NMCA CHANGES HANDS AGAIN

Effective July 10, the National Muscle Car Association ownership changed hands. Former owner Dale Van Houten turned over the ownership to long-time "Street Legal" sanctioning body owner Tony DePillo who will take over the day to day operations. For a complete story on what DePillo is doing immediately to satisfy debts and other finances go to www.nmca-racing.com. In the meantime, the race scheduled for Pittsburgh, PA will go on as scheduled. DRO talked to DePillo recently to arrange for race coverage and to set up an "InnerView" with him as soon as possible. [7-16-2003]

FIRST-EVER NHRA INFORMATION DRAGWAY PRESENTATION

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN.com and ESPN Radio will offer drag racing fans the opportunity to go inside the intricacies of the sport with NHRA Information Dragway Presented by Lucas Oil from the Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver. The first-of-its-kind multimedia coverage will provide extensive information, education, and insight into the strategy and nuances of the world's fastest sport and will feature answers to questions submitted by ESPN.com users.

ESPN and ESPN2 will feature the special informational program during the networks' regular coverage of the NHRA event: on ESPN Saturday, July 19 from 7-9 p.m. ET; and Sunday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. live on ESPN and 6-9 p.m. on ESPN2. NHRA 2Day, ESPN2's weekly news show, will also continue the Information Dragway theme Sunday at 11 a.m. [7-16-2003]

MITCH STOTT IN HOT WATER WITH IHRA

A DRO operative recently had a conversation with racer Mitch Stott, who is at or near the top of the points chase in both NHRA and IHRA Pro Modified racing, to verify a rumor that

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Stott had been fined $5,000 and placed on probation by IHRA pres Bill Bader.

Stott said that he was informed by Bader during the IHRA race at Milan, Michigan that he would be fined and put on probation for a year due to a gesture by one of his crew members directed to the tower. He went on to say that the fine and probation wouldn't be official until he received a letter from IHRA informing him of the fine and probationary action. He also told DRO that he asked Bader to reconsider the action but didn't hold out much hope.

Stott then related that his sponsor, Dave Pryor of Radiac Abrasives, had informed him that the chances were slim to none that the team would return to IHRA for the 2003 season.

The Agent hopes that everyone takes a deep breath and relaxes before things get out of hand. [7-16-2003]

CASTELLANA GOING PRO STOCK?

It's been reported on CompetitionPlus.com that Pro Mod nitrous star Mike Castellana is considering moving to NHRA Pro Stock. The Agent has a hard time believing that Castellana would change from a class where he's just won his first national event and has a car that with the current rule changes could be dominant in the class. Going to the most competitive (not to mention expensive) class in doorslammer racing doesn't make much sense to the Agent, but stranger things have happened. [7-16-2003]