SID WATERMAN'S GOING IN CIRCLES

Rumors that NHRA had banned the old veterans from the tower announcer's microphone to break the tradition of old drag racing war stories isn't quite true. At Vegas, the Agent ran into Sid Waterman, fuel pump wizard and a former frequent commentator on the nitro cars at the national events. Sid's been very busy and will probably only make it to four West Coast national events, however he said he1d been offered a job in the announcing booth if he wanted to travel the entire NHRA POWERade tour this year.

He can't do it since his fuel pump business is booming, but that's not because of drag racing. The innovative builder of competition fuel pumps credits only 10 percent of his current business to the 1320 with circle track engines taking over the majority of his time. Waterman noted, "There's more (sprint) cars at Knoxville for me to have as customers than all the drag racers all through the year, combined."

Sid was proud to mention that last year's open wheel Championship-winning teams in the Indy Racing League, CART, World of Outlaws and all of the USAC Championship cars used his pumps. [4-8-2004]

CONNIE, SUPER-TUNER

One of the Agent's operatives stopped veteran Connie Kalitta in the Vegas pits after Doug set the drag racing world on its ear with his 335.57-mph track record setting qualifying charge. By one report, Doug clearly drove the Mac Tools-sponsored digger "out the back door" and by the onboard data recorder hit 341 mph before clicking it off past the lights.

Kalitta remarked about his relationship with his three team tuners saying, "It's a work-together program between the crew chiefs and me. I pretty much make the overall shots (on each car), but I bring them into the picture on things because I need to. I know the subtleties of all three cars, they're reading back the data to me. You know, the other teams are out here and they made two (qualifying) runs today; I made six." (Zak Hawthorne photo) [4-8-2004]

LOOSE LIPS. . .

Management at ESPN's Bristol, CT headquarters has apparently seen the DRO March issue focusing on the ESPN/NHRA TV show and the numerous reactions from our

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readers. Bill Stephens' responses aside, the Agent heard from two sources that an internal memo last week admonished all ESPN employees to refrain from discussing ESPN business with any member of the media. Further, that ESPN Management and legal departments approve any such comments, communications or interviews in advance.

The Agent wants to welcome our newest readers from Bristol for joining the growing list of Unique Visitors to Drag Racing Online. [4-8-2004]