What past multi-time world champion was testing in a top-tier Funny Car today in Vegas? Could this be the start of something in the future?

JR Todd made his first runs in a Funny Car while serving as a crew member for Bob Gilbertson's team. Todd, and his father Mario, have made overtures that a Funny Car ride in the future will be something that the Rookie of the Year winner would be interested in. John Force was put on the spot during Sunday's NHRA telecast with that very question. His response was an evasive one (understandably so) and listed Todd at the top of a list.

From what we are hearing, that "list" includes a well known TAFC driver. We'll see how this one pans out.

On Tuesday popular Gary
Scelzi will reportedly announce that this will be his final year of competition
behind the wheel of the Mopar Oakley Dodge Funny Car.  Although we’ve been unable to confirm this, we are
hearing that this will not be a retirement announcement.  Scelzi will apparently leave the door open for a
possible return, as his departure is not the result of anything more than his
desire to spend more time with his kids and in operating the family business,
which has apparently grown to the point where he can no longer “afford” to spend
so m

As they say, this is a
totally unsubstantiated rumor, so take it with that proverbial grain of
salt.  Hey, forget the grain of salt, take this one with a 50
lb. bag of rock salt, but someone allegedly overheard a radio conversation on a
supposedly secure channel in which plans were being discussed for some type of
joint announcement from John Force and NHRA, with the association’s
representative allegedly being Graham Light.  If we find out more, so will you!

Here's a hot tip for you to watch. Jon Capps, whose brother Ron leads the NHRA Funny Car points presently, is poised to announce a new sponsor this weekend in Las Vegas. A reliable source indicates he will join the likes of Kenny Bernstein and Jerry Toliver by announcing a new energy drink as his major sponsor. Stay tuned.

You might recall hearing the name Dick Arons aligned with former AMC standout Wally Booth. Look for a reunion with another former Arons associate. A source indicates that Arons will join the staff at Dart Machinery and work closely with Dick Maskin.

Although an official press release has not circulated, a source indicates the ADRL RacingJunk.com Dragpalooza III from Houston Motorsports Park will air on Friday, April 6 at 8 and 11 PM and again on Saturday, April 7 at 2:30 PM on the Outdoor Channel. 

The word is floating around of a prominent fuel team that has relieved its primary tuner of his duties and the subsequent hiring of another. Torco's CompetitionPlus.com is seeking confirmation or denial from the parties involved before we name names. Stay tuned. UPDATE: Rahn Tobler has been hired to serve as tuner on the Morgan Lucas team replacing John Stewart. Stewart was relieved of his duties on Tuesday.

Following a DNQ outing during-shortened qualifying in Houston, the rumor mill began churning out tales that team owner Richard Maskin and driver Tom Martino parted ways. A call to Maskin dismissed the rumor as just that, a rumor. Maskin, who is fully recovered from back surgery, did point out that his team will soon be testing a new Rick Jones-built car. UPDATE - Maskin and Martino have parted ways on Wednesday as well as a few crewmembers. Maskin will reportedly team with Justin Humphrey in Las Vegas.