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Unsubstantiated Rumors
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. Could it be that Brainerd International Raceway has been sold to the group behind Six Flags amusement parks for future development as a new park and condominium complex? That could spell the end of the NHRA's national event if this rumor pans out. A representative of the track denied there was any truth to the rumor. The speculation was further fueled when NHRA.com had N/A beside the location of the event on their schedule and the race was later removed all together. A call from the NHRA's officies assured us it was just a website glitch. (7-12-2005 Word has it that a 2004 top ten Pro Stock finisher is not going to be driving on the western swing. From what we're hearing, his replacement for the swing is a past top ten Pro Stock driver who does not currently have a full time ride. Could the Captain be taking some time off? (7-12-2005) Could the Mohawked One (Scotty Cannon) have a deal in the works that could put him on the NHRA POWERade tour in 2005 behind the wheel of a Top Fuel car? If this program works out it could pair him with one of the most established individuals in the class. (7-7-2005) It came to light recently (in an overheard converstation) that Pro Modified pioneer Bill Kuhlmann has built a new car and will soon be coming back to the doorslammer wars. When this will happen and with what organization is not clear at the present time, but there should be more on this made public real soon. (7-6-2005) A call to the David Powers Motorsports shop has revealed that Chris Russell has left the team. Russell had made mention to sources that he was unlikely to stay with the team following St. Louis. His assessment was that his heart just wasn't in it anymore. Now, adding to that, we've heard Lee Beard could be coming in this week to interview for a position on the team. (7-3-2005) There's no doubt Torco Race Fuels and Torco Gear have together blanketed the drag racing community with sponsorship, but we're hearing talk the company may be drifting over into NASCAR and Nextel Cup Racing as well. From what we're hearing, the team has ties to Dale Earnhart, Jr and Tony Stewart. According to execs at Torco, Stewart's motorcross team has just inked a deal with the company. For a company that did very little advertising in nine of their ten years of existence, Torco Race Fuels seem to be making up for lost time. (7-1-2005) While the search continues for the driver of Don Schumacher's second Top Fuel car sponsored by Torco Gear, the consensus is that Brady Kalivoda is the front-runner. Some message boards and various sources have reported to us that Melanie Troxel is also in the running. Before you eliminate her due to the fact that she and Don Prudhomme have a contract, consider what we've heard. In the event another opportunity comes along, Troxel can easilly opt out. Therefore, if Schumacher comes up with the right gig, there's a very good chance she'll get the nod. Plus, from what we're hearing from within the Prudhomme camp there are some that might not be keen on adding a second fueler, keeping Troxel's chances for a ride limited. We're also hearing about a wildcard as of late, someone that many may not have considered in the mix. (7-1-2005) Could Don Schumacher be ready to add another Pro Stock car to his ever-expanding stable? Sources report that Schumacher is interested in bringing a third car into the fold for R&D purposes. Stay tuned to see how this one plays out. (6-30-2005) We're hearing the shop of Todd Patterson was broken into and the only engines stolen belonged to David Rampy and Tony Stephenson. Reportedly, the reward has already climbed to 25K. (6-29-2005) NHRA Pro Stock fans in the know might be waiting for
the other Schu to drop. Torco's Competition Plus has learned that Don
Schumacher Racing’s Pro Stock guru Bob Glidden recently issued
an ultimatum to the team owner. He reportedly told Schumacher that he
had three days to choose who will make the decisions for the Pro Stock
operation, him or Jeg Coughlin Sr.. The common rumor going around was
that Coughlin Sr. felt he wasn't getting the return on his reported
investment and was said to have told Glidden, “you don’t
impress me a bit.” Is there a gag order in effect where Wayne Dupuy is concerned? In the wake of his departure from the Joe Amato-owned Morgan Lucas Top Fuel team, and subsequent hiring by Doug Herbert, Dupuy has refused to discuss the matter or grant interviews to the media. Torco's Competition Plus was on top of the breaking news, however, and Jon Asher's in-depth interview was the only one to be published before the gate slammed shut. (6-29-2005) There are serious vibes going around in the Top Fuel community that Don Schumacher will have his second Top Fuel car out in Memphis. The million dollar question being asked is the new driver one who has previously driven for low budget teams or is it one that has no experience. Our sources are leaning toward the former. (6-29-2005) Could NHRA Pro Stock feature foreign-bodied cars for the first time in history? We are hearing there are deals being worked behind the scenes to make this happen. Time will tell. It's common knowledge that Toyota has lobbied NASCAR extensively for inclusion. (6-29-2005) Word has it there could be some major shake-ups in Pro Stock Motorcycle's talent pool. The most prominent has a certain Suzuki rider headed to the V-twin camp. (6-29-2005) The word going around the NHRA Pro Stock pits is that a few prominent teams may be sitting out Denver. We've yet to confirm, but as many of six are planning to take a pass. (6-28-2005) Lynwood Dupuy, a former NHRA official, may soon remove the moniker of "former" from his name. The word going around is that he'll rejoin the NHRA team in order to oversee track prep, a position previously held by Chad Head. We asked Graham Light if Dupuy was rejoining the team and he confirmed on a part-time basis. (6-27-2005) While it has been reported that John Force's third run in St. Louis was disqualified due to profanity used in a post-run interview, sources close to the team have said that it was a ride height sensor issue that got the run thrown out. (6-25-2005) One of the rumors actively making its way around the pits at Gateway International Raceway is that Old Bridge Township Raceway Park had been sold for a substantial amount of money. Eddie Kraweic, the track manager for Old Bridge, has denied any such sale taking place. However, we did hear that New England Dragway in Epping, NH., had some interesting visitors recently. The Napp family added the track just signed a new five-year contract and that further dispels any other banter. (6-25-2005) Word has it that Dick Maskin's Pro Stock team driven by Rickie Smith will reportedly take a pass on the West Coast tour. Sources report that the team elected not to run Denver and because of that Seattle and Sonoma became expendable as well. (6-23-2005) Mike Boisvert, formerly associated with the “Sheer Hell” Funny Car out of Delavan, Wisconsin, and a team are reportedly rebuilding the original 1975 “Blue Max” flopper, complete with Hemi. Look for its return to the track in mid-to-late summer, 2005. (6-22-2005) Yesterday a potential buyer for Darlington Dragway was in town looking over the strip. It is well known that this buyer, who owns another profitable drag strip, is looking to refurbish the place with intentions of bringing back a national event to the facility. Darlington Dragway for years served as the location for the IHRA season opener. With Virginia Motorsports Park reportedly headed to NHRA for a fall date, it could make a lot of sense for the IHRA to bring Darlington back into the fold. (6-21-2005) Here's a teaser. If you happen to make it to an NHRA event next year in Virginia. You might want to bring a jacket along. It might put the racers between a Rock and a Budd place. (6-7-2005) Another Ashley in a Funny Car? That could be the case from what we're hearing, but this Ashley is a male and a World Champion. The word floating around is that defending NHRA Pro Modified World Champion Mike Ashley will be making license runs on the Monday following Joliet in Dale "Peanut" Creasy's flopper. Could this be the start of something really big? From what we're hearing this could have huge implications in the near future. - (6-7-2005) Several seasons back, Jerry Toliver and Jim Epler ran a pair of Funny Cars under the World Wrestling Federation banner. The team was relatively successful and popular with fans, but a changing economic climate eventually forced the WWF out of the sport and the team was disbanded. Now comes word from a source close to the situation that a possible reforming of the Toliver-Epler combine may be in the works. Stay tuned as this one plays out. (6-4-2005) The word on the street suggests Del Worsham and company could have a third Funny Car on the strip at Indy. The proposed driver would follow a path that has been traveled before. This one could get interesting. (6-3-2005) The most recent rule changes by the NHRA as listed on NHRA.com will be forever known as the "336 Adjustments." (6-3-2005) Yesterday in an interview with Tom Compton, the NHRA President declined to comment on the status of Virginia Motorsports Park. The suggestion is the NHRA POWERade schedule should be released in mid-Summer and that should answer a lot of questions. (6-3-2005). The tire problems continue to dog the nitro ranks as evidenced by a few teams choosing to sit out qualifying sessions in Topeka. Could larger problems than teams choosing to sit out loom on the horizon in this controversy? (6-3-2005). Guess what Aussie Top Doorslammer racer will be making the trek to the States to size up a tour of duty within the next few years? (6-3-2005) While there seems to be an interesting scenario brewing between the Carrier Boyz and expansion-minded team owner Don Schumacher for custody of David Connolly and the Bullet Motorsports team, word has it that another well-known nitro team owner could be coiled to strike in this potential threesome. This team owner has strong ties to Chevrolet and it was commonly known that this individual had an interest at one time in owning a Pro Stock Truck when the class was the "in" thing. (6-1-2005) It has been confirmed that Kenny Koretsky is in the process of purchasing a Top Fuel team. What is not being commented about on the record is the identity of the team. What we have found out is that this team has ties to both the NHRA and IHRA. Neither Koretsky nor the rumored team owner have commented on the uncompleted purchase despite requests from Torco's CompetitionPlus.com. (5-31-2005) From what we're hearing, an NHRA Pro Stock team will soon be making an announcement regarding their Top Fuel intentions. The word could come as soon as the middle of the upcoming week. (5-29-2005) Rumor has it that T.J. Zizzo's Torco Top Fuel Dragster
will sport a new look at Chicago and will have that same paint scheme
at the fall event at Route 66 Raceway to showcase an additional sponsor.
Look for a rollout at Milwaukee at a hot rod tour June 5 at Miller Park.
(5-28-2005)
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© Competitionplus 2005