LEBANON VALLEY UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

According to a recent Albany Times Union report, upstate New York's Lebanon Valley Dragway opened for business this year under the direction of Howard Commander, longtime operator of the dirt oval racetrack that shares the property. In fact, Commander helped build the quarter miler that's been in operation since the early '60s and helped run the strip for decades before leasing it in 1992 to Vincent Barletta. Although the lease was not quite expired, the paper reported that since Barletta died several years ago, it was a challenge for his family to manage the dragway from their home in Boston. [4-18-2005]

THE NITROFISH EMPIRE?

Since his wife’s recent health issues, Kenny Koretsky has taken a look at this life and is working to bring drag racing into the proper perspective for him.

Koretsky has purchased a ’63 Corvette for his crew chief Ed Guarnaccia Jr. to drive in a Northeast Pro Mod circuit near his home and has had another meeting with as Kenny put it, “A top five, Top Fuel team. We are down to who owns what, who’s responsible for what, who's on the payroll, you know -- the details.”

The existing Top Fuel team has five cars, two transporters and a hospitality center, but Koretsky said it isn’t a deal until all the parts and pieces are accounted for.

Kenny said, “With the way the weather is right now at home [in Pennsylvania] I’d rather be sitting on my front porch; it's beautiful now.”

He told the Agent he may only compete in as few as eight events in 2006. There is one former driver on his team that may be able to hop in the seat to compete in the remaining 16 events next year -- Jerry Eckman -- although rumors are that he may have his eyes set on another, current Pro Stock up-and-comer. Koretsky qualified the NitroFish Stratus in the 6th position at Vegas, but lost to Greg Stanfield in the first round. [4-18-2005]

CANADIAN HALL OF FAME ADDS EXHIBIT

Canadian drag racer Bob Elliott of Wingham, Ontario now has his original Funny Car firesuit on display at the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in Toronto. Elliott, who was nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame two years ago, had a successful career behind the wheel of his Northern Force Funny Cars and is one of only four drivers in the world to have competed in all three styles of Funny Car: alcohol, nitromethane, and jet turbine powered.

The suit is still in its original form from the last time it was worn. Elliott said, "It looks like something out of the Middle Ages, but this old beauty kept me safe for many 200-mph passes down the quarter mile. I was, however, happy to have improved technology as my cars approached the 300-mph mark."

You can access the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame at www.cmhf.ca. (photo courtesy Bob Elliott) [4-18-2005]