SMITH SETS WOODBURN TRACK RECORDS

This week between the Seattle and Sonoma NHRA races of the Western Swing, Woodburn Dragstrip in Oregon held their annual Pro Stock Invitational.

Rickie Smith driving Dick Maskin's Dart Chevy led the eight-car field to both ends of the track record with a solid 6.795 at 203.71 mph. The overall winner in the Chicago-style meet was Kurt Johnson beating Smith in the final. Mark Ingersoll drove Allen Johnson's Mopar into third place, while Mark Whisnant was fourth in his Pirana-Z Cavalier. [7-30-2004]

RED LINE OIL TO SPONSOR GRUBNIC

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Red Line Oil has announced a two-event primary sponsorship agreement of the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster driven by Dave

ADVERTISEMENT

Grubnic. The specially painted, 7,000 + horsepower Red Line Oil Top Fuel dragster will compete at the upcoming Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., July 30-Aug. 1, and the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

"This is such a great partnership," Grubnic said. "Red Line Oil has been involved with Kalitta Motorsports for several years now, and it's really fantastic that we are able to run these two races under their banner. Their support for our team and our sport is tremendous. This is just another step in the right direction for both of us."

Grubnic is in his first season behind the wheel of the third Kalitta team car. The native of Brisbane, Australia, has been driving nitro rails in the United States since 1995. He is currently fifth in NHRA Top Fuel championship points. [7-30-2004]

CANADIAN DRAGSTRIP PIONEER DIES

Helen Harvey, one of Canada's first purpose-built dragstrip owners, died July 25. Harvey and her husband Bob built St. Thomas Dragway in 1962 on vacant farmland across the road from their own farm near Sparta, ON. Over the decades, St. Thomas Dragway has hosted the likes of Don Garlits, Connie Kalitta, John Force, Tony Pedregon, and prominent Canadian racers including Todd Paton, Jeff Arend, and reigning IHRA Funny Car champion Rob Atchison.

Bob Harvey died in 1984, but his wife and daughter Judy Burgess continued to operate the quarter-mile strip until 1990, when they sold it to John and Sharon Fletcher, who changed the name to London Motorsports Park. The Fletchers sold the track in 1998 to Dave and Linda Mathers, who now operate the IHRA-sanctioned track under its original name. The Agent sends condolences to the Harvey family. [7-30-2004]