IRGSE today announced that Mike Dunn has been named senior consultant for the IHRA, relinquishing the presidency of the sanctioning body.

“After so many years of following 20-some races per year as a drive and then in television, this new opportunity gives me some time to look at different projects that I’m interested in, some with the IHRA and some outside of racing,” Dunn said.

“With his varied experience in the sports as a driver, mechanic, team owner, television analyst and executive, Mike provides the IHRA with a unique insight into the sport,” said IRGSE CEO Lou Partenza. “We wish him well in his pursuit of new endeavors, but we also are happy that he has agreed to remain a valuable member of the IRGSE team.”  [12/01/17]

Most race fans have seen Jason Line behind the wheel of the blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stocker, but the three-time Pro Stock champion also campaigns a 1970 Buick Gran Sport with a 455-cubic inch Stage 1 engine in Stock Eliminator—the car in which he scored the 1993 Lucas Oil Series Stock Eliminator title.

Line has always had a soft spot for Buicks, particularly 455-powered GSs. So, it was no surprise when he debuted his latest street ride, a fully restored 1970 GS 455 convertible, at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago just after the Auto Club NHRA Finals.

When he found the car for sale on eBay around four years ago, he knew he had to have it. There were only 126 Buick GS 4-speed convertibles produced in 1970, and this car was the only one produced with Stratomist Blue paint -- the same color as Line’s Stock Eliminator car.

"This is a very rare car, and you're not going to find another one like it," said Line. “It doesn't have air conditioning—instead it has good ol’ crank windows, a basic radio, a 3.64-geared, Buick-specific 10-bolt rear axle with positraction, and manual front disc brakes.”

Line entrusted the restoration to Kurt Anderson, Todd Miller, and the guys at Autokraft Race Cars and Restorations in Eau Claire, Wisc.

Hey, Jason, DRO editor Jeff Burk is the second owner of a 1968 Buick Skylark he’d be willing to part with. (photo courtesy of Todd Miller and Autokraft Race Cars and Restorations) [12/01/17]

MAHLE Motorsport’s new 5.3L LS PowerPak Plus piston assembly is designed with serious racers in mind with attention to detail and precision machining where it matters most. Designed with 2618 alloy slipper skirt forgings to minimize weight while adding strength to key areas, the pistons feature lateral gas ports to promote optimal ring seal and power. A triple surface treatment is then applied beginning with a phosphate dry film, followed by hard anodized top ring grooves to protect against microwelding, and MAHLE’s proprietary Grafal® skirt coating to reduce drag and wear. Topping off this comprehensive combination is MAHLE’s revolutionary HV385 1.0mm, 1.0mm, 2.0mm all steel ring package and a heavy duty .188” wall wrist pin for the strength to withstand the toughest conditions.   [12/01/17]