MR. GARLITS, THAT MONO-STRUT WON'T WORK!

One other interesting part of the press release from NHRA was that they were considering giving their blessing to a mono-strut. Gee, didn't Don Garlits start using one about 20 years ago?

The Agent hears that one of the more innovative crew chiefs and car owners in the Top Fuel ranks funded a study that proved the worth of the mono to NHRA. And by the way, Mike Spitzer has also advocated a mono that he designed and tested on his own dime for a couple of years. [12-16-2004]

DOWN ON THE FARM?

Master nitro tuner, engine builder, inventor and driver Ken Veney has been busy for the last few years driving his “Funny Farmall” in the Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association Modified Tractor Division. His tractor holds three Veney Hemi's totaling about 7500 horsepower. He finished fourth in OSTPA points this year. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [12-16-2004]

FORCE SPEAKS TO MPG

John Force, the most prolific winner in drag racing history, was the special guest of honor and featured speaker at the annual Motor Press Guild banquet at the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Force, who won an unprecedented 13th NHRA POWERade Championship and extended to 346 the number of consecutive events for which he has qualified a Castrol GTX Funny Car, shared center stage with former Formula 1 driving champion Phil Hill, who was presented the 2004 Dean Batchelor Award as author of a book on his historic season with Ferrari.

The Los Angeles-based MPG is a non-profit professional association dedicated to promoting education and information exchange within the motoring press. The Dean Batchelor Awards are given annually by the MPG in recognition of outstanding current achievements by automotive writers, photographers, and broadcasters. They recognize the late Dean Batchelor, a prominent writer and racecar designer. [12-16-2004]

TRACKING ANDERSON

Two-time NHRA Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson thanked the Agent for correcting the rumor that had gone around about his purchase of Mooresville Dragway. Anderson said, “Jody Leazer is so accommodating when we need to test and our shop is so close that we could even haul one of the racecars to the strip behind a golf cart with a tow strap!” Anderson made it clear that he doesn’t need the headaches of running a racetrack in addition to defending his latest championship in the new season. [12-16-2004]

GRUMPY? HOW STRANGE!

While making the rounds of the Indianapolis PRI Show, DRO photographer Zak Hawthorne came across two legends of drag racing. Old friends Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins (left) and Strange Engineering founder Bob Stange caught up on new trends at the yearly show. [12-16-2004]