MORE FUEL COUPE NEWS AND NOTES

Agent 1320 heard from a very reliable source that Craftsman Tools had dropped their sponsorship of the Creasy family's flopper. Jimbo Ermalovich's taking a job with Mike Ashley's Pro Mod team would seem to give that rumor some credence. One of the Agent's operatives happened by the Chicago area shops of Funny Car racer John Lawson's a couple of weeks ago and saw that Lawson had two new Kevlar/carbon fiber Mopar bodies on his shop truck. Supposedly a new car dealer in the Chicago metro area had arranged for John to acquire these bodies. Kind of makes you wonder why Tim Wilkerson can't get one, doesn't it? [1-15-2004]

TULSA GETS NEW OWNERS, NEW IMPROVED LOOK

Once the site of the NHRA World Finals, and for years the host of a series of AHRA Grand American events, Tulsa International Raceway has received a new lease on life. Now doing business as Tulsa Raceway Park and sanctioned by IHRA, the historic speed plant

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is undergoing a complete facelift, which should move the facility into the modern era. Changes include new 660-ft long concrete starting line pads, 4,000 new grandstand seats, and an 8,000-square-foot timing tower that will also house new restrooms, concession areas, press room, suites and a souvenir shop. The makeover will eventually include a new 2.3-mile road course.

Track manager Dan Gutterman is looking forward to the 2004 season, saying, "...we anticipate completion of all drag strip improvements by May, and will host an IHRA divisional race July 16-18." Gutterman said all work should be completed by fall, and added, "If you haven't raced in Tulsa in a while, be sure and join us this spring. You'll like what you see."

Tulsa used to be one of the Agent's favorite racetracks and he can hardly wait. [1-15-2004]

RAFFA AWARDED

Jon Asher and Carol Johnson gave legendary drag racing photo-journalist John Raffa a sneak preview of the "Founders Award" to be officially awarded to him at the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in March. [1-15-2004]