MIGHT WE SUGGEST A NAME CHANGE?

Florida flopper body builder Dale Smith sent the Agent this photo of one of his latest Plymouth Satellite creations, but according to Smith this one he built for himself. Dubbed the "Itchy Bitch" the Hemi-powered ride will make the nostalgia quarter-mile circuits later in 2006. [12-20-2005]

LEGEND STEVE CARBONE PASSES AWAY

Word has reached the Agent that Steve Carbone passed away today. Carbone, 62, suffered a brain aneurysm two weeks ago and had been hospitalized since.

A former Top Fuel racer, Carbone was probably best known for his burn-down battle with Don Garlits at the 1971 U.S. Nationals. After waiting to stage for more than two minutes, Carbone got the win. He had most recently taken part in Cacklefests at the NHRA Hot Rod reunions in Bakersfield, CA, and Bowling Green, KY, in the driver's seat of the Creitz & Donovan Top Fuel dragster. (David Cook photo) [12-20-2005]

 

 

MORE PRO STOCK STATS

We continue with a few more items about the 2005 NHRA Pro Stock season from DRO statistician Jim Hawkins. V Gaines was 7-21 in eliminations, but give him credit for being the only PS driver who didn't shut off on an elimination run. All of his runs were full throttle.

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How did Erica Enders do? Pretty well, actually. She qualified at 13 events (five times in the top half), won eight rounds of racing (out-running her opponent three times and one holeshot), and went to one final round. Although she qualified 15th or 16th in the first few races she qualified for, after the Dallas race in September, she never qualified lower than number five. (James Drew photo)

Hawkins also notes that in the 19 years he has been keeping stats, only four Pro Stock drivers have qualified for at least one race each year. They are Bruce Allen, Warren Johnson, Larry Morgan and Mark Pawuk. Between them they have 145 No. 1 qualifiers and 108 event wins. [12-20-2005]