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Unsubstantiated Rumors
Remember, if you have a story lead or news that you would like to share with us, or even some good old-fashioned gossip, drop us a line at rumors@competitionplus.com.
We've heard that the crewchief for Bob Vandergriff's forthcoming Top Fuel operation will be Jim Dupuy and most of the crew from the former Joe Amato operation. Word has it the long awaited program with U.P.S. could be shipping a great Christmas gift if you know what we mean. (11-18-2005) Rookie Pro Modified driver Troy Coughlin still has an interest in running the class if it continues within the Pro Modified division. A spokesman for Jeg's conveyed the company is interested in sponsorship of the class but declined to say at what level. What may known is that if the class does return, Coughlin will field his own team apart from the Gotham City operation of Mike Ashley. If you will recall, when Troy went Pro Stock racing he did a one year stint with Steve Schmidt. Speaking of Pro Stock, is Jeggie really retired or is there an interest to return? (11-18-2005) The talk circulating is that former NHRA Pro Modified national event winner Danny Rowe has purchased the former '63 Corvette of Doc Perkins and plans to have Jimmy Rector tuning the wrenches. That might not be the only news circulating in the near future as we hear two of Pro Modified's pioneers might be teaming up to make a run at an IHRA title. (11-18-2005) The new IHRA nitro Funny Car division has got a lot of the old school competitors fired up. We keep hearing that Jerry Caminito is contemplating a return to the tour. However, we wonder if the adage where there's smoke there's fire is applicable in the case of Dale Pulde. Pulde, is one of the winningest drivers on the IHRA tour despite not having run since the mid-1980s, is also said to be returning. He denies having any such intentions despite three convincing rumors we've heard. Time will tell on this one. (11-15-2005) Rumor has it that Toyota's foray into drag racing hasn't ended yet. From what we're hearing, there's a very good chance that Jim Dunn and Tony Bartone could have one next season. We keep hearing there could be a Toyota Celica in IHRA Pro Stock as well. That would be a good showing for the Japanese manufacturer if Dunn decides to head over to some IHRA events in 2006. (11-14-2005) The Pro Modified wheel keeps turning and word comes to us that at least one company is looking seriously to step up for the NHRA's version of the class. Details are sketchy at the time, but there very well could be a new partner will to step forward with Dave Wood's AMS Staff Leasing. Wood and AMS has been the backer for the class since 2002. (11-11-2005) Following up on the rumor about Warren Johnson leasing horsepower. It was suggested the driver to lease motors was none other than Jeg Coughlin, Jr. Reportedly, Coughlin had a Cobalt on order pre-dating his Mopar involvement with Don Schumacher. A call to Jeg's publicist Scott Woodruff revealed this is nothing more than rumor fodder. He did add that Mike Coughlin is having a Chevrolet Cobalt built for competition in the Top Sportsman division. (11-11-2005) Hot on the heels of the IHRA’s announcement that the sanctioning body would be bringing nitro Funny Car racing back for 2006, a number of competitors have expressed interest in the new program. As noted below, Jim Sickles and Tom Anderson are considering moving up from the IHRA’s alcohol ranks to race fuel next season. Now the hat of another potential entrant has been thrown into the ring. Top fuel pilot Todd Paton, a former multi-time IHRA alcohol Funny Car
champion and NHRA fuel Funny Car racer, is actively exploring his options
in an effort to return to the seat of a flopper for 2006 and beyond.
A lot has to be done in a short period of time, but if all the pieces
can be put into place, there’s a good chance Paton will debut
a fuel Funny Car when the IHRA season kicks off next spring. (11-10-2005) We're still trying to confirm or refute this rumor with the parties involved. (11-10-2005) If some things come to pass we are hearing that the Pro Modified oriented American Drag Racing League could gain a huge publicity influx through live video webcasts of their events. That's the word coming from Kenny Nowling, ADRL President. Such an official annoucement could come in the next month or so. (11-10-2005) Add the Carrier Boys team of Mark and Andy Carrier as the latest single-car team to contemplate adding a second car to their line-up. Currently the sons of IHRA founder Larry Carrier have an order in with chassis builder Brad Hadman for two new cars. The expansion might not happen early in the year but its very likely later in the year and in 2007. Most likely a driver will be drafted from the Top Alcohol ranks. (11-9-2005) Don't be suprised if you see all three of Don Schumacher's Funny Cars at a few IHRA national events in 2006. (11-9-2005) Remember Tom Anderson? Many will recall that he used to be the tuner for Al Hoffmann and has since been employed in the Pro Modified and Alcohol Funny Car ranks. Word has it that he and partner/driver Jim Sickles could be the first of the IHRA alcohol flopper teams to step into the nitro ranks. (11-9-2005) A call to the IHRA technical department recently confirmed they are looking at the possible inclusion of the Pro Rear Wheel drive cars as part of their Torco Pro Stock division for 2006. The IHRA has hinted this could be a way to bring a younger demographic profile into the class as well as attract potential new sponsors. While the IHRA remains tight-lipped as to the chances of this taking place, sources indicate we could see a few of these cars on tour next year. It has also been said that V-6 participation will be limited. As you will recall, the IHRA last introduced V-6 turbo technology into the class with Buddy Ingersoll in 1986. The combination was disallowed at the conclusion of the season when Ingersoll reached the final round. Is it any coincidence this talk comes at the 20 year anniversary of Ingersoll's participation? If you are not familiar with this piece of history, we have it in a feature. "The day a V-6 ran Pro Stock." (11-8-2005) From what we hear expect an announcement from the NHRA Pro Stock team driven by Dave Connolly that they will be using engines from the Victor Cagnazzi team in 2006. SKULL GEAR will also continue their association with Rickie Smith and Dick Maskin as well. (11-7-2005) You can draw your own conclusions on this one, but we have just heard that Tony Zizzo Sr., the father of Top Fuel Driver T.J. Zizzo, recently received his Top Fuel license. Further information will be forthcoming. (11-5-2005) We have heard that Frank Pedregon is seriously considering having a "fire sale" as far as his NHRA Funny Car operation is concerned. He is possibly going to drive for the NASCAR team he is funding. He also has a large sponsorsip from a current NASCAR sponsor, the identity of whom is undisclosed. Pedregon says that all of this talk is just that - talk. “I need to set things straight right away, before things get out of hand. I’m not selling anything, and I will definitely be driving the Funny Car next year — contrary to the rumors going around. I have chosen the driver for the NASCAR, and will be announcing that soon, along with the new sponsors. I’ll have the same crew with me on the Funny Car, and am really looking forward to a run for the championship.” (11-4-2005) We have it on good authority that Team Kalitta’s
stable will be expanding to include three Top Fuel cars and one Funny
Car for 2006. Scott Kalitta will apparently make the move to a flopper
beginning next season, with Larry Meyer and a “tuner to be named
later” taking on the main support roles. Expect an official announcement to be made soon (11-4-2005) We keep hearing that Bob Vandergriff's decision on which class he will run will be made this weekend after a series of meetings in Pomona. (11-3-2005) While the questions surrounding the CMKX controversy seem to be increasing, it appears the Jim Dunn team will run their "Johnny Lightning" body on the car this weekend in Pomona. (11-3-2005) Word has it the Evan Knoll fire sale could extend to his NHRA Pro Stock team and Top Alcohol Dragster operation. Latrell Preston, a Knoll associate, will take delivery of the Dave Connolly Pro Stock team while Brian Pfiefer is said to be in line for the TAD. (11-3-2005) There were discussions regarding a driver change for Virgil Hartman's Top Fuel car headed into Pomona because the team was in oildown trouble with the sanctioning body. One of the most prevalent rumors suggested Rhonda Hartman-Smith was to return with husband John Smith tuning. A call to Hartman revealed that his daughter was not ready to return to driving, however. With that said, it's apparent that Smith will be driving this weekend. (11-2-2005) With the recently announced Top Fuel purse increase in IHRA Top Fuel, don't be shocked if some tuners who have had prominent roles in NHRA competition make the switch. (11-2-2005) Two cars for Baca in 2006? That could be great if what we hear coming down the rumor line transpires. Baca is said to have a new sponsor in line for next season with the possibility of a second car driven by the brother of an established nitro racer on the NHRA POWERade tour. (11-1-2005) Could the IHRA's Torco Pro Stock division soon be making mountains out of molehills? If the word floating around the pits comes to fruition the standard of mega cubic inch engines might be complimented with small blocks and turbos similar to that on the NMRA and Fun Ford programs. That's interesting, we always thought the turbos would appear in Pro Modified first. (11-1-2005) The talk has certainly made its rounds over the course of the last few weeks concerning a nitro Funny Car program in the IHRA. We are hearing that an announcement could be forthcoming within the next two weeks in light of some recent situations that have come to pass. This comes at a time when at least one major IHRA venue seems to be exploring its options for 2006. (10-31-2005) There have been reports that Bob Vandergriff's choice of body style might be a Ford if he goes into the nitro Funny Car ranks. What is not being largely reported is that if it happens, it will only be done with the blessing's of Ford's official racer John Force. It will be interesting to see how this transpires considering other drivers have tried and been denied that option. (10-31-2005) Keep your ears to the ground, word has it that a strategic GM alliance could be forthcoming in NHRA Pro Stock for 2006. (10-31-2005) The word from Rockingham is that Roy Hill will be joining forces with Raymond Beadle to campaign a Top Fuel car in 2006. Stay tuned for more details. (10-28-2005) While much talk has circulated surrounding Bob Vandergriff's forthcoming sponsorship with UPS, what might not be common knowledge is that he's leaning closer to Funny Car than Top Fuel. That would make the likelihood of any Top Fuel partnership slim to non-existent. (10-26-2005) After a tough 2005 season, we are hearing that Top Fuel team owner Virgil Hartman will be scaling back his operation to part-time status and instead focusing more on the nostalgia Funny Car scene. He will still continue to assist son-in-law John Smith in his efforts to run the class and is currently assisting him in finding the proper funding to drive a car for Paul Smith, John's father. Hartman, while regretfully scaling back his Top Fuel presence, is excited about the challenge of the nostalgia flopper scene and expects a less stressful environment. (10-18-2005) If you think the Nitro Funny Car match race is a sheer coincidence and one-time exhibition, you might want to consider what we're hearing. Evan Knoll, the driving force behind the exhibition of past and current display in Rockingham, is said to have presented Clear Channel, the parent company of the IHRA, with a plan to bring back the nitro flops on a regular basis. If this were to transpire, the champion could run for the same prize package offered to win the Top Fuel division. (10-13-2005) In the next few weeks, rumor has it that another Las Vegas businessman will be announcing the development of yet another new top fuel dragster team to the Vegas area with the driver being a former Division 6 pilot. Look for the announcement around SEMA. (10-13-2005) We are hearing that NHRA Top Fuel driver Scott Palmer will be back in 2006 with a few new sponsors joining Nitroplate as the sponsor . In the meantime, we hear Scott has been testing his Outlaw Pro Mod in preparation for the Orlando World Street Nationals event. (10-13-2005) Word has it that Robert Reehl will be driving the Western Rock Top Fuel dragster next weekend at Las Vegas and Pomona. (10-13-2005) There's a very good chance that Kenny Koretsky will not return to drive in 2005 but will continue to field his NitroFish Pro Stocker. If that's the case, the odds-on favorites to drive the car could be Mike Thomas (who subbed for Koretsky while he nursed a sore shoulder) or Dave Northrop, who was the driver on Koretsky's second team car. (10-11-2005) Perhaps Top Fuel driver Dave Grubnic has a special reason
for the rosy glow about him these days and will reveal that in a week
or two. (10-8-2005) The word filtering out of Canada is that a new Pro Modified "Super Team" will make its debut at the upcoming IHRA season finale in Rockingham, North Carolina. Alberta's Rick Distefano and Ontario's Al Billes reportedly will join forces and campaign Distefano's supercharged '53 Corvette at the "Rock." Plans then call for the pair to run the entire 2006 tour. Distefano will apparently handle the driving chores while
Billes, who is still recovering from two serious crashes earlier this
season, will be responsible for making horsepower under the hood. (10-4-2005)
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