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Here, Larry Dixon is the designated driver while Tommy
Johnson Jr., Don Prudhomme, and Ron Capps give him advice. As a public
service announcement, the Agent wants to remind everyone not to drink
and drive.
(Ron Lewis photos)
CHRISTIAN TAKES NMCA WIN OVER RIEGER
Veteran Tony Christian extended his perfect record at Rockingham Dragway
by beating Bob Rieger for the Outlaw Pro Street title at the Hot Rod
Magazine Power Fest. Christian held the title 1995-98, but Rieger has
been champion the last two years.
"It's a very big win against the best in the business,"
Christian said. "I don't know why we are so successful at Rockingham.
I just hope we keep doing whatever it is we do."
It was Christian's seventh win in as many starts at the
North Carolina track. During a semifinal win over Mike Dantoni, Christian
turned in national record numbers at 6.718/212.03 mph.
PPI BUYS MR. GASKET
Performance Products Industries (PPI) has acquired the stock of Mr.
Gasket, Inc. from a wholly owned subsidiary of Dana Corporation. The
purchase includes such trade names as Mr. Gasket, Hurst, Mallory, ACCEL,
DFI, Hays and Lakewood.
PPI is a private corporation formed to concentrate on the fast growing
automotive performance market. The investment group is lead by Robert
Romanelli, former President of Mr. Gastket, and Robert Tobey, former
St. VP of Corporate Development for Echlin Inc. (now Dana Corporation's
Automotive Aftermarket Group).
TOBACCO SETTLEMENT AFFECTS PRUDHOMME MERCHANDISE
With the big tobacco settlement now on the books, its effects are trickling
down even to drag racing. Don Prudhomme Racing, which this year carries
the Skoal brand on Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson's Funny Cars, can only
sell that merchandise at the event where the cars are competing; no
mail order or internet sales.
All U.S. Tobacco merchandise left from last year must be sold by June
first. Any merchandise not sold by that date, must be destroyed. The
Agent suggests you get your collectibles now, before they go up in smoke.
NHRA CREATES OWNER'S CUP PROGRAM
If a driver wins a race, he gets a trophy, but what does the poor team
owner get? Sadly, up to this time, nothing but the bills. NHRA has now
started its first-ever Owner's Cup championship. The season-long program
will give a separate championship award to individual team owners in
Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. Multiple-car owners such as John
Force and Don Prudhomme will earn separate owner points for each entry.
The owners can earn 10 points for at least one qualifying attempt,
qualifying positions (1-8 points), elimination rounds (20-100 points)
and national elapsed time records (20 points), with a maximum of 138
points per event.
IT PAYS TO CUT A GOOD ONE
Motel 6, famous for their "We’ll leave a light on for you" radio commercials,
has joined with NHRA to sponsor the "Who Got the Light" program. They
will award a $1,000 prize to the individual Top Fuel, Funny Car or Pro
Stock competitor who wins a round of eliminations with the closest margin
of victory compared to other elimination rounds. The program will take
place at all 24 Winston Drag Racing Series events in 2001. The driver
with the overall narrowest margin of victory for the season will earn
a $25,000 cash award from Motel 6 at the conclusion of the season.
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