ALDERMAN ANALYSIS

DRO's statmeister, Jim Hawkins, came up with some final statistics on Darrell Alderman's great career from 1987 to now: 7.5 -- Average Qualifying Position; 182 events qualified for, with 103 in top half. Qualified No. 1 23 times but qualified No. 2 most often at 25 times. Won-loss record is 273-153 (64%); 30-17 holeshot record; 25-11 red-light record. He outran the competition 165-91. The driver he beat the most is Mark Pawuk (19 times). The event where he won the most rounds was Englishtown at 25. Only 10% of elimination runs were aborted or shut-offs. [7-27-2004]

MUSCLE MACHINE MADNESS

Agent 1320 got these two photos of a couple of diecast moldings of soon to be available Pro Mods. These two are of Shannon Jenkins' nitrous oxide-injected Camaro from Mike Castellana's team and the other is an exclusive look at Tommy Gray's "Undertaker" '53 supercharged Corvette. The diecast are 1/64th scale and are scheduled to be released to Target, Wal-Mart, Toy's 'R Us and other retailers in time for Santa to use them for stocking stuffers. [7-26-2004]

THE NINETY PERCENT SOLUTION

One of the Agent's operatives inside the Top Fuel ranks called to say they had heard pretty reliable information that NHRA would reverse its ruling that mandated an 85% fuel mixture for fuel cars starting at Seattle. Supposedly they feel the new tires are working fine and for some unknown reason they will allow the teams to use 90% again starting at Brainerd in August. It was too late in the day for the Agent to make calls about this rumor but the Agent's feeling is that since several tuners have publicly said that the 85% rule did nothing to slow the cars down, it didn't make sense to have the rule. [7-26-2004]

NEW MOPAR SHOE?

With word that Don Schumacher will be adding at least one new Mopar to his Larry Morgan Pro Stock operation this year the Agent hears that both Schumacher and NHRA marketing execs have set their sights on at least one visible Mopar Sport Compact builder/driver.

Shaun Carlson (right), who in his rookie Pro Stock debut subbed for Darrell Alderman at this year's Winternationals, beat WJ in his first round match. Carlson showed up for the Mile High Nationals in Denver after the all-night Sport Compact race in Las Vegas and hung out with Larry Morgan's team for much of Sunday's eliminations.

Carlson's primary concern is that he doesn't want to turn his back on the FWD Sport Compact class he worked so hard to build, but is flattered by the talk about joining the Pro Stock side of the NHRA Big Show. The Agent also hears it's not a done deal, yet. (Darr Hawthorne photo) [7-26-2004]