CREW CHIEFS TO HAVE GOOD PICKINGS
With so many new teams coming on board next year, especially in Funny Car, it's going to be a seller's market for Crew Chiefs. One of the hottest current properties is Wayne Dupuy who did nothing to devalue his stock by proving at Houston that he can go both ways - Funny Car and dragster. Dupuy's magic delivered career best numbers to IHRA expatriate (and 1999 Champion) Don Lampus who ran 4.580 and 320.36 and 4.584 and 321.19 mph at Houston. He also helped put Cristen Powell in the field although she was beaten early by John Force.

Other Crew Chiefs certain to get picked up are Lee Beard, recently fired by Bernstein, and Ronnie Swearingen, who's been out of work since leaving Hofmann Racing early in the year. Both are proven winners.

NEW MARKETING STRATEGY IS GOOD FOR PAINTERS
Painters also apparently will get healthy in 2001. In a wave created by John Force and Co., several teams will have different looks on a race-to-race basis next season if, for no other reason, than to sell collectibles. At Houston it was Frank Pedregon in Texaco livery with a car that will be sold later at Texaco stations; Whit Bazemore with a bright yellow Kendall GT-1 Camaro; Dean Skuza with a gold Matco Tools Dodge, the last he'll drive; and Force, Joe Amato, and Matt Hines with Universal Studios' "Monsters of the Midway" cars featuring Frankenstein, Dracula and "The Mummy," respectively.

RE: POWELL VS. HOFMANN
Printed copies of a homepage for the Helen Hofmann Legal Defense Fund were being circulated surreptitiously at Houston although the Agent has had no luck finding the site on the Internet at an address that included the phrase "nomorepowells4us."

Among the gems contained therein were these, and we quote: ("The) truth is (Cristen) may not be the funnycar (sic) driver her father thinks or more accurately wants her to be. Does this make her a bad person....NO....But does it entitle her dad to file lawsuits, that even should they be proven frivolous still cost unbelievably huge sums of money to defend??? HELL NO!!!!!! The powells are attempting to do what 300 mph crashs (sic), fires, and even Jimbo couldn't do....Put them out of racing. So I suppose you are wondering what you, the average race fan can do to help????"

There follows a mailing address for the Helen Hofmann Legal Defense Fund which we post here as a public service, not as an endorsement or indictment: Helen Hofmann Legal Defense Fund, 17818 Willis V. McCall Road, Umatilla, FL 32784

For those who've been on another planet, Casey Powell, father of Top Fuel and Funny Car driver Cristen Powell, is suing Al and Helen Hofmann over the alleged wrongful termination of his daughter's driving contract and for monies he claims he is owed by the Hofmanns. Stay tuned.

NO MORE MULLIN MAGIC?
ESPN Regional Television was awarded the contract to do the production work on NHRA's 2000 package. ERT's selection was a mild surprise to insiders who had anticipated the hiring of a production company headed by John B. Mullin. Among the names most prominently mentioned in terms of on air talent are Marty Reid, Bill Stevens, Kenny Sargent (seen interviewing John Force in the above photo), David Reif and Rick Benjamin. Dave McClelland, the official "Voice of the NHRA" will continue to be a part of the show as the host of regular nostalgia pieces. Shelly Anderson's fate may cease to be an issue in that the former national event winner is reportedly close to getting a ride for the 2001 season. Should she get all the "i's" dotted and "t's" crossed, an announcement would be forthcoming at the AAA of Southern California Finals.

(Editor's Note: See more on the TV package in the November edition of Dave Densmore Speaks which will be up Nov. 7th)