VALVOLINE CUP RETURNS

The Valvoline Cup returns for year two with a growing commitment to grassroots racing. Last year the top driver in 31 classes of all types of motorsports were crowned national champions, while over 700 drivers received awards going as far as 30th place in each class.

"This is a program for racers, no matter what series they run, no matter where they run," said Valvoline Sr. Vice President James V. Rocco.

Every driver will be awarded points for finishing positions in his or her own racing series. There will be 30 divisions for 2003. Weekly updates will be posted on www.valvolinecup.com. [1-30-2003]

AMALIE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS WITH 'A-TEAM'

To help Amalie Oil celebrate their 100th anniversary, the company has created Team Amalie for 2003. The team is anchored by Terry McMillan's Funny Car (above), along with Mike Comella, Brian Gahm, Larry Cummings, Candus Marsh, and Gary Bingham.

Amalie Oil is the title rights sponsors for the IHRA Texas Nationals in San Antonio, Feb. 28-March 2 and the IHRA American Nationals in Epping, NH Sept. 5-7.

And, this photo is here just because the Agent likes old photos and old gas stations. [1-30-2003]

POWELL HELPS HOMELESS WOMEN

From our Whatever Happened to...Dept.: A recent story in Denver's Rocky Mountain News says that former Top Fuel driver Cristen Powell, who won at Englishtown while still a teenager in 1997, is now working as a case manager at Family Tree's House of Hope, a homeless shelter for women and children in Englewood, CO. Powell, 23, retired from drag racing in 2001. (DRO file photo by Jeff Burk) [1-30-2003]

ATCHISON ADDS ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

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Alcohol Funny Car racer Rob Atchison has added Flat Out Group and Simpson Racing as associate sponsors for the 2003 season. Flat Out Group makes gaskets, decals and apparel. Simpson, a long-time manufacturer of safety equipment, will soon debut Bullit Motion Parts, a new line of driver restraint systems. Atchison will be competing on the IHRA circuit. [1-30-2003]

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