CRITCHLEY, KUHLMANN TESTING IN HOUSTON

Agent 1320 hears that Troy Critchley, who is now driving the AMS '57 Chevy house car, is currently testing along with Bill Kuhlmann (seen in the photo above before loading his new car on the trailer and heading out) at the Super Bowl of Drag Racing in Houston. That "mineshaft" of a track usually gives up some big numbers, so it will be interesting to see what comes out of that race.

The Agent also got a call from an operative in the Carolinas telling him that the AMS '57 was seen in the Cannon-Pittman chassis shop and looked to be getting completely refurbished. As evil handling as that car was last year, an overhaul by the Cannon-Pittman folks can only make the car better...maybe. [1-30-2003]

UN-POPULAR HOT RODDING?

The "Popular Hot Rodding" television show, hosted for the past two seasons by drag racer Dean Skuza and PHR print magazine editor Cameron Evans, has been cancelled by TNN. The Agent thought the duo had great on-air chemistry, were entertaining, and actually gave great information -- none of which evidently fits with the "new" TNN. If you're as upset about this as the Agent, give the broadcasters a call at 1-888-767-1090.

In a related move, Evans will be joining the Skuza Motorsports team as Sponsor Coordinator. Mopar dropped their sponsorship on the team last year, and finding a replacement is sure to be top on Evans' to-do list. A deal to have the team moving to a 'new beat' is reportedly in the works.

The Agent hears that Evans will be leaving the Popular Hot Rodding editor's chair. (DRO file photo by Jeff Burk) [1-27-2003]

LEHMAN RACING RETURNS TO BOTH NHRA & IHRA

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According to press releases that have appeared on several web sources, Peter Lehman's IHRA World Championship Top Fuel team with driver Clay Millican will return to IHRA in 2003 to defend their title, with Werner Enterprises returning as the team's major sponsor. The team also says that they are going to run at least six NHRA races this season.

Reliable sources have told DRO that the team tried very hard to secure funding that would enable them to run with NHRA and make an attempt at winning the NHRA version of the Top Fuel World Championship. Although at least one prominent member of the team earlier told people that the team wouldn't return to IHRA, DRO sources indicate that the team's major sponsor was not interested in spending the kind of money necessary to fund a 23-race NHRA tour, but would fund the same amount of IHRA and NHRA races that the team ran in previous seasons. That's good news for the IHRA and the Peter Lehman team and their fans. [1-27-2003]

THREE CARS FOR JACK O

Agent 1320 hears that Michigan racer and Top Fuel team owner Jack Ostrander may add a third car to his stable of Top Fuelers. Apparently Ostrander believes that the fields at IHRA will continue to be occasionally short and that he could qualify three cars at some events. [1-27-2003]

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