KORETSKY VISITS VEGAS

A banged and bruised Kenny Koretsky was in the Pro Stock staging lanes at Las Vegas. Looking good but moving slowly, he watched Mike Thomas, who'll fill in for the rest of this year in an '04 Dodge Stratus back-up car replacing the MOPAR totaled after Koretsky's horrific crash with Bruce Allen at the Motorplex. There have been no plans announced about next season yet. Unfortunately, Thomas missed the Vegas qualifying cut in the seventeenth slot. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [10-26-2005]

TOP FUEL, FUNNY CARS TEST NEW IGNITION BOXES AT VEGAS

According to NHRA’s Ray Alley and confirmed by other sources, the MSD engineers brought a couple of new rev-limiter boxes to be tested at Las Vegas after the conclusion of the national event. Although the current rev-limiters/timing retard boxes are doing their jobs and slowing down the cars, evidently they are causing engine parts (specifically crankshafts) to wear out much quicker.

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Seems like nitro motor internals don’t react well to being run at 8300 rpm and then in a tenth-of-a-second having the timing retarded 20-40 degrees. MSD engineers brought a couple of new boxes with new software that reportedly allowed the timing curve to be softened up so that the timing wasn’t removed as quickly. Only one box has been tested so far with what the Agent has been told was “favorable results” which he takes to mean less engine damage with the same speeds and ETs. Rev limiters and nitro cars. . .sigh. [10-26-2005]

PONTIAC WINS 9TH MANUFACTURER'S CUP

Pontiac has won its third straight NHRA Manufacturer's Cup and its ninth since 1996. Pro Stock Pontiac drivers Greg Anderson, Jason Line and Warren Johnson have 15 wins between them this year. In addition, Anderson joined Bob Glidden and Lee Shepherd as the only Pro Stock drivers who have won three consecutive NHRA championships.

The GTO has proved very successful for the car manufacturer, with nine final rounds in the 10 events since its introduction in July of this year. Pontiac is the Official Car of the NHRA and the title sponsor of the Columbus, Ohio national event. (Bret Kepner photo) [10-26-2005]

ESPN2 TO SHOW IMPORT RACERS SERIES

Although drag racing diedhards over the age of 40 might not agree, modern hot rods are not just American muscle cars. The next generation considers sport compact cars or "tuner cars" to be the vehicle of choice. ESPN2 will debut a new 13-part series called "Import Racers" hosted by Sal Masekela, host of ESPN's X-Games. In each 30-minute episode Masekela (according to the official press release) will "live the tuner lifestyle from the street to the race track." Among the features will be an all-female drift team, an underground street race in Ensenada, Mexico, shifter kart racing, and import drag racing with Ali Afshar. Check your local listings for early November. The press release didn't include an airdate. [10-26-2005]