IHRA HOLDS AWARDS BANQUET

The IHRA handed out their awards for the 2005 racing season at a ceremony held at the Joseph S. Koury convention Center in Greensboro, NC. The professional champions were Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Mike Castellana (Pro Mod), Rob Atchison (Funny Car) and Steve Spiess (Pro Stock). Spiess also was named Professional Driver of the Year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Terry McMillen won the IHRA Sportsman of the Year. Bernard Weaver was named Sportsman Driver of the Year. Sportsman champions were Jamie Silance (Top Sportsman), Jason Folk (Top Dragster), Scotty Stillings (Super Stock), Paul Mercure (Top Stock), Chris Jackson (Stock), Troy Williams Jr. (Quick Rod), Bernard Weaver (Super Rod), and Keith Mayers (Hot Rod). J.J. Brock was Box champion and Rick Baehr was No Box champ.

Shannon Jenkins was named Crew Chief of the Year, after tuning Castellana and himself to a 1-2 finish in Pro Mod points, and Torco Racing Fuels was Sponsor of the Year. [12-14-2005]

NEW PRO MODS IN THE NEWS

The Agent hears that the other Buffalo Pro Mod World Champ, Mike Janis, is having another new Dodge Stratus built for the 2006 season but this time he’s having the car built in the G-Force Race Car shop by Jim Salemi and his crew.

Jerry Bickel is evidently getting close on a new Pro Mod for Troy Critchley, who drives for Dave Wood, as Larry Jeffers just delivered one of his new carbon fiber ’70 'Cuda bodies to JBRC for the Critchley car.

The Agent hears that Pro Mod shoe Zach Barklage’s younger brother Cody will be driving an Alky Funny Car next year. No word yet on who Cody will drive for or what body style he’ll have. [12-14-2005]

SUMMIT EXTENDS ASSOCIATE SPONSORSHIPS FOR WJ, KJ

Summit Racing Equipment has signed NHRA Pro Stock veterans Warren and Kurt Johnson to a new three-year associate sponsorship deal. The new agreement extends Summit Racing's partnership with Warren and Kurt Johnson through 2008.

"Warren and Kurt's track records speak for themselves," Kirk Heinbuch, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager, said. "They're consistent Top Five finishers in the Pro Stock points standings and are great representatives for drag racing away from the track, too. We're excited to have them on the Summit Racing team for the next three years."

Guess this means "The Professor" won't be retiring (again) for a while. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [12-14-2005]