WJ TESTS GRAND AM
After some test runs on a cold DeSoto Memorial Dragway track, Warren Johnson predicted that his new 2001 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac Grand Am will be able to run 6.70s in the coming season. "There is no doubt about that," he declared. "The car ran 6.87 at 200.57 mph on its first full pass. We made a series of suspension adjustments and ran consistently between 6.87 and 6.89."

The Grand Am has a longer wheelbase and a narrower overall width than the Firebird he campaigned last season. "You can feel the longer wheelbase because the car reacts a little more slowly and predictably going down the track," the Professor noted.

A second Grand Am from Jerry Haas Race Cars has joined the first Don Ness-built car. DRO ran photos of the Haas-built car in our November issue. (Photo above by Don Gillespie.)

CARQUEST TO SPONSOR IHRA MARYLAND EVENT
CARQUEST Auto Parts has signed on as title sponsor of the IHRA national event to be held September 28-30 at Maryland International Raceway in Budd's Creek, MD. The CARQUEST Auto Parts President's Cup Nationals will be the fourth IHRA national event the company will sponsor in 2001. CARQUEST Auto Parts also sponsors the Leicester, NY event July 12-15; the Stanton, MI event July 26-29; and the Rockingham, NC event September 20-23.

LARRY HENSLEY NAMED DARLINGTON GM
Long-time track operator and promoter Larry Hensley will be the General Manager of Darlington International Dragway.

"What we like best about Hensley are his solid credentials and vast knowledge from having successfully managed several major and well-respected race facilities," said Darlington co-owner Carlton Phillips.

Hensley began racing as a youth at Detroit (Mich.) Dragway in 1959. In the early 1970s he began working for Connie Kalitta and was crew chief for Shirley Muldowney on her first Funny Car. After several years pursuing other ventures, he returned to drag racing as manager of Dick Moroso's Miami-Hollywood Motorsports Park. At one point, he also simultaneously operated Moroso's West Palm Beach track.

NHRA HIRES 23-YEAR-OLD MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER
Jerry Archambeault, NHRA VP of Public Relations and Communications, has announced the hiring of Ted Yerzyk as Media Relations Manager. Yerzyk, 23, comes to NHRA after more than four years as a studio engineer and producer for XTRA Sports 690 radio in San Diego, where he was responsible for maintaining overall sound quality of the station and flow of the talk shows.

"We're pleased to have someone with Ted's abilities join our communications team," Archambeault said.

Welcome to the bigs, kid.

PRUDHOMME ADDS SECOND FUNNY CAR
Skoal Racing has signed a three-year agreement as major sponsor of Don Prudhomme's racing team, which will enable Prudhomme to field two Funny Car teams. Tommy Johnson Jr. will join Ron Capps as drivers.

"We aren't going to have a number one team and a number two team. We are going to have a Green team and a Blue team. And, there is going to be some serious competition whenever they meet on race day," said Prudhomme.

Capps will drive the Green Camaro and Johnson the Blue.

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