ESPN360 TO CARRY LIVE BRISTOL QUALIFYING

ESPN's customizable broadband service, ESPN360, will air live coverage of qualifying from the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). This one-time opportunity is part of the ESPN360 promotion "All-Access Week" running from April 27 to May 1. Log on to www.espn360.com and download the application. [4-27-2005]

MUSTANGS RUN WILD

The 4th Annual Nitto Tire National Mustang Racing Assn. Spring Ford Nationals, the first stop of the NMRA-Denso Ford Drag Racing Series, will be on ESPN2's "Inside Drag Racing." The show will air Sunday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) and repeat Thursday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. (ET). [4-27-2005]

SICK CALL

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A couple of drag racing's favorites, World Champ Frank "Ace" Manzo and Canadian supercharged engine specialist, Les Davenport, reportedly are having some heath problems. According to the Agent's sources Manzo couldn't clear the mandatory NHRA driver's physical due to high blood pressure. We hear he has lost 20 pounds recently, got that blood pressure down and could be driving again by this weekend. Don't feel bad, Frank, the Agent has the same challenge.

The Agent hears that Davenport, one of the top supercharged engine builders in drag racing history, has some minor heart problems that have prevented him from traveling. Hopefully, both of these drag racing legends will get tuned-up and back on the road soon. [4-27-2005]

NEW TOYOTA FUNNY CARS BODIES COMING

According to reports, the Worsham/CSK team will have new TRD Toyota bodies to replace the ones they've been using by the time the team pulls into Atlanta. No word as to what they will do until the new bodies arrive. [4-27-2005]

ALL QUIET ON THE MONEY FRONT

The Agent was informed earlier this year that PRO had negotiated with the NHRA to get a pay raise for the professional classes as promised in the past by NHRA prez Tom Compton. However, nothing has been heard lately from any sources as to when the supposed pay raises will come about, and we are nearly a quarter of the way through the NHRA series. [4-27-2005]

HAAS VERSUS BICKEL FOR CONNOLLY NOD

Dave Connolly's new 2005 Chevy Cobalt will have a new paint scheme when it competes at the NHRA Bristol race. But which Royal Purple "purplicious" Cobalt will the current Pro Stock points leader drive? One car was built by Jerry Haas and another one by Jerry Bickel. Connolly's crew chief, Terry Adams, will test both cars and use the one with the quickest ET. Who will be the winner in the battle of the Missouri car builders? Stay tuned. [4-27-2005]

ENDERS GETS 2-RACE SPONSOR FOR NEW CAR

SunCom has signed on as a marketing partner with the Cagnazzi Racing Pro Stock team. A wireless service provider in the southeastern U.S., SunCom will sponsor the car for the NHRA national events in Bristol (Apr. 29-May 1) and Atlanta (May 12-15). Driver Erica Enders will debut a new Chevy Cobalt at Bristol, replacing the previous Cavalier. [4-27-2005]

STEVENS READIES NEW STRATUS FOR BRISTOL

Driver Richie Stevens Jr. and crew chief Bob Glidden tested a new Jerry Haas-built Dodge Stratus with Glidden Hemi-power before its debut at the Bristol race this week.

"We made 13 runs on the car back-to-back-to-back and every one was straight down the track," Stevens said, "and it put up some good numbers on the board."

A 4.78-second eighth-mile pass was the best of the testing. The new Haas-built Dodge Pro Stock joins the Dodge built by Rick Jones that has been in the Don Schumacher Racing stable and is similar to teammate Jeg Coughlin's entry. [4-27-2005]