COCA-COLA PUTS $250,000 IN NHRA PIT CREW’S POCKETS

NHRA named Coca-Cola’s Full Throttle energy drink as an official sponsor. At the same time NHRA and Coke announced a new awards program to reward and recognize crews in each of the four POWERade racing classes. Based on a points system, the program will award event payouts to the team in each class with the top-performing pit crew.

In addition, results will be tabulated throughout the season to determine a year end championship crew in each class, who will earn a cash bonus. At each race the winning T/F and F/C. teams will get $3000, the winning P/S team $1,500 and and P/SB team $750. At the end of the year the champs get $25,000, $25,000, $15,000 and $5,000 respectively. [2-10-2005]

IHRA ADDS FOUR NEW MEMBER TRACKS

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IHRA has announced the addition of four new member tracks, which pushes their list to ninety-five. The expansion includes Ottodrome International Speedway in Ottawa, Ontario; U.S. 43 Dragway in Ethridge, Tenn.; Gimli Motorsports Park in Gimli, Manitoba; and Hilo Dragstrip in Hilo, Hawaii. [2-10-2005]

TAYLOR FEELING FLUSH?

Faucet manufacturer Price Pfister has signed on as a sponsor of the Plumbing Concepts-backed Alcohol Funny Car of Dennis Taylor. The Camaro sports a brand-new composite body and will make its first appearance at the NHRA Winternationals. Tuner Ora Vasquez was named NHRA Division 7 Crew Chief of the Year. [2-10-2005]

THE PROFESSOR’S BEST LECTURES ARE THE SHORT ONES

While going through tech on Wednesday at Pomona, Warren Johnson had a conversation with one of the Agent’s operatives. The Professor was philosophical saying, "Our approach is quite simple. As of right now, everyone's scorecard reads the same. The Winternationals mark the start of a new season and we want to get off to a good start. Our objective, as it has been from the start, is to win every race we enter and bring the championship back to Sugar Hill, and we can take a big step in that direction this weekend." [2-10-2005]