VOLUME XXII,  NUMBER 1 - JANUARY,  2020

First look of the season

Here’s the new look of some of the approximately 20 pro nitro cars testing on Thursday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Ron Lewis photos)  [01/31/20]

Alan Johnson builds four-bolt main

One big surprise coming out of the preseason testing in Las Vegas is this four-bolt main block from Alan Johnson. The Agent remembers back before the NHRA instituted a "technology moratorium" that veteran nitro engineer and current T/F and F/C fuel pump guru Mike Kopchick from Rage Fuel Systems designed and built four-bolt main blocks and they were popular. In fact, the first pass over the 320-mph mark in a Top Fueler was recorded by Cory Mac using a Kopchick block.

 

The Agent thinks it makes a lot of sense for the NHRA to approve a four-bolt main block if for no other reason than to cut down on engine failures. (Ron Lewis photo) [01/31/20]

Quadra steps out with in-house engine program

Fernando Quadra mounted the strongest presence during testing with four entries accompanied by a truck load of freshly minted bullets.

 

Team Quadra has radically altered its race program for 2020. No longer associated with Ken Black racing, the Pro Stock team has initiated a very ambitious in-house engine building program. We will have more details later.  (Pete Ward photo)  [01/31/20]

Ooh, sparkly...

Former nostalgia flopper pilot Chris Morel is attempting to license for Big Show FC competition. Morel’s ride features a metal-flake paint job that would make a bass boat blush.  (Pete Ward photo)  [01/31/20]

Strutmasters renews Pluchino Mountain Motor sponsorship

Second-generation Mountain Motor Pro Stock driver Johnny Pluchino will run a combination of NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock races and PDRA Extreme Pro Stock events this season. The 29-year-old recently renewed his partnership with Strutmasters.com to serve as the primary sponsor on the 2013 Ford Mustang owned by his father, 2016 PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion John Pluchino.

 

The two-time PDRA Pro Outlaw 632 world champion made his MMPS debut in 2019, running a limited schedule of NHRA and PDRA races. He balanced his rookie season with his second Pro Outlaw 632 championship effort, running both cars at several races. That changes this season, as Pluchino will focus on the MMPS car.

 

Pluchino’s 2020 schedule is made up of five of the six races on the NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock schedule, plus a selection of events on the to-be-announced PDRA Extreme Pro Stock schedule. Pluchino will run the NHRA races in Charlotte #1, Richmond, Chicago, Brainerd and St. Louis. (Ron Lewis photo)   [01/31/20]

New car for Jim Dunn Racing

As soon as the 2019 season ended in mid-November, the Jim Dunn Racing team immediately began preparing a new McKinney built Nitro Funny Car. The team will compete with the new chassis on the full NHRA Mello Yello circuit during the 2020 season, beginning next week with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com.

 

Long-time sponsor Oberto Snacks will have its Cattleman’s Cut Beef Jerky brand highlighting the majority of primary graphics on the Funny Car, along with several new partners the team will introduce throughout the season.

 

In addition to the new McKinney chassis, the team has also returned to a 5-disc clutch set-up, installed a new fuel system, a new on-board computer system, and has added several crew members to the team. Driver Jim Campbell will return for his third consecutive season behind the wheel.   [01/31/20]

NOS to sponsor new DXP Street class at Lights Out 11

Holley has announced they will continue VIP sponsorship of the Duck X Productions Lights Out 11 event this Feb. 13-16 at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

 

The NOS nitrous brand will also be the DXP Street class sponsor. DXP Street is a heads-up small block V8, small tire class designed for American production vehicles. Small block engines are allowed the use of a single power adder - restricted to a single spec 4150 style nitrous plate to maintain class parity. All class entrees will be required to run an unmodified 12500NOS "Cheater Plate" and a -4AN line (maximum of 15 feet). Carburetors will also be limited to a 1.750" throttle plate and need a cast production base plate and main body.   [01/31/20]

Funny Car Chaos returns in March

Allan Middendorf holds both records with the Funny Car Chaos at 3.574 seconds and 227.16 mph.  (Scott Bessee photo)

 

T-shirt manufacturer Red Line Shirt Club will return as the title sponsor for the 2020 Funny Car Chaos season.

 

Dates for the series are:

March 13-14: Pine Valley Raceway, Lufkin, TX

April 3-4: Extreme Raceway Park, Ferris, TX

April 24-25: Mo-Kan Dragway, Asbury, MO

May 29-30: Eddyville Raceway Park, Oskaloosa, IA

June 19-20: Penwell Knights Raceway, Odessa, TX

July 17-18: Amarillo Dragway, Amarillo, TX

Sept. 11-12: US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, MI

Oct. 2-3: Extreme Raceway Park, Ferris, TX   [01/31/20]

S&W to hold NHRA chassis certification day

S&W Race Cars in Pennsylvania will hold NHRA chassis certification on Friday, March 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

There is a 32-car limit. A $100 deposit is required at time of reservation. Phone 800-523-3353 to reserve your spot.   [01/31/20]

Off the Track:  Tour Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the winter

It may be too cold to race at Indy, but the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is open for tours of the famous track on Friday through Monday. The Kiss the Bricks Tour includes a lap around the track with a stop at the Yard of Bricks. Guided Museum tours are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

 

Tours are available unless racing, testing, special events, construction or winter weather conditions prevent use of the track.

 

The Agent notes that there are drag vehicles on display at the museum in addition to IndyCars and stock cars.   [01/31/20]

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