STOTTS' FATHER SUCCUMBS

Bob Stott, father of Pro Mod racers Quain and Mitch Stott, passed away Jan. 15 in his Columbus, NC home. He had received serious head injuries in October when he fell from a golf cart at Norwalk Raceway Park. Our sincere condolences to the Stott family. [1-18-2005]

BECKY WHITE QUITS PUBLISHING

After 24 years, Becky White has ceased publication of Quick Times Racing News. Based in Lincolnton, NC, the tabloid newspaper covered the "little guy" racers in the Southeastern U.S.

White was injured severely in an automobile accident in the fall of 2003. Like many of the self-employed she had no health insurance, and her mounting medical expenses due to several surgeries on her leg coupled with her limited physical condition caused her to make the decision to quit. Known for her outspoken opinions, White's voice will be missed in the drag racing community. [1-18-2005]

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DRO TO BACK SCSS FWD SHOWDOWN IN 2005

After watching the remarkable success of Gateway International Raceway's Southside City Speed Shop Street Car Shootout Series in 2004, Drag Racing Online will become involved in the same weekly heads-up program in 2005. DRO's reformed heads-up junkie, Jeff Burk, decided it would be the perfect addition to his revised 2005 tour schedule in which the Burkster returns to the pursuit of true drag racing entertainment.

"The racers in the SCSS series were so competitive with street-legal machines last year, we had to become a part of it for '05," stated Burk, still reeling from the massacre of the St. Louis Rams during NFL playoff action. "Since the Front-Wheel-Drive cars were so impressive last year, DRO will provide the trophies for a FWD Showdown between the two quickest FWD qualifiers every week at Gateway for the entire 26-week series in 2005. It's the least we can do to bring recognition to the only drag racers who aren't trapped in the Stone Age of automotive technology!"

Likewise, DRO will again cover the full season of GIR's SCSS series and will feature the results of the new FWD Showdown program. The 2004 SCSS Season Wrap-up can be found in this issue in Race Coverage. Pictured is Jon Bizzell's FWD, 231-cubic inch V6 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix from St. Peters, MO (just down the street from the giant DRO corporate offices), which clocked a wild 12.74 at 107 mph in the 2004 SCSS Series! (photo by www.BretKepnerPhotos.com) [1-18-2005]