Originally published in May 2002, this story is one of those stories that went largely unreported by the leading print magazines of the era. CompetitionPlus.com, in just its third year of publication, did a little digging and hunted down a few of the key figures and all who we talked to swear this is how the story went down. One person, and we'll not call any names, says it didn't happen, but we'll stand by our story is its written. - Editor

There are some combinations that were always an institution in drag racing. For instance, we could always automatically assume that Bill Jenkins was a Chevrolet man, that the talented “Dyno Don” Nicholson was pretty much a Ford man at heart, and we always picture Ronnie Sox in a Mopar. In the same vein, we could always associate Bob Glidden with a Ford-powered entry. Sure there were the flirtations with a Chevrolet in 1976 at Indy, and the record-setting season of 1979 in a Mopar, but for the most part the cagey veteran from Whiteland, Ind., was always a dyed-in-the-wool Blue Oval man.

However, a little over two decades ago, unbeknownst to many Pro Stock aficionados, the Hoosier nearly ended up in an Oldsmobile as part of a revered Hurst/Olds project. Just what changed his path at the last minute? That answer may never be fully revealed on the record, but the word on the streets is that the folks at Ford objected, and at contract time they flexed their muscles by strongly suggesting that their star driver “cease and desist.”

If you missed Michael Knight's Race Reporters internet radio show last Wednesday then you missed a good one.

CompetitionPlus.com Senior Editor joined Knight in his final show of the year to discuss the ins and outs of the 2009 season. If you take the time to listen, it will be worth the investment.

LISTEN TO THE SPORTS REPORTERS

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Billy Glidden used a huge vote total to claim the No. 1 qualifying position for the third annual CompetitionPlus.com War Stories Showdown, an annual competition to determine drag racing’s best storytellers.

“I’m grateful that I’ve been chosen for this No. 1 qualifying spot, but this is going to be a tough competition because there’s heavy hitters in here,” Glidden said on Friday. “Whether I’m playing checkers or ping-pong, or telling race stories … I’m in it to win it. We’ll just see how it all turns out.”

Glidden claimed 45.23 percent of the 1,289 votes cast.

Now that qualifying is complete, the competition enters the eliminations phase just like a real drag race. The contestants are paired on an NHRA eliminations-style ladder according to their qualifying position.

Drag racing has a worldwide attraction, especially when it comes to nitro-burning floppers. This video from YouTube.com features Funny Car action from the 1980 NHRA Cajun Nationals at State Capitol Dragway located outside of Baton Rouge, La.

You'll see the legends of the era including Raymond Beadle, Billy Meyer, Kenny Bernstein, Ron Colson, Ed McCulloch, Tom Hoover, Tripp Shumake, Henry Harrison and Paul Smith. The video does include subtitles but the presence of dry hops makes up for it.

There was a rumor circulating around that Top Alcohol Funny Cars and dragsters were not going to compete at NHRA national events in 2010.

That rumor is false.

An NHRA official told Competition Plus the rumor is untrue. The official said the Top Alcohol Funny Cars and dragsters are competing at 16 national events in 2010 which is the same number they competed at this past season.

The 16 races in the upcoming season will aired on ESPN2 as part of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The International Hot Rod Association has announced that Moser Engineering has agreed to a two-year extension and will continue to provide one of IHRA’s wealthiest sportsman racing programs through 2011, the Moser Engineering Axle Mania Sportsman Showdown.

The NHRA Arizona Nationals will have a new class competing at its event Feb. 19-21.

Franki Buckman, the vice president at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., confirmed to Competition Plus Friday afternoon that Nostalgia Funny Cars will be making their inaugural appearance at the Arizona Nationals this coming February.

“They’re for sure are going to be racing at the national event at our track,” Buckman said.

QUALIFYING ENDS AT 8 PM, EST - 12-18-2009

The competition is fierce and entertaining to say the least. The third annual CompetitionPlus.com War Stories Showdown opens with qualifying on December 16, 2009 and concludes a month later after the competition of sixteen story-tellers whittles down to one person who survives four grueling rounds of competition.

Terry McMillen has named Richard Hartman crew chief for the team's 2010 NHRA Full Throttle campaign. Hartman joins McMillen after leading Bruce Litton as crew chief or co-crew chief to 14 IHRA victories, including Litton's 2007 IHRA Championship.
 
"We're excited about having Richard on our team," McMillen said. "He's proven himself to be a consistent tuner over the years. Drag racing is all about consistency and getting a car from point A to point B. I'm confident he'll give us the best opportunity to make an impact early in our quest to make the Countdown."

Troy Coughlin took notice of the November 1, 2009 announcement proclaiming the NHRA would recognize the Get Screened America Pro Modified would be considered a professional division in 2010 and beyond. That bold announcement was enough to play on his inquisitive nature.

“Do you think my car would run well over in the NHRA Pro Modified?” Coughlin presented that question about his Pro Street Pontiac GXP to noted doorslammer legend Rickie Smith who had a larger plan. Little did the seven-time drag racing champion know that Coughlin did too.

“I’d be interested in running, if you were available,” Coughlin added.