CORTECO PLEDGES NSCA SUPPORT

In response to recent controversy over naming rights to Tony DePillo's National Street Car Association, Pat Lynch, manager of product development and marketing for Corteco Engine Parts, has put to rest any rumors that the company was having second thoughts about its three-year deal as title sponsor of the organization.

On Dec. 1, Lynch posted the following to the message board on the NSCA web site: "We/I stand behind Tony, Pat, Rob and the NSCA racers and fans. The how's and why's don't matter to us as we are here to support this group regardless of name. Yes the NMCA is what we signed up for, but NSCA along with the passion this name appears to bring to the game, works fine for us. There is a rumor in the air that we are going to jump on board with the other group and I am here to say we are not. We are here and hope to be here for a long time. Tony and his crew along with the racers and fans have made us feel at home and on the business side, are helping get the Corteco name out there. As to canceling your subscriptions with Primedia, I considered pulling my advertising for 04, but have changed my mind and will be in Popular Hotrodding on NSCA's off months." [12-08-2003]

PEDREGONS TURN QUAKER

The greatly anticipated announcement of POWERade Funny Car Champion Tony Pedregon's 2004 deal was finally announced on the opening day of Indy's Performance Racing Industry Show. It's Quaker State!

The unveiling of the new silver and green Pontiac coupe was thinly attended, but did put to rest the rumors that had been swirling around since before the Fall Las Vegas race. The Agent was able to dig a little deeper in an offhand conversation with the Champ. He commented that the Auto Club of SoCal had made its way over possibly from his previous relationship with John Force Racing, as a major associate sponsor, but the Agent brought a larger shovel and got a rise at the rumored addition of Tecate Beer and a possible affiliation with some of the Kellogg's cereal brands of Mexico and Central America.

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When asked about a third car for the team with brother Frankie in the seat, Tony commented, "Well I don't talk to my older brother much, I don't really know what he's doing next year."

Next season should be fun -- in addition to the "beer wars" in Top Fuel, we now will have "oil wars" in Funny Car. [12-05-2003]

ATLANTA LOSES DIV. 2 POINTS RACE

For the first time in more than 20 years, Atlanta Dragway will not host an NHRA Division 2 points race, although the track is owned by the NHRA. Instead, the race will be held June 4-6, 2004 at the newly built South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, GA.

The rumor is that, due to contractual problems, Atlanta Dragway may lose its national standing as well in 2005, with the Southern Nationals race supposedly also moving to the South Georgia track. No official has yet confirmed or denied that rumor. In addition to drag racing, South Georgia will also have facilities for circle track racing, monster truck shows and other racing venues. [12-05-2003]