With most of the recent humanitarian relief focused on America’s hurricane victims, Charlie Westcott Jr. and Dan Jesel of JESEL Valvetrain Innovation wanted to do something for U.S. Military stationed around the globe.

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They donated the $10,000 check that Charlie and the War Fish Hemi Barracuda won at the Mopar Hemi Challenge at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, to the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, (also known as the “Liberty USO”). The USO (United Service Organizations) was founded in 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt to provide a “touch of home” to military members going overseas in record numbers during World War II. In the last year Liberty USO served more than 100,000 troops.

Dan Jesel stated, “Charlie and I are happy to donate to such a worthwhile cause. We hope that the rest of the drag racing community will get behind this project so that it will be fully funded by the time the Ft. Dix terminal opens in April. Our troops and their families are making a huge sacrifice for the rest of us. The least we can do is help the USO send them off, and welcome them back in style.”

The “Liberty USO”, is a private, civilian, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to serving members of the US military and their families, receives no federal, state or local government funding; and relies on contributions from individuals and corporations. For information, to volunteer or to donate, please call 1-877-365-8889 or go to www.libertyuso.org. (Tom Schiltz photo) [10-25-2005]

VANDERGRIFF SIGNS UPS TO TOP FUEL DEAL?

One of the Agent’s operatives from the Atlanta area called to say that they had heard from their own sources that the long anticipated UPS sponsorship of a Bob Vandergriff Top Fuel team will be announced very soon. The Agent also has been hearing from various sources close to the Vandergriff organization that the signing was coming soon. Supposedly it was going to be signed in time for an announcement at this year's U.S. Nationals, but for whatever reasons that announcement wasn’t made then. The Agent’s source swears it’s going to happen this time. We’ll just have to wait and see. It would be nice for NHRA to add a major non-automotive company to the mix and even better to see the Vandergriff family back in the sport as active racers. What can "Brown" do for you? Newsflash: The Agent just got word that Vandergriff will probably team up with Forest Lucas on Lucas' new team. (Jeff Burk photo) [10-25-2005]