NEW OWNER, LOOK FOR 'CUDA

Justin Grant will campaign the former vintage nitro Barracuda of Jeff Gaynor. Grant and his team have installed a TFX Hemi with Brad Anderson heads, a magnesium 6-71 supercharger, a three-disc clutch with a two-speed Lenco for VRA competition and match racing. This rendering is a sneak peek of the proposed new look for the 'Cuda in late 2006. Grant and Ron Evans are co-crew chiefs and Joe Haas will be driving with support from sponsors Bruce Litton Trailer Sales, Mr. Gasket and Extreme Performance. They'll be testing the car when the tracks open up in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. [2-3-2006]

HOWARD TO RE-OPEN MONTGOMERY MOTORSPORTS PARK

George Howard will re-open Alabama's Montgomery Motorsports Park with a test and tune session on Friday, Feb. 10. Howard, owner of Huntsville (AL) Dragway and promoter of the Million Dollar Race, currently is leasing the Montgomery track, but may purchase it in the future.

He plans major improvements to the track's pit area, tower and other infrastructure.

"I intend to do a lot of what I know best, which is offer drag racers great events with guaranteed purses at a fair price," Howard explained.

Howard plans to hold weekly test and tune sessions on Friday nights as well as a Saturday bracket racing program, along with some special events. The Feb. 10 test and tune will begin at 6:00 p.m. if the temperature is at least 50 degrees. [2-3-2006]

CHUCK KURZAWA PASSES AWAY

Charles J. "Chuck" Kurzawa Jr. passed away at his Warren, Michigan, home on Jan. 29, 2006. Kurzawa, 64, was an early star of NHRA Division 3 Top Fuel racing, winning the Division title in 1972. He drove the Ramchargers dragster in 1967 and '68, as well as "the Probe," the Bob's Drag Chutes entries, and the "Ego Trip." He was also a chassis builder and fabricator. [2-3-2006]

DOES THAT MEAN IT'S AN ANULLMENT?

SKULL GEAR President Evan Knoll has decided to discontinue all advertising campaigns promoting the Divorce Gear line of t-shirts.

“Sometimes what looks good on paper doesn’t always look good in real life,” Knoll said. “I am very much aware that divorce causes many to experience pain and suffering. At this point we are going to scrap this campaign and return to promoting our SKULL GEAR product line.

“I want to apologize to anyone that may have been offended by our actions. The novelty industry is large but sometimes it just isn’t the best route to go if you’re a high profile company like SKULL GEAR.”

All race cars carrying Knoll’s sponsorship will return to either SKULL GEAR or Torco Race Fuels, Inc., branding immediately. [2-3-2006]