CASE DIS-MISSED!

Maybe all of that talk about an out of court settlement between the PSTA and NHRA has some validity after all. DRO has obtained documents from the Arizona court system that reveal that on October 8, 2004, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Reinstein signed a Motion for Voluntary Dismissal in the case of Pro Stock Truck et al vs. NHRA. The motion was brought by plaintiff's attorney Randall Papetti on behalf of all associated parties.

It has not been confirmed if a conditional settlement was part of the motion (commonly it is) or if NHRA will insist on a dismissal with prejudice (w/o is the default). According to civil procedure, once a defendant has answered the complaint the plaintiff cannot merely bow out without consequence.

Could NHRA decide to extract their pound of flesh from the PSTA or will the suit just disappear? No matter what happens, if the suit has been dismissed this has to positively benefit a possible Pro Mod program for NHRA since in the past that organization has stated privately that nothing could go forward until the truck suit was settled. [11-15-2004]

GAZING INTO SCHUMACHER’S, ERR WE MEAN THE AGENT’S, CRYSTAL BALL

The question isn’t “Is Don Schumacher going to add more race teams for the 2005 season?" but "How many?” The Agent is going out on a limb and say that the odds are prohibitive that at least three drivers will be added to the Schumacher roster.

Jeg Coughlin will drive one of the Pro Stock entries with the black and yellow Jegs livery on the car. Pro Mod racer Richie Stevens will return to Pro Stock as Schumacher’s second Pro Stock driver and will bring his Valspar sponsor into the Schumacher camp. Ron Capps will drive a Funny Car for Don Schumacher with Ed McCulloch tuning that car. Take it to the bank! [11-15-2004]

MASKIN GOING PRO MOD RACING

The Agent heard a rumor at Pomona that legendary Pro Stock engine builder Dick Maskin will give up the NHRA Pro Stock wars and instead will turn his attention to Pro Modified. His current driver/car chief Rickie Smith has two new Pro Mod ’63 Vettes (one each from Jerry Haas and Jerry Bickel) so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see those two over at IHRA Pro Mod or even selected AMS races. [11-15-2004]

'THE SHERIFF' GOES 262!

Goodguys Top Fuel star Jack “The Sheriff” Harris posted an all time top speed record for front-motored Top Fuel cars with 5.731/262.39 while making exhibition laps at the just-completed NHRA World Finals. Harris has been running consistently high 250 passes all season but the Agent believes the 262 is an all time best for the class.

The speed is especially impressive when you consider the tire those cars run on are just 12 inches wide! (Zak Hawthorne photo) [11-15-2004]

MORE PERCENTAGE FOR NHRA FUELERS?

The Agent hears that NHRA is considering increasing the nitro percentage from the recently mandated 85 percent back to as much as 90 percent. Seems like the reason for the increase has something to do with the Top Fuel teams now using 100-125 gallon per hour fuel pumps in conjunction with the 85% nitro tune-up.

Apparently putting that much fuel volume through the engine is causing an abnormally high rate of rod failure and the thought is that increasing the nitro percentage will mean less fuel volume and less rod fatigue. [11-15-2004]