Torco's CompetitionPlus.com has learned a conglomeration of backers have joined together with AMS Staff Leasing's Dave Wood in a bid to preserve to the series next season. While this is a major breakthrough for the series, the deciding factor remains the NHRA and their willingness to work with the program organizers.

Sources close to the situation have told Torco's CompetitionPlus.com that Pro Stock team owner Ken Black has expressed an interest to expand his operation to include four Pro Stockers. An unsubstantiated rumor floating around the Virginia Motorsports Park pits suggests the new NHRA point championship and the tier that narrows down to four is the focus of his interest.  Reportedly, we are told that one existing team owner has already offered their operation as one willing to join their group. This team is one of the front-running operations in the class.

Multiple sources have confirmed that Kenny Bernstein will begin his licensing procedures behind the wheel of a Del Worsham Funny Car soon. Bernstein confirmed during last months press conference that he would more than likely "borrow" a Funny Car during a late-season test session, most likely in Las Vegas, to reacclimate himself.

Mike Castellana has already had two Pro Modified body styles shot down by rulemakers and he's fed up with it. From what we're hearing, his Toyota Solara body style (not legal for Pro Stock) will not be legal under the new non-Pro Stock body rule and he had initially planned to build a late model Mustang Shelby GT but that was given the boot for the 2008 season.

From a solid source, we are hearing that Troy Coughlin will be testing his turbo GTO later this month at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio. If all goes well, Coughlin will bring the car to Rockingham and enter as a Top Sportsman entry. Much has been said about the car's late-model body style and according to the IHRA Pro Modified rules, they will get at least one season to run it. If you're wondering which direction Coughlin will go, we're hearing the 1967 Camaro is high on his list.

Mike Castellana confirmed with Torco's CompetitionPlus.com that the Awesome Motorsports team were indeed planning to field a Toyota Solara in 2007. That idea has already reportedly been shot down by the IHRA's tech department before it even began. Castellana was told the body style was unacceptable because it can be easily confused with a Dodge Stratus and the body style is a legal Pro Stock version. That's when the questions immediately began to fly.

Sources indicate that defending Top Alcohol Dragster champion Steve "O" Torrence will make his Top Fuel debut at the Torco Nationals hosted my Virginia Motorsports Park. He will be piloting a second Dexter Tuttle dragster.

Shannon Jenkins and Mike Castellana were going to build late model cars for the 2007 season. Jenkins was banking on a GTO and Castellana was going to have a Mustang GT. After the IHRA made their adjustment banning Pro Stock legal bodies, the duo planned to run a pair of 1963 Corvettes. Apparently that plan has changed and now Jenkins is reportedly planning to field a brand new Toyota Solara. Even though this car is a late-model, it is legal because the rule stipulates the bodies cannot be legal for Pro Stock. Pro Stock rules mandate that all bodies must be domestic.