LITTON AND MILLICAN STILL A FACTOR AT U.S. NATIONALS

There may be a little confusion while you are watching the tube this weekend for the resumption of the rain-delayed 49th Annual US Nationals. The Agent noticed that Sr. VP of Racing Operations, Graham Light, proclaimed that Bruce Litton and Clay Millican, who are currently qualified for Indy, but have withdrawn from competition in order to attend the IHRA race in Epping, NH, will receive their 10 POWERade points. If things go as the elimination ladder currently sits, Millican and Litton's first round opponents will get bye-runs on Sunday.

The Agent asks why this interpretation of the rules is in effect when the premier racing event of our season proclaims to pit the best-of-the-best against the rest for the biggest prize money of the season. The reconstituted crowd at IRP deserves better than first round bye runs at the Big Go. The Agent understands why Millican and Litton left since they are in a battle for the $200,000 IHRA Hooters prize, but they took their dragsters to attend another sanctioning body's event and three more rounds of U.S. Nationals qualifying are planned. It looks clear from here that nobody in the stands or watching on ESPN should tolerate a first round bye. [9-5-2003]

WHERE'S THE GREEK?

The Agent also hears that Chris Karamesines inquired about entry into the rescheduled field, but was told by NHRA officials that the Top Fuel entry list was closed. [9-5-2003]

COOL CORDOVA CHEVY

We at DRO have received a few e-mails about the car that begins the coverage of Cordova Dragway Park's 50th World Series of Drag Racing. When we put up the story, we didn't have the owner's name, but now we do. The wicked 1960 Chevy is powered by a 428 SBC and is driven by Rick Johnson of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Hey Rick, you've got some fans out there. [9-4-2003]