McMILLEN READIES FOR TEXAS TWO-STEP

Terry McMillen will take his IHRA Funny Car team, based in Indianapolis, for a swing through Texas beginning at the March 4 Abilene Star Dodge Dragstrip Spring Meltdown in Abilene. Then it's a quick trip to San Antonio March 5-6 for the Lone Star Bracket Nationals.The Agent just loves the paint scheme on this InstiGator car.  [2-18-2005]

TJ SPEEDING ON SUNDAY

2005 NHRA POWERade Funny Car points leader and Winternationals winner Tommy Johnson Jr. will join Dave Despain on Speed Tunnel on Sunday February 20. The newly formatted weekly show will now be a longer two-hour program with open-wheel journalist Robin Miller serving as the co-host on the first show of the year. Wind Tunnel airs Sundays on Speed TV 9:00-11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. (Darr Hawthorne photo)  [2-18-2005]

GEOFFRION MOVIN' ON

Are Pro Mods too tough for Scott Geoffrion? Actually they are just too tough on Geoffrion's back. Geoffrion, who injured his back in a fall off of a ladder a couple of years ago, has informed team owner Roy Hill that he is going to have to step out of the seat of Hill's '66 Pro Mod Mustang.  

"This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and I want to thank Roy for the opportunity and everybody on the team for being so supportive." Geoffrion said. "Pro Mods are so powerful and so violent, but, that's what makes these cars so fun to drive. Unfortunately, when they shake the tires it just kills my back. Pro Mods are the baddest hombres in drag racing and I really wanted to be involved in driving them, but my body won that argument."

Geoffrion said the Pro Stocks just aren't as violent as the Pro Modifieds. According to sources, Geoffrion has been getting phone calls to drive second or even third cars for Pro Stock teams. In addition there has been some low level discussions about bringing the Blakeney/Panella cars out a couple of times this year. 

"After the World Finals Bobby (Panella) took the cars back to the shop and found some more steam under the hood," said Geoffrion," so when my back gets strong I have a lot of thinking to do."  (file photo by Jeff Burk) [2-18-2005]

NITRO COUPES BLAST INTO BRADENTON

The AutoZone Super Chevy Show will bring the WorkMat Nitro Coupes to Bradenton Motorsports Park February 26-27. Superstars of the 19 event Chevy circuit include 2004 Points Champion Randy Adler, New York’s Mike Swinarski (shown) and Dave Tomasino, Canada’s Bruce Boland, California’s Wayne Torkelson, Jeff Merritt from Chicago, Maryland racer Tommy Howes, and Florida’s Mel Eaves.

The show will feature a real battle of the sexes, with Hanna Motorsports’ Jessie Harris in the Queen of Diamonds jet dragster versus Paul Miller’s US 1 jet running speeds over 300 mph side by side. Bob Hall’s “Airborne Express” wheelstander will also be part of the entertainment. (file photo by Ian Tocher)  [2-18-2005]