THE FULL MONTE

Don Prudhomme and NHRA Prez Tom Compton took the wraps off of the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo funny car body prior to the only round of qualifying at the rain-delayed Winternationals. Snake Racing was the first to receive the GM replacement for the out-of-production Camaro for drivers Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr. with other copies soon to fall into the hands of other GM stalwarts. Del Worsham and Phil Burkhart Jr. will pick up their flopper bodies from the paint shop this week and

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Tim Wilkerson is next in line.

Wilk was to have run a Mopar Stratus skin on his Levi, Ray & Shoup-sponsored coupe this season, but according to team sources was overruled by a current Mopar sponsored drag team owner. As Fred Simmonds, Marketing Manager for Drag Racing at GM Racing put it, "These Monte Carlo's will be available to anyone who wants to run them."

Capps and TJ promptly went out and tested the fire retardant abilities of the new Chevrolet as both had top-end fires on their first passes. (Photo by Zak Hawthorne)
[2-23-2004]

RAIN CONTINGENCY FOR ROCKINGHAM TEST-FEST

Track owner Steve Earwood has a contingency program in place for Rockingham Dragway's Winter Test-Fest scheduled for Feb. 26-28.

"The weather forecast says there might be some showers on Thursday and Friday, but Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be sunny with temperatures in the high 60's," Earwood said. "We will just extend the days of testing to accommodate the weather."

The free test session for Pro cars will include a Chicago-style race with a cash purse for Pro Mod and Pro Stock cars. A $2000-to-win bracket race will also be held. There is no entry fee for the race.

Pat Musi (photo) has been confirmed to attend the event, along with Quain Stott's two-car Pro Mod team. Also scheduled are two jet Funny Cars and a jet-powered motorcycle, among many others. (Steve Embling photo) [2-23-2004]