:::::: News ::::::

NHRA AND ESPN2 RETHINK LIVE TV

NHRA and ESPN officials announced late yesterday that next Saturday's qualifying
coverage of the Auto Club NHRAFinals will return to its original timeslot,
starting at 10 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 HD.

"ESPN decided it was best to
provide our fans of the NHRA with primetime coverage of qualifying from
Pomona in the heat of this year'schampionship battle," said Frantz Cayo,
ESPN director of motorsportsprogramming. "Therefore, we are keeping the
telecast at 10 p.m. (ET) on
Saturday."

POMONA LIVE TELECAST

NHRA officials announced today that next Saturday's qualifying coverage of
the Auto Club NHRA Finals willnow be presented during a two-hour live
telecast, starting at 5 p.m.(ET) on ESPN2 HD.

MORE ORLANDO ONLINE

Did you miss last weekend's Orlando World Street Nationals? We have reposted our extensive PHOTO GALLERY and DAILY NOTEBOOK for your viewing pleasure.

 

 

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KATE HARKER TO DRIVE FOR CONWAY

kate harker.jpgRecently licensed Australian Top
Alcohol Dragster driver Kate Harker will drive Tom Conway's Skull Shine/Torco
Race Fuels A/Fuel Dragster during this weekend's NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series event at "The Strip" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Lee Callaway,
who normally drives the car, will reassume driving duties at next weekend's AAA
Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif.

 
Harker, 23, originally from Brisbane, Aus.,
recently finished her Top Alcohol Dragster license at a test session at the
Texas Motorplex with a blistering 5.355 second lap at 255 mph behind the wheel
of Conway's dragster.  With Callaway already competing at his maximum number of
events to claim points, the door was open for Harker to gain additional seat
time this weekend.
 

JOHNSON'S NEW HELMET AND ENTHUSIASM

johnson_helmet.jpgTommy Johnson
Jr., got a present in Las Vegas and it wasn’t a 21 on the blackjack table. It
was a joint effort from his crew.

“I try to get my guys something every
year,” Johnson said. “I do it because I want to say thank you for a great
season. They also give me something.”

MORE ESPN2 AUTOMOTIVE SHOWS

ESPN is complementing its
extensive coverage of NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA racing in 2007 with ESPN2
Garage
,
a new block of programming dedicated to the automotive and
motorsports world
.

Debuting Saturday, Jan. 6,
the block will satisfy automotive, motorcycle and motorsports enthusiasts with
19 different shows that feature nearly every facet of the industry – from car
auctions to custom-car programs to an animated series and reality shows. The
programming will be aired on ESPN2 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET on weekdays, from
10 a.m. to noon ET on Saturdays and from 10-11 a.m. ET on Sundays.

GARLITS TAKES A WILD RIDE

garlitscrash_1_1_1.jpgDon Garlits has experienced some wild rides in his day but few like the
one he took during the Southern Nostalgia Shootout recently at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
“Big Daddy” did a 180-degree spin in a front engine dragster.

Garlits brought his Swamp Rat VIII recreation to put on a show for the
fans. He made a short blast on Saturday and another on Sunday, and
participated in the Cacklefest on Saturday night. He spent hours talking
with his fans and signing autographs.

On Saturday, Don suited up and pushed his car down the right lane,
turned
around and push-started it coming toward the starting line in the left
lane. He then turned in staging and made a smoky blast for 330-feet or so
to give fans a feel for drag racing the way it used to be. 

 

ISC ACQUIRES ADDITIONAL ROUTE 66 INTEREST

International Speedway Corporation (Nasdaq: ISCA)(OTC Bulletin Board: ISCB)
("ISC") has announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation to indirectly acquire an additional 37.5
percent interest in Raceway Associates, LLC ("Raceway Associates"), owner and
operator of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The
purchase price for the transaction is approximately $69 million in cash.

After the transaction closes, ISC will own 100 percent of Motorsports
Alliance, LLC ("Motorsports Alliance"), which owns 75 percent of Raceway
Associates. Raceway Associates was formed in 1999 as a joint venture between
Motorsports Alliance and the former owners of Route 66 Raceway. Raceway
Associates subsequently developed Chicagoland Speedway, a 75,000 seat facility
hosting premier motorsports events from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch, IRL
IndyCar and ARCA RE/MAX series.

JEGGIE GETS CAR CRAZY

The episode of SpeedTV's popular television program Car Crazy featuring
three-time NHRA champion Jeg Coughlin will air at 6:30 p.m. PST, Thursday, Nov.
2. Host Barry Meguiar talks with the 47-time national event winner about his
family's love for drag racing and the two of them inspect his ’67 Chevy II
station wagon, a 1955 Chevy Nomad, and a turbo-charged 2000 Chevy Corvette
convertible that was built by the late John Lingenfelter.
 

THE RAY PRICE - MONDO PORROS CONNECTION

Ray
Price, diverse businessman, inducted member of the National
Motorcycle Museum
and Hall of Fame, “Father of Funny Bike,” owner of Ray Price
Harley-Davidson/Buell, Inc., and local philanthropist, was recognized on
October 17th with his own special day by the city of Raleigh. 

City
officials have honored Price for his continuous efforts to help the city and
its citizens, and after he successfully brought over 65,000 people to the 2nd
annual Ray Price Capital City Bike Fest Rally they proclaimed November 4th
as Ray Price Day.  Price will celebrate his day with an estimated 6,000 of
his closest friends at an open house at Ray Price Harley-Davidson/Buell.  

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