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MILLICAN WINS AT ROCKINGHAM FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT TIME

(10-24-2004) - Overshadowed in qualifying by Australian Andrew Cowin, Clay Millican showed Sunday why he is the most prolific winner in IHRA drag racing history by driving the Werner Enterprises Top Fuel dragster to its seventh victory of the season and its seventh straight win at Rockingham Dragway.

Millican, who now has 37 IHRA tour victories in a Top Fuel career that began just five years ago, beat Cowin in the semifinals and then turned back Danny Dunn of Wilkesboro, N.C., in the final to win the ninth annual Bethesda Softworks World Finals, last event in the 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.

Other winners in Sunday's attrition-marred and rain-lengthened season finale were Al Billes of Barrie, Ontario, Calif., in Pro Modified; Brian Gahm of Lucasville, Ohio, in Pro Stock; and Fred Tigges of Holbrook, Mass., who upset two-time reigning champion Rob Atchison in the Funny Car final.

Final Unofficial IHRA Points

Unofficial final IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series points following Sunday's season-ending ninth annual Bethesda Softworks World Finals at Rockingham Dragway:

TOP FUEL – 1. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., 1444; 2. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, Ind., 1086; 3. Doug Foley, Sewell, N.J., 999; 4. Tim Cullinan, Des Plaines, Ill., 866; 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale, N.Y., 860; 6. Todd Paton, Paris, Ontario, Canada, 622; 7. Louie Allison, Denver, Colo., 628; 8. John Sipple, Berea, Ky., 619; 9. Rick Cooper, Boise, Idaho, 602; 10. Chris Karamesines, Chicago, Ill., 485.

PRO MODIFIED – 1. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 870; 2. Al Billes, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, 703; 3. Harold Martin, New Hudson, Mich., 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, 683; 4. Rick DiStefano, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1953 Chevy Corvette, 680; 5. Billy Harper, Paducah, Ky., 2001 Dodge Viper, 650; 6. Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.Y., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 636; 7. Quain Stott, Columbus, S.C., 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 632; 8. Mitch Stott, Mill Spring, N.C., 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 586; 9. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 578; 10. Pat Moore, Kinsman, Ohio, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, 440.

PRO STOCK – 1. John Nobile, Dix Hills, N.Y., 2004 Ford Escort ZX2, 918; 2. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 2003 Ford Mustang, 841; 3. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., 2002 Cavalier, 834; 4. Pete Berner, Crete, Ill., 2003 Ford Mustang, 772; 5. Elijah Morton, Jacksonville, N.C., 2004 Ford Mustang, 758; 6. Rick Jones, Galesburg, Ill., 2003 Dodge Stratus, 733; 7. Frank Gugliotta, Mt. Airy, Md., 2004 Ford Escort ZX2, 696; 8. Steve Spiess, Manhattan, Ill., 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, 653; 9. Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg, Va., 2004 Ford Escort ZX2, 594; 10. Tony Gillig, Lake Bluff, Ill., 2004 Ford Mustang, 563.

FUNNY CAR – 1. Rob Atchison, London, Ontario, Canada, Pontiac Firebird, 1168; 2. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, Dodge Avenger, 1145; 3. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., Dodge Avenger, 758; 4. Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., Dodge Avenger, 570; 5. Jeff Burnett, Brownsburg, Ind., Pontiac Firebird, 535; 6. Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, Dodge Avenger, 530; 7. Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., Pontiac Firebird, 452; 8. Scott Wildgust, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, Pontiac Firebird, 358; 9. Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., Chevrolet Camaro, 316; 10. Larry Dobbs, Welland, Ontario, Canada, Chevrolet Corvette, 280.

Force and Denham stay busy in Fontana

(10-25-2004) - What do John Force and Gary Densham do on an off weekend? The two were busy coaching Force daughters Brittany and Courtney, who were making laps in the same dragster that sibling Ashley got her start. Brittany was running on Saturday and Courtney on Sunday during the Edelbrock PSCA Nationals

Steven Densham was out racing in one his Dad’s ex-fuel Funny Cars running in top eliminator. Steve ran 6.50 at over 200 mph.

Other happenings included a serious crash where Troy Cafaru in his 1963 Corvette got out of the groove and made a hard left into Jim Basko’s Olds. Both drivers walked away, but Basko was later taken to a local hospital for observation.

SCRANTON, HOYOS, EFANTIS, LUMMUS AND MADRID WINNERS AT 2004 NHRA SUMMIT SPORT COMPACT FINAL EVENT

(10-25-2004) - Matt Scranton won the second season championship of his career at the Nitto NHRA Sport Compact World Finals presented by Subaru Performance Tuning and Import Tuner. It's the finale of 10 events in the $2.1 million NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series.

Nelson Hoyos, Paul Efantis, Ron Lummus and Charles Madrid were also winners at the finale of 10 events in the $2.1 million NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series.

Matt Scranton, from Land 'O Lakes, Fla., clinched his second career NHRA season championship in his Pro RWD Turbonetics/Spearco Toyota Celica with a final round victory over Brad Personett. It's his first win of the season and 12th of his career. His last championship was in '02 when he won the Pro V-8 class.
Scranton, who entered the race third in the points race, defeated Stephan Papadakis in the semi-final and was aided by Personett, who defeated Ara Arslanian in the first round. Papadakis finished second in the class points chase, with Arslanian coming in third.

"It's a long season and we stuck in there enough to pull out the win in the end," Scranton said. This was the most competitive season that the category has ever had and to see it come down to the final round at the final race of the year was awesome. I'm so proud of this team and the hard work they have put in all season and the work on the second car as well. Our sponsors have felt great about the way we are running the program and we are just thrilled to have all of them involved."

Hoyos, driver of the GM Racing Chevrolet Cavalier, became the second driver this season to repeat his championship from '03 (Ladwig), defeating Ed Bergenholtz in the Pro FWD final. At one point this season Hoyos trailed Lisa Kubo by more then 100 points but won five of the last six races to overtake the field. Kubo placed second and Bergenholtz, who made his first career pass in the seven-second range during qualifying Saturday, finished third.

"It was an opportunity which was perfectly scripted," Hoyos said. "We thought we could have had it clinched it earlier in the day, but to take Kubo out in order to clinch was a storybook finish and we are so proud of it. We had two great runs in that race and I hope the crowd got their money's worth."

"People build character by coming from behind and getting the wins down the stretch, which is a bit different from last year when we had the big lead and just had to hold on," said Hoyos, who won the first seven races of the season last year. "We knew we had to win races and set records this year. Denver was the turning point to know that we could achieve the goals we set out before the season began. This was a team effort. They put me in a position to win. This belongs to them."

Efantis, who clinched the season championship in Modified by qualifying for eliminations yesterday, capped his season in style by defeating Carlos Gonzalez Sr. in the final round. The Ljamsville, Md. native finished the season with four straight wins to blow past Gonzalez Sr., who finished second, and Carlos Gonzalez Jr., who placed third in his rookie campaign. It is the first career championship for Efantis.

"The people that deserve the credit for the win are all the members of this team; they did the job to get the car ready," Efantis said. "I kept my head on straight all season and overcame the two-man team that dominated early in the season. This was the perfect ending to a great season for us. We got the win and the championship, which is what we set out to do. Hopefully, we get a chance to defend it next year."

Lummus captured his second victory of the season (Dallas) in Turbo Magazine Hot Rod by defeating category champion Marty Ladwig in the finals. Lummus powered the Bothwell Racing Pontiac Sunfire to a track record 7.883 E.T. at 188.70 mph during the winning run. It's the first Hot Rod car to reach the 7.80-second range. Despite the loss, Ladwig finished the season on top of the points chase, with Gary Gardella placing second and Kenny Tran third.

"This is like a fairytale for me," Lummus said. "I've raced on my nickel for a long time and to come to a team like this, who enjoys what they do and are as professional as any team in the business, is a real treat. We give respect to all the other teams and are earning some respect of our own. The success is in the intensity that we have at every event."

Madrid, who ran Pro FWD for Bergenholtz Racing in '03, took home the win in his first race of the season in Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor defeating category champion Jesus Padilla. Madrid also set the class E.T. record powering the Skunk 2 Acura RSX to a 9.854.

Padilla collected his first career All Motor championship with Scott Mohler, the points leader entering the race, finishing second and Scott Kelley, who won a pair of races this season, third.

Change, points and a shootout in store for Pro Mod drivers at Vegas

(10-25-2004) – Change, points and a shootout highlight this weekend’s NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge, an NHRA exhibition class, being held in conjunction with the NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

First, the change. Since its inception in 2001, all fields for the NHRA Pro Mod Challenge have consisted of eight cars. That has changed for the upcoming Las Vegas event. The ladder will move to the more conventional 16-car field.

The 16-car field also gives way to a change in the point system for the Pro Mods. At Vegas the winner will receive 500 points and the runner-up 400. The two semifinalists will be awarded 300 points each. Quarterfinal finishers earn 200 points, while the first round finishers receive 100 points. A driver can earn additional points for setting either an elapsed-time or speed record or both. Both E.T. and speed records are worth 100 extra points each.

Those points, plus those awarded for qualifying (16 points for the No. 1 qualifier down to 1 point for the No. 16 qualifier), brings the most points that are available to a single driver to 716 points. With the Las Vegas event being the last race on the 2004 NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge schedule and the final event at which a driver can earn points, this means that only three drivers remain in contention for the DRO/NMM Cup, awarded to the driver that finishes No. 1 in the final point standings.

The three drivers are Mike Ashley (with 1843 points), Al Billes (1526 points) and Danny Rowe (1313 points). It’s going to be a shootout to see who is awarded the DRO/NMM Cup on Sunday night at the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge awards banquet at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Speaking of shootouts, eight drivers have their sights set on winning the second annual AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Shootout, a special race-within-a-race, which will take place on Oct. 30 during qualifying. The Shootout features the most consistent Pro Mod qualifiers throughout the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge season with a winner take all purse of $10,000.

The opening round pairings for the Shootout are: 1.) Mike Ashley (’67 Shelby Mustang) vs. 8.) Mike Castellana (’68 Camaro), 2.) Fred Hahn (’01 Corvette) vs. 7.) Zach Barklage (’04 Grand Am), 3.) Von Smith (’04 Mustang) vs. 6.) Mike Janis (’63 Corvette) and 4.) Al Billes (’53 Corvette) vs. 5.) Shannon Jenkins (’68 Camaro).

Drivers recovering at local Rockingham hospital

(10-24-2004) - Two competitors from this weekend's competition in Rockingham are still in a local hospital following two serious incidents. Top Fuel racer Doc Sipple suffered a mild heart attack on Friday and Funny Car racer Tim Stevens was transported with injuries sustained in a crash and ensuing fire that destroyed his racecar.

Sipple was transported to FirstHealth Richmond Memorial hospital where he still remains under doctor's observation. IHRA officials have added that he's also suffering from pnuemonia.

Stevens was airlifted to the hospital on Saturday with a concussion and burns to his hand. As of Sunday, the doctors had not released Stevens.

Championships clinched for IHRA professional divisions

(10-24-2004) - John Nobile and Rob Atchison clinched their respective world championships during the IHRA season finale.

Nobile captured the Sunoco Pro Stock title when John Montecalvo lost in the first round of competition.

Atchison entered the event needing only one round victory beyond Mark Thomas' total to achieve the Funny Car crown. Thomas lost to Fred Tigges in the quarter-finals. Atchison defeated Chris Foster to reach the semi-finals.

Steve Moore shows off his neat Nitro Harley and helps a friend along the way

(10-24-2004) – Steve Moore may ride a Harley that belches nitromethane and may get up to his elbows in grease turning the wrenches on a Top Fuel car for part-time Hooters IHRA Drag Racing competitor Joel Collins, but when he’s home the web is where he likes to hang out. Moore, a veteran rider from Spartanburg, SC., admits the Internet is his place to find out the latest in racing news.

Last year one website caught his eye and he’ll readily admit that he’s become a fan of it. VtwinPlus.com is a Harley-Davidson and custom bike oriented publication published by CompetitionPlus.com. Admittedly VtwinPlus.com is on Moore’s favorite places as is CompetitionPlus.com.

“I’ve spent many hours at Tommy Mauney’s shop and this is how I first found out about VTwinPlus.com,” Moore said. “I’ve read CompetitionPlus.com for years and I knew that if they were going to head into the custom bike market that it was going to be neat. This is going to be a good deal for everyone that likes Harleys. I am very happy to be one of their readers.”

Moore wants to get the word out about the site. He’s worked out a program that will partner his racing endeavors with VtwinPlus.com during his Nitro Harley exhibition at the Bethesda Softworks IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, NC., and possibly beyond.

Moore admittedly has won so many races that it is sometimes difficult to keep track of his number. What he can remember is scoring the 2001 AHDRA World Championship and finishing among the top five point earners for eight consecutive seasons. He’s also credited with being the seventh Nitro Harley ride to exceed 200 miles per hour. Moore finished fourth while racing a tour in Australia.

VtwinPlus.com debuted in December of 2003 as part of the vastly growing CompetitionPlus.com network. Veteran motorcycle journalist Greg Guarinello edits the up and coming publication and is assisted by up and coming photographer Daron Gray.

Barklage Racing will Field a Two Car Team in 2005

(10-20-2004) – Barklage Racing announced today they will field two cars in the 2005 race season. At press time Zach Barklage is standing strong in fourth place in AMS Pro Mod points as they enter Las Vegas, the last race of the season. Soon his younger brother Cody will follow.

Cody Barklage, who is at the young age of 17, completed his advance ET license at Kansas City International Raceway in the summer of 2004 and is well on his way to following his big brother. Cody took the 2004 race season to gain seat time in his fathers 1972 GTO Outlaw, and ran his personal best at 6.92 at well over 200 MPH during Kansas City International Raceway’s Doorslammer race. Now with both young Barklage men heading towards an AMS Championship, the whole class has some hard competition.

Cody Barklage will be the youngest AMS Pro Mod driver in the series and will pilot the new Jerry Bickel Pontiac GTO. “This is a big step for us and I feel this will be the best year ever for Barklage Racing,” declares Zach Barklage. Cody agreed by saying “I’m proud to be involved in my family’s first class operation and I can’t wait to get in the drivers seat of my new car.” The family owned operation begun the 2004 season with many uncertainties; however, with a very successful race season behind them Barklage Racing is looking to the future.

Both cars will be under the capable direction of crew-chief Chad Wilson. Wilson, who has previously worked with the Del Worsham, CSK top-fuel funny car, is also excited about the new car. “Cody has gained valuable experience and seat time during 2004, and I feel he will only continue to grow as he becomes the youngest AMS Pro Mod driver in the class. This first year will also give us more technical data, which will only help Zach have a more consistent car and hopefully more wins in the long-run. Instead of only getting one pass each round, we will get two.”

With the two young, talented drivers at the wheel of two very fast cars, a whole new world of sponsorship opportunities have come about. Currently Barklage Racing is seeking new and innovative sponsors for the two car team. Being one of only a few AMS Pro Modified teams to field two cars in the 2005 season, Barklage Racing is hoping for some big wins next season.

Former Funny Car driver Les Cassidy passes away

(10-20-2004) - Les Cassidy, pilot of the Cassidy Brothers Funny Car of the 1970's passed away in his sleep Friday night of congestive heart failure while visiting his son in New Jersey. He was 50 years old.

Services will be Thirsday morning, October 21st at 10am at Paul Ippolito Funeral Home, 7 Summit Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901. Phone 908-273-1367. There will be just the one viewing followed by a burial in the family plot in Chatham, NJ. The family has requested that no flowers be sent to the funeral home.

Leslie Lovett Photographic Award winner

(10-20-2004) - Veteran drag racing photographer Jim Phillipson won this year's Leslie Lovett Photographic Award. Dave Wallace, whose legs ought to win some kind of artistic award, presents Philipson with the honors.

FRED HAHN RETIRES

(10-20-2004) - Driver Fred Hahn and team owner, engine builder and tuner Jim Oddy have been the most dominant team in Pro Modified since the inception of the class in 1990. During the following years the Buffalo, New York-based Hahn and Oddy became the only Pro Mod team in the class's history to win a championship for every sanctioning body that sanctioned the class: NHRA, IHRA, Super Chevy (both as a Pro Mod and a Nitro Coupe), USSC and the Canadian Pro Mod Championship.

As the driver for Oddy, Hahn became a charter member of the Sonny's Automotive 200-mph Club, the first Pro Mod driver in the Sixes and two-time recipient of the prestigious Car Craft Magazine All-Star Team award as Pro Mod Driver of the Year.

Fred Hahn has accomplished all this while holding down a full time job as a maintenance supervisor in an upstate New York foundry. Unfortunately for the team, the uncertain economy has led to changes at Hahn's place of work that simply will no longer allow him to take the time off required for him to work on the car during the week and compete at 15 or more national events.

"This is the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my driving career, but I really had no choice in the matter," Hahn said. "My real job simply won't allow me to take the time off to work with the team on the car and drive. I had no option. I have to retire from driving the best car in Pro Modified.

"Jim Oddy, his sons Dave and Dan, and car chief Billy Leverentz constantly gave me the best prepared, most powerful race car a driver could ask for, every time I went to the starting line." Hahn continued. "As a driver I couldn't have asked for anything better."

"He's simply the best driver I've ever seen and he has proven that over
and over during the past 16 years we've been racing as a team. He has
won me more races and kept more cars from crashing than I can count.
He's simply the best.

"The sad fact is that he had to do what was best for him and his family -- to keep the job that pays the bills," Oddy said. "We will all miss him."

SUZUKI PARTNERS WITH NHRA SPORT COMPACT SERIES

(10-19-2004) - NHRA officials announced today that Suzuki has been named the official Motorcycle and ATV of the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series. The sponsorship will begin at the Nitto NHRA World Finals presented by Subaru Performance Tuning and Import Tuner at Pomona Raceway, Oct. 23-24, 2004, and run through the 2006 season.

"Everyone at Suzuki is thrilled about our new relationship with the NHRA Sport Compact Series," said Mel Harris, vice president of ASMC's Motorcycle/ATV Division. "Drag racing is such an exciting sport and we're enthusiastic about becoming an official part of it. Because Suzuki is the manufacturer of the world's fastest production motorcycle with the GSX1300R Hayabusa, it seems only natural that we sponsor a racing series that focuses on flat-out, straight-line speed. We look forward to working with the NHRA and to creating a mutually beneficial relationship during the next two years."

BERNSTEIN TO BE HONORED AS GRAND MARSHAL OF THE ELITE BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT FOR TOP FUEL

(10-19-2004) - Six-time NHRA POWERade champion Kenny Bernstein has been selected to be the Grand Marshal for the 20th annual Budweiser Shootout. It is the first time the special bonus event for Top Fuel has had a Grand Marshal.
Bernstein has one of the most successful sponsor relationships in motorsports history. Budweiser has sponsored Bernstein for nearly 30 years. As a driver Bernstein collected 69 national event victories in addition to his six championship. He remains the only driver in history to win a championship in both nitro categories.

"It's an honor to serve as Grand Marshal for the Budweiser Shootout," said Bernstein, a four-time winner of the Budweiser Shootout (2 TF, 2 FC). "We were one of the founding fathers of the Budweiser Shootout in the early 1980s and started the concept with the Funny Cars. Obviously since our sponsor is involved we take a very big interest in this specialty event and having competed in both the Bud Shootout for Funny Cars and Top Fuel a total of 19 times we can identify with the drivers who are putting it all on the line for a big $100,000 payday."

Bernstein retired at the end of the 2002 season, after racing the "Forever Red" farewell tour in each of the 20 cities that host the 23 NHRA POWERade Series events. His son, Brandon, took over the driving duties but was sidelined after just eight events because of injuries suffered in a crash. The elder Bernstein stepped back in the car, winning his final four races as a driver. Once the '03 season ended, Bernstein went back to his retirement job: Team Ownership.

Brandon Bernstein earned 3,150 points in Budweiser Shootout qualifying points, good enough for the No. 4 spot on the list. He will join the drivers seeded second through seventh in a draw party, which has been created to reveal several unknowns - including first-round pairings. Only top qualifier Doug Kalitta knows what position he will start from. He will be racing the lottery pick - one of eight potential drivers. One name from the No. 8-15 drivers will be selected in a lottery, determining who will face off with Kalitta.

The Budweiser Shootout Draw Party will start at 6 p.m. at "The Joint" at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas on Oct. 28. Professional qualifying for the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals will start at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 29.

NHRA TEAMS WITH PBR FOR CELEBRITY BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT

(10-19-2004) – The NHRA and the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR), will present the 2004 PBR Celebrity Blackjack Tournament with all the proceeds to be donated to the Resistol Relief Fund.

The all-star tournament will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 5:30 p.m. (PT) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with four of the NHRA’s top nitro drivers and 45 of the leading PBR bull riders participating in the ninth annual event, which has raised more than $400,000 for the RRF since its inception.

The tournament will be held in conjunction with the fourth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 28-31, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the PBR’s season-ending Built Ford Tough World Finals, Oct. 22-31.

Top Fuel standouts Brandon Bernstein and Cory McClenathan, along with Snake Racing Funny Car pilots Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr., will try their luck at one of the 36 blackjack tables and also will be available to sign autographs for those in attendance. The event is open to the public and registration for the tournament will be from 3-5 p.m. (PT), on Oct. 27, for a cost of $200 per entrant with all proceeds going to the Resistol Relief Fund, a special fund created by Resistol Hats and the PBR to aid injured cowboys and their families.

The charity tournament has three separate rounds of competition, with each of the 36 tables playing a pre-determined number of hands, with one winner per table being crowned. The 36 ‘table-winners’ will then advance to the semifinals and be divided up among six tables. The semifinal winners at each of the six tables then move on to the final round. Various prizes will be awarded to the winners at the tournament and traditional ‘Las Vegas blackjack rules’ apply. If a celebrity from one of the initial 36 tables is a winner at the tournament, each of the players who were sitting at the table with the winning celebrity in the first round also win prizes.

BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT DRAW PARTY TO DETERMINE STARTING LINEUP FOR LUCRATIVE TOP FUEL BONUS RACE IN LAS VEGAS

(10-19-2004) – The eight starting positions for the $100,000 Budweiser Shootout will be finalized Oct. 28 during the Budweiser Shootout Draw Party at “The Joint,” a multi-purpose entertainment venue inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

A limited number of tickets are available to adults 21 years and older for this inaugural event. NHRA fans wanting to attend the Budweiser Shootout Draw Party can win tickets through contests conducted on various local radio stations.

In addition to the qualifying drawings for the Budweiser Shootout, the Draw Party also will feature: live music by local rock group “Conched Out;” a variety of race cars on display including Kurt Johnson’s ACDelco Chevrolet Pro Stock Chevy Cavalier; appearances by the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Budweiser True Music Roadhouse – an interactive music exhibit – from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. outside the Hard Rock Hotel; and a driver autograph session in the Budweiser Shootout Fan Zone outside from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m..

NHRA announced today the 15 Top Fuel drivers who will participate in the Budweiser Shootout Draw Party, which starts at 6 p.m. (PT) and will be hosted by NHRA announcer Bob Frey and Budweiser personality Katie Daryl. During the Draw Party, first round pairings for the Shootout will be determined during a series of random drawings.

Top qualifier Doug Kalitta, who earned the race’s only automatic starting position by claiming six No. 1 qualifying positions during the season, will face the driver in the No. 8 position in the first round of the Budweiser Shootout. Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools dragster, is the defending and two-time winner of the Budweiser Shootout (also 1998).

Six other drivers guaranteed a starting spot for the Budweiser Shootout via their final qualifying position during the season series – Tony Schumacher, Dave Grubnic, Brandon Bernstein, Scott Kalitta, Cory McClenathan and Doug Herbert – will find out their first round opponent via a special drawing. As these drivers are introduced during the Draw Party, they will participate in a random drawing to determine their final starting spot from one of the available remaining positions (Nos. 2-7).

Eight drivers are hoping to earn a chance at the $100,000 victory via an open wild card position, which will place that winner into the Budweiser Shootout in the No. 8 starting spot. Larry Dixon, Scott Weis, Rhonda Hartman-Smith, John Smith, David Baca, Brady Kalivoda, Morgan Lucas and Mike Strasburg are the hopefuls in contention for the wild card drawing for the coveted No. 8 starting position.

The 20th annual Budweiser Shootout will be held on Oct. 30 during the fourth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with rounds at noon, 1:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The winner of the Budweiser Shootout earns $100,000. The runner-up claims $15,000, while the two semifinalists earn $6,000 each and the four first-round finishers get $5,000 apiece. A driver that wins the Budweiser Shootout and the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals will earn an additional $50,000 bonus from NHRA.

Budweiser, the Official Beer of the NHRA, provides a purse of $235,000 during the Budweiser Shootout Series, including $88,000 in bonuses to No. 1 qualifiers at 22 NHRA POWERade Series events and $147,000 available to the final eight participants in the Budweiser Shootout.

The Budweiser Shootout is a special race-within-a-race bonus event contested annually for the eight quickest NHRA Top Fuel drivers in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Past champions include six-time winner Joe Amato; three-time winners Gary Scelzi and Dixon; two-time winners Kenny Bernstein and D. Kalitta; and one-time victors Shelly Anderson, Don Garlits and S. Kalitta.

Budweiser Shootout No. 1 qualifier (will face No. 8 wild card selection in round one):

Drivers guaranteed a starting position (will draw for starting positions 2-7):

Samuel wins big in Orlando

(10-18-2004) - Chuck Samuel wasn't smiling when the motor broke on his 2000 Ford Mustang during Sunday's quarterfinals.

He wasn't happy when he missed Friday's lone qualifying session because, he said, "we made a mistake." Neither was he overly satisfied with qualifying 10th in the 32-car field, although his effort put him in the top third of the grid and clearly better off than the 41 drivers who failed to make the cut. It was just like those seven previous years he came to Orlando Speedworld Dragway and went home empty-handed.

But Sunday night, the Sycamore, Ill., street-car racing veteran couldn't wipe the grin from his face as he hoisted his Super Pro Street trophy over his head.

Samuel's 6.628-second, 216.08-mph final-round pass over No. 9 qualifier Mike Steele of Shreveport, La., was worth $10,000. Steele was close behind in his '96 Firebird with a 6.782/209.39.

"This year was good. Everything worked out good," Samuel said. "We just started out and kept plugging away at it."

Of his semifinal problem, he said matter-of-factly, "A part broke. We just took it out, replaced engines and started over."

Ed Thornton, of Chino Hills, Calif., took home $1,000 for being the class' No.1 qualifier with a 6.626-second run. His 223.99-mph effort in a '57 Chevy was the class' top speed of this 12th annual open special event billed as "absolutely, positively the most outrageous door slammer shootout in the known universe!"

However, Steve King, of Strasburg, Va., in his '98 Viper, took low E.T. honors at 6.613 seconds.

ASHLEY WINS AGAIN; LOCKS UP DIVISION 4 CHAMPIONSHIP

(10-18-2004) – Ashley Force drove the Mattel Toy Store dragster past the similar machine of former NHRA touring pro Gene Snow in the final round of a Lucas Oil Sportsman Series drag race Sunday at No Problem Raceway and, in so doing, clinched the Divison 4 Top Alcohol Dragster Championship

In winning for the fourth time in her last seven races, Ms. Force went wire-to-wire after qualifying No. 1 (5.335 seconds) for the ninth time this season for car owners Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows.

The 21-year-old daughter of 12-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, Ashley beat Glenn Woosley in round one and Marty Thacker in a wild second round before besting Snow for her third Lucas Series win of the season. She also has won a pair of NHRA national events including the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, Ind.

Although she eked out a 5.352-5.367 second victory in the final, Ms. Force actually clinched the division title when Snow, a former NHRA tour winner in both the Funny Car and Top Fuel categories, beat her closes rival, Shelly Howard of Tulsa, Okla., in the semifinals.

Despite the closeness of the final round, Ms. Force endured her biggest scare in her semifinal match with Marty Thacker. A rookie in the Top Alcohol division, Ms. Force seemed destined to suffer the same fate as Ms. Howard when her car lost traction almost at the hit of the throttle.

However, Thacker's car suffered a supercharger failure at approximately 300 feet and, after feathering the throttle four different times, Ms. Force was able to regain control in time to take the victory in 8.290 seconds.

The former high school cheerleader now gets a two week reprieve before she returns to competition in a Lucas Oil Sportsman Series race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nov. 6-7.

MONROE HIRED AS “CONSULTANT TO RONS FUEL INJECTION”

(10-18-2004) – RONS Fuel Injection is pleased to announce a new addition to their staff for 2005 and beyond. James Monroehas been hired as a consultant and will be working with the company in many capacities including sales, marketing, technical support and on-track testing from his centrally located facility in Columbus, Indiana.

Ron Upham, owner of RONS, states matter-of-factly, “James has been our leading dealer for several years and brings with him a wealth of on-track experience as well as an uncanny customer service focus that is imperative in today’s marketplace. We are ecstatic about this situation and know it will help us better serve our customers in all areas of business”.

Coughlin hopes to make opponents MAD with Spy vs. Spy car

(10-15-2004) - The Pro Stock class should be advised that sizzling bombs, falling anvils, suspicious trapdoors and other pratfalls will become the order of the day when two-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin unveils a special-edition Spy vs. Spy car at the fourth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.

The 33-time national event winner is part of a new program put together by Action Performance that celebrates the infamous MAD Magazine characters. Additionally, other members of the MAD Racing team will sport the visage of MAD Magazine fictional founder Alfred E. Newman over Halloween weekend and beyond.

"The car looks great," Coughlin said. "We'll race it The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and close out the year on a strong note. I'm looking forward to it. As a kid, I dabbled with MAD Magazine and old Alfred E. He has always been a crazy guy."

Joining Coughlin in the Spy vs. Spy camp is NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield, while Alfred E. Neuman will be represented by NASCAR pros Kenny Wallace and Michael Waltrip, as well as World of Outlaws wildman Danny Lasoski.

While Coughlin's Pro Stock Chevrolet Cavalier, and the various stock cars and sprint cars, will sport either the Alfred E. Neuman or Spy vs. Spy scheme, all six vehicles in the program will share a specially designed MAD Racing "Unsafe at Any Speed!" logo featuring the "Spy" characters from Spy vs. Spy. Action Performance Companies Inc. designed the logo specifically for this latest MAD Racing extravaganza.

"I know the entire Jeg's Racing team is excited to be a part of this deal and to share the stage with all of these great drivers," Coughlin said. "The paint job is very cool. Coming over the top it looks like our conventional Jeg's Mail Order scheme but the Spy vs. Spy guys are going to work, taking over. It's a neat look.

"We expect a positive response from the fans and we'll have T-Shirts and die-cast cars from Action available. Every time we've done a special-edition car it's been very well received and since so many people can relate to MAD Magazine and the Spy vs. Spy characters, I know this one will be a big hit also."

Wallace, Kahne, Mayfield, and Waltrip will roll out their MAD Racing machines during the NASCAR event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 30-31. Lasoski will round out the program with his MAD Racing sprint car, racing on Nov. 5 and 6 at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"In recent years, MAD Racing has been a growing presence on the race scene," said Fred Wagenhals, Action Performance's chairman, president, and CEO. "It started with a few specials over the years in the NHRA and now has evolved into this cross-circuit event. Visually, the cars are incredibly creative and are an inspiration from the original MAD Magazine artists' works, including Antonio Prohias, who created the Spy vs. Spy characters, and Norman Mingo, a portrait artist who developed the definitive Alfred E. Neuman rendering."

John McGowan Suspended for Pure Street Engine Infraction for First Three Races of NMRA Ford Drag Racing 2005 Season

(10-15-2004) -- The NMRA Drag Racing Series announced Thursday the immediate suspension of competition privileges of TTC Tremec Pure Street driver John McGowan.

The action is a result of a protest-based tech inspection by the NMRA
Technical Department of the engine used on McGowan's Pure Street entry on October 3rd, during the Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals at Beech Bend Raceway.

"After a thorough investigation by the NMRA technical department, gas-ported pistons were discovered to be present in the short block, not allowed by class rules, said Charlie Harmon, ProMedia Event Director. "This is clearly a violation of NMRA rules and regulations. Therefore, John McGowan was disqualified for this mechanical issue, and he is suspended for the first three events in 2005 from owning, driving or in any way participating in PRO or NMRA sanctioned events."

McGowan will have his competition status reinstated beginning with the
fourth event of the 2005 season. The team will also lose all NMRA Ford Drag Racing series points accumulated during NMRA World Finals. McGowan will be placed on 1-year probation starting Jan 1, 2005. McGowan may appeal his suspension within 30 days as per the NMRA Rulebook.

"Keeping the rules respected is critical to the sport of NMRA Drag Racing", said Thom Bates, NMRA Senior Technical Advisor. "We must provide penalties for rules violations of this nature so that other competitors respect the guidelines in the rulebook."

2nd Annual HEPC “Race for a Huntsville Engine” Filling Quickly

(10-15-2004) - The 2nd annual “Race for a Huntsville Engine,” to be contested at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, GA on November 7 is generating a
great deal of interest within the sportsman racing community.

“Last season, this special event was a resounding success not only for
Huntsville Engine, but also for Bardenton Motorsports Park, and
obviously for Scotty Richardson (winner) and Jason Lynch (runner-up),”
said Huntsville Engine’s Luke Bogacki. “We’re excited about making the
move to Adel for the race, because we’ve heard it’s an awesome
facility, and I think we’ll get a few different faces in the event due
to it’s location and dating.”

The “Race for a Huntsville Engine” is a 32-car pre-entered field. The
winner receives a brand new “Money Winner” 555 as advertised on
www.huntsvilleengine.com. The runner-up will take home $1,000 cash,
and each semi-finalist receives $500. Additionally, the 32 entrants
will be automatically entered in a drawing from which one motor race
entrant will receive $1,000 cash courtesy of Huntsville Engine &
Performance and Dragraceresults.com. Pre-entry for the event is $500,
and if spots are still available at the track the entry goes to $525.

The Huntsville Engine “Money Winner” 555 includes the following
components: Dart ‘Big M’ Block, Callies Dragonslayer Crankshaft,
TCI ‘Rattler’ Balancer, TCI Flexplate, JE/SRP Pistons, Manley ‘H’ Beam
Rods, Clevite ‘H’ Series Bearings, Comp/HEPC custom roller cam, Comp
Roller Lifters, Manley Double Roller Timing Set, Brodix -2Xtra or Dart
345 Aluminum Cylinder Heads, Jesel Shaft Rocker Arms, Polished Valve
Covers, Fel-Pro Gaskets, Moroso or Milodon kick-out Oil Pan, Melling
Oil Pump, King Demon Carburetor, Edelbrock Intake Manifold, MSD Billet
Distributor, Champion Spark Plugs, Moroso Plug Wires. All HEPC
Signature Series engines are professionally machined, assembled,
primed, and dynoed before leaving the shop.

Richardson and Lynch are already pre-entered in the 2004 event, along
with a group of serious contenders. Spots in this elite 32-car field
are filling quickly, so reserve your spot in the show today. Entries
are being accepted at Huntsville Engine (888-534-4372).

Hot Rod Icon Boyd Coddington Named Grand Marshal of ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals

(10-15-2004) - Racers in almost every form of motorsports often refer to their rides as "hot rods". At the next stop on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing circuit, competitors will be able to have their vehicles seen by an expert in the field, as ACDelco officials today announced that legendary hot rod and custom car builder Boyd Coddington will be the Grand Marshal of the upcoming ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, which is scheduled to be held at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 28-31.

"As the official parts supplier to the Real Car Guys, ACDelco is thrilled to have the ultimate Real Car Guy, Boyd Coddington, as the Grand Marshal of the ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals," said Scott Mackie, ACDelco General Manager. "We have some exciting activities planned throughout the weekend, which, combined with our being at the crown jewel of the drag racing circuit, promises to make this year's edition one of the best ever.

"We will once again be hosting a number of ACDelco customers, who will have the unique opportunity to enjoy the world's fastest motorsport while also meeting a hot rodding legend and seeing some of his creations. With all this taking place in the shadow of one of the world's most exciting cities, it should be a most memorable experience."

Coddington has been at the forefront of the hot rod industry for almost forty years, with his business growing from an after-hours occupation to a 50,000-square-foot shop with over 70 employees. During that time, his series of Boydster roadsters have won numerous awards, including America's Most Beautiful Roadster an incredible seven times, with many of his creations being featured in everything from magazines to music videos.

In addition, Coddington's work with billet wheels revolutionized that aspect of the automotive aftermarket. Most recently, the experiences of Coddington and his crew at Boyd Coddington's Garage in La Habra, CA have been the subject of a hit TV series on the Discovery Channel, American Hot Rod.

Coddington's participation in Las Vegas will be evident on the racetrack, as both Kurt Johnson's ACDelco Pro Stock Cavalier and Harold Martin's ACDelco Pro Mod Grand Am will feature the Boyd Coddington logo on their respective hood scoops.

"Boyd Coddington's amazing creations are acknowledged as the very best in their field, and we're looking forward to having him join us in Las Vegas," said Johnson. "It would be pretty cool to take our own version of a Boyd Coddington hot rod to the winner's circle at the ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals."

Finally, in addition to his responsibilities as Grand Marshal, Coddington will help preside over the ACDelco Real Car Guys car show. This event, which will be held on the grounds of The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the final day of the event, will feature approximately 50 of the best hot rods from the region on display, including two from Coddington's personal collection. During the day, a celebrity panel headed by Coddington will choose their 15 favorites with the winners receiving a unique trophy handcrafted by Boyd.

"Serving as Grand Marshal of the NHRA / ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals is an extremely exciting opportunity," said Coddington. "Spending time with Real Car Guys like Kurt Johnson and the folks from ACDelco is a natural for me. Whether it's building one-of-a-kind hot rods as I do, or driving a 200mph +, Pro Stock racecar like Kurt -- Real Car Guys know that it takes the best to be the best. And I can't think of a more exciting and enjoyable way to spend a weekend than at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals with my good friends from ACDelco."

NMRA & PRO Award Ceremonies to be held at Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis -- Friday, December 10th

(10-15-2004) - The NMRA & PRO Award Ceremony dates have been finalized! Come join us to celebrate the entire racing season Friday, December 10th at the Radisson City Center Hotel! For the fourth year, drag racing legendary announcer Dave McClelland will perform the Master of Ceremonies duties for the events.

We also welcome the presence of all NMRA and PRO members and fans at the Awards Ceremony, to be held in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. The PRO-Edelbrock Award Ceremony will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; and the NMRA-Denso Award Ceremony will be held from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Although each Awards Ceremony is open to the public, we highly suggest you reserve advance seating. RSVP is requested. Please e-mail Melissa Lawrence at mlawrence@promediapub.com or call (714) 444-2426 before November 19, 2004.

Name:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone Number:
Email:
NMRA and/or PRO (must specify):
Racer Class (if applicable):
First and Last Names of ALL Attendees (10 people max per table)

Radisson Hotel City Centre Indianapolis
31 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635-2000 Phone

Meridian Ballroom
Friday, December 10th
PRO Ceremony: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
NMRA Ceremony: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Cash Bar & Light Snacks

Rat Trap Crew Chief Retiring

(10-14-2004) - Ron Hope, owner and driver of the Rat Trap Fuel Altered announced that Crew Chief Don Green was retiring. The retirement becomes effective immediately. Don is retiring from the rigorous Match Race schedule to persue other interests.

"We wish Don the very best as we look forward to finishing the 2004 season, and a very full 2005," stated Hope. Brian Hope will assume the duties of Crew Chief, assisted by Todd Landsiedel, as the Rat Trap continues its World Tour, with Match Races and selected National Event appearances.

Rat Trap activites and news can be tracked at www.rattrapracing.com

LINE, LUCAS AND MEDLEN ARE TOP NOMINEES FOR 2004 AUTO CLUB ROAD TO THE FUTURE AWARD

(10-14-2004) – Three National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) rookie drivers, representative of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock categories, have been selected as the candidates for the 2004 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, it was announced today by officials from the NHRA and Automobile Club of Southern California.

Jason Line (Pro Stock), Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel) and Eric Medlen (Funny Car) were nominated for the prestigious award, which annually recognizes the top rookie competitor in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series and offers a $20,000 prize and sleek ceremonial trophy to the winner.

The Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award will be presented during the NHRA's annual championship awards ceremony on Monday, Nov. 15 at the scenic Westin Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

“For more than 100 years the Automobile Club of Southern California has represented integrity, commitment and professionalism to our millions of members. The Road to the Future Award has come to symbolize these same attributes in the sport of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing,” said Thomas V. McKernan, president and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California. “To be nominated recognizes not only that a rookie driver had a noteworthy first season, but also that they demonstrated exceptional potential for the future. We congratulate all three of the nominees for this year’s award and look forward to enjoying their achievements both on and off the race track for many years to come.”

Line, 35, from Terrell, N.C., drove his KB Framers Pontiac Grand Am to four victories this season in six final round appearances. He posted one top qualifying effort and his 36-17 elimination round record boosted him to second in the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings with two races remaining on the schedule. Line, who also serves as the primary engine builder for the team, clocked a performance best of 6.669 seconds at 207.40 mph.

Lucas, 21, from Upland, Calif., was selected by team owner Joe Amato to drive his team’s dragster in August following the tragic death of Darrell Russell. Lucas, one of the youngest drivers to pilot a Top Fuel dragster in NHRA competition, stepped into the situation and responded by posting two semifinal finishes and a career-best performance of 4.559 seconds at 323.43 mph in his Lucas Oil/DeeZee dragster. Despite competing in only eight events, Lucas has advanced from 29th to 17th in the POWERade point standings.

Medlen, 31, from Yorba Linda, Calif., scored one victory in two final round appearances and was the No. 1 qualifier in his category at two events, Englishtown, N.J. and recently at Reading, Pa. His seven semifinal appearances have placed him firmly in fifth position in the NHRA POWERade Funny Car standings with two races remaining. He clocked a season-best performance of 4.739 seconds at 328.22 mph in his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang.

In 2002 the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award and the NHRA Rookie of the Year Award were combined to create one award recognizing the future stars of the sport. Past winners of the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award have developed into some of NHRA’s biggest stars, including Tony Pedregon (1996, Funny Car), Ron Capps (1997, Funny Car), Doug Kalitta (1998, Top Fuel), Antron Brown (1999, Pro Stock Bike), Melanie Troxel (2000, Top Fuel), GT Tonglet (2001, Pro Stock Bike), Gene Wilson (2002, Pro Stock) and Brandon Bernstein (2003, Top Fuel).

Recent NHRA Rookie of the Year winners have included the late Darrell Russell (2001, Top Fuel), Don Lampus (2000, Top Fuel), Scotty Cannon (1999, Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (1998, Pro Stock), Gary Scelzi (1997, Top Fuel) and co-winners in 1996, Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Hines (Pro Stock Bike).

Rookie drivers in all four of NHRA’s professional categories are eligible to win the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award. More than 100 of the nation’s most distinguished auto racing journalists will select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events participated, performance on and off the race track, participation in NHRA promotions and relationships with fans, sponsors and media.

In addition to the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, the company is the title sponsor for the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 11-14 at historic Pomona Raceway. The company also is a major sponsor for John Force Racing, providing primary sponsorship for the Mustang driven by Gary Densham, as well as associate sponsorship for the Ford Mustangs driven by Force and Medlen. In addition, the company is the presenting sponsor for the California Hot Rod Reunion, contested each year in early October at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

IHRA sets the record straight

(10-13-2004) - A call to the International Hot Rod Association office discounted a report published by a well-known Internet e-zine suggesting the reason for Bill Bader's retirement as a difference of opinion with the Clear Channel upper management. At 61-years old, Bader pointed out that the time had come for him to retire from his post once a restructure was complete and key positions were filled. As Bader put it, "I knew it was in good hands at this point."

Other innacuracies in this report suggested that Bader oversaw the dismissal of the nitro Funny Car division and elevated the Alcohol Funny Cars to professional status. The last event for the nitro floppers on the tour was in 1992 at Epping, NH. As for the Alcohol Funny Cars, the ascension to the professional ranks took place in 1986 under the Larry Carrier era.

BOB STOTT INJURY UPDATE

(10-13-2004) - Bob Stott, patriarch of the racing Stott family, was seriously injured October 9 at Norwalk Raceway Park after he fell from the back of a golf cart during championship eliminations.

On the way to the top end, Stott fell and struck his head on the ground. He was immediately treated by the on site doctor and quickly transported by Lifeflight helicopter to Toledo St. Vincent Hospital, where he remains unconscious and in critical condition with skull fractures that have hemmoraged and put pressure of the brain. Mitch Stott and Bob's wife Marvetta have joined Bob in Toledo.

Bob remains heavily sedated to help to stabilize his condition. Quain Stott called IHRA this morning to let everbody know that although Bob is not out of the woods and too early to tell if there is brain damage, there are positive signs. Bob has opened his eyes and is able to move both sides of his body. Although unable to speak, he has responded to Marvetta's voice with eye movement; her calming presence has also caused his blood pressure to go down. His digestive system, which had shut down, is now at 100%. Bob still faces a lengthy recovery ahead and there is no timetable as to when he can be moved.

Quain asked us to pass on this humorous exchange he had with doctors: "I told the doctors that when daddy wakes up, they're going to have to find somebody that knows him to determine whether he's acting normal or not. With Daddy, it's hard to tell what's normal."

Quain also relayed that, "They had to drill a hole in daddy's skull to reduce pressure," and added. "I didn't know they made drill bits that strong."

Humor is one of the tools that will help get the family through this challenge.

Quain, Mitch, Marvetta and the entire Stott family asks you keep Bob in your prayers and thoughts.

Get well cards and wishes for can be sent to: Bob Stott, 107 Hampton St., Columbus, NC 28722

Food Network to feature Team Jeg's chef

(10-13-2004) - There's fast food and food that's fast, food on the fly and even food that flies, and the Food Network will be tracking it all in an upcoming feature entitled "Top 5 Foods on the Fly." The show, which features decorated Team Jeg's chef Nicky Morse, will air at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT, Saturday, Oct. 16, and again at 3:30 a.m. ET/PT, Sunday, Oct. 17, on the Food Network.

A network camera crew was on hand for the season-opening 44th annual K&N Filters Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., to tape Morse in action as he prepared cuisine for the Jeg's gang. The show has been in production ever since, leaving Morse wondering where his gastro delights rank in comparison to the other "Foods on the Fly."

"First of all, it's an honor to bring the sport of NHRA Drag Racing to a different audience," Morse said. "It was a lot of fun taping the episode and I am really looking forward to seeing the final product. I have no idea where we landed in the Top-5. I'll be watching just like everyone else."

Bill Bader to Step Down As IHRA President

(10-12-2004) - Bill Bader, President of IHRA, has announced he will step down and that Aaron Polburn will take over the top spot at the Norwalk, Ohio based drag racing and motorsports company.

“I have worked to the exclusion of my family and faith my entire professional life,” stated Bader. “Whatever the current project, it received my full attention. It’s time to step back and smell the roses. I have been considering this the past 12 months and simply thought…..it’s time.

“After purchasing IHRA in 1998 my goal was to instill pride, attitude, integrity and profitability to the struggling organization,” added Bader. “Attitude was achieved almost immediately and profitability the second year. Better facilities, bigger markets, excellent sponsor support and quality events brought with them much needed integrity and pride.”

Bader went on to say “what makes this easy is the great staff we currently have in place. There isn’t anything they can’t do. Aaron is the most capable person I know to succeed me; I hired him over 30 years ago to teach me the business. IHRA is in very good hands. Since the planning for 2005 and 2006 is going on right now we thought this was the best time to pass the torch.”

Polburn assumes his new duties effective immediately and reflected on his new position.

“I’m very excited and humbled at the same time. The staff at IHRA and Clear Channel Motorsports is poised to grow IHRA and have a lot of fun doing it. But, in the mean time all prayers will be gratefully accepted.”

Clear Channel Motorsports President Charlie Mancuso added, “we would like to thank Bill for all he has done for IHRA and look forward to working hand in hand with Aaron and his team to build a very, very bright future.”

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES RACE AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY

(10-12-2004) - CARQUEST Auto Parts, a Raleigh, N.C.-based company specializing in quality auto parts and equipment with stores throughout North America, has signed a multi-year agreement starting in 2005 to become the title sponsor of the spring NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., it was announced today by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) officials.

The CARQUEST Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals will be held Jun 9-12 at the state-of-the-art quarter-mile facility located just south of Chicago in Joliet, Ill. The $1.8 million race, which will be televised by the ESPN family of networks, is the 10th of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series for 2005. CARQUEST had previously sponsored the fall event at the same track.

"We are extremely happy to be able to put our CARQUEST name on such a great event held at one of the premier facilities on the NHRA POWERade circuit," said Scott Ginsburg, CARQUEST Director of Advertising. "CARQUEST, NHRA and Route 66 Raceway always make a great combination when it comes to successful racing events."

It is the first of two NHRA event sponsorships for CARQUEST Auto Parts, who also headline the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, July 22-24.

"CARQUEST has become a great partner to the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series," said John Covarrubias, NHRA vice president of sales and business development. "We strive to create long-term relationships with a company so dedicated to drag racing."

Matthew Alexander, vice president and general manager of Route 66 Raceway, said he's looking forward to a continued relationship with CARQUEST.

"We are very fortunate to have a partner like CARQUEST to support and share the commitment and excitement of the sport of drag racing," Alexander said. "With their continued support, we are able to provide the fans with world-class drag racing at Route 66 Raceway."

FANS TO VOTE FOR TOP 20 AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS MEMORABLE MOMENTS

(10-12-2004) – NHRA officials announced the 20 most memorable moments from the 39-year history of the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, which were released today in chronological order on nhra.com, the official Web site of the NHRA.

Following the success of a similar fan-voting program held earlier this season for the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals outside of Indianapolis, NHRA fans will again decide the final order of the top 20 memorable moments through a special voting process on nhra.com. Fans can vote for their favorite memorable moments starting at 3 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 12. The fan vote will close at 3 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 22.

Based on the results of the online-voting process, one memorable moment will be unveiled in order of popularity on nhra.com beginning with No. 20 on Oct. 23, followed by one moment a day until the No. 1 memorable moment is revealed on Nov. 10, the day before the start of the 40th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 11-14, at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway.

Some of the prominent memorable moments from the past 39 NHRA Finals include Bennie “the wizard” Osborn becoming the first driver to win back-to-back Top Fuel titles by winning the 1967 and 1968 NHRA Finals; Don Prudhomme recording the first-ever five second Funny Car pass en route to his sixth victory in the eight-race 1975 season; Shirley Muldowney’s jump from No. 3 in the standings to the No. 1 spot during eliminations at the 1980 NHRA Finals then capping off her second series title with an event victory; The 1990 Top Fuel championship battle between Joe Amato and Gary Ormsby with the drivers meeting in final round at the final race of the year to determine a season champion; and Cory McClenathan’s 1992 NHRA Finals victory which left him 92 points shy of the title after he opted to skip a race in Canada earlier in the year where he would have earned 100 points just for making one qualifying attempt.

BOGACKI HOLDS ON FOR TENN-TUCK CROWN DESPITE SUBPAR WEEKEND

(10-12-2004) - Twenty-three year-old Huntsville Engine employee Luke Bogacki added to his growing list of racing accomplishments last weekend at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, KY. Beech Bend is the home of the prestigious Tenn-Tuck racing series, a bracket racing event that features nine $10,000 to win events spread over three weekends each
season.

The Tenn-Tuck series showcases some of the toughest
competition in the nation, with touring bracket racers attending from all over the country. The nine race series offers one of the largest points payouts of any bracket series, including $5,000 to the season champion.

Bogacki, who accomplished an unprecedented feat by winning all three of the first weekend’s events (two in March, and one that was contested in July due to weather), held on to the points championship despite early exits in each of the events last weekend.

“I had two really good cars this weekend, and I felt like I drove
pretty well--things just didn’t come together. But obviously, Bowling Green treated me really well this season. When you consider the level of competition, and the talent and equipment that participates in the Tenn-Tuck series--I feel like winning the points championship is an awesome accomplishment.”

Bogacki won the title by six rounds, over Scotty Richardson and Ken Sullivan who tied for second place. Ray Miller finished the season in fourth, ahead of Wes May who rounded out the top five.

The Tenn-Tuck championship adds another notch in what has become an astounding list of accomplishments for young Bogacki. Bogacki is a 3- time IHRA division 4 champion, and claimed the 2001 B&M Series division championship. He was the 2002 Southern Super Tens Bracket Series World Champion, and finished in the top ten of IHRA’s Q/R & H/R national standings the same season. In his relatively short career, Bogacki has scored national and divisional event wins in addition to over 25 big money bracket victories. Bogacki’s career earnings total well over $500,000.

“Today’s bracket racing world is so competitive, you’ve got to have a great combination before you can think about winning races. My HEPC “Money Winner” 555, BTE trans and converter, Mickey Thompson Tires, and quality equipment from all of our marketing partners give me a car that I can depend on round after round.”

Ashley nails homerun after homerun during the first annual DragStock festival; Leads AMS All-Stars to victory

(10-12-2004) – Pro Modified racer Mike Ashley is a New York mortgage banker by trade. On the weekends, he’s a finely-tuned competitor on the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge. However, on the second weekend of October at Carolina Dragway, Ashley took on a new title unbeknownst to him. At the first annual DragStock festival hosted by the fledgling American Drag Racing League, Ashley settled into his new role as homerun hitter.

With more intensity than veteran long ball hitters Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa, the Unique Performance/InfiNet Insurance/Torco Race Fuels-sponsored driver scored more points than any driver in the three day event and left town with a new track record. Never mind the outlaw rhetoric placed on the event, Ashley achieved every one of his accolades while running in legal NHRA trim, only less a few pounds.

“What an incredible day in the office for our team,” Ashley said. “Our success this weekend is the result of a total team effort. Chuck Ford, Allen Adkins, Mark Adkins, the whole team just worked as hard as they could to keep up with these outlaw teams. Make no mistake about it, the outlaw teams are as tough as they come. They can tune, drive and put on a show as good as anyone I have ever raced with. What a great group of racers and families that we have involved here.

“Speaking of teams, I am proud to be a part of the AMS all star team. All of us worked hard and never gave up our fight. It was the most exciting thing I have ever been involved in for as long as I can remember.

“I want to thank our sponsors Unique Performance and InfiNet Insurance for their years of support. Of course, we have to thank Evan Knoll and the fine folks at Torco Racing Fuels for making the best fuel to run in these Pro Modified cars.”

Ashley’s monumental outing began on Friday when he laid down the quickest sixty-foot elapsed times in open testing with a pair of .956 hits. He returned for Saturday’s $10,000-to-win Didicom Clash and qualified the highest of any AMS All-Star competitor with an eighth-mile 4.027, 182.40.

As impressive as the first two days of the three-day event proved to be, it paled in comparison to the performance Ashley turned in on Sunday.

Sunday at the DragStock Festival presented a unique format for Pro Modified drag racing. Competition was not determined on an elimination basis, but rather on a formula that allowed racers to gain points for their respective teams – either, the AMS Outlaws sponsored by AMS Staff Leasing or the Flowmaster Outlaws sponsored by Flowmaster Exhaust. With one point awarded for each round victory and a point for each low elapsed time and top speed for each of the three sessions, Ashley accrued the most points of any competitor with 5.

Ashley’s stellar performance began with a 3.979, 183.28 that not only netted him a win alongside of outlaw racer John Lynam, but also etched a new Carolina Dragway track record for elapsed time. The three-second run also ensured induction into the RACENSUR Three-second club. Ironically, the previous track record belonged to Lynam.

After a tire-shaking second session, Ashley returned and scored a huge victory for his team by sealing not only a victory over Flowmaster Outlaws standout Jason Scruggs, but also in securing top speed of the final session with a 181.93 blast.

In the end, Ashley’s performance proved the leading national event runner had more than enough to match up with the outlaw racers. And, just to think, he still has the final national event left on the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge tour to complete. Did we fail to mention that he’s leading the points for the World Championship as well as the $10,000-to-win AMS Pro Modified Shootout?

Janis and Eaton Automotive Clinch 2004 Hooters/IHRA Pro Modified Crown

(10-12-2004) - In an area such as Western New York where sports fans live with a constant chip on their shoulder from four consecutive Super Bowl loses, a Stanley Cup Finals loss on an illegal goal, and lets not forget the weather jokes from the national sports media, Lancaster, NY’s Mike Janis and his Eaton Automotive Pro Modified Team have proven there are World Champions in Western, NY. On Saturday October 9th, Janis clinched his second Hooters/IHRA Pro Modified World Championship. Janis' first came in 2001, his first full season on the IHRA tour.

Janis clinched the 2004 Hooter/IHRA Pro Modified Championship by defeating his closest competitor in the Hooters/IHRA points chase, Harold Martin, in the second round. Thus eliminating any chance for Martin to catch Janis. Also Janis defeated Mitch Stott in round one before he took out Martin in round two. Janis lost in the semi finals to eventual race winner Pat Moore.

“This is kind of weird. I lost, but I won. I wish we could’ve won the race, but winning the championship is just fantastic. To be able to bring all my sponsors along with us this season it’s been awesome. Eaton Automotive, Aeroquip, Jan-Cen, and anyone else. We couldn’t have done this without your help. Thanks,” said an elated Mike Janis.

There is still one race left on the 2004 Hooters IHRA schedule. On October 22nd thru the 24th IHRA fans and racers will bid farewell to the 2004 season at the final event of 04’ in Rockingham, NC. Mike Janis and his Eaton Automotive/Aeroquip team will be on hand for the 9th annual Bethesda Softworks World Finals looking for another win to cap off their championship season.

Goodguys Announce 2005 Event Schedule

(10-8-2004) – The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced its 2005 event schedule today, a 24-event lineup featuring a diverse and deep selection of automotive attractions. Sixteen National Rod & Custom “Summer Series” events anchor the schedule. Two brand new events will be held which include in the 1st Great American Rod & Custom Nationals, May 20, 21 & 22 at Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania and the 1st Northwest Nostalgia Nationals vintage drags, to be held September 3 & 4 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington.

Additional schedule changes include a new location for the 7th Spring Nationals which will be held at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida (site of Super Bowl XXXIX) May 27, 28 & 29. Goodguys will return to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California April 23 & 24 for the 17th edition of the historic Nitro Nationals, site of the first-ever Goodguys Vintage Drag race back in 1989.

The highlight of the 24-event schedule is undoubtedly the 8th Goodguys Nationals, July 8, 9 & 10 at the Ohio Expo Center. In 2004, the 7th Goodguys Nationals attracted over 6,000 1972 & earlier entries, making it the largest event in Goodguys’ history.

In conclusion, the 2005 Goodguys event schedule includes 16 National Rod & Custom “Summer Series” events, a 5-race “West Coast Championship Series” vintage drag racing lineup and 3 “Get-Together” events at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds, events which welcome all years, makes & models of cars and trucks.

For more information, please call Goodguys at (925) 838-9876 or visit www.good-guys.com

Famoso Raceway. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics & Muscle Cars thru ‘72. Show ‘n Shine, Commercial Exhibits & Swap Meet.

Pleasanton Fairgrounds. All years American or American powered Cars & Trucks. Commercial Exhibits, Huge Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Del Mar Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Infineon Raceway. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics & Muscle Cars thru ‘72. Show ‘n Shine, Commercial Exhibits & Swap Meet.

Giant Center at Hershey Park. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Alltel Stadium. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Pleasanton Fairgrounds. All years American or American powered Cars & Trucks. Commercial Exhibits, Huge Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Indianapolis Raceway Park. Rods, Customs, Classics, & Trucks thru ‘64, Race Cars thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Iowa State Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Ohio Expo Center. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral. Friday Nite Drags.

Western Washington Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs & Classics thru ‘64. Show ‘n Shine, Commercial Exhibits, Friday Nite Drags.

Pomona Raceway. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics & Muscle Cars thru ‘72. Show ‘n Shine, Commercial Exhibits & Swap Meet.

Waukesha County Expo Center. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Spokane Fair & Expo Center. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Pleasanton Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs & Classics thru ‘54. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Pacific Raceways. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics & Muscle Cars thru ‘72. Show ‘n Shine, Commercial Exhibits & Swap Meet.

Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Kansas Speedway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Texas Motor Speedway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Famoso Raceway. Race Cars, Rods, Customs, Classics & Muscle Cars thru ‘72. Show ‘n Shine, Commercial Exhibits & Swap Meet.

Pleasanton Fairgrounds. All years American or American powered Cars & Trucks. Commercial Exhibits, Huge Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

8th Southwest Nationals. WestWorld of Scottsdale. Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trucks thru ‘72. Commercial Exhibits, Swap Meet & Cars 4 Sale Corral.

Steve Spiess runs unofficial quickest Sunoco Pro Stock time in history; Other quick times posted in pre-Norwalk testing

(10-7-2004) - One can't blame a racer for wanting to get a head-start on the competition. Prior to this weekend's make-up of the IHRA Sunoco World Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, a few entries were testing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. Undoubtedly, the shot heard round the world belonged to Steve Spiess as he blasted out a 6.41 at over 217 miles per hour. In the interest of fair reporting, the atmospheric conditions were incredible as the barometer was 2960, temperature was 60 degrees with 20-percent humidity. The air was at 400-feet above sea level.

Other quick times in the session included a 6.44 by Tony Gillig, a 6.45 by Rick Jones and a 6.46 by recent Budds Creek winner Pete Berner, who was admittedly using his back-up motor.

A test session also took place in Rockingham, NC., and John Montecalvo was the quickest with a 6.44.

It's a safe bet to assume that the Sunoco Pro Stocks could bridge the 6.3-second barrier this weekend.

The JEG'S Foundation recognized by NHRA

(10-7-2004) - Recently the ongoing efforts of The JEG'S Foundation's "Racing for Cancer Research" efforts received recognition from the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association). Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks.

The JEG'S Foundation is one the four charities the NHRA recognizes as a "NHRA In The Community charity". A special section can be found on NHRA.com and in the pages of the sanctioning bodies weekly magazine National Dragster.

"The NHRA and the entire racing community have been extremely supportive of our efforts both on and off the track to increase awareness of cancer research and early detection," explained spokesperson Scott Woodruff. "It is exciting to see the overwhelming response for the things we are doing as a family, business and race team. We are helping to save lives and that makes you feel pretty good inside."

156!

(10-7-2004) - That's exactly how many new products have been listed on CompetitionPlus.com since January 1, 2004. If you want to see the newest product releases visit our new products page. By all means, if you have a product you would like to include, please send a .jpg photo file and a press release and we'll happily include you in the roatation.

RED HOT WORSHAM CARRIES STREAK INTO READING

(10-7-2004)- Del Worsham is hot. Certifiably
red hot. Hotter than a two dollar pistol, hotter than July, hotter
than the frying pan as well as the fire, and just plain scalding hot.

The driver of the Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Monte Carlo Funny Car returns to Maple Grove Raceway this weekend, to complete the rain-delayed Lucas Oil Nationals, absolutely the same guy he was three weeks ago, though he also returns to Pennsylvania from an entirely different perspective and at a much higher "temperature."

After rain washed out this event in mid-September, the tour took off for Dallas and Chicago on back-to-back weekends. Worsham was sorely disappointed to leave Reading without racing, both because of the added travel headache involved in returning to Maple Grove in October as well as the frustration associated with not getting to race with what he firmly believed was a much better tune-up. He was right. It was, indeed, a much better tune-up.

Worsham simply headed to Dallas and ran the table. He qualified well (No. 5) and raced even better. On Sunday he took out big hitters Tim Wilkerson, Whit Bazemore, John Force, and Cruz Pedregon to pick up his fourth victory on the season, matching the career best he established in 2001 and 2002. Just days later he ran the table again, this time in Chicago. His No. 2 qualifying position was earned when he absolutely demolished his previous bests for both elapsed time and speed, posting a 4.730 at 328.54 mph. On Sunday, he streaked past Tommy Johnson, Jerry Toliver, Eric Medlen, and then John Force in the final, where he not only grabbed his fifth win on the year, but also
reset his speed mark again with a 329.75 mph clocking.

"We're certainly heading back to Reading with a different mindset," Worsham said. "When we were here last month, I was confident we had turned the corner but I needed to get on the track to prove it, to myself and everyone else. We were so disappointed to have to pack up and leave without even making one lap. Well, after Dallas and Chicago I think we know for a fact that we've turned the corner.

"Earlier this year we won two races in a row, at Phoenix and
Gainesville, and that was a first for us. Honestly, to do it again,
at two super-fast races like Dallas and Chicago, after we struggled so much in late summer, is one of the most gratifying turn-arounds I've ever been a part of. This team never quit, and they deserved every bit of the celebrating they did after these last two races."

Worsham is in his 14th season driving a Funny Car, so no one has to tell him about the cruel realities of professional drag racing. Just like a coin that has come up heads twice in a row, the next flip is just as random as the previous two. Worsham's trip back to Reading is no more guaranteed to be successful than any other driver's return, though momentum does help.

"When we get there, we'll be trying to qualify like everyone else," he said. "We'll try to keep the mistakes to a minimum, try to get the car from line to line, and hopefully we'll be well up the ladder when Saturday night rolls around. But, just because we've won these last two races doesn't mean we have any shortcuts. There aren't any shortcuts in this sport, and there aren't any freebies. We still have our work cut out for us."

The two race streak has done one major thing for Worsham and his CSK teammates, in addition to the obvious emotional lift they've experienced. It has moved Worsham back into second place in the POWERade standings, only a couple of weeks after he'd slipped to fourth and seemed to be fading. He now enters Reading with a 76 point lead over Gary Scelzi, who is third. His advantage over Whit Bazemore, who has been fighting Worsham near the top of the pack all year, has grown to 99 points. With three races left on the docket, Worsham has yet to sew up the No. 2 spot, but he certainly sits in the most advantageous position.

"Three races left, and we're a little more than three rounds ahead of Gary, and almost five rounds up on Whit," Worsham said. "I'm sure Gary sees it as a simple deal of picking up a round per race. I know that's how I'd see it. A round a race is easy if we go out early, so we absolutely must win some rounds in Reading, and hopefully a few more in Las Vegas and Pomona. I really want to finish second. Our whole team does. We've never finished higher than third, so it's a big goal for all of us. We've also never won more than 35 rounds in a year, and right now we have 34. Of course, we'd never won more than four races in a year before, either, so maybe we can do this."

While leading the battle for second place, Worsham was quick to comment on John Force's domination of the class, as well as the Champ's incredible performance in Chicago.

"Let me tell you, when we ran 4.730 on Saturday morning, just about everyone thought we'd done something special," Worsham recalled. "Before that lap, my all-time best was 4.764, so that was a big jump for us. We all said afterward that the only bad thing about it was we might have made Force mad. All he did was come out and become the first Funny Car driver to ever run in the 4.60's, with a 4.697 on his last qualifying pass. I didn't know whether to cheer for him or shake my head. I could hardly believe my eyes.

"On race day, he upped the ante even further," Worsham continued. "That 4.665 in round one was ludicrous. There were guys out there running absolutely great, setting new career marks, and Force had a tenth on them. It was nuts. But that's how good they are. Right now, we're running very well. Earlier in the season, we were running very well. But over ten months, Force and his guys never seem to have a slump. They're always there. We have one more win than they do, but they're 237 points ahead of us. Right now, we're learning what it takes to really contend for this deal. What we're learning here
should help us next year."

Consistency is good. Being red hot is good. Being both consistent and hot, over a 23-race season, might just win you a championship.

With Return to Norwalk Millican & Team Werner Clinch 4th Consecutive IHRA Top Fuel Championship

(10-6-2004) - Clay Millican of Team Werner/Lehman Racing, the 2001, 2002, and 2003 IHRA Top Fuel Champion and winningest professional driver in IHRA history, will return to the IHRA World Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, on October 9 to race in eliminations and clinch his fourth consecutive IHRA Top Fuel Championship.

The race was scheduled to take place the weekend of August 25-28, but due to rain, eliminations were postponed until October 9. Millican earned the number one Top Fuel qualifying position with an elapsed time of 4.656 seconds at 310.84 mph.

"Knowing that we have clinched our fourth straight championship with Werner Enterprises is an amazing feeling," said Millican. "The Lehman Racing team has worked so hard the past five years, so to have four championships in that amount of time is really just unbelievable to me. I can't say enough about this team. They are the best in the world."

Millican is currently 255 points ahead of second place driver, Bruce Litton, in the 2004 IHRA Top Fuel points standings, making it impossible for any driver to pass him in the points standings