NOW YOU KNOW WHY HE'S CALLED MR DIRT

Sometime contributor and retired golf hustler, Tom Schiltz, sent the Agent this shot of Bret Kepner (aka Mr Dirt) on the Salt Flats of Utah. Evidently, during a speed run Dirt's car veered off course and these were the results. The only questions here are (1) rental or not? and (2) nitro or not? (Tom Schiltz photo) [8-28-2003]

NEW CAR NEWS

ADVERTISEMENT

Agent 1320's sources have been busy and are reporting several new cars on the horizon. Scotty Cannon will have a new car after the U.S. Nationals. It will not only be new "pipe" but, according to a press release, he will be making wholesale changes including installing a new fuel system. The Agent hears that John Stewart, who currently is "consulting" on the Oakley ride, will move to the team full time next season along with a clutch specialist to be named later.

AMS pilot Troy Critchley reportedly will be taking delivery of a new Tommy Mauney '57 Chevy. That car will also be delivered after the U.S. Nationals and should be ready for the AMS shootout in Dallas.

Al Billes should be getting his blown '53 'Vette back following his top end crash at Martin, MI and complete rebuild at Tim McAmis's shop. Billes will probably show at Indy in his old Murray Anderson Studebaker.

Agent 1320 also got a tip the John Cox has a spot reserved at Dave Uyehara's chassis shop to start building the Rodeck Top Fuel car we mentioned in an earlier note. John's son, Terry, is slated to drive it. [8-26-2003]

JUST ONE OF THE BOYZ

Why is this man smiling? The Agent had the news before it broke and stayed mum until the official release but he is glad to report that Paul Romine and his sponsor CARQUEST will be represented at the U.S. Nationals. Romine struck a deal with the Carrier Boyz team and will be re-united for a one-race stand with his 2002 crew chief Jimmy Walsh.

The Agent also heard that NHRA Senior VP of Racing Operations, Graham Light, personally approved the deal. Good for everyone involved.
[8-26-2003]

IHRA OK'S A HELPING HAND

Who says no good deed goes unpunished? Recently IHRA Pro Stock points leader Jason Collins got a big slap on the wrist after going to the aid of a fellow racer and "interfering" with the track crew. He was initially fined 100 points, 50 of which were suspended. That took the young man out of the IHRA points championship lead. On August 25th he traveled to IHRA headquarters and appealed the sanction. The IHRA board rescinded the complete points deduction and fine after learning that Collins had not done what he was accused of, DRO was told by a member of the appeals board. The whole deal came about over the Jim Yates incident earlier this year when he was struck by a safety vehicle at an NHRA while trying to help a fellow driver out of a crashed Pro Stocker. Kudos to IHRA from DRO for doing the right thing. [8-26-2003]