WHAT'S IN A NAME
Doesn't it seem just a little ridiculous to bring a class into Comp Eliminator that is called Pro Modified? The Agent has a better suggestion. Why not call them Pro Comp!

SIX OF ONE, A HALF-DOZEN OF THE OTHER
The Agent also heard that some Pro Mod owners and racers have suggested that NHRA pick half a dozen events and run a Pro Mod exhibition similar to what is done with the Nitro Bikes. Agent 1320 hears that there are sponsors waiting in the wings should this come to pass. This idea has Agent 1320's vote.

ONE LANE BLACK TOP
It was obvious that this year the U.S. Nationals was a one lane track for Fuel Cars, with the left lane usually being the best. Want to know one of the reasons why? Well, the weekend before the Nats a testing session was held at Indy. Agent 1320 thought there was a rule prohibiting that but never the less it happened. The really bad deal about the test session was that all of the Fuelers ran in the left lane and all of the Pro Stocks in the right according to a published report. Can you believe that the left lane was then better for fuel cars just eight days later! Well, duh! The Agent wants to know who was responsible for this blunder.

TOMMY JOHNSON SHINES AT INDY
Tommy Johnson joined a pretty elite group at Indy. As a driver he became the third Fuel Coupe driver to qualify on the pole at consecutive U.S. Nats joining Don Prudhomme who did it in 1977-78 and John Force who did it seven straight times in the nineties. However, Tommy is the first to do it in totally different cars with different crew chiefs. Also, Tommy's pedal job in the first round was absolutely masterful and got an atta-boy from Frank Hawley who was doing booth work for TNN at the event.

CAR CRAFT ALL-STAR TEAM ANNOUNCED
The 14th is just as sweet as the first. Jerry Haas, above left, received his 14th award as Pro Racing Chassis Builder and Fred Hahn, right, won his first as Pro Modified Driver at the 33rd annual Car Craft All-Star Banquet.
(Jeff Burk photos)

Other winners were: Gary Scelzi (Top Fuel Driver); Alan Johnson (TF Crew Chief); John Force (Funny Car Driver); Austin Coil & Bernie Fedderly (FC Crew Chief); Hadman Race Cars (TF/FC Chassis Builder); Winston (Fuel Racing Sponsor); Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock Driver); Gary Pearman (PS Crew Chief); Bob Panella Jr. (Pro Stock Truck Driver); Matt Hines (PS Bike Rider); Richard Maskin (Pro Racing Engine Builder); Frank Manzo (Alcohol Funny Car Driver); David Rampy (Comp Driver); Anthony Bertozzi (Super Stock Driver); Edmond Richardson (Stock Driver); Gary Stinnett (8.90 Driver); Mike Ferderer (9.90 Driver); Jeff Warren (10.90 Driver); F.J. Smith Performance (Sportsman Chassis Builder); Taylor Racing Engines (Sportsman Engine Builder); Federal-Mogul (Sportsman Sponsor); Holley (Equipment Manufacturer); Pontiac (Automobile Manufacturer)

MARTIN WINS SPECIAL AWARD
DRO's Editor at Large, Chris Martin, won the special "Buddy" award for career beer consumption. The honor was bestowed by DRO Editor, Jeff Burk, at the end of the All-Star Banquet, which may explain the somewhat out-of-focus photo above. Martin later entertained the crowd with "exhibition" dancing. He has been asked not to attend the event next year (by Burk).

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