NMRA ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE

The National Mustang Racers Association had released the 2006 schedule for the NMRA Denso Ford Nationals series. The eight events are March 9-12 (Bradenton, FL); March 31-April 2 (Reynolds, GA); June 16-18 (Reading, PA); July 7-9 (Martin, MI); July 27-30 (Joliet, IL); Aug. 11-13 (Atco, NJ); Aug. 21-Sept. 3 (Columbus, OH); and Sept. 28-Oct. 1 (Bowling Green, KY). [11-29-2005]

WHAT A DEAL!

NASCAR could announce as early as this week a TV rights deal that would see Fox broadcasting the first half of the Nextel Cup season and TNT and ESPN/ABC sharing the back half starting in 2007, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports.

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The sanctioning body could get as much as $550 million a year from television rights, a 38 percent increase over the estimated $400 million a year it gets under the current arrangement with Fox, NBC and TNT. The story says industry insiders say the ABC/ESPN commitment alone is expected to be about $270 million a year. TNT and ESPN are expected to air six races each, reporter Scott Warfield writes, and ABC will air the final 11 races, including all 10 events in the Chase For The Nextel Cup.

And NHRA has to PAY to get their races on ESPN? [11-29-2005]

PALMER SIGNS SUPERLIFTS SPONSOR

Scott Palmer has signed Superlifts as an associate sponsor on his Top Fuel Dragster team for next season. Superlifts manufactures auto and motorcycle lifts for both commercial and residential use, and will introduce their new Razor Trailer Lift at the PRI Show this week. Palmer, from Springfield, MO, will continue to drive his '63 Corvette Pro Mod throughout the Midwest when time allows on the Top Fuel schedule. [11-29-2005]

SNYDER CONTINUES WITH TORCO

The Snyder Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car Team will continue to run the 2006 NHRA POWERade circuit with support from Torco Racing Fuels. Driver Mick Snyder moved to the TAFC ranks in 2003 and this year won his second straight Division 3 championship and finished fifth in the POWERade national points standings. In September the car, which has a Coan Torque Converter and a Lencodrive Racing Transmission, became the first funny car equipped with a converter to run a sub-5.6-second pass. [11-29-2005]

IN YER FACE, CRANMER

The Agent and the entire staff sends best wishes to DRO photographer Adam Cranmer and his new wife, Erica Crews. The couple was married on Nov. 18. Ever-thoughtful editor Jeff Burk requested this photo specifically. (Steve Gruenwald photo) [11-29-2005]