DANTONI DOES THE DOUBLE AT COLUMBUS

By Ian Rae

Staten Island's Marc Dantoni pulled off a street legal first when he won both the Pro Outlaw and Pro Street eliminators at the NMCA Super Series event at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio. Dantoni drove his own Wally Stroupe-built '69 Camaro to the Pro Outlaw title and drove Don Reems' Firebird to the Pro Street win. Dantoni beat Randy Adler's blown '57 Chevy in the Pro Outlawfinal with a stellar 6.56/215 in his Pat Musi-powered, 2800 lb Camaro.

Dantoni qualified Reems' Firebird in the number 10 qualified spot in Pro Street with a 7.27 and advanced to a semi-final appearance with old nemesis Joe Cleary Jr. Cleary's rear window blew out during that race, forcing a shutoff and giving Dantoni the win light. Dantoni had to return from the top end after running his own car in the Pro Outlaw final and was not fully strapped in when first time finalist Ryan Hargett pulled through the water box, completed his burnout and staged. Tempers flared on the starting line as Dantoni had not yet been given time to fire Reems' Firebird. Officials backed Hargett out of the beams and waited for Dantoni to compete his burnout. The race was all Dantoni, as Marc clicked off a 6.76 at 200.98 for the win and his place in street legal history. [10-4-2002]

KURT JOHNSON TEAMS WITH KISS

Kurt Johnson will have the band KISS as a paint scheme on his ACDelco-backed Cavalier Pro Stocker at Las Vegas. He joins the Kalitta fuel team in having a special edition "KISS" car at a NHRA National Event. Band members Gene Simmons will be the Grand Marshal and Paul Stanley the Honorary Starter at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.

"We're going to expand the audience for NHRA drag racing by bringing one of the biggest names in popular music to the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals," said Scott Mackie, general manager of ACDelco. [10-4-2002]

LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRTS FROM DRO

Resident DRO political cartoonist Kenny Youngblood has joined forces with DRO to produce a series of six T-shirts. Each shirt will be black with a white ink Youngblood illustration. Only 50 of each shirt will be made and when they are gone, that's it. Two sizes only XL and XXL $25each shipping included. Get 'em while they last. Order by clicking on the ad in this section.

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