This is the final year on the Al-Anabi contract with Alan Johnson Racing. Could there be some big announcements forthcoming?

A rumor was making the rounds at Bandimere Speedway suggesting four-time NHRA series champion Gary Scelzi could be making a return to driving as part of a well-funded, part-time nitro operation. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope this one pans out.

The word floating round the pro pits in Denver suggests Steve Torrence could be fielding a two-car team as his father and Super Comp racer, Billy, takes over a second car which will be tuned by Donnie Bender. We are told the car will bear a marked resemblance to Torrence’s current ride, and is slated to make its competitive debut at the U.S. Nationals in Indy over Labor Day.

Tommy Johnson Jr. is said to be racing internationally for the first time since his FIA debacle. A source has told CompetitionPlus.com, TJ will apparently drive the Rapisarda Racing dragster in Sydney, Australia during their Nitro Champs event in May. He will be filling in for Dixon who had previous commitments on the same weekend. Dixon is expected back for the ANDRA Winternationals the following event.

While the parties involved are remaining tight-lipped, CompetitionPlus.com keeps hearing mumblings that multi-time nitro champion Gary Scelzi will return to few NHRA reces this season as a pit reporter for ESPN. Details are sketchy at this moment, but we are hearing the most solid event will be Sonoma.

Back in 1984, Bob Brockmeyer introduced the CompuLink Timing Systems at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo. CompuLink remains NHRA’s official timing equipment provider.

Don Schumacher Racing's announcement former driver Spencer Massey would be rehired isn't the only personnel decision the team has had to deal with. A source close to the situation has told us track specialist/test driver Tommy Johnson Jr. tendered his resignation from the team. We'll have more on this developing situation as it unfolds.

Don Schumacher Racing will have some exciting news coming next week from what we hear. In a publicity home run for drag racing, crews from NBC's Today Show will be in Brownsburg, Ind., to film a segment on Antron Brown to air next Friday [Feb. 8] in honor of Black History Month. This might be one of the biggest exposure moments for today's drag racing world since Force was on Leno and Melanie Troxel on ABC's Good Morning America.

Spencer Massey's stint on the sidelines will apparently be a short-lived one as multiple sources close to the situation have told CompetitionPlus.com a business arrangement will make the return possible. Look for the third dragster at Don Schumacher Racing to bear a familiar in-house branding on the side and made possible by a group of businessmen. The reasoning, we are told, is the team is likely to land a major sponsor with the car racing.

A source close to the situation has confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com the Service Central brand will no longer be the primary sponsor for either nitro racer Johnny Gray or Pro Stock racer Shane Gray. We are told both will continue to race in their 2012 settings for 2013 despite the loss of sponsorship.