SS/AA CHALLENGE RETURNS TO U.S. NATIONALS

Editor Jeff Burk got an answer to one of the questions in his latest editorial. It came from Patrick Knight, the NHRA Manager Mopar/Dodge Motorsports, who let us know that indeed Mopar will once again sponsor the Hemi challenge again this year at the U.S. Nationals.  He promised to send more info about the event to DRO soon.  [7-29-2005]

STICKIN' TO THE FACTS

Many time track manager (among other things) Glenn Menard embellished Chris Martin's "Time Machine" article (Being First By Being Second) with some interesting facts concerning Mike Snively's first five-second NHRA Top Fuel run in "Diamond" Jim Annin's dragster. Menard said that he had visited the track in the week prior to the event and saw NHRA track massager John Zendejas wheeling a giant tractor attached to a giant tank with a Briggs & Stratton-motored pump on the back. As Menard put it, "he sprayed this tacky liquid, strings of fine overspray would waft away. It looked like a spider web or cotton candy and was verrrry sticky." He concluded, "I had witnessed the first use of VHT on a national event race track."  [7-29-2005]

SKOAL SMOKIN'

According to an Associated Press news story, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has filed suit in San Diego Superior Court alleging that U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. has violated the 1998 settlement agreement by promoting Skoal smokeless tobacco at NHRA events where youths who are under age 18 compete. U.S. Tobacco denies any violation of the settlement agreement and continues to cooperate to resolve any issues. U.S. Tobacco's SKOAL brand has long sponsored Don Prudhomme's flopper driven by Tommy Johnson, Jr.

The suit, filed this week, seeks monetary damages and a court order blocking any future sponsorship agreements that would violate the original settlement. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [7-28-2005]

NHRA GOING BACK TO VMP! SECOND CHICAGO RACE MOVING TO VIRGINIA

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One of the Agent’s most well connected West Coast operatives called to verify the rumor that has been going around for sometime. Next year the NHRA will return to Virginia Motorsports Park, replacing the IHRA as the sanctioning body for the racing facility. According to the Agent’s source, the October NHRA race now held at Route 66 will move to VMP, leaving Route 66 with just one race instead of its traditional two.

The Agent has no clue if the IHRA will try to replace that race on its schedule or what track might want an IHRA National Event. With IHRA’s requirement of a minimum of 10,000 seats for a track to hold a National Event that narrows the possible tracks that could replace VMP. Look for the official announcement within the next week or so. [7-27-2005]

GEORGE HOWARD’S $1,000,000 DRAG RACE NEWS

DRO and promoter George Howard have entered into an agreement where DRO will have the exclusive Internet coverage rights for the annual Million Dollar Bracket Extravaganza. DRO’s bracket editor, Jok Nicholson, will be racing at the event as DRO will be doing live reporting from drag racing’s most prestigious bracket race. More details will be released soon. [7-27-2005]