SCOTT KALITTA ENTERS EXPANDED IHRA TF FIELD AT NORWALK

Scott Kalitta will compete as the largest Top Fuel field in IHRA history comes to the Sunoco World Nationals presented by PPG at Norwalk Raceway Park, August 21-24. Kalitta, the 1994 and 1995 NHRA Top Fuel world champion, dominated the sport for a while, scoring back to back championships and 11 event wins, four of them consecutive.

Out of the driver's seat since 1999, Scott, son of the legendary Connie Kalitta, will make his return in a new dragster sponsored by Mac Tools and Jesse James, the host of the popular "Monster Garage" television show on the Discovery Channel. Scott joins his cousin, Doug, in the two-car team, with Connie serving as crew chief, assisted by Jim Oberhofer.

It will be interesting to see if the addition of some of NHRA's Top Fuel regulars to the enlarged class at Norwalk has any effect on Clay Millican's dominance of the IHRA class so far this year. (Jeff Burk photo) [8-20-2003]

DRIVER KILLED AT BANDIMERE

John Reynolds, 49, of Loveland, Colorado, died August 16 when both his parachute and brakes apparently failed in Nitro Coupe competition at a Super Chevy Show. It was the first fatality in the 45-year history of Bandimere Speedway. It has been speculated that the parachute may have been sucked under the 1991 Chevrolet ZR-1 and wound around the axle, keeping the brake pads from engaging. Reynolds ran off the end of the racetrack, striking the retaining barrier. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, and four children.
[8-20-2003]

PRO STREET NEWS!

Agent 1320 got a tip that "Big Dog" and Quick 8 Pro Mod hitter Todd Tutterow has been at Farmington Dragstrip shaking down the Pro Street '57 that Bob Rieger drove to a couple of Pro Street titles. Rumor has it that both Tutterow and Annette "Pink" Summer are going to the Real World Street Nationals at Orlando Speed World Oct. 10-12. The Agent's operative

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saidd that Tuttterow, known for getting down greasy tracks, was recording sub-1.05 60-foot times. Wonder if Annette will be in her tricked-out Vanishing Point-built five-speed turbocharged 'Vette? [8-20-2003]

NOSTALGIA TOP FUELERS IN THE NEWS

The Agent hears that nitro tuner extraordinaire Alan Johnson (currently tuning the U.S. Army Top Fueler) has teamed up with block guru John Rodeck in a front-motored Top Fuel effort. Supposedly a Rodeck employee will drive, Rodeck and Johnson will supply the parts, and Johnson will do the tuning.

The Agent also knows that chassis builder Mike Spitzer is wrapping up his own front-motored Chevy-powered Top Fueler that will have a Lenco-glide. Rumor has it the car may debut at the DRO quick-eight race at Cordova this weekend. [8-20-2003]