TROXEL TO LEAD INTERSTATE BAKERIES OUT OF BANKRUPTCY

Interstate Bakeries is currently in bankruptcy, but several newspapers have reported that the Bakeries have signed up three women drivers as “Race Divas” in an effort to sell more Twinkies, Ding Dongs, cupcakes and donettes, to help solve the company's financial problems. Two of the women drivers were drag racing’s own Melanie Troxel, and IRL star Danica Patrick. The Agent likes his Twinkies deep-fried, thanks. [11-23-2005]

FULLER TO RACE AT VEGAS BRACKET NATS

Here’s one more reason to drop the drumstick and head over to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thanksgiving Day: NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driver "Hot Rod" Fuller of Las Vegas has submitted his entry for the fourth annual Las Vegas Bracket Nationals. Fuller will compete in the Super Pro category over the weekend.

The four-day meet begins Thanksgiving morning and concludes Sunday evening. Each day’s race is a complete and separate show. Three classes will be in competition: Super Pro, Pro and Sportsman/Sport Compact. Super Pro is racing for $5,000 to win each day and the top prize for the Pro category is $1,000.

On Saturday, The Strip at LVMS will present the Ultimate Gambler, with a $1,000 entry fee and winner-take-all purse. Last year’s winner took home $27,000.

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On Friday, racers age 55 and over are invited to compete in a special 1/8-mile gambler’s race. The entry fee will be $20 and the winner will receive 70 percent of the payout and a coveted NHRA “Wally” trophy. Runner-up will receive 30 percent of the payout. Participants must sign up on Friday no later than 3 p.m. The Strip at LVMS also is hosting its third annual non-perishable food drive over the weekend. Fans and racers and encouraged to donate non-perishable food items for the needy. (Jeff Burk photo) [11-23-2005]

MIDGET CRUZER

Not to be outdone by Gary Scelzi’s Ford Focus midget entry in the 64th “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Irwindale Speedway, 1992 Funny Car Champ Cruz Pedregon has entered his new midget race car built by Western Speed & Fuel of Fresno in the event. Powered by a Fontana engine, 2005 USAC Western States Sprint Champion Damion Gardner will drive the car in the 100 lap midget event. [11-23-2005]

QUAIN STOTT ADDS CAR

Veteran Pro Mod racer Quain Stott will add a second car for the 2006 with three drivers sharing the duties. The supercharged 1963 Corvette was most recently driven by Tommy D'Aprile, who will drive a limited schedule next year, along with Brian Pfeifer and "Dyno" Dave Heitzman.

The car will be sponsored by Torco Race Fuel's newest product line, SKULL SHINE Long Haul car care products, which will also be on Stott's LeeBoy Paving car (shown). Pfeifer serves as the General Manager for Torco Race Fuels and Heitzman is a former IHRA Super Eliminator class driver. Both Pfeifer and Heitzman will be headed for drag racing school to learn how to handle the sometimes wild Pro Mods. (Richie Downs photo) [11-23-2005]