ROMINE'S RADICAL RIDE

Former IHRA Top Fuel driver Paul Romine sent DRO editor Jeff Burk a few shots of his latest project car. The '33 Ford coupe, built by Mike Spitzer Race Cars, Greenfield, Indiana, is powered by a fuel-injected Viper V-10 engine with a six-speed transmission and makes 468 hp at the rear wheels. Romine, spending a lot of time in Florida these days, is trying

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to convince the Large Editor to participate in a Marlin fishing tournament this summer. Will Burk take the bait? Stay tuned. [4-27-2004]

SEWARD TO DEBUT FORD ESCORT PRO STOCKER

Bryan Seward, will debut his '04 Escort at the NHRA O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN April 30-May 2. The former IHRA Top Sportsman racer from Naples, FL, who joined forces with Rick Hickman last year, will make the first of five planned appearances at NHRA events this season. The Jerry Haas-built car has run 6.88 in testing. [4-27-2004]

BRISTOL TV SCHEDULE CHANGE

Final eliminations coverage from the NHRA Bristol event has been moved to prime-time. ESPN2 will air race coverage on Sunday, May 2 between 7-10 p.m. (ET). In addition, NHRA 2Day will air at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on the same day. [4-27-2004]

UTTERLY NOSTALGIC

Over last weekend our own Jeff Utterback debuted in the seat of Jeff Gaynor's '70 Barracuda nitro funny car in a couple of match races held during the Fuel & Fire Spectacular at Bakersfield's Famoso Raceway. "Mr. Pammy" did us proud wheeling the Cuda to a first round victory over his opponent running 6.74/207.56 MPH in the heat of the day. Crew chief Mike Demarest upped the nitro percentage for the evening match, with Utterback running a solid 6.69/215.46 in the nostalgia flopper.

It's off to Vegas for the Goodguys 16th Nitro Nationals Nostalgia Drags April 30 to May 1 for the new team to go for the VRA Gold. (Darr Hawthorne photo) [4-27-2004]