HOWARD ANNOUNCES FUEL FUNNY CAR RACE FOR 2006

George Howard called Agent 1320 (he has the double-secret direct phone line) to say that the reaction to the Top Fuel race on the Fourth of July has been so positive that he had decided to have a similar race with the same payout for Fuel Funny Cars and that the race will be held on the weekend after the Gatornationals in 2006. [3-31-2005]

ROY HILL DRIVING SCHOOL LOCATION CHANGES

Roy Hill informs us that the his Driving School dates scheduled for next month at Orlando Dragway have been moved to the newly NHRA sanctioned track at Valdosta, GA. [3-31-2005]

NHRA BEGINS 'FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT' AT HOUSTON

Fans will have an opportunity to meet their favorite drivers, enjoy some music and explore the NHRA Nitro Alley interactive displays during the inaugural NHRA Fan Appreciation Night April 7 at Houston Raceway Park from 5-8 p.m. (CT). The NHRA Fan Appreciation Night is free to the public.

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Houston-based band Otenki will perform live, while many of the NHRA stars will be available to sign autographs and meet with fans. Special discount coupons for the race will be available at this event only, and Houston's rock station, KIOL 97.5 FM, will be on site with a live remote broadcast throughout the evening. In addition, the NHRA Nitro Mall and several racer merchandise trailers will be open, providing fans with an opportunity to purchase the latest NHRA gear and souvenirs.

During the evening, the POWERade Challenge will be held, where 64 fans who earned a spot in the elimination lineup through a contest with KIOL or through special Coca-Cola promotions, will get to race on HRP's quarter-mile drag strip in Pontiac G6s.

Sounds like fun, but if they would just lower the ticket prices to the national events, NHRA would show that they really appreciate the fans. [3-31-2005]

RECORD CONTINGENCY FOR NHRA SPORTS COMPACTS

With 50 postings from more than 30 different automotive companies, the NHRA Sport Compact contingency program now offers a total series value of more than $1.5 million, three times more than any other competing sanctioning body, according to NHRA. More than $160,000 in postings is available to competitors at each NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series national event.

In addition, a record number of OEM Manufacturers, including Acura, Honda, Toyota/TRD, Scion, Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Nissan, also are participating in the NHRA Sport Compact contingency program in 2005, resulting in more than $435,000 in postings. [3-31-2005]