GOT CABO WABO?

Jim Dunn Racing has added a unique associate sponsor, Cabo Wabo Tequila, which is sure to create plenty of attention in the Funny Car pit area. Cabo Wabo, founded in 1990 by rock legend Sammy Hagar, will be featured on the Got CMKX?/Lucas Oil Monte Carlo Funny Car driven by Tony Bartone beginning at the 26th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, July 15-17. The Agent just has one question: will they be handing out samples in the pits? [7-14-2005]

PAWUK TEMPORARILY CLOSES ENGINE SHOP

Mark "Cowboy" Pawuk confirmed the rumors that he's closed his engine building facility in Richfield, Ohio, but the 20-year NHRA Pro Stock veteran emphasized that the closure is only temporary.

"I've already had some phone calls about this, and people are assuming that I'm going to retire from racing, but that couldn't be further from the truth," Pawuk said. "Just last week I was in St. Louis at Jerry Bickel's shop getting fitted for our new Pontiac GTO, and we are still planning on being back on the track at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd in mid-August. Now, knowing how building a new car can take longer than one might expect, it's possible that we won't make it out until the Memphis race, but I want to emphasize that we are coming back, and I am not retiring."

"It's obvious from our lack of performances earlier this year that we were struggling, not only with a car problem, but with an engine problem as well. In all candor, I was less than pleased with the results of the team working in our engine department, and after our latest disaster in which a brand new engine failed on the third dyno pull I felt it was time to make wholesale personnel changes. We have not eliminated any of the hardware from our engine development shop, nor do we plan to.

"Bob Ingles is continuing to work on engines for us in his shop back east, and we're also going to continue working with our Ohio neighbor, Ron Krisher, on an engine program, so while some of the players may be changing here at Mark Pawuk Racing, we are definitely going to continue running. (Jeff Burk photo) [7-13-2005]

BEARD SIGNS WITH POWERS MOTORSPORTS

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Top Fuel team owner David Powers announced the signing of noted tuner Lee Beard as the crew chief for his "Hot Rod" Fuller-driven, David Powers Homes/Valvoline dragster. Beard was most recently with the Don Schumacher stable as crew chief of Whit Bazemore's Funny Car.

"It's been a while since I've been involved with a Top Fuel operation," Beard said, "but I'm looking forward to the challenge. David [Powers] has assembled a very good young team, and I'm impressed with the way 'Hot Rod' Fuller has performed behind the wheel in what's really his first full season in one of these cars.

"I believe this team has all of the dedication and hardware to get the job done, so my job is pretty simple, and that's to make sure that every time we go to the starting line we're capable of winning.

This completes the round of musical chairs for crew chiefs in the last month. Now, let's see how they all do at their new locations. [7-13-2005]

PRO TOP OUTLAWS TO RACE IN INDIANA

The Pro Top Outlaws, based below the Mason-Dixon Line, will go north to Muncie, Indiana for the first time on July 16, as the PTO brings their altereds and dragsters to the eighth-mile Muncie Dragway. With three races under their belts this year, so far Anthony Trauth has made the quickest trip down track, running a 3.85 at Dorchester, SC. Brian Decker, who holds the points lead, is close behind at 3.87 seconds in his SBC dragster. [7-13-2005]