GRAND BEND EXTENDS IHRA CONTRACT

Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada and the IHRA have reached an agreement to keep the Mopar Canadian Nationals at the track through 2009. The recently completed event was the fourth year of the original contract. Three of IHRA's 12 national events are now held in Canada. [6-3-2003]

PHASE TWO OF IRP MODERNIZATION UNDERWAY

Phase Two of an extensive, multi-million dollar three-phase modernization plan to upgrade all components of the drag strip complex of historic Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) is underway, track officials announced today. Completion of Phase Two is set for the running of the 49th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Aug. 27-Sept. 1.

Construction has already begun on new luxury VIP box suites and relocation of the East Side Grandstands. General cosmetic improvements including entrance signage, a new ticket plaza at the main entrance, resurfacing the main driveway, widening the main

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entrance to ease ingress/egress and enhancing concession stands, restrooms and building functionality.

The East Side Grandstands, located on the pit side of the track, will be moved 30-feet closer to the drag strip, offering fans a closer view of race action. A new arch will be built atop the existing bridge in the staging lanes with a backlit sign in the center.

Phase One of the modernization plan was completed in April 2001, and included a total resurfacing and electronic cabling of the quarter-mile drag strip, as well as repaving of the staging lanes and shutdown area. [6-3-2003]

CORY LEE RUNNING BRACKETS?

Nope, but as many drag race junkies need an occasional fix, the Agent spotted former Worsham & Fink Funny Car pilot Cory Lee at Irwindale's eighth-mile drag strip last week. Cory, wearing a Big Daddy T-shirt, told the Agent that he's been working on Big's Summit Racing-sponsored Top Fuel effort. Referring to Garlits, Cory said, "Man that guy knows so much!"

Word on the street is that Garlits is doing well for raising awareness of the Summit Racing Parts Catalog and that Summit may be looking at re-upping their sponsorship deal for the 2004 season.

It has been pointed out that Garlits has so much knowledge he wrote the book on top fuel tuning. As our famous DRO Editor added, "Garlits also printed and bound the book." Wonder if he sells it in the Museum Gift Shop? [6-3-2003]

COUGHLIN HOT DOGS IT ON 'MONSTER GARAGE'

What do you do after you turn a hot dog cart into a dragster? You challenge Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. to a race, of course. At least that is what Jesse James did on the newest episode of Monster Garage, which aired June 2. Jeg's Mail Order is one of the sponsors of the Discovery Channel series.

It's not often that a racer can say of the competition, "I ate him for lunch" and mean it. [6-3-2003]

CAPPS TURNS TO HOUSE DESIGN

Funny Car driver Ron Capps made a television appearance on Monster House on the Discovery Channel June 2.

"My good friend Jesse James of Monster Garage told me they were starting a new program and were picking a house to remodel," said Capps. "The people from Monster Home called and said their first house was going to be auto racing related and asked me if I would like to be involved."

Capps, driver of Don Prudhomme's Skoal Racing Camaro, assisted the homeowners in designing a racing-themed house. This was the Monster House series' first episode.

Should the "Trading Spaces" designers be worried? Can Ty Pennington build a Funny Car? [6-3-2003]

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