100,000 bonus from Anheuser-Busch.
* With the victory, Bernstein moved into sixth place in the POWERade points standings. Bernstein, who retired following the 2002 season-finale at Pomona Raceway, returned to action after his son Brandon suffered season-ending back injuries as the result of a crash in New Jersey in mid-May. Kenny Bernstein finished with 1,111 points, while Brandon earned 629 in the eight races in which he competed. The Budweiser duo's combined 1,740 points would have been good enough for a second place finish.
* Notable DNQ: John Smith
FUNNY CAR
* Del Worsham, from Chino Hill, Calif., earned his third victory of the season in one of the strangest races of the year after teammate Cory Lee was disqualified in the final round. Worsham's Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird fouled at the start of the race handing the victory to Lee. However, Lee's Artisan Entertainment/T-2 Firebird crossed the centerline, giving Worsham his 14th career victory.
* Tony Pedregon, from Chino Hills, Calif., earned his eighth No. 1 qualifying position of the season when he equaled the quickest Funny Car run in NHRA history. Pedregon clocked a performance of 4.721 at 326.79 in his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang to record his 25th career top qualifying award. Pedregon's run set the Pomona Raceway track record.
* Gary Scelzi established the Pomona Raceway track speed record when he raced to the third fastest Funny Car speed in NHRA history during qualifying. He drove his Oakley Dodge Stratus to a speed of 328.38 mph on Saturday.
* Worsham earned a $1,000 bonus by winning the Motel 6 'Who Got the Light' award when he defeated Tim Wilkerson by 0.0034 of-a-second margin of victory in the semifinals of Funny Car. Worsham was the fourth Funny Car driver to win the Motel 6 award in 2003.
* Worsham's victory moved him into fourth place in the final point standings as he passed Gary Densham. This is Worsham's third consecutive top five finish in the POWERade standings. The three Ford Mustangs of John Force Racing finished first (Tony Pedregon), third (Force) and fifth (Densham) in the standings.
* Notable DNQ: Dean Skuza
PRO STOCK
* Greg Anderson, from Charlotte, N.C., won his third consecutive race and set the mark for most Pro Stock victories in a season, 12, after defeating rival Kurt Johnson in the final round. The previous mark was set by three-time champion Darrell Alderman, who won 11 races in 1991. Anderson drove his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to a run of 6.735 at 204.88 to defeat Johnson, who recorded a run of 6.749 at 205.26 in his ACDelco Chevy Cavalier. It was the sixth time that Anderson had defeated Johnson in the final round in 2003 and the 16th victory of his career.
* Anderson also set the mark for most round victories in a season with 67 round wins, eclipsing the mark of 65 set by John Force in 1996. Anderson's 2003 record was 67-11.
* Anderson raced to his fifth consecutive No. 1 qualifying position and 14th of 2003 when he clocked a track record run of 6.733 at 205.51 on Saturday.
* Bob Glidden, who earned 10 NHRA Pro Stock titles and 85 victories, competed for the first time in 2003 posting career-best performances of 6.812 at 203.98, good enough for the 18th qualifying position. Glidden last came out of retirement for a brief time at the start of the 2002 season.
* By virtue of his record-setting victory, Anderson increased his points lead and finished the season with 2,217 points, 463 ahead of Johnson. Defending series champion Jeg Coughlin finished third, while six-time champion Warren Johnson was fourth.
* Notable DNQs: Scott Geoffrion, Bob Glidden, Darrell Alderman and Mark Pawuk
PRO STOCK BIKE
* Craig Treble, from Chandler, Ariz., earned his second consecutive victory and seventh of his career when three-time Pro Stock Bike champion Angelle Savoie fouled at the start, handing the win to Treble. Treble clocked a run of 7.129 at 184.07 on his Matco Tools/Nitro Fish Suzuki.
* Treble also recorded his second consecutive and third career No. 1 qualifying award with a track record elapsed time of 7.075 at 192.47 on his Suzuki. Treble's 192.47-mph speed also was top speed of the event.
* Geno Scali earned his first career NHRA championship Saturday when he qualified for final eliminations. Entering the Auto Club Finals, Scali led Savoie by 117 points. He qualified his Trim-Tex Suzuki second with a run of 7.097 at 189.02 to secure the Pro Stock Bike title. Savoie finished second, 78 points behind Scali, while Treble was fifth. Shawn Gann finished a career-best third in the Pro Stock Bike standings.
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Scotty Cannon to run limited IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series Competition in 2004
(11-13-2003) - Scotty Cannon left the IHRA in 1998 to pursue a career in nitro Funny Car. Six years later, the winningest Pro Modified driver returns to the series that he first gained fame and notoriety under. The professional drag racer from Lyman, SC., will bring his Oakley-sponsored entourage to at least five of the IHRA's Hooters Drag Racing Series events next season.
Cannon, whose 28 IHRA national event wins remains unparalleled, is planning stops at both Rockingham events, Martin, Mich., Norwalk, Ohio and Budds, Creek, Md. There is a strong possibility that Cannon will also participate in Epping, NH., the site of his last IHRA national event victory.
"I am anxious about racing with the great people at the IHRA," explained Cannon. "I still have a lot of friends and fans over here. I have always thought this was a great organization to race with for Pro Modified. I am looking forward to mixing it up with the best racers of the Pro Modified division.
"I know we've been away for a while and it is going to take a lot of hard work to regain the status we used to have. I don't think hard work has ever killed anybody. It certainly won't bother me to jump in the trenches again."
Cannon will begin the season in the same 1953 Studebaker that he drove to the 1998 championship. The car was originally built in 1997 by famed Aussie chassis builder Murray Anderson. Cannon raced a Chevrolet Wedge engine combination during those days, but that is currently being replaced by a Hemi combination.
Cannon won five of eight national events in 1998. He finished runner up in two of the nine national events contested that season. All together, Cannon holds 45 professional national event final round appearances in his favor from 1990 to 1998. He captured two IHRA Top Sportsman national event wins in 1989 and a Quick Eight victory as well.
Cannon is also building up his popular match race tour for 2004 and is accepting bookings that are non-conflicting with national events. Track promoters can reach Cannon at 864-877-6728.
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Force releases Pedregon from contract; Makes 2004 plans
(11-11-2003) - John Force confirmed Monday night that 2003 NHRA POWERade points champion Tony Pedregon has been released from his contract with John Force Racing, effective immediately.
Although Pedregon's contract originally was to have run through Dec. 31, 2003, Force agreed to an early termination so that his one-time protege could pursue other options in time to prepare for the 2004 season.
"Tony's been a great teammate," Force said following the POWERade awards ceremonies at the Kodak Theatre. "We wish him the best except, of course, when he pulls alongside one of our Fords.
"I don't know exactly what he's doing but I know it's always been his dream to race with his brother Cruz and I know better than anyone else how important it is to follow your dream."
Pedregon, driver the last eight years of the Castrol SYNTEC Ford Mustang, secured the team's 11th straight NHRA Funny Car Championship by winning a career high eight times during the 2003 season. His 27 career victories rank fourth on the all-time Funny Car list behind only Force (109), Don Prudhomme (35) and Kenny Bernstein (30).
John Medlen, who shared each of those victories, will continue to serve as Crew Chief for a SYNTEC team that closed the season by recording two of the three quickest quarter mile times in Funny Car drag racing history – 4.721 and 4.722 seconds.
"We haven't made any decisions yet (on a replacement driver for Pedregon or on a driver for the third Mustang)," Force said. "We've talked to a lot of people but we really were not in a position to do anything until Tony's situation was settled. Now we can move forward.
"I feel about Tony like he was one of my kids," Force said. "We've had eight years together and I've seen him grow up. I have a lot of mixed emotions about seeing him go. I would have liked for him to stay and the door's still open for him but, at the same time, I'm proud that we were able to put him in a position, in a really tough economy, where he could go out and find his own deal."
Pedregon's departure from drag racing's most successful team, one that has won 142 events and 13 championships in the last 14 seasons, will provide a once-in-a-career opportunity for whomever winds up in the seat.
"Our primary goal always is to win the championship for Castrol, Ford, Mac Tools, All-Pro/Bumper-to-Bumper, Auto Value, all the rest of our sponsors, and, of course, John Force Racing," said the team owner, "but if we can develop some young drivers and young mechanics in the process, well, that's pretty good, too."
Force, who suffered through his worst season since 1989, winning "just" three times in the GTX High Mileage Mustang, already has committed himself to winning back the title in 2004.
"As soon as my hands heal, I'm going to get on a program, lose some weight and go after the championship. We got behind so far at the start (of the 2003 season) that we were never in it, but we'll be ready for the new season. We've got a year of running this new combination behind us and we'll do plenty of testing before Pomona (and the season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals in February)."
An 11-time Auto Racing All-America selection, Force owns the sport's overall records for victories, victories in a single season (13 in 1996), series championships and consecutive championships (10). He now has won three or more events for 14 consecutive seasons, also a record.
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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.
• In a recent interview with Cory McClenathan, the driver of the Berryman Top Fuel driver, has not reached an agreement with Darrell Gwynn Racing, but that could be resolved as soon as two weeks from now. Cory Mac pointed out that he has a strong contingent of sponsorship intent on remaining with him.
• We keep hearing the same rumors that we reported nearly two months ago that suggested the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson will soon be announcing a sponsorship with an existing major sponsor involved in the class in 2003.
• Pro Modified racer Steve Vick was involved in a nasty crash at an event in Huntsville, Alabama. A video of the accident can be viewed at Pro Modified Accident. The accident was caused from a broken axle. Vick was uninjured.
• According to source, Shelly Anderson began her first testing runs for Pro Modified this past weekend in a 1963 Corvette. She made some 60 and 330-foot hits on the car at Las Vegas.
• Word has it that the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified team has purchased the former 1941 Willys of Dale Brinsfield and plans to run the car in 2004.
• According to a release distributed by Don Prudhomme's publicist, a second Top Fuel car driven by Melanie Troxel will not come to fruition. Reportedly, Prudhomme was in a three-way competition for a major telecommunications sponsorship with John Force and Cory McClenathan. This is a tough break for Troxel whose deal with the Western Rock operation, according to various sources, was canned when word got out that she had been talking to Prudhomme about a potential future.
• Apparently Pro Modified drivers are thought to make good Funny Car drivers. With that said, we are hearing that Pro Modified World Champion Mitch Stott has interviews next week with Jim Dunn and the Worsham camp. The hot rumor is that Mike Ashley was also a candidate for the John Force gig as well as the Dunn opening.
• The word floating around in the two-wheeled circles is that Geno Scali nailed a 6.97 on his Pro Stock Bike in testing at Gainesville Raceway.
• According to Scotty Cannon in last night's Thunder Chat session, he will be announcing on Friday and alliance with Mike Ashley's two-car team with Danny Rowe. He has announced a limited schedule in running IHRA, but if he is in the running for the title, he pointed out that he will pursue it. The real question that was levied to Cannon was, "Will you run a Mohawk or a Mullet this year?" Cannon responded, "Whichever one pays the most."
• Could the replacement for Scotty Cannon on Team Schumacher be none other than Bruce Sarver? It makes sense considering the longstanding relationship between Sarver and Alan Johnson.
• Jerry Toliver is said to be ordering support equipment to field his own team in 2004. The hottest rumor has him landing a deal with Schick to run the full tour.
• Word has it that three of the leading professional teams were courting a major telecommunications company over the course of the weekend.
• One of the huge rumors making its way around Pomona had Scotty Cannon joining the CSK team as driver of the Blue Car. Cannon adamantly denies such a thing taking place. He points out that the only serious offer that's come his way was from Jim Dunn and the K&N Filters team. It's still full-steam ahead on the Pro Modified program.
• Team Force may fare just fine after the rumored departure of Tony Pedregon, who is said to be done following the awards banquet. Eric Medlen, son of Pedregon's tunerJohn Medlen, has proven to be a natural in his licensing process. The word also has it that Gary Densham may be around a while longer.
• Here's what we are hearing about Team Mopar. Gene Wilson is reportedly out, but he might not be the only one. The word that is floating around in certain circles is that Allen Johnson has also lost his deal as well. From what we are hearing, Larry Morgan will keep his spot. As for Darrell Alderman, we are hearing that he may have to choose to join Morgan or his days may be numbered on the team.
• Could Melanie Troxel be close to landing a deal for next year during this weekend?
• Here's one to ponder. Since Toyota is reportedly lobbying hard for one of their cars in NASCAR, could NHRA Pro Stock follow if the roundy-round fraternity lets them in?
• Word has it that longtime Pro Modified pioneer Camp Stanley's son John is having a new chassis built for 2004 to compete in Pro Outlaw Street. Pat Budd and Randy Jewell are getting the nod for the job. As Camp puts it, "Just a new chassis with all our hard parts hung on it and our poor ole wounded seven-year old AJ motor all fixed up with real welded pieces and no JB or silicone."
• Pro Modified legend Scotty Cannon has apparently abandoned the Chevrolet Wedge engine combination that he was so potent with in his early days in Pro Modified. He is said to be taking delivery of several engines while in Pomona for a new Hemi combination. There has been much talk in recent weeks of an alliance with Mike Ashley. While Ashley is not denying that talks have taken place between the two Pro Modified pioneers, nothing is set in concrete. Our guess is that if this happens it will create a powerhouse in Pro Modified.
• Word has it that Cory Lee has a ride for all of next year and that announcement will be made soon.
• Gary Scelzi and Don Schumacher have apparently sealed a deal for next year that is said to include Oakley and Mopar.
• It looks like the nitrous fraternity will be losing another member for 2004 when Paul Athey trades in his bottle rocket for a blown combination. Team owner Quain Stott already has one of his cars for sale.
• Apparently the word on the streets is that there will be a three-car alliance of Pro Modified teams (not related to Stott or Athey) that will certainly turn some heads when announced in the upcoming weeks.
• CompetitionPlus.com will launch their new motorcycle e-zine in December centered around V-Twin motorcycles.
• The word floating around the pits is that Scotty Cannon may have appeared to be part of Team Schumacher this past season, but he was clearly his own team since the end of the 2002 season.
• The word is that the new GM-bodied flopper coming forth next season will be the Monte Carlo.
• The word is that Frank Pedregon will not return to the K&N Filters Funny Car team for 2004.
• Look for Scotty Cannon to kick off his Pro Modified comeback in the same car that he piloted in 1998. His 1953 Studebaker is still sitting in his shop and ready to go. Word has it that Scotty is keen on bringing out a late-model car during the course of the season. Could it be a Mopar?
• We keep hearing word of a second car coming forth from the Peter Lehman camp. Rumors persist that Lance Larsen could be joining the team as well. Who will be driving? Interestingly enough, Lehman has two other licensed drivers on the team besides Clay Millican.
• Could a forthcoming Quaker State-sponsored Funny Car be driven by a Pedregon brother?
• Word has it that Pro Modified racer Tim McAmis and the Sanders Brothers are going to sit out next season and take a break to concentrate on their businesses.
• There's a strong possibility that Funny Car racer Johnny Gray could be back next year in a Pro Modified. Our sources indicate that he's inquired with at least one chassis builder about a new car and likewise discussed the idea with more than one team owner. Could another Funny Car driver be behind him?
• "Uncle Roy" Hill is coming back and according to him, it will be in style. He's going to have two Jerry Haas Mustangs and has purchased an Elite trailer to haul them with. The word floating around is that Richie Stevens will drive one of them.
• Apparently the NHRA is going to increase the participation of the Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibition category by two event for 2004. Word has it in 2005 that the exhibition series will go to ten races.
• We've caught wind of a turbo doorslammer that's going to be competing in Rockingham in Top Sportsman. The car is actually one that Annette Summer had out earlier in Darlington, SC. Todd Tutterow will be driving the innovative entry and word has it that tech director Mike Baker will be evaluating the car. Could this mean the IHRA might be intent on making good on promises to open up Pro Modified in the near future?
• Look for a new body style to come forth from Chevrolet for the 2005 season. Could this be the chance for the forthcoming Cobalt or Monte Carlo to strut their stuff in the factory hot rod division? We tell you this, the new body style for GM Funny Car will not be a Cadillac.
• There have been rumors floating around about Mopar and impending budget cuts. Word has it from close sources that if there are changes to the program, they will be handed down later in the month. This has apparently become the norm for Mopar as evidenced by their official release of Dean Skuza and David Nickens last year, in late-October. Don't necessarily count out Don Schumacher as a Pro Stock team owner. It was confirmed last month that Schumacher was inquiring about a Pro Stock team.
• According to sources, the current owners of Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Maryland have purchased Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., for a hefty sum of money. Could this mean that Pro Modifieds could be headed to Maple Grove next year since the owners field a team in the class?
• Congratulations to Christy and Dwayne Rice on the birth of their baby boy. Levi Dwayne arrived Wednesday, October 1, 2003 at 5:58 p.m. during an emergency c-section. He weighs 5
lbs. 12 oz. and is 18 1/2 inches long. According to grandmother Renee Bingham, he is
tiny but a screamer. He literally came out screaming which according to the doctor is not according to the book. Both Levi and Christy are doing well and expect to come home Saturday morning. The family wishes to extend a big "thank you" to everyone who prayed during that roller coaster day of Wednesday.
• Could the recent situation between John Force and Lee Beard have been staged or has the NHRA found a way to take advantage of the spur of the moment situation? Our mole has come across a pretty good source within the NHRA that has revealed that the sanctioning body could be leaning towards "rasslin" tactics to promote the sport and inspire diecast sales. The mole says that we can explect more good guy/bad guy hype. Could Force be the NHRA's first villian or bad guy? This one seems a bit far-fetched, but who knows? Wierder things have happened.
• The latest rumor in the drag racing silly season is that Pro Modified racer Mike Janis was reportedly offered a ride in a Nitro Funny Car. He remains tight-lipped on who the offer came from.
• While it has been rumored that Pro Modified racer Mitch Stott is headed to Top Fuel, the Radiac-sponsored driver says that won't happen until the 2005 season at the earliest.
• Word has it that recent Memphis Pro Stock Motorcycle runner-up Fred Collis and team owner George Bryce are making impressive strides towards a new Harley-Davidson project for 2004.
"Rickie's not being emotional in his speech, he's
thinking about Scotty Cannon coming back next year with a blower
car."
Fred Hahn during the AMS Pro Modified Challenge banquet speech discussing Rickie Smith's tendency to get emotional during speeches.
"I told Schumacher that if you don't want him, I will take him."
John Force on Whit Bazemore in a post-race interview at Dallas.
"Tony could fall in the tub..."
John Force on his chances to win the NHRA POWERade Funny Car championship.
"Only if you push him..."
A member of the media in response to Force's comments.
"Richard Tharp...who's that?"
Overheard in the NHRA Media Center at the Texas Motorplex
"My dad used to be cool...now he's just an "A" word ."
Kelli Bennett, son of CompetitionPlus.com publisher Bobby Bennett, after being put on restrictions.
"We had no problem finding weapons of mass destruction on Charlie Gambino at Epping. He was driving one.”
IHRA announcer Aaron Polburn referring to Gambino’s explosion at New England Dragway.
"I love the track, but it's the ice cream that makes us head that way."
Thomas Patterson on why he travels from Houston, Texas to race at Maryland International Raceway.
"He wanted to run the car in the first round, but he couldn't get it to back out of the pit area."
Spoken in the pressrroom about an IHRA Top Fuel regular that continually has problems getting his car into reverse and is force to shut-off regularly.
"I ain't gonna kiss him. I'll bend over and he can kiss my ass."
Pro Modified racer Quain Stott when asked to kiss his younger brother Mitch Stott on the IHRA Speed Channel television show.
"I wanted him to explain to me how a guy knows you're gonna beat him to the starting line but he starts last. Is his timing off every time? I told him don't let me be backing up and I see you go by on your burnout like it happens every time. Don't do that again."
John Force on his altercation with Lee Beard in an article posted on NHRA.com