MELANIE IS WAITING FOR FUNDING

Some people have been talking about a rumored new top fuel team built around popular top fuel driver Melanie Troxel, so the Agent spoke with Melanie while husband Tommy Johnson Jr. was readying for his final U.S. Nationals qualifying session in the Skoal Blue Funny Car. While Melanie said she has agreed to drive for a new team being put together by former IHRA TV producer Bob Margolis, as far as she knows no funding has yet been secured for the team. 

A formal announcement has been penciled for the October NHRA Las Vegas race, but until the money is secured, there is no deal. “Now Bob can go out to look for the money,” said Melanie. (Darr Hawthorne photo) [9-8-2004]

BUSCH LEAGUE

Busch Series driver David Green was hanging out with Mopar Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan for most of the final qualifying sessions on Sunday at the 50th U.S. Nationals. Green, currently 5th in Busch Series points, is a long-time drag racing fan who drove his #37 Timber Wolf Pontiac at California Speedway the previous day. (Darr Hawthorne photo)  [9-8-2004]

DAVIS RECOVERING FROM SURGERY

Three-time IHRA Top Sportsman champ and 10.5/Top Sportsman race promoter Ronnie “the King” Davis, of Commerce, GA is recovering nicely from a throat operation that removed two nodules that had been “getting bigger and bigger” over time, he said.

“I’m still going 24 hours a day,” Davis told DRO a week after the operation. “I went in (into the operation, performed last week) at 9 a.m. and was back out and working by 2 p.m. I have to work. My phone still rings off the hook.”

Davis has been successful in his new venture as a race promoter for a series of southern-based 10.5 and Top Sportsman races, and competes in his own 10.5 Nova plus a Top Sportsman ‘63 Corvette. His doctor expects the patient will make a full recovery. [9-8-2004]

TEAM DRO AT MONSTER MOPAR WEEKEND

Team DRO will not only be covering the happenings at the Sept. 10-11 Monster Mopar Weekend at Gateway International Raceway (St. Louis) for the magazine but several of DRO’s editors and columnists will be in attendance. Leading the nitro charge will be DRO Nostalgia Editor Jeff Utterback who will be wheeling Jeff Gaynor’s Fuel Coupe at the race. His wife Pammy, who pens the ever popular “Chicks and Slicks” will be crewing for Jeff and doing her Jungle Pam imitation when backing up the nitro flopper.

Also DRO Bracket Racing Editor Jok Nicholson will be bring the DRO Project 4-Link Top Dragster (photo) to the event. The 500 inch Mopar Wedge-powered digger will make its first laps with nitrous oxide injection, attempting to qualify for the $10,000 to win Quick-16 program. The race is Friday and Saturday with the Nitro floppers going off at 5:00 p.m. sharp. Be there or be square. (Jeff Burk photo)  [9-8-2004]