BENEFIT FOR BECKY

Anyone who's been around the drag racing scene for any length of time, especially in the Southeast U.S., knows who Becky White is. She has published the independent Quick Times Racing News for many years and has long been the champion of the "little guy" racer. Last fall she was involved in a car crash, which left her with severe injuries to her right leg, ankle and foot. Like many of the self-employed, she had no health insurance.

A benefit to help defray some of her medical bills will be held Feb. 8 at the Seabrook Beach Club, 3445 NASA Road 1, Seabrook, Texas. The date is the day after the Pontiac Excitement Pro Stock Superbowl at Houston Raceway Park, and many of the racers will attend. More than 10 bands will play at the "Blues for Becky" event, which will run from 2-10 p.m. Cover charge will be a mere $10.

In addition, there will be an auction of drag racing memorabilia. Some of the racers who have donated items include Doug Herbert, Ron Capps, Kalitta Motorsports, Donnie Couch, George Bryce, Virgil Hartman, Kenny Bernstein, Don Garlits, Mike Henkelman, David Baca, and Snap-On Tools. Donations of items for the auction are still being accepted. If you have items to donate, contact John Bockelman at pctalent@houston.rr.com. Bockelman, who played a large part in putting the benefit together, is a blues musician in the Houston area and has donated a 1977 Gibson SG guitar to the auction. If you'd like to send a card or donation directly to Becky, write her at 2018 Fox Creek Trail, Lincolnton, NC 28092. [1-28-2004]

IHRA ACCEPTS TF INJECTED NITRO

The IHRA has made rule revisions for the Top Fuel class, which allows non-supercharged entries to run between 90 and 100 percent nitromethane. Minimum weight is 1,950 lbs. and non-supercharged entries may run any desire rear-end ratio provided it is utilized in an IHRA accepted housing.

Alrighty then! As the Agent always says, "Wake up and smell the nitro!" [1-28-2004]

DUNN RACING HIRES CORRADI

Jim Dunn Racing has hired Brian Corradi as assistant crew chief on the K & N Filters/Lucas Oil Pontiac Funny Car. The 36-year-old Corradi, who has trained with such

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notable crew chiefs as Ronnie Swearingen, Lance Larsen and John Stewart, is the latest addition to the Jim Dunn Racing program. Last December, Dunn named Tony Bartone as the driver of the K&N Pontiac for 2004.

Working primarily as a clutch specialist, Corradi began his career in professional drag racing with Skuza Motorsports in 1996. He became team manager in 1999, moved to assistant crew chief in 2001 and was promoted to crew chief prior to the running of last season's O'Reilly Summer Nationals at Topeka's Heartland Park. In 15 races with Corradi at the helm, Skuza'a Pontiac captured 16 round wins, advanced to three runners-up appearances at Sonoma, Memphis and Dallas, and climbed from 13th to 10th place in the final POWERade Funny Car standings. [1-28-2004]