NEW NITRO FLOPPER PILOT

The Agent hears that longtime Alcohol Funny Car racer Andy Kelley was spotted recently making test and licensing passes at Atlanta Dragway. Kelley, the son of team owner Pat Kelley, who raced a fuel coupe several years ago, is piloting a car purchased from Helen Hofmann with driveline components, including two engines, picked up from Virgil Hartman. Richard Hartman is providing tuning expertise. Kelley needs just one more pass to complete his nitro licensing requirements and plans to be at the Atlanta strip again this weekend to wrap it up. Watch for him to enter at least the Bristol and Atlanta NHRA events this year. [3-10-2005

BERGSTROMS JOIN PROMEDIA

Gene Bergstrom has been named Director of Event & Field Operations for ProMedia, which produces both the NMRA Ford Nationals Series and the NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals event series. In his new position, Bergstrom will be responsible for all of ProMedia's event and field operations with an emphasis on providing over site and

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development of both the NMRA/Denso Ford Drag Racing Series and the NMCA/Pro-Edelbrock Drag Racing Series. Bergstrom will officially preside over all technical rules, policies and procedures as well as act as Chairman for the NMRA and NMCA Rules Committees.

Bergstrom began his career in racing in 1964 campaigning a number of NHRA Ford Stock Eliminator entries and became NHRA's Northwest and Pacific Division 7 Director in 1979. In 1990, he was promoted to NHRA National Field Director. Bergstrom has served on numerous rules committees including the exclusive NHRA Competition Committee. Bergstrom was most recently the Director of Operations at Irwindale Speedway in Southern California.

Bergstrom will be assisted full time by his wife Judy, who assumes the role of Ticketing & Event Support Services. Judy, who worked in NHRA National Event Ticketing and Operations from 1985 to 2000 and with her husband at Irwindale Speedway, will be responsible for ticketing & credentials, national records, official points tabulations and contingency reporting for both NMRA and NMCA events. The NMRA/NMCA tech line is 714-460-3813 and will be available every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. ET beginning March 15.  [3-10-2005]

WILKINGS NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF ATLANTA DRAGWAY

Ray Wilkings has been named general manager of Atlanta Dragway, effective immediately.

"Ray has a tremendous amount of experience in all disciplines necessary to effectively manage a motorsports facility," said Don Robertson, executive general manager of Gainesville Raceway and Atlanta Dragway. "We are excited about bringing these talents to bear on behalf of all the NHRA racers in Division 2."

Prior to joining NHRA, Wilkings was president and chief operating officer of Scraleon Design & Manufacturing, a manufacturer of OEM disc brakes and brake-related products for ATV and utility vehicles. He has held numerous positions in the automotive manufacturing industry and has been involved in track operations at Irwindale Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Saugus Speedway. [3-10-2005]

CREASY GETTING A RIDE?

The Agent hears the newest rumor going around is that Dale Creasy, Jr. may be driving a Top Fueler on the IHRA Torco Racing Fuel team. Who knows?  [3-10-2005]