ASHLEY TESTS NEW 'STANG IN FLORIDA

Defending NHRA AMS/TLR Pro Modified World Champion, Mike Ashley, is at Gainesville Raceway, putting some laps on his new Tommy Mauney-built Shelby Mustang. Under the watchful eye of crew chief Chuck Ford, Ashley made five early shut-off 4.0 eighth mile runs, clocking a best of 4.05.

Ashley's 2004 championship-winning Mustang will be driven this year by former NHRA Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin. (Roger Richards photo) [2-16-2005]

BILL MILLER SAYS GOODYEARS ARE GOOD

The Agent got a call from Top Fuel owner Bill Miller addressing his team's Winternationals crash and subsequent rumors blaming tire failure. Not so, says Mr. Miller.

"After looking at the car and chassis for a couple of days, I finally noticed that one of two tubes that support the headers to keep them from bending down, and specifically the rear tube which is closest to the rear tire is gone. Nothing else in the area is damaged," Miller explained. "I believe that tube broke off during the lap, puncturing the tire and causing the crash. I'm 90 percent certain at this time that is what happened." Miller is asking anyone who might have a photo of the right side of Kalivoda's race car on that lap to please call him at 775 -887-1299.

The Agent would be very happy if it turns out that the Goodyear tire didn't fail. Miller said he is taking the car to Don Long's shop today and they hope to have it repaired in time for the NHRA Houston race in April. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [2-16-2005]

ADVERTISEMENT

ROCKINGHAM TO HOST OPENING IHRA PRO-AM RACE

Rockingham Dragway will give race fans an early look at IHRA's top sportsman drivers and cars when it hosts the opening event in the 2005 Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Series, Feb. 18-20.

Contested on the track's eighth-mile course, the event will be the first of six that ultimately will crown Division 9 champions in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod classes.

"We host the last event in the IHRA Hooters Series (the Bethesda Softworks World Finals) and now to host the first race in the Pro-Am Series is another coup for The Rock," said track owner Steve Earwood.

"Some of the best drivers in the sport compete at the Pro-Am level and a large number compete in this division," Earwood explained. "Jamie Silance, who won the world championship in Top Sportsman is from Jacksonville. So are his dad, DeWayne and his brother Chaz, who won Pro-Am titles (DeWayne in Top Sportsman and Chaz in Top Dragster) with us last year." [2-16-2005]