KANSAS CITY READIES FOR '06

In recent weeks, the Agent has been hearing rumors that one of his favorite Midwest drag strips was on the way out.

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From several different sources, it had been suggested that Kansas City International Raceway had been sold to real estate speculators and would be done for good at the end of the 2005 season. This wasn't the first time KCIR had been rumored to be slated for the bulldozer as years ago it was supposed to be the chosen site for The Woodlands, a horse racing facility that eventually replaced the old Lakeside Speedway, a historic half-mile dirt track. More recently, it was said casino speculators had their eye on the KCIR acreage, despite Missouri gaming laws linking casino sites to access to water-ways.

At any rate, the Agent just received word from the KCIR public relations staff that the track is alive, unsold, and planning for the 2006 season. They will remain open for grudge racing on Sunday afternoons for as long as the weather holds out. They also plan a select number of booked-in shows in 2006 to augment their weekly bracket program. More information on KCIR's 2006 schedule should be available via the track's web site in the near future. Check up on developments at www.kcir.net. [11-14-2005]

BETHANY DRAGWAY IN LIMBO

While KCIR appears to be fine, one of the Agent's favorite Midwest eighth-mile strips may or may not be back in action in 2006. Bethany Dragway, one of the last bastions of true heads-up sportsman drag racing, has been dark since early in the 2005 season. Former owner Randy Wilson, a northern Missouri based businessman, bought the track at auction on June 10th, but has not reopened the facility to date. In a recent phone conversation Wilson said his plans for the track remain up in the air, but if he decides to reopen, Wilson promised to let the Agent know all the particulars, ASAP. [11-14-2005]

ATLANTA STILL THERE IN '06 TOO

All those rumors about the demise of Atlanta Dragway have evidently turned out not to be true. According to the Atlanta Dragway 2006 racing schedule, the track will host the 26th NHRA Summit Southern Nationals over the May 4-7 weekend, plus it will also have an NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points race over the Sept. 29-Oct. 1 weekend. That in addition to various big-time motorcycle, Fun Ford, Super Chevy, Mopar, ORSCA Outlaw 10.5/Year One car show, NMCA and other shows, races and so on. There are also scheduled various Wednesday night test 'n' tunes, plus Friday grudge races. [11-14-2005]

SCHUMACHER, MILLICAN NOMINATED FOR EMPA AWARD

Tony Schumacher, the 2005 NHRA Top Fuel champion, and Clay Millican (shown), the IHRA Top Fuel champ, are the drag racers who have been nominated for the Al Holbert Memorial Driver of the Year Award by the membership of the Eastern Motorsports Press Association (EMPA). The association's president, Ernie Saxton, also announced the nomination of several drivers from other forms of auto racing, including Tony Stewart (NASCAR), Dan Wheldon (IRL), Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws), and Sebastian Bourdais (Champ Car). The winner will be announced Jan. 28, 2006, during the EMPA Hall of Fame dinner near Philadelphia. (Greg Lortz photo) [11-14-2005]