GETTING CARDED?

So that you don't miss any action on the racetrack while you are taking your Porta-Potty break, a new product made its debut at the NHRA Gatornationals. The I-Card system will allow you to follow along with real-time information from races. It is compatible with Nintendo Gameboy as well as select portable PC computers. The cost is $10 per day to rent or $129 to own. As a special bonus, I-Card will allow fans to use the system for free on Thursday and Friday during each NHRA POWERade national event this year. They will be available at designated tents in the Nitro Alley. For more product info, go to www.icardus.com. The I-Card will be available for sale through Jeg's in a couple of weeks. (3-26-2004)

WILSHEER UPDATE

British racing photographer Andy Wilsheer, who was injured at the Gatornationals when a weight flew off of Ashley Force's dragster, is out of the hospital and his broken leg is on the mend. He is recuperating at the Florida home of famed drag racing video director Dean Papadeas. No word yet on when Wilsheer will be able to return to his work. (3-26-2004)

GOLDSTEIN NAMED NITRO INTERN

Greg Goldstein, son of legendary Funny Car driver the late Leroy Goldstein, has been selected as the "Nitro Intern" for Bob Gilbertson's Trick Tank Funny Car team at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 1-4.

Goldstein was too young to ever see his father race, and with the race date being the second anniversary of his dad's death, it will be an emotional weekend for him.

"I'm looking forward this more than I've ever anticipated anything else in my life," said Goldstein. "I just can't wait to go to the races, be a part of the Trick Tank team and working on a Funny Car and meeting a lot of my father's friends and fans who are still out there. To be selected to intern with Bob Gilbertson's team for the weekend is a big honor and I'm going to do whatever it takes to do the best job I can for these guys and make my dad proud. I'm sure he'll be watching over me."

"Leroy was one of my heroes when I was just starting out racing a Funny Car," said Gilbertson. "I remember when he ran the first six-second run in a Funny Car back in the 70s and I loved the Ramchargers car. When I saw Greg's email I knew that I wanted him to be a part of my team at Vegas. Maybe some of Leroy's karma will channel through Greg and bring us some luck. We tested there in February and we're all confident that we'll go some rounds." (3-26-2004)