'ENDZONE' DEBUTS AT POMONA

Here is the latest item from the NHRA PR dept. verbatim:

"The NHRA is utilizing a unique marketing partnership to promote next month's K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway. The $2 million race, Feb. 19-22, is the first of 23 events in the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, and will be televised on the ESPN family of networks.

"Thanks to a partnership between NHRA and Just Tires, fans will have a new way to experience the thrill of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing. The Just Tires NHRA ENDZONE will be available to fans that want to see the up-close action that happens only at the top end of the historic quarter-mile dragstrip.

"As the 300-mph dragsters and Funny Cars come to a blazing halt, fans will be able to catch every minute of the action in the special seating area. They will get to see the NHRA Safety Safari in action, watch the teams get the race cars ready to make their way back to the pits for the 75-minute turnaround. Fans in the Just Tires NHRA ENDZONE also will witness the ESPN interviews first, as they will have a front row seat as ESPN pit reporters as the drivers about their runs.

"Fans who purchase tickets to the K&N Filters Winternationals can gain access to the Just Tires NHRA ENDZONE through two offers. Fans can go to any of the 50 southern California Just Tires locations and pick up a top end ticket at no additional charge. Once at the track, fans can also purchase a top end ticket, allowing them entrance into the Just Tires NHRA ENDZONE for just $5 each day."

Yeah, nothing says "drag racing" like the ol' "endzone" interview. [1-28-2004]

AND CONTINUING THE FOOTBALL THEME. . .

The PR machine at Snake Racing had their creative caps on when they sent out a press release on the team drivers' picks for Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Larry Dixon, who attended last year's Super Bowl in San Diego, but will watch this year's game from his home in Indianapolis, picks New England to win by three points. "I think it

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will be a good game," he said.

Tommy Johnson, Jr. feels an upset is in store, with Carolina the winner. "The Panthers have a better offensive and defensive line and that will make the difference," Johnson said.

Fellow Funny Car driver, Ron Capps, agrees that the Panthers will score the upset, saying, "I think the game will be closer than the seven-point spread."

No word about how team owner Don Prudhomme feels about the game.

Hey, it's not quite time to test yet; what is there to talk about? Besides, it worked, didn't it? We mentioned their names. [1-28-2004]