SCHUMACHER FINALLY MAKES IT OFFICIALLY CARLSON

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Oh, what a surprise. Shaun Carlson was named the second Pro Stock driver for the Don Schumacher team during the weekend testing at Las Vegas. [2-6-2006]

THE RETURN OF U.S. 30?

The Agent is getting messages from the Gary, IN, area that say that one of the most historic tracks in the Midwest, U.S. 30 Dragway, has been sold to the former owner of US 131 Dragway, John Grivens, and the Grivens has plans to re-open the track. It's just a rumor at present but the Agent will keep you posted. [2-6-2006]

A BACK PROBLEM FOR COWIN?

Also, the Andrew Cowin Serta-backed team must have found a pea under their mattress as their car needed to be back-halved to meet the newly mandated NHRA spec for the back half tubing. The Agent hears the new back half was shipped to Vegas and the Cowin crew was installing it so that they could begin testing. [2-6-2006]

GIVE ME YOUR TIRES. . .

Most of the pre-season testing nitro teams are getting a handle on the new Goodyear slick, but your mileage may vary. Cory McClenathan is concerned that the Carrier Boyz team was only getting one pass out of a new set of Goodyear D2420 slicks. "What team can afford to run like that?" he asked. However, on an early Saturday Vegas pass Cory’s tires were throwing off fist-sized chunks from the edge.

The strange wear patterns drew the attention of NHRA Tech guy Rich Shreck.

Both Larry Dixon and Cory Mac were consistently blistering the centers out of the new tires on every pass, creating a pockmarked random pattern over the entire tire surface. Dixon commented, "These tires don’t like to be pedaled either, but they are the tires we’ll have to run so why test with the 1430 tire."

Winternationals spectators and starting line photogs may also notice a
marked change in the dense smoke the new 2420’s throw off on the burnout. The tire smoke leaves a fine black sand-like rubber grit, unlike the smoke from the 1430 tire.

According to one nitro team owner who declined to be identified, he was told by Goodyear that they may not be able to supply enough D2420s until after Gainesville, if then. Until the supply is plentiful, both the D2420 and D1430 will be allowed in competition. (photos by Darr Hawthorne) [2-6-2006]