THE ACE LANDS

What has been a rumored addition to the Bob Gilberston funny car team for the last couple of weeks has now been confirmed. The Agent has learned that Ed "the Ace" McCulloch will be joining the Gastonia, NC racer as a tuning consultant with Nick Boninfante Jr.

Nick Jr., who brokered the deal said, "We are happy to have him!" While looking for more consistency in the O'Reilly Auto Parts- sponsored car, McCulloch will be with the team at least through the remainder of this season. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [10-9-2003]

WHERE IS THAT AGAIN?

Drag Racing Online gets press releases from the sanctioning bodies and various teams to let us know what is going on. The Agent has noticed a trend with IHRA teams this year trying to make the location of some races sound larger or more important. The latest was listing the Presidents Cup Nationals as taking place in Washington, DC (Budds Creek, MD), but our favorite was the Amalie Oil North American Nationals in Boston (Epping, NH). We had to consult our "National Speedway Directory" to make sure the tracks hadn't moved.

Oh well, if NHRA can call Joliet, IL "Chicago" and Ennis, TX "Dallas," the Agent should lighten up on IHRA. [10-9-2003]

CLUBBIN' IN POMONA

While checking into the some tickets for friends who will be attending next month's World Finals in Pomona, the Agent found a cool deal for the weekend festivities. The NHRA Top Eliminator Club is offering a four-day ticket for $300. You don't have to buy a package of four seats, but if you do, it includes free preferred parking. The package consists of a reserved seat right on the starting line, breakfast and lunch buffet on Saturday and Sunday, complimentary beverages, a bag of NHRA souvenirs, a closed-circuit TV feed to a bunch of large screen monitors, and a no-host bar that stays open later than any adult beverage

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vendor at the Fairplex. And it provides a cool place to hang if the nitro oil-downs get heavy. If you are interested call (800) 884-6472 for more information. [10-9-2003]

GOODGUYS COMIN' BACK TO POMONA

With the moderate financial success of this summer's Goodguys 6th West Coast Hot Rod Happenin' held at the Pomona Fairplex Dragstrip, the Guys have been doing a lot of thinking about coming back in 2004. The negotiations with the Fairplex would make the facility a little pricey to hold a successful event on the seldom-used dragstrip. So, the City of La Verne jumped into action.

Seems that the the Goodguys 2003 show was a plus for the small business community there and with the support of La Verne before the panel that oversees the joint, the fee for usage was reduced significantly.

Welcome back Goodguys and thank you City of La Verne. The Agent will be stopping by the Warehouse Pizza and grab a six-pack at the Circle K on D Street. [10-9-2003]

YEAH, BRUTON, THE TRACKS ARE THE STARS

While watching Dave Despain's interview with Bruton Smith on SPEED's Wind Tunnel Show, the Agent heard Smith say ... "The sport (NASCAR) is no better than the facilities."

Now, that certainly is a different perspective. (Jeff Burk photo) [10-9-2003]