AGENT 1320 ON PROBATION OVER BIG BUD SHOOTOUT STORY
Agent 1320 sent in a report concerning the $50,000 that Gary Scelzi thought he was due for winning the 2000 World Finals at Pomona and the delayed Big Bud Shootout at the 2001 Winternationals. Turns out the Agent was totally wrong. (Course we weren't the only ones confused.) What follows are the facts according to Graham Light of NHRA.

When it became evident that the Big Bud Shootout wasn't going to be completed at the World Finals, the four remaining teams and drivers had meeting that also included Tim Schuler of Budweiser. In that meeting it was decided that, since the race couldn't be completed, the bonus for winning both the race and the shootout wouldn't be awarded. At the same time the decision to let a driver be substituted for Joe Amato was agreed upon.

The Agent has been put on a strict diet of White Castle sliders and Maalox and is currently under house arrest. Our apologies to all concerned.

NOSTALGIA DRAG RACING: AA/GAS SUPERCHARGED
There are currently about 20 of these cars competing in two different associations, the Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association and the AA/Gassers Association, both based on the West Coast. There are two cars currently being built east of the Rockies that will be ready to compete this summer with those cars out west. The car owners want to hear from any other racers interested in the class in hopes of bringing the class eastward. Anyone who is interested in AA/Gas Supercharged cars can contact Dennis Kennelly of PDK Nostalgia Racing at pdknostracing37@aol.com.

NEON APPROVED FOR PRO STOCK, COMING SOON
Officials from the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series have approved Dodge's new Pro Stock Neon. The Pro Stock Neon will initially be campaigned by the factory-backed efforts of Nickens Brothers Racing and Larry Morgan Racing and powered by Mopar's 500-cubic-inch Pro Stock Hemi engine. Other Mopar competitors have also placed orders for the new Pro Stock Neon as well.

"I'm really pumped about the new Neon," said Larry Morgan, owner/driver of the Dodge Dealers-sponsored Larry Morgan Racing entry. "Our new Dodge hot rod will bring us a lot closer to our competitors. I think it's far superior to what we are running right now. It's a good move for Dodge and Mopar."

DaimlerChrysler drag racing program manager Brett Fischer explained the process and approach to the Pro Stock Neon's development. "The new Pro Stock Neon project has been a joint effort among Mopar engineers, chassis builder Rick Jones and composite specialist Mark Kirkman," Fischer said. "We now have a car comparable to our competition. The new Neon will allow our Mopar-powered Dodge teams to show the massive horsepower they have had under their hoods this whole time."

Though NHRA approval has been granted, the cars will have to be sorted out before introducing them into competition sometime within the next few months.

CANNISTER GOES FLATOUT

Flatout Group has just signed on as an associate sponsor with Cannister Motorsports. Flatout Designs ace artist, Scott Cramer has designed the paint scheme for new Cannister mount. Flatout's "State of the Art" graphics will be applied to the car upon completion of the paint job. Laurie Cannister will also be running Flatout Race Gaskets in her Fowler Engines prepped, Wolf Racing-backed Keith Black Chevy.