MELANIE WINS CONTEST

Melanie Troxel has been named to drive the Torco Gear Top Fuel Dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, beginning with the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., July 15-17. The second team Top Fuel entry will be a partner to the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster driven by two-time champion Tony Schumacher, and will be tuned by Richard Hogan.

Troxel, who was recently released from Don Prudhomme Racing, will actually rejoin the team for which she drove in a limited number of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events in 2000. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [7-6-2005]

JW TRANSMISSIONS ON VACATION

The Agent got a note from Tracy Winters at J.W. Transmissions to say that the company would be closed from July 4 through July 8. So if you can't get anyone on the phone, just call back Monday. [7-6-2005]

WOODBURN CANCELS INVITATIONAL

The 16th annual Pro Stock Invitational held at Woodburn Dragstrip has been cancelled. The strip states that Oregon's extreme weather and race drivers' prior sponsor commitments have caused them to cancel the annual event. The race has been held as part of the NHRA Western Swing as Pro Stockers head to Seattle. Last year Rickie Smith drove his Dart-backed Chevy Cavalier to both ends of the track record 6.795 at 203.71 mph. Another one bites the dust. [7-6-2005]

NOW THIS IS THE KIND OF PRESS RELEASE THE AGENT LIKES!

Most often the press releases that we receive are pretty dry stuff: who, what, where, and when, but occasionally something crosses the desk that makes us glad we came to work that day. We print such an item in its entirety:

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Nitro Match Racing Returns to NED this Weekend! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages it’s true. . .top fuel dragsters will be running this weekend at New England Dragway in Epping, NH. Paul Athey and Grant Flowers will do 300mph battle with Bobby Lagana Jr. and the rest of the NY hoodlums in Epping on Saturday night at the New England Dodge Dealers Night of Thrills.

Is that it? Uhhhh. . .NO. Pro Mods will be running, Nitro Harleys will be on the grounds, did we mention Kent Schockley’s triple-jet-engine Peterbuilt? Just in case you have never seen this truck, it is as close to a religious experience as you can have outside of church. Men laugh, women cry, little kids stare in amazement, all as the Shockwave tries to BURN NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY TO THE GROUND!
Be there this Saturday night to see: Top Fuel dragsters, Wild Pro Mods, The Top Sportsman Shootout, Blown Vs Nitrous Pro Comp action, Wheel Standers, Nitro Freakin’ Harleys, Jet Cars. And the one and only TRIPLE JET ENGINE Peterbuilt on Earth.

It’s all going to be at New England Dragway this Saturday night, July 9. Gates open at 4, the show starts at 6. See www.newenglanddragway.com for more details. It is the biggest, baddest, match race of the year in all of New England. Miss this and you may as well never leave the house again. . .seriously! [7-6-2005]