CAR CONNECTION

The Agent hears a key witness this week at the Robert Blake murder trial has a drag racing connection. SoCal Hemi pioneer "Dandy" Dick Landy appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court to testify that when Robert Blake bought a Dodge Stealth from him in 1998, he was paid $16,000 in cash. The Dodge Stealth was the car in which Blake's wife Bonnie Lee Bakley was murdered. [2-16-2005]

THOMPSON MURDER TRIAL UPDATE

The Agent received the latest update out of the Pasadena, CA courtroom where bail recently has been denied for Michael F. Goodwin, accused of hiring the murder of Mickey and Trudy Thompson in 1988. The judge said that with the evidence that already had been heard in the preliminary hearing it would not be appropriate to set bail, adding that she believed if Goodwin were to be released he would have a tendency to flee.

If you're interested in some background on the case, DRO's Chris Martin wrote a summary when Goodwin was first arrested in 2001. Check out
http://www.dragracingonline.com/special/mickey_1.html. [2-16-2005]

PEDREGON CHICKS COME HOME TO ROOST

At the just-completed Winternationals, Cruz and Tony Pedregon honored the achievements of their innovative father's front engine 1960s Fiat Coupe dragster. Their father spent most of his formative years in El Paso, Texas, during the early 1950s, where competitive drag racing had yet achieved much popularity, yet "Flaming" Frank Pedregon was still able to build one of the most memorable cars of drag racing history once he moved to Southern California. With its unmistakable fiery flames, it quickly became a fan favorite across SoCal.

ADVERTISEMENT

"He built the car himself with his own hands because he couldn't afford to buy it, he built it start to finish. That is why it is even more personal and sentimental to us; it was his vision and he made it a reality," said Cruz.

Father Frank retired from racing at the end of 1968 when Cruz was just five and Tony was four.

"I don't remember much of the Coupe except when it was retired because it sat in the back of our house in Chino (Calif.) and chickens lived in it," said Tony. "That's why we called it the 'Chicken Coupe.'"

Pat Foster of Foster Slingshots (shown above with Cruz and Tony) and renowned engine builder, crew chief and driver Dale Armstrong made the brothers' dream a reality. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [2-16-2005]

TSN TO TELEVISE NHRA

The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada will televise the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series' entire 23-event schedule in 2005, dedicating 60 hours of programming to NHRA. It is the fourth consecutive year the series will be on the network. Highlighting TSN's 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series broadcast schedule will be coverage of the final round of eliminations. [2-16-2005]