VON SMITH UNDERGOES HEART SURGERY

Pro Mod driver Von Smith underwent successful quintuple (5-way) heart bypass surgery August 11 at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He is currently resting comfortably in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Smith, 41, began experiencing chest and breathing problems this past weekend and was examined and admitted to the hospital Tuesday, Aug. 10. Doctors indicated that Smith could have experienced a mild heart attack sometime during the last week. Post-operative prognosis by doctors indicated a full recovery for Smith.

Smith, who drives the Tommy Lipar Racing 2004 Pro Mod Ford Mustang GT on both the NHRA and IHRA circuits, will be out of action for the foreseeable future and will be temporarily replaced by veteran Pro Mod driver Tommy Gray at both the IHRA Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals, this weekend at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Grand Rapids, Mich., and the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge, being held in conjunction with the NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park August 20-22.

"On behalf of the entire Tommy Lipar Racing organization and LGI, we want to wish Von the best with his recovery and our thoughts and prayers go out to him, his wife, Mona, and family. We know he is receiving the best of medical attention and care and will make a full recovery from today's surgery," said Tommy Lipar.

Cards and flowers can be sent to Von Smith, c/o Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. (Jeff Burk photo) [8-11-2004]

THANK HEAVENS IT'S NOT 'BOOGIE NIGHTS'

'The Legend of Booger Red,' a motion picture starring Funny Car drivers Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr., is now available on DVD from Uncertain? Films. Capps and Johnson filmed the movie last December in Texas. The driving duo played the role of the bad guys, starring as outlaw cowboys in the film that also featured NHRA sportsmen series drivers Shelly Howard, Tate Branch and Jimmy Eubank. The film, written by Grady Bryant, debuted in Dallas in April and was developed to use only NHRA drivers. The Legend of Booger Red was shot in the panhandle of Texas and is based in the 1880s.

"It was one of those once in-a-lifetime experiences you may never get to do again," Johnson said. "I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. It's a fun storyline that I think the fans will enjoy. For a bunch of racers with no acting experience, it turned out really well. Ron and I played evil cowboys and I won't say what happens in the end. You'll have to check it out for yourself."

Bryant, a drag racer for more than 30 years, began writing screenplays in 1991. His other works include 'Match Race Madness' - a look at the early days of drag racing - and 'Roswell 1' - an account of the incidents that occurred at the New Mexico town from 1947-51. For more information or to purchase the 'The Legend of Booger Red' DVD visit www.uncertainfilms.com. [8-11-2004]