SPORT COMPACTS DEBUT AT FONTANA

The season opening NHRA Sport Compact Series hits Fontana's California Dragway, the first quarter-mile drag strip to be built in SoCal in over 30 years, on March 13-14. This race marks the first National meet to be held at the newly refurbished facility at California Speedway. www.californiaspeedway.com

The Nitto California NHRA Sport Compact Nationals presented by Import Tuner will feature the debut of a number of new racecars; among the will be the 2004 Chevy Cavalier driven by 2003 Summit Sport Compact PRO Front Wheel Drive champ Nelson Hoyos.

In 2003 Hoyos' Ecotec-powered GM Racing Chevy Cavalier scored seven national-event victories, raced in all 10 final rounds and grabbed the No. 1 qualifying position in PRO FWD four times, posting the fastest run of the class at 189.51 MPH.

If all goes well, Mopar's Shaun Carlson will debut his PRO FWD Dodge SRT-4. It'll be down to the wire since he was sidetracked subbing for the injured Darrell Alderman in his Stratus Pro Stock at Pomona, going out in the second round to WJ.

Last season's Pro Rear Wheel Drive Champ George Ioannou, in his StreetGlow Toyota Solara is looking for a tougher level of competition in all five-race categories this season. (Photo courtesy of GM Racing) [3-9-2004]

PEDREGON'S STEPSON INJURED

Cruz Pedregon's stepson, Josh, was in a minor dirt bike accident last weekend that broke his left leg. What was supposed to be routine surgery in Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia, CA ended up being a life-threatening situation after he became disoriented. A cat scan and several blood tests showed there wasn't enough oxygen in the blood stream. He was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs. When the leg broke, blood clots entered vital organs, causing him to become confused. Josh is scheduled for surgery on his leg March 9. You can send get well wishes to CruzFans@pedregonracing.com or Pedregon Racing Fan Club, P.O. Box 52, Moorpark, CA 93020-0052 and they will be forwarded to Josh. [3-9-2004]

NHRA PROMOTES VIZCARRA

After five years as a Communications Department team member, Robert Vizcarra has been promoted to Senior Media Relations Manager.

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"His friendly approach and infectious personality have made him a favorite among the media we work with," said his boss, Anthony Vestal, NHRA director of media relations.

Before joining NHRA, Vizcarra worked in the sports department of the Tribune Newspapers in Mesa, AZ. He received a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University. [3-9-2004]