MORE NHRA RUMORS FROM NEVER-NEVER
LAND
The Agent just can't help from repeating some of the rumors
that are floating around. The most recent one concerning
the supposed sale of NHRA is that everything is in place
for the sale to go through. All that is left is the negotiations
between NHRA pres Tom Compton and his crew and the Bruton
Smith people about how much compensation Compton and some
of the members of his management team would receive as a
so-called "Golden Parachute." According to the
source for this rumor, Compton made it clear he never wanted
to have to work again after leaving NHRA.
And then there is the one floating around that part of
the Pro Stock Truck settlement was that every driver/team
owner suing NHRA got a million bucks. . .a million bucks
each. . .and they gave them the Columbus track too. The
Agent wants the number of that lawyer. Hoo-boy! [4-13-2005]
NDRA MAKES HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINTS
MANDATORY
The Agent has learned that in addition to the NASCAR and
IMSA racing Associations, the Sport Compact racing league
backed by NOPI will make head and neck restraint systems
mandatory for any cars going nine seconds or quicker. Kudos
for that decision. [4-13-2005]
JEFFERS MIDWEST PRO MODS OPEN SEASON
AT ST. LOUIS APRIL 16
As
you may or may not know, DRO is a major associate sponsor
of editor Jeff Burk's old friend Donnie Little and his '68
Camaro Pro Mod. Little also happens to be the organizer
of the Jeffers Pro Cars-backed Outlaw Pro Mod series that
has six events at St. Louis's Gateway International Raceway.
As Little was heard to say at the banquet last year: "No
whine or cheese at these races, just no holds barred, eighth-mile
drag racing."
The first race of the season for Little, his Terry Murphy
Camaro and the circuit will happen this Saturday, April
16, at Gateway International. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and
qualifying starts at 2:00 p.m. Jeff Burk (unfortunately,
minus El Camino Nitrouso) and ace photojournalist Bret Kepner
hisself reportedly will be there to cover the race for DRO.
Be there! (Jeff Leonard photo)
[4-13-2005]
LEGALLY SPEAKING
The Agent received an email response from Pro Stock Truck
Association Attorney Randall Papetti from his Phoenix office
regarding the Agent's question about a settlement of their
lawsuit. Papetti said, "The case has been settled and
dismissal paperwork has been filed." [4-13-2005]
NEW FUNNY CAR BODIES FOR FORCE,
SCHUMACHER
The
Agent's operative in the Costa Mesa, California area called
to let him know that Metalcrafter's, a high-end fabrication
shop in that part of paradise, has just finished the brand
new 2005 Mustang bodies for John Force. Those bodies supposedly
have been approved by NHRA and should be on the Team Force
Funny Cars by next month sometime. The Agent's operative
also says Schumacher racing has an order in at that facility
for 20 of the new Mopar "Charger" bodies and those
should start coming online soon. [4-13-2005]
MARSHALL'S NEW RIDE
From
Kalitta Racing comes a look at Ben Marshall's StriVectin-SD
Top Fuel dragster that will race this weekend in the Las
Vegas NHRA event. [4-13-2005]
