FRONT-MOTORED FIRE IN THE PIPES

Although the Agent doesn't generally use this column to plug sanctioning bodies' national events, he is going to make an exception this one time with a blatant plug for the Goodguys race April 30-May 1 at "The Strip" in Las Vegas. According to new columnist and dyed-in-the-wool nostalgia freak, Dave Wallace, this race is will be a real spectator treat

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as at least one of the Top Fuel qualifying laps will be under the lights. Okay Wallace, the Agent has plugged this deal -- it better be good. [4-19-2004]

PRO STOCKS INVADE ALL-FORD RACES

The Agent is hearing reports that the Ford sanctioning bodies have buckled under the pressure and are allowing IHRA Pro Stockers and their 815-inch Hemi-Fords to compete in classes formerly reserved for "real" Mustangs. The Agent thinks that's good for the racers but bad for the low buck racers who run the Ford races because they can't afford to run Pro Stock. It's perhaps just one more indication that there simply aren't enough real cars to support all of sanctioning bodies that are out there. [4-19-2004]

DRO'S PROJECT 4-LINK DRAGSTER GOES QUICK!

Jok Nicholson's DRO-sponsored "Project 4-Link" Mopar wedge-powered pdragster had a very successful season racing in Super Comp in 2003. We won IHRA and NHRA national events, but over the winter we got tired of slowing the dragster down. So we tapped a couple of our companies that support the project such as Comp Cams, Barry Grant, Aeromotive and others, punched the engine out to 572 cubic inches, added a two four- barrel induction system and had the motor dyno tested. The complete tech story of the engine upgrade and dyno test can be found in the tech section of this issue.

The first outing for the car was at the NHRA Jegs Super Quick race at Gateway International Raceway. We qualified and ran a best of 4.806/142.50 with a mild tune-up. Look for project 4-link at a Quick 8 race near you. (Jeff Burk photos) [4-19-2004]

$10,000 TO WIN APRIL 17-18 AT GATEWAY

Gateway International Raceway (the home track for Drag Racing Online Magazine) is having the first of two "Megabucks" bracket races this weekend. It will pay $10,000 to win on Saturday and $5,000 on Sunday. $150 Entry Fee; 2-Day spectator passes $25, 1-Day is $15 - Children 12 and under are Free - Gates Open at 8 am, Time Trials start at 9 am.

It's the first of two Megabucks races this season the other is October 1-3. Tell track manager Reggie Luter that you read about it in DRO. And don't forget "Treaded Tire Tuesdays" and "Wide Open Wednesdays" at GIR. The Agent will be in attendance (incognito). [4-15-2004]