ODDY'S NEW PRO MOD DESIGN

Jim Oddy's new Dodge Stratus has been picked up from Jerry Bickel's Missouri shop and is back in Oddy's Elma, NY engine shop for completion. The Summit Racing Equipment-backed supercharged Pro Mod will be driven by Al Billes in the IHRA Hooters series and will debut at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio, March 31-April 2.

Billes will drive his new-liveried '53 Corvette at selected events on the AMS/TLR Pro Mod Challenge circuit. (illustrations by Greg Ozubko) [1-12-2005]

NO. 1 OF 7

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was honored as 2004 NHRA Div. 7 (Pacific Division) Track of the Year at the NHRA Div. 7 banquet. A tip of the Agent's fedora to Director of Operations Chris Blair and his talented staff. [1-12-2005]

ROCKINGHAM ADDS BIKE EVENTS

In addition to hosting two IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series events, Rockingham (NC) Dragway will have an expanded program of events for imports and motorcycles and a new Thursday night street racing series.

The new season will begin on Jan. 23 with a series of four Sunday test-and-tune sessions, and will conclude in November with the last of four races in the Phantasm Motorsports "Imports at the Rock" series. In between, the track will host the IHRA Spring National (Apr. 22-24); the third annual Freedom Fest (July 2); the 27th annual National Bike Riders Roundup (July 30-Aug. 8); and the IHRA World Finals (Oct. 7-9).

Track owner Steve Earwood is most pleased with his success in luring the National Bike Riders Roundup.

"We’ve been working on this for years," he said. "It's a tremendous lifestyle event, one in which the Harley-Davidson corporate people are heavily involved. It just further enhances the track's reputation for being motorcycle friendly."

The National Bike Riders Roundup will be one of 12 separate events the track will host this season exclusively for bike riders, including four races in the MiRock Super Bike Series as well as the All-Harley Drag Racing Association Eastern Finals. [1-12-2005]

BUCK TO MANAGE EDDYVILLE TRACK

Wes Buck has been named the new track manager at Eddyville Raceway Park. Stay tuned for more information about changes to the Iowa track and schedule as they are finalized. [1-12-2005]