Robert
Patrick may not be the quickest and fastest Extreme Pro Stock racer to
compete in this weekend’s ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V in Houston,
Texas. He might not emerge as the winner on Saturday night when the
event concludes.
 
That kind of reality doesn’t concern the driver of the Purvis
Ford-sponsored Shelby Cobra, nor does it bring cause for disappointment.
 
The Fredericksburg, Va.-based driver holds one title that none of his colleagues can ever lay claim.

Last Saturday Ashley Force Hood emceed the 2009 Cal State Fullerton Front & Center fund raising

Ashley Force Hood, Reba McEntire, and CSFU president Dr. Milton Gordon

event
at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The event was a huge success and Force
Hood enjoyed the experience especially introducing and meeting country
music legend Reba McEntire.

After coming home empty-handed from last week’s long business trip to Bahrain, Von Smith will be searching for a happier ending this weekend a lot closer to home.

Smith, crew chief Howard Moon and the crew of the new Al-Anabi Racing
1968 Chevy Camaro will be at Houston Raceway Park for the
season-opening National Guard ADRL Tour’s Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V in
Baytown, Texas, March 6-7.

Getting the Tim McAmis-built Pro Mod Extreme race car ready for
Friday’s qualifying in just a few days became the sole focus of the
team after it arrived in Oak Ridge Sunday.

Matco Tools, one of the nation's leading manufacturer and distributors
of quality professional automotive equipment, tools and toolboxes, is
planning to fill a lucky Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge
driver's toolbox with a $25,000 check, series officials announced
Thursday.
 
Beginning March 12-15 with the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, drivers
will earn points for the $35,000 Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash  -- a
"race-within-a-race" which pits the top Get Screened America Pro Mods
against each other with the chance to race for a $25,000 top prize.
 
"Matco Tools is very proud to be associated with this exciting class of
racing," John Torok, Manager of Motorsports Marketing for Matco Tools,
said. "Just like our Distributors are rewarded every day by
outperforming their competition, Matco Tools will reward the Pro Mod
teams that outperform the others in the class throughout the season."

Twenty Years Apart the IHRA Enters Its Toughest Season …
 
Ted Jones knows a thing or two about survival.
 
Two decades ago, the former drag racing executive had to call on every instinct he possessed to keep the IHRA afloat.
 
The IHRA of '89 when compared to the 2009 version bears a striking
resemblance. There’s no series sponsor and the only semblance of a
points fund are a few special shootout programs. In both cases, a
modest sportsman championship fund is the foundation from which to
build.
 
A sportsman fund, an office and a field full of dedicated IHRA staffers determined to churn their way through a tough season.

Leah Pruett-LeDuc will be the driver for Ed and Ron Lenarth at the upcoming running of the 51st March Meet in Bakersfield, CA.

Mike Thompson, crew chief of the Lenarth’s “Holy Toledo” Jeep said, “This past weekend, it was confirmed that Leah Pruett-LeDuc will be driving the Holy Toledo Jeep at the March Meet and the entire team has happy to have her on board!”

Leah will be one of approximately 24 drivers looking to win the coveted March Meet title in either the gold or silver nitro Funny Car field.

Bristol Motor Speedway officials today announced an agreement with Fas
Mart Convenience Stores naming the company as a new partner during
major event weekends. 

Fans in town for NASCAR races and the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
will be able to find Fas Mart convenience items without having to leave
the BMS campgrounds.

“Fas Mart is proud to continue our tradition of motorsports and raceway
sponsorship support with the announcement of our newest partnership as
Official Partner of Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Fas Mart President
and CEO Dave McComas. “This creates exciting opportunities for Fas
Mart’s valued customers and race fans with Ultimate Race Fan NASCAR
ticket giveaways, discount event tickets and an on-site convenience
store during major race events”.

As the countdown to April’s Tin Top Titles at Willowbank Raceway
continues, the quarter mile at Ipswich has been a buzz of activity.

Over 200 Nostalgia machines took to the strip at the weekend for the
first day/night Nostalgia event in Australia and to pay tribute to
recently passed legend Roly Leahy, while the Morgan and Wacker
Motorcycle Shootout will hit the track this Sunday.

The racing this Sunday from the Competition Bike, Pro Street Bike,
V-Rod, Harley/Buell, Modified Bike and Stock Street categories will see
a strong entry of bike competitors following up last weekend's action
on their two-wheeled machines.

Gaydosh Performance and Competition Products have joined forces for a six race deal. 

Competition Products is a high performance mail order company that
specializes in hard core internal engine parts and many other high
performance parts.  Competition Products has been in business since
1970.

Las Vegas Events has renewed its presenting sponsorship of the NHRA Las
Vegas Nationals, NHRA officials announced today.   Las Vegas Events, a
private, non-profit organization has been the presenting sponsor of the
event since 2003.

“The NHRA has become a valued partner for Las Vegas,” said Pat
Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events.   “Since 2003, the NHRA Las
Vegas Nationals have driven thousands of race fans to our city, and we
are very appreciative to the NHRA for their continued support of this
event and the destination.  We look forward to continuing our
partnership with the NHRA now and in the years to come.”

Las Vegas Events has played an instrumental role in developing
awareness for the event, which has become one of the premier
destination events for NHRA fans across the country.