MERCURE IN MICHIGAN MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME

The Board of Directors for the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame, whose objective is to promote and preserve Michigan's extensive racing history, have announced the 2003 inductees. Included is IHRA and NHRA drag racer Paul Mercure of White Lake. [6-18-2003]

AND THEY WONDER WHY THERE AREN'T MORE NITROUS CARS IN PRO MOD

Add Harold Martin to the list of premier nitrous racers who evidently can't seem to get to an NHRA event to race in their Pro Mod exhibition series. Agent 1320 knows nitrous racers who have supported NHRA the past two years, like Ed Hoover, Dennis Radford and certifiable nitrous hitter Harold Martin. Martin did get an invitation to attend the race at Chicago but GM wants him to concentrate on IHRA dates. Chicago was a conflicting date. Other racers have petitioned NHRA to attend races like Chicago and St. Louis and have been turned down. This despite the fact that the last two NHRA Pro Mod events have seen fewer than the advertised 24 cars attempts to qualify. (Ian Tocher photo) [6-13-2003]

"TEAM" MOPAR SORT OF

Agent 1320 keeps hearing rumors that the Chrysler Pro Stock program isn't exactly a Pro Stock version of a Sixties "Love in." The way the Agent hears it, the Allen Johnson two-car team doesn't share their engine combination and chassis set-up information with other Factory Teams. Seems like the Johnson family operation is backed by DaimlerChrysler but not controlled. Not too surprising considering the way that team was treated by ex-

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Mopar racing program manager Lou Patane when they were privateers running Mopar Pro Stockers and beating the factory teams without backing from the factory. [6-16-2003]

STOTT LEADING CHARGE INTO CANADA

The Agent hears that there was a gentleman's agreement among the IHRA Pro Mod racers including Mitch Stott that everyone in the top ten in points would pass on going to the Edmonton race, for a variety of reasons, and instead they would go to the NHRA's St. Louis race also held on that weekend. Now comes word to the Agent that since Stott is leading the IHRA points, he's decided that he will attend the Canadian event in order to protect his points lead he got after his win at Richmond. According to the Agent's sources, Quain Stott, Al Billes and maybe Mike Janis will now be "forced" to attend the Canadian event. [6-16-2003]

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