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KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

DRO has learned that NHRA has lost another legal battle in the Pro Stock Truck war. NHRA had appealed an earlier Arizona court ruling that favored the Pro Stock Truck owners to an Arizona appellate court. Dale Eaton, one of the former truck racers involved

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in the legal action, confirmed to DRO that the court had ruled in favor of the truck owners on all four counts named in their suit. He declined to comment any further.

DRO then contacted racer Buddy Martin, who gave us a little more information. All that the truck owners have accomplished to date is that they have gotten judges to say in two courts that they have the right to proceed with their lawsuit. According to Martin and other sources close to the case, NHRA had used the argument that the truck owners hadn't followed all of the correct procedures allowed them by NHRA to appeal the decision. They lost that argument.

NHRA can take the matter to the Arizona Supreme Court if they wish, so the last card hasn't been dealt yet in this matter.

Martin also confirmed to DRO that now the truck owners would ask the court to award the truck owners and racers involved in the suit monetary compensation for financial losses they suffered when NHRA dropped the class. (Evidently, regardless of the talk about this being about teaching NHRA a lesson, this is really all about the Benjamins. What a surprise.)

Martin also told DRO that at this point about 20 racers are participating in the suit but said that he expected that some of them would drop out as the proceeding dragged on.

The next step, providing that NHRA doesn't appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court and win, will be that both sides will take depositions and then the parties will head to court. Argh!!

DRO was also told by a reliable source that lawyers from both NASCAR and the IRL are helping NHRA in the matter. [6-4-2003]

WIN A RACE GET A SPONSOR

Canadian racer Rob Atchison won the IHRA race at Grand Bend in the Alky Funny division and it must have really made his associate sponsor, Erickson Manufacturing, happy. Right after the race the president of that company, Brent Erickson, announced that the company was stepping up from associate status to major sponsor. Erickson Manufacturing makes Tie Downs and Tow Straps with manufacturing locations in Thamesville, Ontario, Canada and Marine City, Michigan.

The Agent doesn't usually plug sponsors, but Atchison is a nice guy and if a company is will to step up and get more involved in the sport the least we can do is give them a little plug. You can visit Erickson on the Web at www.ericksonmanufacturing.com and Atchison Racing at www.atchisonracing.com. [6-4-2003]

PERSONNEL CHANGES AT BARRY GRANT

Barry Grant Inc. has promoted Scott Witmer to the position of Sales Manager, replacing Jerry Dooley. Witmer, an 18-year veteran of the performance industry, got his start as a counter salesman. Doug Schreifer will continue as Head of Technical Services. [6-4-2003]

PRO STOCK STARS SHINE & SIGN AT SUPER SUMMIT

The 11th annual Super Summit car show on Saturday, June 7, at Summit Racing Equipment headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, will host a two-hour GM Racing autograph session beginning at 1 p.m. Six-time NHRA champion Warren Johnson, Summit Racing's Mark Pawuk, Warren, Ohio native Ron Krisher and current points leader Greg Anderson, will be on hand to sign autographs and talk with race fans.

The GM Racing autograph session at Summit Racing Equipment headquarters is a precursor to a flurry of activities in conjunction with the 39th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing on June 12 - 15, at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio - just 30 minutes east of Columbus. [6-4-2003]

WILD WILLIE GOES FOR A RIDE

The radical recreation of the Fuel Altered that once was driven by the legendary "Wild Willie" Borsch and currently campaigned by original owner Alvin "Mousie" Marcellus will make the cross-country trek from Los Angeles to attend the Inaugural National Hot Rod Reunion, June 20-22, at Bowling Green, KY.

When the 72-year-old Marcellus rolls into Bowling Green in his 1965 Dodge pickup truck, Winged Express in tow, the odometer will read 600,000 miles plus. He'll also have the ashes of the now deceased Borsch in an urn on the seat next to him. [6-4-2003]