JR DRAGSTER RACER MOVES UP



Nineteen-year-old Emily Lewis dominated the competition at last weekend's Bracket Kickoff Combo at Bradenton (FL) Motorsports Park. Ms. Lewis drove her dragster to a win in the Top ET class and a runner-up finish to former Million Dollar Race finalist Claude DeBonis in the second race. She began driving junior dragsters at age 13. [1-19-2006]

PRO OUTLAW SERIES MOVES TO CORDOVA

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The Pro Outlaw Series that debuted in 2005 at Eddyville (IA) Raceway Park will move to Cordova (IL) Dragway Park in 2006. The eighth-mile series will have five classes: Pro Outlaw, Pro Street, Outlaw 10.5, Limited Street and Drag Radial. At this time there are two events scheduled with tentative plans for two more.

"We are being a little cautious with this program, but fully expect to have all four events in 2006," said Cordova track operator Scott Gardner. Dates for the series are: June 10, July 15, Aug. 5 (tentative), and Sept. 23 (tentative).

In other news from Cordova, the track has changed the date of their PM-1 JuniorFest of Drag Racing for junior dragster racers. The IHRA national event will now be July 8-9. Gardner explained that the date was moved so that junior racers could attend an IHRA Division 5 event at Byron (IL) Dragway on July 22-23. [1-19-2006]

JOHNSON ENGINE DENIED BY GOODGUYS

The Goodguys VRA rules committee will not allow the Alan Johnson-designed Olds engine in Nitro Funny Car competition this season. According to the published rules, "blocks and cylinder heads must retain all physical characteristics of stock production components."

Stephen Romanazzi, who's been a strong CIFCA competitor, had planned on running the Johnson Olds (pictured) with a nitro tune-up in his vintage Vega flopper for the coming VRA season. His team tested the combo during the Goodguys Finals last fall. No word yet from Romanazzi on his plans. (Darr Hawthorne photo) [1-19-2006]