ROUSH RUMBLINGS

In a recent radio interview, NASCAR mega-owner and former drag racer Jack Roush announced his rekindled interest in the quarter mile. Roush Racing made a splash at the recent Vegas SEMA Show with a number of new products for the hot rodding and drag racing aftermarket. But the Agent heard from a couple of sources at Pomona that Ford Racing has been quietly approaching a carefully picked handful of current, well-funded Pro Stock teams who might be interested in making the switch to a blue oval-backed ride in 2007 and make the move away from GM and Mopar.

The Agent wonders if Jack's recent search for NHRA TV ratings might be part of the puzzle for future drag sponsorship proposals. [11-07-2005]

SPORT COMPACT SHUFFLE

The Agent spoke with a few of his Sport Compact buddies at the SEMA Show and Pomona who told him of some switches next season.

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Pro RWD hitter Matt Hartford is looking at moving his Summit Racing Chevy Cavalier over to the IHRA Pro Stock wars in 2006. He'll need to find some extra horsepower in his V-6 Cadillac-powered, twin-turbo racecar, but is looking for a challenge in front of more spectators sitting in the grandstands that IHRA provides over the current NHRA Sport Compact series.

New Yorker Vinny Ten will reportedly bring out a third Pro RWD Nissan for NHRA Sport Compact racing next season.

Ara Arslanian may be skipping the 2006 NHRA Sport Compact season with his Bullish Motor Racing Toyota if his current sponsorship doesn't re-up. According to a couple of sources he's still unsure about Street Glow returning as a major sponsor.

After his recent crash at Pomona, Shaun Carlson's Pro FWD turbocharged Mopar Neon is back in the shop being repaired, but Carlson is unsure of his 2006 sport compact series racing plans.

Lisa Kubo is another driver leaving the sport compact ranks for the BIG show. She'll finish her sessions at the Frank Hawley School next week, then make some laps in Frank Pedregon's Funny Car. Having spent much of her driving career in a Pro Front wheel drive Saturn, Lisa says, "Now I know why racecars have the tires in the back." (Zak Hawthorne photo) [11-07-2005]

 

WHAT FIRE?

At Pomona, Frankie Pedregon told the Agent that the report of him "seriously considering having a fire sale" of his nitro Funny Car operation are totally wrong. He's sold his current transporter to make room for a newer model and will keep the same crew intact, but he's absolutely not hanging up his fire suit to dedicate his efforts on NASCAR. [11-07-2005]