RICKIE SMITH USED CAR DEALER?

The Agent has nothing but admiration for Pro Mod/Pro Stock owner/driver Rickie Smith. He has had built and raced four new cars built by rivals Jerry Haas and Jerry Bickel in the past two years. He took delivery and sold a '69 Camaro Pro Mod from and Bickel and currently is racing a '63 'Vette Pro Mod built by the same shop. He got a new '63 'Vette from Jerry Haas just two years ago recently sold that car and Haas is just about to finish and deliver another one for him. In his spare time he drives and maintains Richard Maskin's Pro Stocker. Maybe President Bush should consider Mr. Smith for the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. He obviously is a great diplomat. (Ron Lewis Photo) [6-25-2004]

WHICH ONE'S FASTER?

IHRA Funny Car Champion Rob Atchison recently tried on a different performance machine at the Great Canadian Fly-In at Sarnia, Ontario's Hadfield Airport. Atchison got to sit in a F-18 Hornet jet fighter on display, while pilot Dennis Bandet from Regina, Sask. and Maintenance Officer Larry Langlois of Montreal got to sit behind the controls of the Funny Car. Atchison and crewman Dennis Smith also got to go for a ride in a World War II Harvard Trainer aircraft. [6-25-2004]

'WOW! WHAT A BIG SHIFTER YOU HAVE'

Linda Vaughn was the "Spotlight Award" Honoree at this year's NHRR. With a little encouragement from the photogs and fans assembled in the parking lot after the ceremonial cackle-car firings, she climbed up on the classic Hurst Olds parade car and re-enacted her timeless shifter-girl greeting routine from the platform. Linda is...well...still irrepressibly Linda! (photo courtesy Vic Cooke) [6-25-2004]