TEAM KALITTA HAULIN’ DOWN UNDER

Scott Kalitta (above) grabbed the trophy for the USA vs Australia Boxing Day Top Fuel Nitro Thunder at Western Sydney International Dragway. Kalitta's 4.788/298.21 got the win over his teammate, David Grubnic (below), who posted a 4.805/259.66.

"I wish we could have taken the trophy away from Scott," Grubnic said, "but I'm really happy just to be here and get to race in my homeland. I'm really happy for Scott too. He's moving on to Funny Car next year in the States, so to get a win in his last competitive ride in the cockpit of a dragster is great." (Jon Van Daal photos)  [12-28-2005]

DRAG RACING'S VERSION OF A WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S

If you need a New Year's Day drag racing fix, Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale, CA, hosts their Hangover Nationals with jet vars and brackets on Sunday, January 1,

2006.  Time trials begin at 9:00 AM and the jets run at noon and 3:00 PM. Spectator admission is $15 and $25 to race all day.

In the Midwest Hangover Nationals will also be held at Cordova Dragway which is on the Illinois/Iowa border and at Dragway 42 in Ohio. The Agent says not to drink and race, but a hangover ought to be mandatory and provable to race at these events. (Darr Hawthorne photo)  [12-28-2005]

NOTABLE QUOTE

Christmas Day in the Charlotte Observer famed motorsports writer David Poole concluded his opinion piece entitled "Santa-like gifts for everyone" with the following wish: "In drag racing, lumps of coal for the people standing in the way of Bruton Smith's desire to purchase the National Hot Rod Association. As long as open-wheel racing keeps squabbling, drag racing has an opportunity to strengthen its position in American motorsports. But that window won't be open forever."  [12-28-2005]