'LEGENDS' GET A FREE PASS

NHRA has announced the NHRA Legends Program, designed to recognize the on-track legends of the sport by granting them lifetime access to any NHRA event. During NHRA's 50th anniversary celebration, a panel of NHRA Drag Racing experts identified the top 50 drivers. Those names have been selected as the first members of the NHRA Legends Program and will be provided a lifetime NHRA Legends Hard Card allowing access to any future NHRA event including the 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series national events. The hard card issued also will provide sponsor viewing area and tower access. In addition, the members of the NHRA Legends Program will be afforded one red key parking pass at every national event they attend. Also, at any NHRA national event they attend, they can receive, free of charge, one additional non-restricted event credential, also with sponsor viewing area and tower access.

"It is very important that NHRA maintain a close relationship to those individuals that played an instrumental role in growing and building the sport of NHRA Drag Racing to where it is today," said NHRA president Tom Compton.

"Amen," says the Agent. [3-14-2005]

JOHN HOGAN MEMORIAL SERVICES SET

Memorial services for the Colonel, John Hogan, will be held on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, starting at 11:00 a.m. John was a hot rodder and supporter of the museum and died from a heart attack.

He grew up in the Irish neighborhood of Chicago and hung out at The Greek's, Chris Karamesines' shop in Chicago. Hogan was the first crew chief and mechanic on Don Schumacher's championship Funny Car team. He was a member of the Cal-Rods Car Club and a supporter of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Hogan had just returned from an official tour of the Pentagon where he was working on a project to raise money for the Armed Forces Memorial Fund. [3-14-2005]

CSK CELICA?

Funny Car pilot Del Worsham was in the nitro pits at the March Meet chatting with legendary painter Kenny Youngblood. Del and father Chuck are getting a Blue Max replica Mustang nostalgia Funny Car ready for an upcoming August match race.

Worsham confirmed the CSK team will be switching to a new Toyota Celica body on Phil Burkhart’s chassis shortly after the Gainesville NHRA event. Since neither Jerry Toliver or Jim Head are running the Celica body in competition this season, the deal for the swoopy body was available. (Darr Hawthorne photo) [3-14-2005]