BIG CHANGES COMING IN SUPER STOCK/STOCK?

The agent hears that NHRA’s tech committee is going to overhaul the ultimately confusing class system that is Super Stock and Stock. The agent hopes this is the case. He was very confused when at the just completed NHRA Sportsnationals, a late model Corvette SS/AX driven by Tim Coles and powered by a six-cylinder beat out Buz Post’s SS/AM Grand AM. Neither of these cars resemble any factory option. Just a suggestion from the agent, but Stock and Super Stock classes should be easily identifiable and the other iterations with weird engine swaps and combos should be in Comp Eliminator. [5-5-2004]

SMITH INJURED IN SACTO MISHAP

Starting line worker Dave Smith Jr. was injured during a jet funny car exhibition at the Western States Championship race held at California's Sacramento Raceway on May 1. According to owner Brad Janishewski, his Rolling Thunder jet car broke a throttle cable leaving the 2003 Honda Civic-bodied car in full afterburner during a match race with the War Hawk jet funny car.

In the starting line confusion Smith, son of the track owner, was blown rearward as he stepped behind the War Hawk while trying to escape the heat. He was reportedly thrown some 40 feet suffering burns and a shattered wrist. Smith is in stable condition in the burn ward at University of California Davis Medical Center and is expected to be released later this week. DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women) has already been in contact with the Smith family and will be assisting with his recuperation. [5-3-2004]

PRACTICE WILL MAKE PERFECT

In his first official weekend of racing, DRO Nostalgia Editor Jeff Utterback was runner-up in the Nostalgia Funny Car Eliminator of the Las Vegas Goodguys 16th Nitro Nationals driving Jeff Gaynor's '70 Cuda. Utterback ran a final round 6.607/213.16 mph, but gave up a tenth on the tree handing the win to Mike Adams' Corvette 6.672/217.35 mph.

We'll be sending out an Official Agent 1320 alarm clock and practice tree to the left coast for "Mr. Pammy's" rec room. [5-3-2004]

UDRA BEGINS SEASON AT U.S. 131

Bill Graziano will make a run for the 2004 United Drag Racers Association championship behind the wheel of his '66 Nova Pro Mod when the UDRA season kicks off May 15 at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. A different bunch of Pro Mods, Funny Cars and dragsters -- what fun! [5-3-2004]

NOT A PERMANENT EXHIBIT IN THE MUSEUM

The NHRA Wally Parks Motorsports Museum hosted an unlikely reunion of California track operators in April. Among the guest speakers were managers of several "outlaw" strips that defied the Jet Ban and Nitro Ban, among other NHRA edicts. Read all about it -- and view more pictures from this historic event -- in Dave Wallace's "Now And Then" column coming May 7. (Photo by Chris Ouellette/Good Communications) [5-3-2004]