ATHEY GETS GIRL POWER

The Agent found out that freshman IHRA Top Fuel pilot Paul Athey bought all of Shirley Muldowney’s engines and spares for his new team. Rahn Tobler told the Agent at San Antonio that the team had bought all of his motors and short blocks (4) and that was why he was in San Antonio helping the team get their fuel car sorted out. It must have worked, as Athey qualified for his first Top Fuel field and ran his first four-second lap with the help of Tobler. (Jeff Burk photo) [4-8-2005]

SCHUMACHER’S TOP FUELER AT WORLD SERIES

The Agent heard a pretty good rumor to the effect that Don Schumacher’s U.S. Army-backed Top Fuel car will be one of the booked-in cars at this year's World Series of Drag Racing which traditionally is run on the weekend before the U.S. Nationals. Scott Gardner and the crew at Cordova (IL) Raceway Park always bring in a big group of fuel cars for the Agent’s favorite independent fuel race, and there is no reason to think that there won’t be a great turnout again this year. Stay tuned to this channel for more info on the World Series at Cordova. [4-8-2005]

MIDWEST SERIES ADDS DATES

The Midwest Pro Mod Series sponsored by Jeffer's Race Cars and held at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL now has six eighth-mile events scheduled for this season: April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 13, and October 15. Associate sponsors are Terry Murphy Race Cars, Evans Performance Center, Performax Custom Trailers, A.M. Truck and Equipment, T&E Haulers, Lenco Transmissions, Dahmer Powertrain, and Precision Doors & Hardware.

DRO Editor, Jeff Burk, promises to drive to the events in "El Camino Nitrouso" -- if he can ever get it finished by the paint shop and put back together. [4-8-2005]

NITRO COUPE NOTES

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Agent 1320 hears that a couple of drag racing’s legendary drivers, Bill Kuhlmann and Gene Snow, are at least thinking about nitro coupe racing. One of the Agent’s sources report that Snow has talked with car builder Jerry Haas about possibly building a door car that Snow would install one of his injected nitro A/FD motors into. The car would be legal for ADRL’s Pro Extreme class.

The Agent also hears that Kuhlmann has a couple of chassis on the jigs at his Missouri shop and would also like to build a nitro burning doorslammer with the intention of breaking the 200-mph barrier for doorslammer’s racing on the eighth mile. Agent 1320 thinks those two legends would make the ADRL series something unique should they come on the tour. [4-8-2005]

MORE NEW CARS IN THE NEWS

The Agent got a tip that the Tuttle Brothers have a new Menard-sponsored Top Fueler being built at Brad Hadman's shop. No word on when it will be ready. Those of you in Las Vegas next week should be on the lookout for the new alky Funny Car of that terror of the Northwest, Bucky Austin. [4-8-2005]