SUPERBIRD 2005

You've probably seen photos of this immaculate new Superbird Pro Mod car that the Vanishing Point race car builders just finished for Pro Mod hitter Chip King and tuner Bill Barrett. This car was originally built with the stock 50-inch overhang, but the Agent heard that when IHRA announced a 40-inch maximum overhang this car had a rhinoplasty (nose job) to bring it into IHRA legal specs. Regardless, this is a gorgeous race car and in the Agent's opinion just what a Pro Mod car should be. For a look at a factory version of this car, check out Cliff Gromer's feature on the car shown below.

(new car photo by Roger Richards; old car photo by Bill Erdman) [9-09-2005]

BUT WHO'S COUNTING?

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In spite of great weather and what should've been big momentum from last year's huge crowd, attendance for the 51st U.S. Nationals was far below any previous edition that the Agent has attended over the past 30 years. This image was shot just prior to the fuel-car finals on Labor Day. The most-telling bleacher section is the last one, which is the only general-admission area on this side and, as such, is typically packed to capacity. Friday night's crowd was the only one that appeared to be close to normal -- as is traditionally heaviest on locals, who were least affected by the Katrina disaster and by unfounded predictions of gasoline shortages in the middle of the country. (Dave Wallace Jr. photo) [9-09-2005]

BEST T-SHIRT, '05 BIG GO

The lights are about to go out for "Flash" Gordon Mineo, courtesy of Ed McCulloch (left), in this unpublished Leslie Lovett photo from the mid-Seventies. Rumor has it that Ron Capps borrowed the original B&W print from someone inside NHRA just long enough to scan the image, then ordered just enough T-shirts to cover McCulloch's crew at Don Schumacher Racing -- plus the one modeled here by "Casual" Bob Doerrer at Mike Goyda's memorabilia show at Indy. (Dave Wallace Jr. photo) [9-09-2005]