NHRA & IHRA PRO STOCK NOTES

Don't look for the new Chevy Cobalt in NHRA Pro Stock competition until the tour goes to the Strip at Las Vegas in the middle of April. Sources tell the Agent that the GM body panels for the Cobalt won't even be in the car builder's hands until the third week in December and it will probably take until April for GM to release the car for NHRA competition.

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The Agent hears that the backlog of these cars being built just for Pro Stock racers is approaching 30.

The Agent also learned that Kurt Johnson won't be getting the first Cobalt. Sources indicate that a racer using Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins power will get the first car. Speaking of the Johnsons, the Agent heard that Warren will be starting the season with a new Grand Prix Pontiac out of Jerry Haas' St. Louis-based race car factory. Seems like GM-approved GTO bodies probably won't be ready until the middle of the 2005 season.

Speaking of Jerry Haas, the Agent hears that he will drive Pro Stocks once more on both the IHRA and NHRA circuits and will probably concentrate on the IHRA circuit for the first half of the 2005 season.

One of the Agent's operatives called to say that one rumor going around was that Greg Anderson was buying a Stroupe chass from Mike Edwards and also having the Stroupe group build them a new chassis. [12-7-2004]

AMERICAN DRAG RACING LEAGUE IN THE NEWS

The Agent got a little tip from ADRL major domo Kenny Nowling that he will soon be announcing a six-race series on eighth-mile tracks in the
Southeast and Southwest. The Agent hears that a race in Texas may be part of the series. Stay tuned. [12-7-2004]

PRO MOD NEWS AND NOTES

6.07 is the number that Dale Brinsfield put up on the board at the recently completed Snowbird event at Bradenton, FL. driving for one of the Agent's favorites, uncle Roy Hill. Considering that the car was probably in NHRA trim (2600 lbs, 29 percent overdrive), racing at night on a track located just about a mile and half from the Gulf of Mexico no one should be surprised. In fact, the Agent is a little surprised that someone hasn't already run a five.

The Agent reported recently that the Cody McManama and Pat Musi group were ordering a couple of '57 Chevys for the 2005 season. Now we hear they are trying to buy a '67-69 Camaro to race until the new cars arrive.

The Agent hears that the "gang of twenty," the 20 teams that are going to sign up to race all 14 AMS races in 2005, will be announced at the PRI Show on Dec. 10. Don't be surprised if you see some names on (and off) the list that are big surprises.

News from Australia has Pro Mod legend Victor Bray's son Ben running a 245-mph lap. That would be with a screw blower, dual mags and all of the other stuff that is legal for Australian Top Doorslammer competition but illegal for U.S. Pro Mods. Nonetheless, a tip o' the Agent's fedora to young Mr. Bray for a great lap. [12-7-2004]