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.
• Torco's CompetitionPlus.com has learned that the IHRA
has had to take extraordinary measures to gain property from one manufacturer
that had committed to a prize as part of their Super Series program.
After proclaiming the award of this prize to the rightful winner, the
company, whom we'll refrain from naming until they are reached for comment,
put some stringent demands on the sanctioning body for collection.
When contacted regarding the validity of this comment,
the IHRA confimed they had taken possession of the prize and it will
be awarded to the winner as soon as possible. Once Torco's CompetitionPlus.com
can confirm with a few more sources we will reveal the details of this
situation. (3-7-2005)
• There are some of the Pro Modified racers that plan
on taking the ADRL's liberal rules to the task. Word comes to us that
Jay Payne is planning on using the drivetrain out of his alcohol Funny
Car in his new Pro Modified entry for the ADRL events. (3-4-2005)
• Here's something we have heard. After Robert Patrick
and John Nobile have made successful returns to IHRA mountain motor
Pro Stock rumors are suggesting that a disgruntled NHRA Pro Stock racer
based in the midwest may be making the switch as well. (3-2-2005)
• We keep hearing rumors that the IHRA has secured backing
for their new sport compact series and this one definitely is not a
family-oriented sponsor. However, it's the perfect fit for a demographic
that is made up of testosterone-fueled young men. (3-1-2005)
• Here's one for the "what have you done for me lately"
category. Not only did NHRA Pro Stock racer Mark Pawuk lose his major
sponsor in 2005 but also found himself omitted from the NHRA's new media
guide. Imagine how Pawuk felt when he glanced through and noticed that
rookie drivers Erica Enders and Robert Hight were included even though
neither of them had yet to compete on a professional level before this
season. (3-1-2005)
• Ironically, shortly after posting Jon Asher's "Double
Standards?" editorial, it seems that it's not just the Pros who
are effected. Sportsman driver Tom Watts experienced an oildown in his
C/S Stock Eliminator car, and was subsequently disqualified from Stock
and from Super Stock, in which he was also competing. Wouldn't
it be devastating to race fans if one of Don Schumacher's entries had
an oildown, and every one of the team cars were expelled from the race?
Pardon our sarcasm, but hey - it's just a sportsman racer. (2-28-2005)
• Did you hear the story about a certain Pro Stock driver
who was having an engine certified for the second time by NHRA officials?
According to a team official, the official was asked if the scale had
been certified. The official was said to have had no knowledge as to
the last time the scale had been certified. (2-27-2005)
• File this in the "Did you know?" category.
It was posted on NHRA.com that the recent improvements at Atco Dragway
were performed by Jim Weinert, Penhall, and Freeburn Track Grinding.
What the report fails to mention is that Jim Weinert is the track preparation
man for the IHRA. On several occasions in the past, Weinert has worked
with temperamental tracks of the opposite sanction to bring them around.
(2-23-2005)
• Beadlock wheels may not be limited to the professional
category cars as we are hearing of several Super Stockers are experimenting.
Some Super Stock racers are against the notion, but there are a few
that truly believe this is the future. (2-21-2005)
• File this in the impressive category. Apparently a few
members of the fledgling American Drag Racing League Pro Modified Series
will participate in a new reality show that focuses on their plaudits
both on and off the track. Word has it this show will be broadcast on
a well-known television network. (2-21-2005)
• Expect the official announcement to come later this
week or so, but Dale Creasy's rumored Top Fuel outing could begin the
day after Gainesville. He is said to be licensing behind the wheel of
Evan Knoll's Top Fuel dragster on Monday. Knoll could also make a lap
as well to attain his NHRA license. Knoll licensed last August in IHRA
competition. (2-15-2005)
• Did you happen to notice Alcohol Funny Car driver Frank
Manzo spending time with second-generation Alky racer Randy Anderson?
A few of our moles noticed that. (2-15-2005)
• This bit of information was flying around the Pro Stock
pits in Pomona after a number of teams suffered noticably sub-par or
broken runs. Apparently the engine technology that has allowed the "factory
hot rods" to run quicker and faster has surpassed the stress levels
of some of the mechanical components involed. In this case, overworked
valve springs were being blamed for the woes of many of the top teams.
(2-14-2005)
• The latest word from our inside sources is that Hartman
Motorsports has finalized a Top Fuel sponsorship deal for driver John
"Bodie" Smith. According to team owner Virgil Hartman, an
announcement could be made this weekend in Pomona, and the new sponsor's
livery will soon be adorning the side of the team's new dragster. (2-11-2005)
• Here's something we're hearing. The latest non-automotive
sponsor coming into drag racing could be a jean company. Here's a tip.
They've been involved in motorsports before. (2-11-2005)
• Could Dale Creasy, Jr., also known as peanut, end up
driving a Top Fueler this season? The word on the street is yes and
we're possibly hearing this could have ties to a current NHRA team seriously
considering adding a second dragster to their lineup. Sit back and watch
as this one unfolds. (2-10-2005)
• File this in the "did you know?" category.
Larry Morgan's sponsor Z-Max is a company owned by Bruton Smith and
Speedway Motorsports. (2-10-2005)
• In case you're wondering why fines were handed down
by the NHRA, our sources are telling us the focus of Wayne Dupuy's gripe
was centered around track prep. As for Bob Gilbertson, our sources tell
us when one backs over a pit bike and drags it around the pits in an
effort to dislodge it, watches it catch fire and then rides away in
another vehicle while the rental car burns to the ground, it tends to
draw the ire of the sanctioning body. (2-10-2005)
• Word has it that a major nitromethane manufacturer has
scheduled a mandatory nitro handling safety course for the second year
in a row this week in Pomona. Teams are required to have a crewchief
or anyone handling nitromethane for their team present or they cannot
compete in NHRA POWERade competition. At least that was the message
conveyed to the professional and sportsman teams last season. The interesting
thing is that barely half of the teams entered at the first race of
the season attended this required course. Could there be better attendance
this year? (2-9-2005)
• Here's a tip for the future. A prominent Midwest-based
Top Fuel dragster sponsor is contemplating becoming a team owner in
2006. He needs to hammer out some details first. (2-8-2005)
• File this in the "did you know?" category.
The Stratus that Jim Head is running is actually a body purchased from
Dean Skuza. (2-7-2005)
• IHRA Top Fuel racer Bruce Litton will have full electronics
( No air) for IHRA competition. Returning co-crewchief Richard Hartman
experimented with this setup last year with success. (2-7-2005)
• Speaking of Hartmans, family patriarch Virgil Hartman
has a new business venture as the NHRA distributor for "Race Ceiver"
radio system. The listen only radios sell for $159.00 and allow one
to listen to their favorite NHRA or NASCAR teams. James Drew is the
west coast rep and can be reached via email at drewphoto@aol.com
or by calling (949)-645-2606. (2-7-2005)
• Todd Paton has reportedly started a new Top Fuel driving
experience. It's $5,000.00 per run with a mandatory NHRA physical. You
may bring your own equipment or Paton will provide it for you. Carson
Levy (Mattel Hot Wheels project mgr.) was the first student & looked
impressive on two Saturday runs. (2-7-2005)
• File this in the oops department. Word has it that the
NHRA has received a lot of phone and emails from upset Super Comp racers
that were reportedly denied entry to Phoenix due to NHRA's new sportsman
format, even though these racers had enough grade points to race a national
event. (2-7-2005)
• There's a hot rumor floating around that suggests Bucky
Austin may be climbing out of the driver's seat of his highly successful
Funny Car. His replacement? Former Top Alcohol Dragster driver Mark
Hentges is said to be the man as confirmed on Speedzone Magazine. -
(2-4-2005)
• Mitch Stott, the 2003 IHRA Pro Modified World Champion,
was in Bradenton, Florida testing a car for Tommy Lipar Racing. Sources
close to the team say that Stott will be employed full-time with the
team. His capacity has not been fully determined. - (2-3-2005)
• Could the Worsham camp be the latest to ponder running
a Top Fuel dragster? (2-2-2004)
• Here's a little rumor that floated our way today. How
about a female Top Fuel driver with a Fortune 500 company for a sponsor
that is planning to run NHRA, but is giving serious thought to running
a limited IHRA schedule. Another tidbit - a former world champion could
be doing the tuning. (2-1-2004)
• Here's something we've heard lately. After leaving the
IHRA for a supposedly bigger and better deal in the NHRA, it appears
the Nitro Harley riders will not be a part of the NHRA show in 2005.
We received a call from Nitro Harley racer Johnny Mancuso
who added the riders didn't leave the IHRA in search of a "bigger
better deal." Instead, Screamin' Eagle had decided the withdraw
its sponsorship and the IHRA was unable to secure a backer to keep the
program functional. When the Screamin' Eagle sponsorship went to the
NHRA, the teams had no other choice but to go.
Mancuso pointed out that an official "no" has
not been given for their status in 2005. In the meantime, he and the
other riders will plan to run as many of the All Harley Drag Racing
Association as they can. - (2-1-2004)
"I am fearless, but I also have a &*%$ing
brain." - Whit Bazemore regarding his potential
decision to sit out of the car until the tire issue is resolved.
"I can see broken bones waiting to happen." -
Torco's Brian Pfiefer after company owner Evan Knoll informed him that
he'd just purchased a 450 cc dirt bike. Knoll later crashed and severly
injured his shoulder.
"They need to check the overdrive on that thing." -
An unidentified supercharged Pro Modified team owner after nitrous racer
Shannon Jenkins ran a 6.24 in unbearable conditions at Norwalk. The
quickest blower car was a 6.31 during the same session in which the air
was 3,750 feet.
"They're a bunch of know-nothings (NHRA). Some of us out
here have been running these cars for 50 years. Who would know how to
run these cars better than us?"- Top Fuel Team owner
Connie Kalitta on the recent rule changes to slow down nitro racing.
"Warren Johnson said that Ray Charles could get a
perfect light on a five tenths pro tree, so that's why I was singing
'Georgia on my mind' all the way to the winner's circle." - Martin
GM Performance Parts Top Stock winner Monty Bogan, Jr., after he beat
Tom Rix in the class final with a perfect reaction.
"Well boys looks like we have a Hot LZ." - Drag
Race Central's Larry Sullivan, a veteran of the U.S. Military, as three
parachutists attempted to land as the IHRA inadvertently launched their
pre-race fireworks display. LZ is military lingo for landing zone.
"He had to pay me to take his money." -Sunoco
Pro Stock racer Frank Gugliotta as he not only beat Rick Jones in the
final round in Martin, but also became a member of the Quartermax 6.40
Club sponsored by Jones. Jones rewarded Gugliotta with a check for
$1000.
"After what happened to Von Smith, I have no idea why
they'd want to put an Undertaker behind the wheel." - Veteran
Pro Modified journeyman Tommy Gray after being named the temporary
driver of Tom Lipar's "Dr. Moon's Rage" following Von Smith's
temporary heart surgery.
"If I knew exactly what it was, I'd put it in a bottle
and smuggle it back across the border!" - IHRA Stock
World Champion Michael Beard when asked about his proficiency of winning
national events in Canada. He's won the last three events that he's
entered across the border.om.
"Anyone who knows me knows I'm not going to lay down for
anyone and now Pat's got what he wants - a real flopper with this new
guy that took over for me. I just want everyone to know there are no
hard feelings and I wish Pat all the best luck in his HARD fight for the
championship." - Tony Christian on his departure as a
driver from the Pat Musi camp.
You %^@$^%$#%@&$%# are the reason I never wanted to come
back and race here anymore. -Funny Car racer Dale Pulde,
on what he told the NHRA's Ray Alley upon being disqualified for failing
the licensing recertification. The NHRA had reversed the decision on
allowing him to compete in Sunday's eliminations.
"By God we won't have a problem with those speakers once
the sun ges down and it gets dark in here..."- A
disruntled racer in the pits at Toronto Motorsports Park as IHRA
officials tested them well into the night on the Thursday before the
event began. Someone reportedly scaled the pole and cut the wires to the
excessively loud speakers sometime during the night.
"Where in the hell are we?" - Pro
Modified racer Scotty Cannon while on a dirt road in British Columbia.
Cannon had gotten lost on a dirt road in the province en route to a
match race in Alaska.
