ASHLEY FORCE DRIVING FOR DARIEN

Agent 1320 has learned that Ashley Force will test in Jerry Darien's AFD this coming weekend with the idea of driving an A/FD for the 2004 season. Ashley is just the latest in a group of drivers that include Brandon Bernstein, Gary Scelzi and Melanie Troxel who have learned their driving chops wheeling Darien's hot rods. The agent also hears that one of Ashley's sisters will take over her Super Comp ride for next season. [10-15-2003]

FUNNY CARS GETTING SILLY

It's Drag Racing's Silly Season and the Agent is hearing a lot of rumors in the funny car ranks. In Dallas the Agent overheard a few scenarios about the way next season could shape up.

The Force Report...

As we go to press very reliable sources have told the Agent that Tony Pedgregon will leave the Force stable for the 2004 season. He will team up with brother Cruz for a two-car team with major backing from Quaker State Oil. The Agent's sources also indicate that tuner Dickie Venebles and a couple of other Force team members also will leave to form the

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nucleus of Tony's new team. Rumor has it that Force may streamline his camp and run just two funny cars.

The Agent's guess is that Force will have a three car team: a pair of funny cars with primary sponsorship from Ford, Castrol and AAA and perhaps at Top Fuel car with sponsor and driver to be determined.

Tuner Dave Fletcher, who recently left Cruz's Advance Auto Parts team as co-crew chief has joined Scotty Cannon's camp for the rest of this season. There has been no official word on whether Scotty will remain as part of Schumacher Racing or head out on his own with backing from Oakley's Jim Jannard, but rumors persist that Scotty will be leaving.

Gary Densham is still planning to field his own team with "back door" help from John Force Racing, but a rumored replacement in Force's third car is former CSK pilot and U.S. Nationals runner-up Johnny Grey, among many other talented candidates both male and female. The Agent would guess that Force's bus should have a revolving door on it for the potential driver to enter and exit before the season is up.

With runner-ups in Dallas, Memphis, and Sonoma, one of the better performing single-car teams this season is Don and Dean Skuza's Pontiac. The team has made a serious turnaround since Brian Corradi became crew chief at the Columbus race. They're still racing with limited associate sponsorship with plans to return to the tour in 2004 if funding can be found. Skuza Motorsports is working on potential sponsors. [10-15-2003]

TOLIVER TO RETURN IN 2004?

Agent 1320 had a couple of calls this week with a rumor that Jerry Toliver may be making a return to the Fuel Coupe wars for next season. The rumor goes that Toliver is going to get backing from a company that makes shavers and that he has been talking to Dale Armstrong and Alan Johnson about possible tuning duties. It's all just rumor right now but it certainly is intriguing. (Jeff Burk photo) [10-15-2003]