One of, no, make that the Agent's favorite class, injected nitro-burning Harley's may be making a return to the IHRA. The Agent hears the IHRA management is working very hard to return that class to their program. Don’t know if it will make a difference to anyone, but should Harley Top Fuel Bikes make a return to the IHRA, DRO editor Jeff Burk has promised the Agent to cover every race those Milwaukee Missiles have. Hell, we’ll even buy tickets! (Jeff Burk photo) [11-17-2005]

MAC TOOLS DROPS GATORNATIONALS SPONSORSHIP?

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It’s an unconfirmed rumor, but the Agent is hearing that Mac Tools has opted not to renew its sponsorship of the NHRA Gatornationals. Agent 1320 hears that Mac Tools didn’t have a stellar year last year, which may account for their rumored departure from the Gators as well as the sponsorship of at least one of the Kalitta cars and their backing of Jesse James.

On the other hand, maybe it's the fact that the last VP at NHRA in charge of selling those title rights packages had zero background in motorsports before getting the job. [11-17-2005]

MR. SCHUMACHER,…MR. BLACK,…MR. JOHNSON AND MR. B. FRANKLIN

Right or wrong, NHRA mega-team owner Don Schumacher gets a lot of heat (some of it from the Agent) about trying to hire crew members from other teams. Now, apparently he is getting a taste of his own medicine. The Agent’s operatives report that Ken Black and Connie Kalitta approached Alan Johnson with basically a blank check to try and persuade him to tune Mr. Black's Top Fuel car. It’s just a rumor, but it makes some sense based on the way Mr. Black went about putting together his Pro Stock team. . .as in "We don’t have a budget!" Evidently it didn't work, because Jim Oberhofer has been announced as crew chief for the car (see following note). (Todd Dziadosz photo) [11-17-2005]