DEUCES WILD

The Agent's phone has been ringing off the wall this week, but not all of it about new paint schemes for the coming season. This news is about the re-alignment of the NHRA/ESPN show. As the Agent hears it, Eric Swaringen, who has done a superb job of bringing excitement and energy to the IHRA show on Speed Channel, will be heading over to the "Deuce" as the show's replacement for producer Jeff Politsch.

Rather than formally replace departing reporter Bill Stephens, the word within ESPN is that reporters who are already on the ESPN payroll will be tested for their drag racing reportage.

Maybe with the relationship Swaringen already has with Speed there could possibly be a new home for NHRA television after the ESPN contract runs out since ESPN has announced their interest in regaining NASCAR coverage. [1-7-2005]

DOWN IN THE TRENCHES

And speaking of personnel changes, NHRA Communications Department Media Relations Manager Gabrielle Stevenson has left the NHRA for the public relations side of the business, following in the footsteps of her protégé, Ted Yerzyk, who left NHRA in 2004 and currently handles PR for the teams of Snake Racing.

Stevenson joined NHRA in September of 2001 and, according to one of the Agent's operatives, will become PR person for Doug Herbert's Snap-on Top Fuel dragster and Cagnazzi Racing's Pro Stock operation for the 2005 season. The NHRA is currently looking to fill Ms. Stevenson's position. (Les Welch photo) [1-7-2005]

SEPARATED AT BIRTH?

West Coast Editor Darr Hawthorne took a tour of the L.A. Car Show and took special note of this vehicle. The car is designed by concept artist Tim Lawrence and will appear in the new movie "Son of the Mask." No mention if the Oakley people were involved in the paint scheme, but it does look kinda familiar, doesn't it?

Remember Scotty Cannon's Funny Car? (Bryan Ellis photo) [1-7-2005]