IHRA PRO STOCK Pt 2: GM PULLING BACK AT NHRA

Is this a Camaro?

Is this a Camaro!

In information related to an above item, Agent 1320 has learned that GM either has or is going to terminate its Funny Car body program for the NHRA Fuel Funny cars. The Agent hears that the official reason is that GM will shortly quit selling the Camaro and Firebird brands and feels it makes no sense to continue a program supporting brands they aren't going to sell. They have also made it known that there isn't another body style in the inventory that would lend itself to being a Funny Car shell.

The Agent hears that part of the reason may also be that GM is very unhappy about the aborted Pro Stock Truck program, which they supported heavily. The Agent also hears that GM may take the budget they had to support the Funny Car teams and move it over to Pro Stock and that they wouldn't be opposed to supporting an IHRA Pro Stock team.

If that is true, then the rumor about the 500-inch IHRA Pro Stock makes more sense because that would allow IHRA to get involved with GM and it would also allow the NHRA-legal Neons to compete at IHRA, where Chrysler has a large presence.

The Agent has his operatives checking this one out.

THE HIGHEST RATED TV SHOW ISN'T
NHRA OR IHRA

The Agent has learned that the highest rated drag rated related show on the networks isn't the NHRA or IHRA programs. It isn't event the Import racing television shows. Nope, the highest rated show according to our sources is Roger Gustin's Super Chevy based program. Maybe what the average fan really wants from drag racing television is more car shows -- and nitro coupes!

NHRA ANNOUNCES EXPANDED PRO MODIFIED EXHIBITION SCHEDULE FOR 2002

NHRA will expand its Pro Modified exhibition schedule to eight races next year. In addition to all five events the class competed at in 2001, the schedule will feature stops at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey, National Trail Raceway in Ohio, and Memphis Motorsports Park.

The Pro Mod category, which enjoyed a tremendous amount of fan support and racer participation in its first year as an exhibition class, will compete as an exhibition eliminator at the Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals (Gainesville, Fla.); the Mac Tools NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals (Bristol, Tenn.); the Advance Auto Parts NHRA Southern Nationals (Commerce, Ga.); Matco Tools SuperNationals (Englishtown, N.J.); Pontiac Excitement Nationals (Columbus, Ohio), the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals (St. Louis); the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals (Indianapolis, Ind.); and the NHRA Nationals (Memphis, Tenn.).

Similar to this year, the exhibitions will feature eight-car fields as set during four qualifying sessions (two Friday and two Saturday). Sunday's final eliminations will feature three rounds to determine a winner.

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