GOING TO EXTREMES: IT JUST WON'T DIE!

About a year ago, the Xtreme Racing League was the talk of Internet chat rooms all over dragracedom, only to fizzle out to nothingness shortly after the U.S. Nationals. Well, it's almost time for The Big Go again and the XRL is back on the scene. At least this time there's a couple of names and contact numbers behind the effort and there seems to be a little more planning over at xrlracing.com.

The Agent will reserve judgment on this one. [8-8-2003]

CANNON RUMORS FLY

With the recent rift in Seattle over lane choice of the Oakley-backed Funny Cars, the rumors have been flying. Seems that one of the good ones is about Scotty Cannon leaving Schumacher Racing and ending up in the third Mustang of John Force Racing replacing Gary Densham. Since the Oakley sponsorship contract with Schumacher ends this year, might Scotty be heading over to Yorba Linda with his Mohawk hair and a slick pair of shades for John Force?

Force could use Scotty's profile for Ford's demographics and Scotty could use Jimmy Prock's tune-up. What a perfect match. (Jeff Burk photo) [8-8-2003]

DATE SWITCH?

The latest rumor has NHRA moving the national event at Englishtown from May to the June date currently reserved for Columbus. Should everybody take one step to the right as the schedule gets juggled? [8-8-2003]

MILLICAN'S MATH

It was a slow news day, so the Agent has put his rudimentary math skills to work again, trying to figure out how soon Clay Millican might clinch his third straight IHRA Top Fuel championship.

Barring bonuses for setting records or penalties for oiling the track, 679 points are potentially available throughout the series' remaining six races, based on 90 points to win

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each time, eight points to the number-one qualifier, 10 points for each entry, and a 31-point bonus for entering all 12 races this year. Heading into the event at Martin, MI, Millican had won five of six races in 2003 and held a 198-point advantage over Bruce Litton, the only other event winner this season.

So, with 108 points available at each event by qualifying number one and going on to win, even if Millican entered but DNQ'd at the next two races while Litton enjoyed perfect events, the difference would not quite be closed. If, however, the trend of Millican winning continues, he potentially could have a 260-points-plus lead by the time he leaves Epping, NH, with three races still to go. With an even moderate performance at the next race, in Budd's Creek, MD, the $200,000 championship would mathematically be in the bag. Realistically, though, the Agent figures it's in the bag already. [8-8-2003]