TIRES IN THE NEWS #1 Here is the new Goodyear "shoulderless" tire that is mandated for NHRA Top Fuel use. (Brian Losness photo) [1-23-2006]

TIRES IN THE NEW #2 After a run at Las Vegas testing, the tire on Jim Dunn's Lucas Oil Funny Car looked like this. (James Drew photo) [1-23-2006]

SUMMIT ADDS MORGAN TO LIST

Pro Stock veteran Larry Morgan will receive associate sponsorship from Summit Racing Equipment for the upcoming season. Morgan made his Pro Stock debut in 1987 and has posted nine Top Ten and five Top Five points finishes.

He finished third in points twice and has nine career NHRA Pro Stock national event wins and 24 final round appearances. Summit is primary sponsor of Pro Stock drivers Grey Anderson and Jason Line, as well as associate sponsor of PS drivers Warren Johnson, Kurt Johnson and Mark Pawuk. (Jeff Burk photo) [1-23-2006]

HADMAN RECOVERING FROM HAND INJURIES

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Word is just now getting out that chassis builder Brad Hadman was injured in an accident in his Puyallup, Wash., shop about three weeks ago. Hadman didn't want to alarm any of his clients, so "we kept things quiet," he said.

Hadman said he was cleaning heat-treated tubing on a lathe when an emery cloth he was using wrapped around the tube. "I had about a four-foot piece and when the tail came around it caught my hands and sucked them in and wrapped my hands and arms around the tube."

Broken fingers and other bones in his hands, torn tendons and a broken wrist kept him out of action, but not for long. "I was back welding four days later. My hands were all puffed up and they hurt. They still hurt, but that's life." Hadman added, "I can weld, and that's the big thing. I weld with either hand." Hadman also added that he had to cut down from working 20 hours per day to only 12 hours. "The energy level just wasn't there. The pain takes its toll."

The Agent will never complain about typing cramps again. [1-23-2006]

NASCAR GOING UNLEADED IN 2008

NASCAR has announced that series will begin using an unleaded fuel in 2008. Testing by an independent testing service, which passed the results on to the EPA, has shown high lead content levels for NASCAR competitors and workers. The fuel will be manufactured by the Sonoco fuel company and will be named Sunoco 260 GTX. Perhaps an issue for drag racing to look at before they are forced to do so by the EPA. [1-23-2006]