RICE NAMED NHRA DIVISION 6 DIRECTOR
Mike Rice has been named Northwest Division Director (Division 6). In his new position, Rice, 32, will manage the competition at the 19 NHRA-member facilities in the Northwest Division, which includes tracks located in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Canada. Among his responsibilities include coordination of NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series events and NHRA Summit Racing Series events. In addition, he will provide consultation with track operators at all NHRA-member facilities in the division as well as supervise development of new racetrack activity.

Prior to accepting the new position, Rice has been a contract employee of the NHRA, working as a certification specialist in Div. 6 and a Chief Starter in Div. 7, among other duties. Prior to working with NHRA, he spent 12 years in a variety of positions, including sales and shipping, for Art Morrison Enterprises, a Fife, Wash.-based race car manufacturer. He spent 10 years as an employee at Seattle International Raceway and has worked on a contract basis for Woodburn Dragstrip, Woodburn, Ore.

NEW NEONS BACK ON TRACK

Team Mopar just tested their brand new Dodge Neon (fresh out of RJ Race Car's shop) at Cordova Dragway. They will make their professional debut of the Pro Stock car at the NHRA Mile Highs at Denver. They made several passes, and with the temps in the 90's and the air at 2850+, they still pulled off a 7.09 @196 mph.

VESTAL TAKES A STEP UP THE LADDER
Anthony Vestal, formerly media communications manager, has been named Director of Media Relations for NHRA. Before joining NHRA full-time in May 1999, Vestal worked part-time for their communications department. Prior to joining NHRA, Vestal was Director of Communications for IHRA. Before that he was an associate editor for Inside MotorSports and a sports reporter for The Coalfield Progress in Norton, Virginia.

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