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Unsubstantiated
Rumors
& Classic Overheard
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.
• Who says a racer can’t return to his roots? In
a program just assembled, Gary Scelzi will be driving a Top Alcohol
Funny Car in addition to his duties for the Team Schumacher camp. (4-8-2005)
• Word has it that Top Alcohol Racer Erica Walsh-Credeur
of Lafayette, Louisiana, will be licensing for Top Fuel the day after
the NHRA event in Houston. From what we're hearing a major non-automotive
sponsor is waiting in the wings. Stay tuned. (4-5-2005)
• A very interesting tidbit has come our way recently.
This one concerns a certain NHRA Pro Stock team owner who apparently
has a hankering to field a Top Fuel operation. We'll bring you more
details as they become available. (3-30-2005)
• In the world of drag racing,
the “level playing field” is much sought after but seldom
achieved. Now, if things work out, one top 10 NHRA Top Fuel team may
be flying the colors of a company that has made its reputation by providing
the most level playing field possible for the “stick and ball”
crowd.
This one isn’t in the bank yet, but if the deal is signed, professional
drag racing will be racking up another non-traditional sponsor in the
very near future. (3-30-2005)
• Here's a tip. Last week "Fast"
Jack Beckman was in Las Vegas making testing/licensing laps in the Menard's
entry. (3-29-2005)
• We had heard the rumors that turbo
Pro Modified racer Mike Moran had produced a 5.98 at 243 miles per hour
lap in a private test session at Milan Dragway. While we didn't dismiss
potential of the run as being legit (even though the warmest day in
Milan has been 51-degrees), we made a call to Moran, who offered a chuckle
and a "I wish I had done it, I could use the publicity," response.
Moran pointed out that he's yet
to let the clutch out on his Chevrolet and has been thrashing like crazy
to have the car ready for Houston, where he plans to make his AMS/TLR
debut. (3-25-2005)
• A source at John Force Racing
has confirmed the banter floating around concerning the defending Funny
Car World Champion. He's got a potential reality show lurking up his
sleeve.
For the last six months, Force has been involved
in the shooting of a family-type semi-reality series. Apparently, the
Morris Agency is in the process of finding the appropriate network and
time slot. The venture will involve all members of John's family --
Ashley, Brittany, Courtney, Laurie and John himself.
We have heard a three-letter network is at the
top of the wish-list. (3-24-2005)
• Sources indicate that former IHRA Pro Stock World Champion
and current Roy Hill Drag Racing School instructor Mike Bell could be
behind the wheel of Hill's 2005/1966 Mustang that crashed in Gainesville.
However, if that car is not repaired in time, Bell will be driving the
2004 Mustang that Chip King drove at the same event.
• If that becomes the case, King will revert to his tried and true
Dodge Avenger. (3-24-2005)
File this in the "Did you know?" category. The wrist-pin
incident at Pomona for a certain Pro Stock driver nearly cost that team
their sponsorship. Not once did the sanctioning body attempt to intervene
on behalf of the driver's behalf in conversations with the sponsor.
(3-23-2005)
• The future of Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia has
been the subject of much speculation over the last couple of years,
and yet another twist has been added to the story. Well-placed sources
indicate that a major player in the North American home improvement
industry has made an offer to purchase the track and convert the property
into a giant retail operation. They are apparently keen to counter the
efforts of a rival company which is expanding into the same general
area. (3-22-2005)
• Sources indicate that pressure is being put on some
of the teams running Mopar bodies in NHRA Funny Car to make their designs
more closely resemble the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. A few of the teams
are balking at the notion. We'll see how this one shakes out. (3-21-2005)
• Word has it that former Bill Miller driver Brady Kalivoda
could be close to landing a driving gig. (3-21-2005)
• Here's something to look out for. At the first Las Vegas,
Team Kalitta will field four Top Fuelers with Ben Marshall driving the
fourth. Word has it that a one-race deal has been procured with an associate
of current team sponsor Zantrex-3. This company is reportedly a wrinkle
cream producer. (3-19-2005)
• The word will soon be coming down that the NHRA will
be announcing a three-race exhibition series for the Nitro Harleys.
(3-12-2005)
• Our sources are telling us that Torco Race Fuels has
completed a deal to serve as presenting sponsor for the IHRA Rocky Mountain
Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We are hearing is that Torco
will become the official fuel of the track, but the most impressive
part is they are reportedly sponsoring the "beer garden."
As long as they are selling the fuel and not drinking it, everything
should be fine. (3-12-2005)
• Could a certain former multi-time IHRA Funny Car World
Champion be making the switch to a Ford bodied shell? (3-11-2005)
• Speaking of Funny Cars, the talk is that a major team
will show up in Gainesville sporting a new automobile manufacturer.
(3-11-2005)
• Word has come to us that a deal is being worked out
which will see Melanie Troxel back in the seat of a fuel car in the
near future. During the off-season a team with its roots in Pro Modified
attempted to put a Top Fuel program together with Troxel as driver,
but it never came to fruition. Apparently this new deal is close to
the signing stage, and will include a few surprises. Stay tuned for
an announcement. (3-9-2005)
• 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?
(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)
"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.
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