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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.
• How about a two-car Top Fuel team driven by female drivers?
It could happen and it could also happen with a non-automotive sponsorship
as well. (5-6-2005)
• A certain Speedway owner in the greater Charlotte, N.C.
area is rumored be clearing land adjacent to his Speedway, a lot of
land and it is a long stretch of land more than a half-mile long which
is real close the the Speedway and all those parking lots for all those
NASCAR fans who will be at the Speedway later this month. That is the
same land he acquired last year and got into a scrape with the city
or county for cutting down a whole bunch of trees without a permit.
That could explain that rumor about file boxes from NHRA spotted in
the Charlotte airport recently addressed to Speedway something or other.
Considering that it was rumored the Winston Invitational
hosted by Rockingham some years reportedly outdrew some of the prominent
venues on the NHRA tour at the time, there could be validity to an NHRA
desire to be in the Charlotte area. (5-2-2005)
• During his visit to Bristol this past weekend, Smith
was said to have had conversations with several of the prominent team
owners within the nitro ranks. (5-2-2005)
• Bruton Smith, who has owned Tennessee's Bristol Dragway
since 1996, had not planned to attend this weekend's O'Reilly NHRA Thunder
Valley Nationals. But Competition Plus has learned that just this week,
he decided he would make a Saturday visit. Rumors had persisted that
Smith would call a press conference at this event, but CP has no confirmation
of that. Perhaps he just wants to size up his own competition. (4-29-2005)
• As Pro Stock aficionados will recall, there was a period
in time for NHRA Pro Stock that some body dimensions were questionable.
GM officials revealed a practice has been in effect for the last few
years to combat any unapproved aerodynamic advantages. Reportedly, special
computer chips the size of a grain of rice have been installed between
the layers of carbon fiber that can be read by a special scanner from
the NHRA technical department. This was first implemented with the Grand-am
body styles. (4-29-2005)
• Holy Triple Threat, Batman! Watch for the upcoming appearance
of a third car in an already high-profile Pro Modified camp. All we
can tell you right now is that this car will be running a new combination
with the potential to smash existing NHRA records and will be driven
by someone with championship credentials in the doorslammer ranks. (4-27-2005)
• Could it be that Bruton Smith has a press conference
scheduled during the NHRA weekend in Bristol? (4-25-2005)
• The overwhelming word that seems to be floating around
the pits is the NHRA versus Pro Stock Truck Owners lawsuit has been
settled. But, the burning question is, if this is true, "Who signed
the settlement checks?" Torco's CompetitionPlus.com has been investigating
several leads but the parties involved remain tight-lipped about any
details, at least on the record they are. (4-25-2005)
• Word comes to us that there have been some changes at
Toronto Motorsports Park recently. Apparently Mike Bennett has left
the post of manager and been replaced by a local businessman who will
take over the day-to-day operations of the facility.
There’s a strange twist to the story, however, as we’re
also hearing that former IHRA owner Bill Bader has been hired as track
consultant, and has plans to turn the track located on the north shore
of Lake Erie into “Norwalk North.” The buzz is that Bader
recently held a meeting for all the staff at the track to inform them
of future plans. As soon as more information becomes available we'll
pass it along. (4-19-2005)
• 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)
"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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